Posts made in May 2020

Chris Stokes – Howard High

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CHRIS STOKES’ FOOTAGE FILMS

TO PREMIERE SERIES “HOWARD HIGH”

ON THE NEW STREAMING SERVICE

URBANFLIX TV

Brian White, Marques Houston, And Chrissy Stokes Lead The Cast

Producer Chris Stokes’ (You Got Served) will be premiering his new forty-minute, musical drama series, “Howard High” on the new streaming service, UrbanFlix TV (Urbanflix TV) on Friday, May 1st. The show follows ‘Frank King,’ played by Brian White, (“Ray Donovan”/ ”Scandal”) a former honor roll student of the high school who is asked to come back and take a principal position at the school, not knowing that the school is on the verge of closing down because it has become the lowest-ranked school in the state. Frank also doesn’t realize that the only reason ‘Superintendent Thomas,’ played by Dorien Wilson, (“The Parkers”) offered him the position was so he could position him to take the fall and blame him for the school’s decline. To Frank’s surprise, there is major talent right under his nose within the performing arts music program. After firing the music teacher, and with the help of his friend and new music teacher ‘Michael Kirsh,’ played by singer Marques Houston, (You Got Served), Frank and his team just may be able to save the school! The show is also introducing newcomer, Chrissy Stokes, in the lead role of ‘Nicki Ross,’ a beautiful moody teenager who’s just moved to Los Angeles from Arizona, where she got into some trouble. She’s a bit shy, and in no rush to reveal the incredible singing talent that she has. To round out the cast, Stokes’ has assembled some of the hottest singers and dancers in Hollywood which include, Jarell “J-Boog” Houston, V Bozeman, Anthony Lewis, Hannah Malone, Lindsay Davis, Earanequa Carter, Dustin Michael, Mila J, Ross Fleming, Ray Ray and Deonte Jackson. The show is written and directed by Chris Stokes who also serves as executive producer alongside Louis Arriola and Bart Malone. Brian White, Marques Houston, Jerome Jones, Shondrella Avery and J Owen serve as producers.

Howard High Trailer is HERE.

Stated Stokes. “I’ve always had an affinity for musically driven projects.” “I consider this the television series/musical version of You Got Served. In my era, there was a popular show called “Fame” that was loosely based on The Juilliard School in New York City. Being a big fan of that show and coming from the music/dance background that I come from, I felt that this generation needed their “Fame” …. Obviously with a bit of a twist. In that, I created “Howard High” and made it a point to not only highlight the talent that comes from Urban neighborhoods, but also the challenges that the people and the infrastructure of these areas face. I think that “Howard High” will shed light on these challenges while giving viewers an entertaining, wholesome and fun-loving experience while watching.”

About Chris Stokes:

Entrepreneur, director, writer, producer, Christopher B. Stokes made a name for himself in the music industry with the discovery of such stars as Brandy, Immature, B2K, Jhene Aiko, Sevyn Streeter, Mila J, Kevin McHale (Glee), Omarion & Marques Houston. A Los Angeles native, Stokes has been immersed in the music business since the age of seventeen. Known for his ingenuity behind chart-topping success stories such as multi-platinum selling groups “B2K” and “Immature” and solo artists “Omarion” (former lead singer of “B2K”) and Marques “MH” Houston (former lead singer of “Immature”/”IMX”). In 2003, Stokes made his feature writing/directing debut with the super successful You Got Served. That film surprised Hollywood, opening at #1 and continued to dominate even in its second weekend. You Got Served went on to gross more than $150 million worldwide in box office and DVD combined. Other film credits include Somebody Help Me (2007), Somebody Help Me 2 (2010), Battlefield America (2012), In 2015 Stokes set his eyes on entering into the world of television and launched his film and television production company, Footage Films. His TV credits include “We Belong Together” (2018), “Running Out of Time” (2018), “Fall Girls” (2019), Sacrifice (2019), “Howard High” (2020).

About Footage Films (Footage Films):

Footage Films Was Founded In 2015 With the Intention To Pursue Stories Objectively, Executing The Highest Possible Standards Artistically, Creatively And Technically; To Entertain Viewers; And Tell Diverse Stories. Its Mission Is To Deliver High Quality, Multi-Cultural, Fiction/Non-Fiction Programming And Production For Digital Audio/Visual Media, Theatrical And Broadcast Television Through All Platforms.

About Brian White:

Daytime Emmy-nominated actor, producer, and writer Brian White was recently named president of the ON! Channel a premier streaming subscription service. White has been in the television and film industry for more than 20 years. The ON! Channel was founded in 2017 and is the fast-growing, ad-supported subscription streaming service featuring more than 400 hours of original content from award-winning content creators from all over the world including feature films, short films, series and documentaries, including audiobooks, podcasts, and talk shows. White’s role at ON! will be helping to grow the subscriber base, expanding the current ON! catalog and creating new partnerships and affiliate relationships. As an actor, he has been featured in a variety of well-known TV shows including “Ambitions”, “Moesha”, “Mistresses”, “Scandal”, “Ray Donovan”, and the series “Beauty and the Beast.” Some of his film roles include Stomp the Yard, Fighting and Good Deeds to name a few. Currently, he is producing and starring in the multi-Emmy Award-nominated “Bronx SIU”, Season 3. A Boston Native, White is a former NFL player, stockbroker and a graduate of Dartmouth College.

About Marques Houston:

Marques Houston was born on August 4, 1981 in Los Angeles, CA. He is an actor best known for You Got Served (2004) and the TV series “Sister, Sister” (1994). Houston began his journey into the behind the scenes world of film-making in 2010 partnering with longtime music manager Chris Stokes, who directed most of the films he wrote and produced. Marques is currently the CEO of the film production company Footage Films. Houston also serves as an Executive Producer and Writer in the Footage Films. Following in the paths of filmmakers John Waters’, John Singleton’s and Spike Lee’s casting tradition, Houston and Stokes often cast some of their actors more than once in different films portraying different roles. His first full writing and executive producer credit was the 2015 film Will To Love, starring Keisha Knight Pulliam, Draya Michele, and himself respectively. He has gone on to produce the TV movie thriller “Running Out of Time,” starring Tasha Smith, RonReaco Lee, Telma Hopkins that aired in December 2018 on BET. Since the start of this new career, he has written and produced over 10 films so far, including one he has co-written with Stokes that was released to theaters in 2017, titled, Til Death Do Us Part starring Taye Diggs, Stephen Bishop, Annie Ilonzeh and Malik Yoba. His most recent projects where he showcased his talents in front of and behind the camera were “Sacrifice” which is currently streaming on BET+ and “Howard High” which premieres May 1, 2020 on Urbanflix TV.

About Chrissy Stokes:

Chrissy Stokes was born on July 4, 1997 in Los Angeles, CA. She is an actress who got her start as Nicole in the 2012 TNT Drama Southland. She also appeared on screen with Marques Houston in Somebody Help Me 2 as ‘Tee Tee.’ She plays ‘Nicki Ross’ in the upcoming 2020 Urbanflix TV series “Howard High”.

Headshots of the leads and producer Chris Stokes:

Chris Stokes:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sp0mmdh9xdhwfv0/Stokes%20Final%20PR%20crop.jpg?dl=0

Brian White:

Attached…

Marques Houston

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t1bjuq1z6r0r2sp/Marques%20Houston%20Headshot.jpg?dl=0

~more~

Howard High Release/Page 4

Dorien Wilson:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jpbwprk4k4myrzo/Dorien%20Wilson%20Headshot.jpg?dl=0

Chrissy Stokes:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wndx67psy0p5wcz/Chrissy%20Stokes%20Headshot.JPG?dl=0

Media Contact For Footage Films:

Shannon Barr

CEO/Owner

Strategic Public Relations

sbarr@pr-strategic.com

Fabian J. Amezquita

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Edited by Abigail Baldwin

Photos by Dante Jackson

Fabian J. Amezquita, better know as Fabio Jay, was born in Peru in 1994. He came to the US at the age of 6 and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2015, Fabio’s life was changed forever when he was in a horrible car accident which left him clinically dead for three hours. Now, Fabio lives with a condition called degenerate disc disease and 6 herniated discs.

In addition to being a successful model, he’s a teacher and football coach. This past February Fabio was featured in two NYFW shows. In 2019, he was the cover model for the May issue of ThatSplashMag.

Fabio’s greatest strength is his ability to motivate people through his life journey. He constantly encourages people through his testimony and ability to never be held back by his injuries.

Daniel Capellaro

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Edited by Abigail Baldwin

Behind “Dvniel” is the singer, songwriter and producer Daniel Capellaro. His music is an amalgamation of genres including Pop, R&B, Folk and Country. Born in New Jersey, Daniel and his family moved every few years across the United States to places like New York, Tennessee, Virginia, and Philadelphia. Daniel’s musical accomplishments include writing for and working with artists and bands such as Tonic, Lifehouse, Maxwell, P!nk, Pitbull, Chris Brown, and Boyz II Men. Daniel also works internationally, collaborating with Producers such as Emile Ghantous (Charlie Wilson Boyz II Men, Now United), Philip Arron (P!nk, Mary J. Blige) Steve Horner (2019 Academy Award Nominee “One Small Step”), The Chapters, Max Billion (Violet Skies, Mahalo, Jovani) and JBlu (Mrkts).He’s written for Pitbull “Hope We Meet Again” off Pitbull’s platinum album Global Warming featuring Chris Brown, and Boyz II Men “As Long As I’m With You” off their album “Collide.” His musical collaborations also include work for/with hit maker Nasri Atweh (Magic!) Daniel is also the creator, songwriter and frontman for the pop crossover band “Chasing Trains” Daniel is also the paternal nephew of Lee Ving, infamous lead singer and creator of the punk rock band FEAR.

“Lie to Me” was the first single off Daniel’s debut solo project released the Summer of 2019, and is a collaboration with Swedish producer Max Billion. Daniel has amassed over half a million streams, all organically and self-marketed and promoted. Daniel has been collaborating with DJ’s internationally, with his recent release with Lithuanian DJ Jovani, “Half Life” and his cover of John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and also his upcoming releases with Mike Perry and TobTok. Daniel is a songwriter and performer working under the moniker, “Dvniel” and has a series of singles being released this year.

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(Photo credit: Jeff Lorch)

HILARY ROBERTS – JUST LET GO

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RECORDING ARTIST AND PHILANTHROPIST HILARY ROBERTS RELEASES “JUST LET GO”, PROCEEDS TO GO TOWARDS HELPING THOSE AFFECTED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Watch the music video HERE.

Check out Just Let Go HERE.

Dallas Native, Philanthropist, and Billboard #1 Charting Recording Artist Hilary Roberts releases “Just Let Go”, accompanied by a music video, off of her forthcoming album. The “feel good” track is the anthem we all need right now, encouraging listeners to stay positive, not give up, and to remember that there is an end in sight. Fifty percent of the proceeds earned from “Just Let Go” will go towards The Red Songbird Foundation’s efforts to help those affected by COVID-19.

“’Just Let Go’ means so much to me not only because it will forever remind me of the lessons I’ve learned about letting go, but also because it’s giving us a chance to spread hope and positivity during this trying time and give back to those affected by the invisible enemy.” – Hilary Roberts

Earlier this year, Hilary released the single “Good Man”, which is currently at #16 on the Billboard Dance Club Chart! She is currently working on finishing her debut LP, which is set to release this summer. Her past chart-toppers released this year include “There For You,”(charted #10 on Billboard Dance Club Chart in the US), “Back To Life” (charted #1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Chart in the US) and “Fight to the Other Side“, also known as the song that saved the life of her friend, mentor, and survivor of Muscular Dystrophy, Annie Blake. Her most recent single, “Christmas With You” – was released just in time for the holidays, and garnered over half a million views in less than a month.

MORE ABOUT HILARY

Hilary “The Songbird” Roberts has a story of unimaginable troubles, traumatic circumstances, survival, and redemption. When her life was upside- down and disease-ridden, Hilary turned to music to survive. With the support of some close friends, she was connected to help, and eventually given the tools to explore a music career, which ultimately saved her life. Hilary now dedicates her life to paying this deed forward; trying to help those in need, spread her message, help save lives, and ultimately make a positive impact on society through her music, her philanthropy (The Red Songbird), her docuseries (“Red Songbird Speaks”) and her podcast (“Let The Journey Begin”).

MORE ABOUT THE RED SONGBIRD FOUNDATION

The Red Songbird Foundation, started in 2009 by Hilary Roberts, aims to help survivors of trauma caused by sexual, physical, and verbal abuse, by providing counselling, assisting members to enter treatment, and by integrating members into support groups that specifically address their primary issues. Already having saved dozens of lives, it is their mission to continue their work and raise awareness in efforts to save more lives. It’s Hilary’s greatest wish to know that people have already been healed and continue to receive treatment in their journey to recovery, and that there are a lot more who will get the help they need as the awareness of the foundation grows. For more information please visit Redsongbird.org.

TO BUY OR STREAM “JUST LET GO”

(Photo credit: Matt Doheny)

IG: @officialhilaryroberts

FB: @officialhilaryroberts

Clouds – Close Your Eyes

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Raining a storm in the world of Dance music over the past year, Canadian DJ & producer, Carlos Hamwi (Clouds) originally won over the club-scene in Toronto with his distinct house mixes and opening slots for various notable acts including Major Lazer and Don Diablo. His first single, “Alright,” propelled the growth of the 24 year old Syrian’s initial fan base, along with several “ones to watch” nods from global publications following his debut set at Ever After Festival 2019. His new single, “Close Your Eyes,” recently released on Hexagon records with support from powerhouse DJ, Don Diablo, himself. Listen here.

“Close Your Eyes is a song for people to connect to on a physical and/or emotional level. The idea is to be at the club with someone you are infatuated with and it’s only about that person. It’s about that moment when you just need your significant other and no one else.” -Carlos Hamwi (Clouds)

ROLLS-ROYCE HISTORY

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A unique moment of historical symmetry for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars occurs on 4^th May 2020
Date marks the anniversary of first meeting between founders The Hon Charles Rolls and Henry Royce in Manchester, England on 4^th May 1904
Also marks the 2020 resumption of production at Goodwood‑based manufacturing plant

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “We are living through historic times. Our primary focus is, of course, on safely resuming production at The Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex; but in marking this amazing anniversary, we are taking a moment to reflect on what 117 years have taught us.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars records another chapter in its long story today. It was on this day in 1904 that The Hon Charles Rolls first met Henry Royce at the Midland Hotel, Manchester – an encounter after which the motor car, and the world of luxury, would never be the same again. It is with a fitting sense of historical symmetry that production resumes at the Home of Rolls-Royce today, 4^th May, on the anniversary of Rolls first declaring of Royce, “I have met the greatest engineer in the World”.

Together, Rolls and Royce shared a vision to make the future of motoring extraordinary. Henry Royce, an engineer, had a desire for perfection and an innate work ethic that later became the pillar of Rolls-Royce philosophy; “Take the best that exists and make it better.” Charles Rolls, an aristocrat, was an accomplished motorist, experienced in selling imported foreign motor cars. His business partner, Claude Johnson, stepped into the role of Managing Director of Rolls and Royce’s venture and expanded the fledgling company’s reputation.

The company they founded has faced extraordinary challenges and difficulties throughout its 117‑year history. Though still in its infancy, Rolls-Royce endured in 1918 when the greatest pandemic of the 20^th Century, Spanish Flu, swept the world. A decade later, it again stood firm when the Great Depression laid waste to the global economy. Over the years that followed, Rolls‑Royce has withstood the shocks of economic and political crises at home and overseas, embodying calm and constancy in a tumultuous, uncertain world.

In its more recent history, the company weathered the financial crash of 2008 and came out the other side more resilient and determined than ever. The marque has always risen to every challenge with ingenuity, commitment, courage and solidarity, so while Covid-19 is possibly the biggest test Rolls-Royce has ever faced, it’s certainly not the first.

For the current generation of the Rolls-Royce family, working from home has been a new experience. For Sir Henry Royce, however, it was entirely normal. Indeed, some of his most influential designs were produced in the private studio he maintained at his home – Elmstead – at West Wittering, just eight miles from the present-day manufacturing plant and global Head Office.

Royce clearly found inspiration and creative energy in the peace, quiet and solitude that working away from the bustle of the office and factory provided. Famously, while walking on the nearby beach one day, he sketched the initial design for the R-series aero engine in the sand with his walking-stick. A later development of that design, the Merlin, would earn everlasting acclaim as the engine which powered the legendary Supermarine Spitfire.

Royce’s home studio was also the birthplace of another, perhaps less storied engine that nevertheless occupies an important place in the annals of aviation achievement. In 1919, his Eagle VIII provided the power for the first-ever transatlantic flight, from St John’s, Newfoundland to County Galway in Ireland, by British adventurers Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commemorated the centenary of their astonishing feat, and the engine that made it possible, in the spectacular Wraith Eagle VIII Collection Car, limited to just 50 examples, released in 2019.

He added, “As a company, we can draw strength from the knowledge that although Rolls-Royce has faced uncertainty many times over the years, it has emerged more resilient and confident, with its fundamental principles unaltered. Our present challenges may be unprecedented, but as we look to the future, I am confident there is no company in the world better prepared to overcome them.”

YG – LAUGH NOW KRY LATER

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WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

STREAM THE TRACK HERE

“This song is the title track from my upcoming album Laugh Now Kry Later. There’s more heat coming when we’re back outside again, but wanted to give my fans something to vibe to while we’re all inside. Stay home, stay safe and stay dangerous.” – YG

DOJA CAT × NICKI MINAJ

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“SAY SO” IS RIAA CERTIFIED PLATINUM

CURRENTLY #1 AT RYTHYM RADIO

CURRENTLY #3 AT TOP 40 RADIO

CURRENTLY #5 ON THE BILLBOARD HOT 100

OVER 460 MILLION STREAMS WORLDWIDE

OVER 171 MILLION VIDEO VIEWS WORLDWIDE

OVER 20 MILLION TIKTOK VIDEOS CREATED WITH OVER 7 BILLION VIEWS ON THE PLATFORM

LISTEN TO “SAY SO” REMIX FEAT. NICKI MINAJ: https://smarturl.it/xSaySoRemix

WATCH “SAY SO” OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://smarturl.it/xSaySox

About Doja Cat

Born and raised in L.A., Doja Cat made her first upload to Soundcloud in 2013 at just 16-years-old. She developed a knack for music by studying piano and dance as a kid and listening to the likes of Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and more. Soon, she went from obsessing over Catwoman (the Halle Berry version) to “crate digging” on YouTube. The budding talent taught herself Logic and how to compose on a midi controller.

Signed to RCA during 2014, she has released her Purrr! EP and followed with her debut album Amala in spring 2018, but it was her August 2018 release of “Mooo!” which catapulted her into the mainstream and was met with critical acclaim. With co-signs from Chance The Rapper, Katy Perry, Chris Brown and J.Cole among others.

2019 was a big year for Doja, proving she is a mainstay artist with the release of tracks like “Tia Tamera” ft. Rico Nasty and her breakout hit “Juicy” ft. Tyga which appears on her sophomore album Hot Pink, released in November. She made her late night debut performance of the track on Late Night with Seth Meyers. She was also named the iHeart Radio “On The Verge” artist, with “Juicy” reaching #1 on the Rhythm radio chart and top 10 at Urban. Hot Pink has received rave reviews in the press and continues to be recognized as her strongest work to date with over 750 million streams and video views combined.

Live, Doja has played numerous festivals and live shows including Rap Caviar Live Miami, Posty Fest, Day n Vegas, Rolling Loud LA and will play Coachella, Rolling Loud Miami, Broccoli City Fest and others this spring.

2020 kicked off another amazing year for the hybrid artist with the success of her single “Say So” continuing to climb the charts. She delivered an electrifying performance of the track on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this year. The track is RIAA certified platinum, is currently #1 at Rhythm radio, #3 at Top 40 radio, #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, has over 90 million video views, and over 20 million Tik Tok videos created. The track has been streamed nearly half a billion times worldwide.

Rileyy Lanez- Beautiful Mistakes

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R&B songstress Rileyy Lanez has released her debut EP Beautiful Mistakes via Columbia Records. The 5-track project includes previously released songs, “Foul Play” and “I’m Leaving”, as well as “Left 4 Me” which was released alongside a stunning visual. Listen to Beautiful Mistakes here and watch the video for “Left 4 Me” here.

In speaking about the EP, Rileyy says “I’ve seen so many people around me get their heart broken into pieces. Seeing this and knowing there are thousands of people going through the same shit made me want to write and create something beautiful that expresses these feelings.”

Born and raised in the Bronx, 19-year-old Rileyy Lanez pulls no punches with her heart-on-her sleeve R&B music. In May of 2019, she released her original song “I’m Leaving,” which has over 16M streams and 7.7M+ video views. Rileyy is also featured on Lil Tjay’s album track “Post To Be,” and she launched her vlog series “LANEZ LIFE” – watch the first episode HERE.

Beautiful Mistakes serves as a foreward for what’s to come from one of R&Bs most promising voices and rising stars.

Grace Davies – Amsterdam

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Grace Davies shares beautiful ballad Amsterdam taken from her forthcoming ‘Friends With The Tragic’ EP out in June through The Orchard/Sony Music.

Taking a different sonic route from previously released critically acclaimed singles ‘Invisible’ and ‘Addicted To Blue’; on ‘Amsterdam’ the 23-year-old composer, pianist and singer songwriter showcases her ability to artfully document the human condition. Produced by Adam Argyle (Dua Lipa, James Bay, Rita Ora) and composed by piano, the bewitching slow ballad uses Grace’s unique voice and soulful delivery to shift emotions.

“Amsterdam is my Jolene,” says Grace. ‘It’s incredibly honest. It’s about being so frickin’ in love that it hurts, and you don’t trust that something won’t go wrong. Amsterdam touches on jealousy within a relationship and normalises it. Not an unhealthy jealousy, but one that we all feel from time to time, and should allow ourselves to feel – without thinking that we’re ‘crazy’! Of course we may get jealous that the person we love most in the entire world is doing things without us, and of course the thought crosses our minds that we may possibly lose that person to someone else (or somewhere else). We’re human, and I think it’s a beautiful thing.”

The release of ‘Invisible’ and ‘Addicted to Blue’ this year marked the start of a new era in Grace’s career and cemented her reputation as a songwriter, racking up a million streams, landing countless places on influential tastemaker playlists and championed by a wealth of tastemakers. Grace has been isolating by her piano during lockdown and will be live at home performing tracks from the EP and taking requests from fans @ 7:30pm Friday 8th May.

Having independently released her debut EP at the age of 18, Grace Davies garnered the support of tastemakers including BBC 6 Music, became a staple fixture on BBC Radio Lancashire, as well as picking up coveted national ‘BBC Introducing’ artist support. The 23-year-old composer, pianist and singer is a songwriter is able to make the personal universal. With a poet’s ease, her honest lyrics come alive through her soulful, unique vocals and haunting melodies; traits that saw her ascend to the final of X Factor 2017. In a first for the programme, Grace shook up the format and confidently showcased her own songs at every stage, generating millions of streams and a top 2 iTunes chart position.

A true artist, Grace oversees every element of her music. Following extensive time in the studio writing for other artists as well as herself, Grace’s unmistakable voice and fearless songwriting seems set to secure her future. Her ‘Friends With The Tragic’ EP will be released in June.

AMSTERDAM IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD/ STREAM NOW:
https://orcd.co/gracedaviesamsterdam