5 ARTISTS WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE AT ELECTRIC FOREST

June 16, 2022

by isabel dowell

A week from now, Electric Forest will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in Rothbury, Michigan, from June 23 through June 26, 2022. Theoretically, this would be their 12th year, however, COVID-19 had other plans and thus pushed their anniversary back a few years. Nonetheless, we are excited to attend this esteemed music, camping, and arts festival.

Featuring over one hundred artists — including some heavy-hitting headliners, festival favorites, and new, breakthrough artists, Electric Forest 2022 is going to be one to remember. Below are just a few of the many artists we are excited to see:

1. Bea Miller

X-Factor alum and New Jersey-native, Bea Miller, is one of many names on the Electric Forest lineup and has been making waves in music since 2021. She’s been a personal favorite of mine since I was a teenager and it’s amazing to see how far she’s come. Miller is a personality-driven popstar who is known for selling out venues and has one of the greatest on-stage personalities we’ve ever seen. One of her more popular singles, “feel something,” went viral on TikTok and currently has over 233,000 streams on Spotify alone — but if we can be honest, some of her earlier releases — Young Blood or Not An Apology — have always been on repeat.

2. Jake Wesley Rogers

If you’ve confused Jake Wesley Rogers for a young Elton John one time or another, we wouldn’t blame you. He’s the spitting image of everything we love and miss about 70s/80s pop. Also gaining traction from American television, Rogers was featured on America's Got Talent in 2021 — even being brought back from elimination as a Wild Card by Sharon Osbourne. He is full of energy, talent, and sparkle, and we could not be more excited to experience his set at Electric Forest.

3. Michigander

A local band from Michigan — hence the name — Michigander has been absolutely skyrocketing in popularity since live music and festivals have returned post-COVID. I had watched them play in 2020 at a Bernie Sanders rally in Grand Rapids, MI and before I knew it they were making the lineups of Lollapalooza, Firefly, Shaky Knees, and even opening for Manchester Orchestra. I really think this is a group to pay attention to now before they become a household name.

4. Moore Kismet

At only seventeen years old, Moore Kismet is already a breakout artist. Named one of Billboard Music’s 21 under 21 in 2020, this non-binary producer, DJ, and creator, has shown no signs of slowing down. From being one of the youngest artists to play Lollapalooza and EDC, collaborating with other artists, and working on their own music — all while still being in high school! — Omar Davis, the name behind the Moore Kismet persona, is on track to become one of the greatest musicians we’ve ever seen.

5. Goth Babe

Known for recording music in their dorm room or in a make-shift studio in the back of a truck, Goth Babe, formerly known as Griff Washburn, is the DIY-artist and adventurer we could also take some life advice from. This electronic-indie artist is as independent as it gets. When he isn’t creating music, he’s out exploring, climbing, and spending time with his trusty sidekick Sadie. Goth Babe’s music is intimate, fun, and is known to make any music lover swoon.

Bonus: Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Completely taking over TikTok in the last few months with their songs “It’s Called: Freefall,” “Painkillers,” and more, Rainbow Kitten Surprise are an alternative, rock, indie band hailing from the state of North Carolina. Formed in 2013, their unique name was the result of a friend who was on a morphine drip, who was honored with the opportunity to give the group their name. This group is known for their harmonies, instrumentation, and lyrics, also having their live performances quoted as a “religious experience.” This is definitely one act we cannot wait to experience firsthand.

BRYNN CARTELLI: INTERVIEW

June 13, 2022

by mariah estran

Matching someone’s personality to their astrological sign can become a lighthearted game, but one that can lead you to over-analyzing the bigger picture. For singer/songwriter Brynn Cartelli, finding that connection led to her latest single, “Gemini.”

The airy, dream-pop song expresses finding reasons for someone acting in a certain way. “That’s what ‘Gemini’ is about,” the singer says. “Making excuses for somebody based on what their chart says.”

Her new single acts as the introduction to her upcoming project. A new era that will highlight who Cartelli is. No longer fearful of musical experimentation and embracing the uplifting power of sisterhood.

She took time to tell us about “Gemini,” directing the video, upcoming projects, and how she’s grown since the release of her debut EP Based on a True Story.

You’ve just released your latest single “Gemini.” I know it describes the stereotypes we tend to associate with certain astrological signs. But what inspired the track?

Brynn: “I think I’ve always been interested in astrology. I’ve seen people with Gemini placements that act a certain way.

I was getting sick of the situation I was in. Feeling like I kept going back and hurting myself. In a way, I found a common thread between behavior and rationalizing it in your brain. I came up with the line: ‘I’ve had bad luck with boys I’ve tried to love.’ It just kind of became ‘Gemini.’ It was like therapy to release it all and not worry about it anymore.”

Do you tend to follow astrology when it comes to relationships?

Brynn: “Here’s the thing, I don’t ever want to make decisions based on somebody’s chart or astrology. Every time somebody does something that I’m like, ‘oh, not great,’ it somehow connects to what I defined as their chart.

That’s what ‘Gemini’ is about. Making excuses for somebody based on what their chart says. Which, you know, is something I think a lot of people are doing. Especially now that astrology has become a more mainstream topic.”

This track has a light-pop sound to it. Who are some of your musical inspirations in this new era of your music?

Brynn: “I was really inspired by the sounds I heard in Fleetwood Mac, HAIM, and Florence + The Machine. Those kind of witchy feels in the pop space.

When we first started writing the song, I was in London, and I was working with Henrik Michaelson (who produced the track). This was the first day we met, and I showed him this idea I came up with about Gemini’s. He instantly pulled out this steel-string guitar, which I thought sounded so ‘Fleetwood Mac.’

It really ties into the intention behind the project I am working on because it felt like home to me. The Salem Witch Trials — I’m from Massachusetts — I’ve always had an obsession with witches and that energy that comes with them. So, I decided to tap into it sonically and eventually with the video.”

Let’s talk about the video. It has this fairytale essence to it. How does the video compliment the song?

Brynn: “I wanted to be like witches in the woods, running around as if they were hexing some spirit. I don’t love talking about boys in my songs. Like, if they did something bad, I don’t want them to know they have a song about it.

So, I wanted to make this video about wonderful women and the sisterhood of girls who understand being let down. I wanted it to capture the essence of the Gemini, with the twins, and the dancers are all real sisters. I wanted to represent this angel-like, flirty, fun creature.”

How do you feel you’ve grown since the release of Based on a True Story?

Brynn: “I think the first project I put out — Based on a True Story — it was kind of me sharing who I am as a singer/songwriter. Now, it’s about: who is Brynn as a person in this world. I’m from Massachusetts, and I want the record to sound like it was made on the East Coast. It is pop and inspired by my favorite east-coast-sounding artists. It feels like home.

It feels more like a coming-of-age story, where I am less scared to experiment and play with sound. Whereas the first one was just me and my guitar or piano.”

Lastly, what can we expect from you next?

Brynn: “More singles, more visuals. Directing the ‘Gemini’ video has been a dream of mine. So, there will be a lot more of that in the future. It’s been a blast creating the songs and bringing them to life in a new way.

A lot more music to come out. There’s more to know, letting people in more as each song comes out.”

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LADYLAND IS ALMOST HERE!

June 7, 2022

by kaitlyn harris

Pride Month is here! With all the various events and parties lined up, we are super excited to kickoff the month with the highly anticipated Ladyfags’s LadyLand.

The festival will take place at the Brooklyn Mirage on June 17th and is expanding to three stages this year. We’re so excited to see headliners Honey Dijon and Tinashe take the stage! The lineup also includes Sevdaliza, Shygirl, TR/ST, Namasenda, Planningtorock, Ariel Zetina, Club Eat, GothJafar, and many more amazing artists. There will also be stunts performed by RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni, Vanessa Vanjie.

This is definitely a party you can't miss! Check out our LadyLand playlist to get you ready to dance the night away.

CHYLD: INTERVIEW

June 2, 2022

by alex grainger

CHYLD just released his latest single “Head Underwater” ft. Yung Sum on May 20th. The self-produced electronic indie-pop song is the embodiment of the true sound of CHYLD. “Head Underwater” dropped alongside the news of CHYLD’s upcoming EP entitled Be Patient, which drops June 10th. Read more about CHYLD, “Head Underwater,” and his EP Be Patient below!

How did you get your start in music and production?

CHYLD: “After high school when I started messing around with different producing and teaching myself, I started taking it more seriously, being heavily influenced by Flume and others.”

Can you tell us what “Head Underwater” is about?

CHYLD: “To me, this song is about drowning in a dark time and being saved by my soulmate, but I think it can be interpreted in a lot of ways like any song.”

What was the creative process behind your self-produced single?

CHYLD: “It started with the plucky piano you hear at the beginning that really inspired me. I wanted to keep it simple, but also wanted it to hit hard. I also remember hearing my melody of ‘feeling something underwater…’ in a very spur of the moment.”

Yung Sum is featured on “Head Underwater.” What was it like collaborating with him?

CHYLD: “It was really easy and exciting. I love so much of his work, so when he told me he loved the song we were both really inspired during that process.”

Is there a message you are sending to listeners in “Head Underwater?”

CHYLD: “I guess if there were to be a message, it would have to tie in with my upcoming EP, which is simply ‘Be Patient.’ Good things come with time.”

Do you have a favorite lyric in “Head Underwater” that is especially powerful or meaningful?

CHYLD: “‘Your love struck me like a lightning rod.’ Something about this also came out of me so easily, and I love when lyrics do that to me, and this one is so true about my current partner.”

How would you describe your sound? How has it developed since your first release in 2018?

CHYLD: “It’s friendly, fun, and very bubbly to me. It’s always had that vibe, but I think the sound has become minimized over the years. I think I’ve been having more fun with the process compared to my first release, especially with lyrics.”

Can you tell us about your EP entitled Be Patient? Is there a story you’re telling through the EP?

CHYLD: “It’s definitely about finding love, but it’s also about feeling content and finding balance. The theme of being patient could probably be interpreted a lot of different ways by a lot of people depending on their life story, but from my eyes being patient has been the hardest thing for me to do, but I’m seeing why it’s so important now.”

How did you decide to release “Head Underwater” as a single off your upcoming EP?

CHYLD: “I felt this was the strongest song that really represents what the CHYLD sound is. The whole EP was fun to make, but I really loved making this one.”

How is your EP Be Patient different from what you have previously released?

CHYLD: “I think it’s not only the most simplified version of me, but I feel like this is the most confident version of me. I also think it’s a bit more fun, a bit more diverse, there’s a little something for everybody.”

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KAILAYA: INTERVIEW

June 1, 2022

by mariah estran

Ukrainian-American singer Kailaya has released her debut single, “Lately.” The silky-smooth R&B number showcases the act of letting go. The tune introduces us to her candidness, specifically vocalizing hidden emotions. The singer explains, “It helps me so much to be able to express myself through art, and this single was the first of many I wrote that were extremely personal and honestly intimidating to share.”

Working with producer Aubren Elaine and guitarist Reed Hallums, those luscious chords make for a sensational unveiling. However, it’s her philanthropic nature that shines as well. Working with LifeLover — a humanitarian aid group providing shelter and resources to those in Ukraine — portions of proceeds from “Lately” will go to the charity.

Kailaya told us more about her latest work, including a music video with director Dmitry Lysan and videographer Ira Ray. She gives us more insight into “Lately,” developing her sound, and making music she hopes will become a safe space for her listeners.

You’ve released your debut single, “Lately.” It tackles the emotions felt in a past relationship, specifically letting it go. While songwriting, how did that moment help you process your thoughts?

Kailaya: “This song is about my relationship with a family member. I wrote it, impulsively, after a breakdown and was not intending to write a full song. I just wrote out all the things I wish I could say to this person but never have and then realized this is so relatable for so many different situations. It helps me so much to be able to express myself through art, and this single was the first of many I wrote that were extremely personal and honestly intimidating to share. After putting it out, I felt such a relief, and each time I listen I am so proud of the mental growth that this song represents in my life.”

The song showcases your smooth, R&B sound. Working with producer Aubren Elaine, how did you two collaborate to find the sound you wanted to introduce your listeners to?

Kailaya: “I could write a 15-page essay on Aubren Elaine and how talented she is. I was manifesting each day to find a producer that was easy-going, hard-working, has insane skills, and that could become one of my closest friends. Then I walked into a clothing shop and met Aubren. The collaboration process went like this: I sent her a demo of ‘Lately’ and she dropped to the floor and said, ‘Please let me produce this.’ I saw the way she cared about the project and about me, so it was a done deal. We would go back and forth with instrument ideas and the project file was overflowing with harmonies in the best way. She reached out to her friend who is a very talented guitarist, Reed Hallums, and he added the delicious guitars you hear now. Then the final mastering touch was added by Dariush Apfelthaler!”

You are releasing a portion of the proceeds of “Lately” to LifeLover. What can you tell us about this initiative, and why you chose it?

Kailaya: “LifeLover was founded by a family friend in Kyiv. I trust them and am grateful to be able to spread the word about them. LifeLover provides humanitarian aid to hotspots and shelters in Ukraine. They are currently raising money for a pasta machine to help people have access to filling enough food supply. Both my father and I are helping this foundation in different ways right now, which I also love.”

You are not scared to be vulnerable and honest about your experiences when it comes to your songwriting. I know you want your music to become a safe space for others. As you continue releasing music, how will your music continue to showcase that sentiment?

Kailaya: “My music will continue to showcase my real stories and emotions. If those emotions create space for others to share their own, then I will be so touched and proud. The only way I can help other people is by being open and honest about my life and how I process my own feelings.”

You’ve also released a music video to accompany your new single! What was the inspiration behind the video?

Kailaya: “The video started out as an experiment for me. I watched the movie Never Look Away by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and was inspired by a specific scene where the German artist was coming up with different art concepts, for example walking on the floor with paint on his feet and slicing canvas’ open to have paint pour out. I was living in Kyiv, Ukraine at the time and wanted to find a white studio where I could bring a bunch of paint and just do some art therapy for a short visual. I worked with a talented Ukrainian videographer/photographer named Ira Ray. She helped me bring this experience to life. Once I returned to America, I decided to add to this and turn it into a music video with the help of director/videographer Dmitry Lysan and my co-choreographer Amy Morgan!”

Lastly, what do you have planned next? Maybe a larger body of work?

Kailaya: “I have some exciting releases coming up next! A single about coming out will be released during Pride Month, followed by a dope music video filled with beautiful LGBTQ+ dancers/actors.”

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