“IT’S SOMETHING IN ME” by G Herbo. He has released a new video for this single, watch it HERE. Besides, you can now listen to his album ‘SURVIVOR’S REMORSE: A SIDE & B SIDE HERE.
Captain Kirk Douglas is one of the hardest-working guitarists in music today. Today, longtime guitarist for The Roots, Captain Kirk Douglas, releases his second full-length solo albumNew Unknown under the artist name Hundred Watt Heart. Listen to New UnknownHERE
MUSE, ROLLS-ROYCE ARTS PROGRAMME UNVEILS WINNING ARTWORKS INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF ECSTASY
· Muse, the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme, unveils artworks created by winners of the inaugural Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge – a biennial initiative celebrating the symbol of Rolls‑Royce
· Three winners, selected by an expert jury, have created textile artworks inspired by Rolls-Royce and the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine
· Works by Bi Rongrong, Ghizlane Sahli and Scarlett Yang are on show in an exhibition at Cromwell Place, London from 5 – 8 October 2022, before proceeding on a global tour
“The Spirit of Ecstasy continues to be our muse for the ongoing pursuit of excellence. She embodies what we as the House of Rolls-Royce stand for: strive for perfection, attention to detail and timeless beauty. It is fascinating to see our icon being transformed into these three very unique expressions, pushing technical and conceptual boundaries. I would like to thank Bi Rongrong, Ghizlane Sahli and Scarlett Yang for their extraordinary masterpieces celebrating a different dimension of our iconic figurine, manifesting the exciting future of textile design.”
Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Muse,the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme celebrates the global debut of the artworks created by the winners of the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge. These three unique pieces are being exhibited at Cromwell Place, London, from 5 – 8 October 2022, before embarking on an international tour.
The Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge is a new biennial initiative that invites emerging artists from a range of disciplines to create artworks inspired the Rolls-Royce icon – the beautiful figurine that has adorned the bonnet of every motor car created by the marque since 1911. Each edition of the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge will focus on a different medium, challenging participants to push technical and conceptual boundaries. The inaugural 2022 edition explores the potential of textiles, inviting artists to create textile-based artwork.
The winners – Bi Rongrong, Ghizlane Sahli and Scarlett Yang – developed three unique interpretations of the Rolls-Royce symbol. As part of the creative process, the artists met Rolls-Royce’s master craftspeople to exchange experiences before bringing their ideas and innovative creations to life.
Stitched Urban Skin (2022) is inspired by the multi-layered landscape of cities and their mesmerising reflections on the glossy surface of the Spirit of Ecstasy. Old and new are woven together: the artwork consists of three suspended layers of two-dimensional sheets made from specially treated metal, an animated LED light sheet and a Perspex sheet incorporating a material created using a traditional Chinese crochet technique. The use of metal in the work is inspired by the Rolls-Royce car surface and pays homage to the exceptional craftsmanship at The Home of Rolls-Royce. The piece draws on Bi’s encyclopaedic archive of urban imagery, utilising both ancient craftsmanship and innovative technologies, interlacing different locations and histories.
“This piece wasn’t inspired by a singular thing, it’s a blend of patterns connected to cities and nature – the way they grow is very similar. People see only what’s on the surface – the architecture and the trees – but underneath are hidden interwinding roots”, said Bi. She continued: “The Rolls-Royce team gave me full artistic freedom, encouraging me to try new things and be truly brave. I experimented and changed the whole piece many times, which eventually made it even more captivating. This experience has presented me with new possibilities and opened up a different perspective which I will bring into my future work”.
Bi Rongrong “Stitched Urban Skin” via 360 MAGAZINE
Resembling two triumphant wings about to take flight, Sahli’s artwork Nissa’s Rina(Woman’s Song) (2022) is a joyous celebration of femininity and freedom. The artwork explores the beauty of metamorphose and is composed almost entirely of salvaged materials: plastic bottles, plastic tubes, caps, covered with white silk and gold thread purchased from the artisans in Marrakech’s Medina and copper embellished with gold leaf. For Nissa’s Rina(Woman’s Song), Sahli adopts her signature technique of wrapping cut bottles in thread, the “Alveoli”, and building up each element into wing-like structures evocative of the Spirit of Ecstasy.
“The Spirit of Ecstasy – that elegant, free woman who crowns the most prestigious car in the world. A symbol of power, she opens her wings to take flight, and rules the world. What a synchronicity for me! She embodies everything that I would like to express in my life today”, – said Sahli. “Nissa’s Rina, Woman’s song, aims to express the elegance, the femininity, and the freedom of the Spirit of Ecstasy”.
Scarlett Yang’s Transient Materiality (2022)is ahybrid work that consists of a physical and digital piece. The 1-metre-high sculpture is made of intertwining ribbons of synthetic biopolymer produced with liquid particles collected from the ocean and bound with algae photosynthetic organisms. The sculpture’s form, surface and colour all reflect the natural world: its unique texture was inspired the subtle intricacy of animal skin patterns and the structural resilience of translucent dragonfly wings. Made by pouring the liquid bio-polymer into a 3D-fabricated mould, while the ribbons’ green and purple hues were created through experiments with spirulina and other natural components.
Suspended in the air, the piece mesmerizes with its shimmering, iridescent qualities – an ethereal expression of elegance, reminiscent of the flying gown of the Spirit of Ecstasy. The accompanying digital element is a video documentation of the creative process as well as digital renderings of the sculpture, set to a futuristic soundscape.
“My work consists in exploring the physical properties that nature gracefully offers and enhancing them through a conscious and circular use of technology. The piece ‘Transient Materiality” is ultimately meant to embellish the human body whilst serving a truly positive approach for the future of design”, – commented Scarlett Yang.
Scarlett Yang “Transient Materiality” via 360 MAGAZINE
The artists, invited to create their proposals for the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge, were nominated by an international expert committee. Their submissions were reviewed by a renowned jury consisting of Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Yoon Ahn, Creative Director of AMBUSH and Director of Jewellery at Dior Men; Tim Marlow, Chief Executive and Director at the Design Museum, London; and Sumayya Vally, Founder and Principal at Counterspace Studio, Johannesburg. In April 2022 Muse announced the three winners who were chosen to bring their concept to life with the Rolls-Royce support.
The Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge is the second commissioning initiative of Muse. While the Dream Commission supports artists working with moving-image art, the Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge celebrating the endless creativity within the world of materials and craftsmanship. Every two years, the Challenge will be repeated, each time exploring the limitless possibilities of a different medium key to Rolls-Royce craftsmanship, with the Spirit of Ecstasy serving as a point of inspiration.
Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
About Muse, the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme
Muse is the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme, designed to foster and inspire creativity through collaboration with artists who share the marque’s passion for pushing technical and conceptual boundaries. Consisting of two ongoing biennial initiatives, Muse partners with some of the most respected and prestigious institutions in the world, such as Foundation Beyeler, Basel and Serpentine, London. Muse will provide selected artists with time and resource to produce art conceived, and to be experienced, without compromise.
Muse marks a new direction for the Rolls-Royce Arts Programme, which has, since its inception in 2014, invited Rolls-Royce patrons into the world of contemporary art. To date, leading artists Sondra Perry, Refik Anadol, Tomas Saráceno, Asad Raza, Dan Holdsworth, Isaac Julien, Yang Fudong, and Ugo Rondinone have collaborated with the Arts Programme.
About Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems. Over 2000 skilled men and women are employed at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ head office and manufacturing plant at Goodwood, West Sussex, the only place in the world where the company’s super-luxury motor cars are hand-built.
Q&A With Tatev Oganyan of the Oganyan Agency: Changing the Game in Cannabis
The 360 Magazine had the honor of interviewing a woman who is changing the game in the cannabis space as well as luxury consumer goods as one of the top attorneys in California. She is a force to be reckoned with due to her many accolades and talents. Mrs. Oganyan speaks on gender equality, balancing her professional and personal life, her favorite hobbies including her successful “Happy High Hour” events in Orange County, the future of the cannabis industry, and which A-list celebrities are investing in cannabis companies. Read the informative interview below and keep up with Tatev on INSTAGRAM and her website TheOganyanAgency.com
As a powerful female attorney in the cannabis space, do you find being a woman has made it harder for your success? We read all the time about actresses not being paid the same as their male co-stars. Would you say the cannabis industry is similar or not at all?
I think being a woman has its challenges in most industries including acting and cannabis, especially as you move up the corporate ladder. I have seen my fair share of gender inequality, which could be detrimental to cannabis companies. Without a doubt, there are a lot more hurdles for women to overcome but we are stronger because of it in an industry that requires thick skin. You must know your worth and advocate for yourself, negotiate your pay and work hard to get what you want because it will not be handed to you.
How do you balance your professional life and your personal life? 360 read that you work with your husband, what are your tips on leaving work stress at the office?
My husband is of counsel at The Oganyan Agency for corporate and commercial real estate matters so it’s not uncommon to talk business while we brush our teeth.
We just got back from our honeymoon in Croatia, which we had to postpone for eight months due to work deadlines. We powered through and our clients were very grateful. Here are some tips that work for us
Get organized and coordinate scheduling for work and personal time on a regular basis.
Respect professional boundaries and personal space at home and in the office, which is important for privacy and comfort.
Find ways to instill passion in each project and have fun. Your clients will appreciate it.
Make time for nature to unplug and stay active.
Be present.
Our readers would love to know some of your favorite hobbies.
My creative outlet is drawing, painting, and curating unique experiences through experiential marketing. This week, we hosted a Happy High Hour, which was an exclusive taste testing event for industry insiders and influencers to meet Trendi, an indoor premium California flower brand that launched this summer.
Where do you see the Cannabis Industry within the next year?
Without federal legalization, sound regulation, and tax breaks, the market will continue to be volatile as the illicit market thrives. Large operators will continue to buyout challenged operators. Mergers and acquisitions will accelerate as larger companies expand their footprint to boost revenue. The stigma will reduce as education and research improves and more states legalize cannabis. A lot more Americans will be open to using cannabis regularly for medicinal and recreational purposes.
Do you believe cannabis will be legalized on a federal level? If so, when do you see that happening?
I believe cannabis will be legalized but no time soon, unfortunately. I am optimistic about the prospects of full federal legalization in the long run because I believe it has broad popular support from the American people.
Just look at how long progress takes at the federal level with the SAFE Banking Act which was first introduced in 2013. It would be a huge boom to the legitimacy of the cannabis industry if cannabis companies could bank like every other legitimate business.
It’s 2022 and despite the Act’s continued bipartisan support, we see it held up for one reason or another by both Democrats and Republicans. Overall, we believe the momentum is there for the bill to eventually pass, but it is not a priority for this legislative season.
Tell us who inspires you and did they help influence you to pursue your career in the cannabis space?
My cannabis backstory happened largely by chance. I applied for a job on Indeed fall of 2016 and the industry was not disclosed to me until the final interview. I requested time to consider the offer since I was unsure if cannabis was legal at the time. My husband (then boyfriend) helped me research California laws on cannabis and encouraged me to pursue a legal career in cannabis. He also believed in my entrepreneurial spirit since law school and motivated me to start my own business in 2020. Today, we tag team our largest projects together.
What are 3 tips or professional advice you have for our readers who are looking to open a dispensary and have never been in the cannabis industry before?
Only the cream of the crop makes it. Don’t expect to get rich overnight. The heavy tax burdens (up to 40%), ever-changing regulations, and competing illicit markets make it challenging to operate a profitable dispensary.
Know your market. Integrate yourself into the cannabis culture for long-term industry success.
The industry is not for the faint-hearted. Learn to eat bad news for breakfast because you must be relentless to survive when navigating unseen waters.
Since 360 is a lifestyle magazine and also focuses on celebrities, do you see a shift in celebrities being open publicly about using cannabis recreationally?
We are seeing more celebrities openly discuss cannabis or CBD consumption especially celebrities who want to get into the cannabis industry. Fans expect authentic ventures and collabs. Cannabis consumers are very quick to reject cash grabs.
In order to succeed, celebrities must connect with the culture and lifestyle by openly sharing their story and relationship with weed. Otherwise, their involvement will seem merely opportunistic.
Do you think celebrities will start investing in cannabis companies?
Cannabis is an emerging industry and a hot commodity with strong ties to Hollywood, hip-hop, and reggae cultures. In recent years, more celebrities are investing in cannabis-connected businesses. Many like Mike Tyson, Bella Thorne and Seth Rogen are already creating their own cannabis brands. Brands that exemplify celebrity personas capitalize on an existing fan base, which can help drive retail sales. It’s exciting to see how celebrity-backed products attract new cannabis-curious consumers and audiences.
Lastly, if you could give advice and inspiration to your younger self starting off in law school, what would you say?
I would tell my younger self to enjoy the ride as much as the destination. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun because the work will always be there. Trust your instincts and stop doubting yourself. Use your fear as fuel to learn. Being scared and uncomfortable is a sign of personal growth.
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today announces this year’s host, and performers for the 35thth Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards – to be broadcast Friday, September 30th, on PBS Stations. The historic program, which was created by the White House to commemorate the establishment of Hispanic Heritage Month in America, is among the highest honors by Latinos for Latinos and supported by 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions. (An announcement about HHF’s in-person Hispanic heritage celebration in Washington, DC, is forthcoming.)
Modeled on the same format which set new ratings records for the broadcast across the last two years, this year’s presentation will once again feature intimately filmed segments captured on location across the United States and Latin America. In addition to the exclusive honoree profiles (detailed again below), the show will be hosted by actress Stephanie Beatriz – widely known for voicing the character of Mirabel Madrigal in Disney’s Oscar-winning 2021 film Encanto, as well as her portrayal of Carla in the motion picture adaption of In The Heights, and as Detective Rosa Diaz in the action-comedy tv series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Continuing the Hispanic Heritage Awards’ long-running tradition of also celebrating the richness and stylistic diversity of Hispanic music and culture, the 35th anniversary broadcast will once again spotlight special musical guests spanning from established superstars to the introduction of essential new voices that will carry the communities’ music well into the future. This year, that collection features multi-GRAMMY and/or LATIN GRAMMY winners such as Colombian Vallenato champion and previous Hispanic Heritage Award honoree Carlos Vives, beloved Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas, and one of Cuba’s leading Timba/tropical music ambassadors Aymée Nuviola. Standouts of a new generation are also represented by already Platinum certified Panamanian Urban singer-songwriter Boza,, Interscope signed rising Puerto Rican star Robi (who will perform a heartfelt tribute to LEGEND honoree Daddy Yankee), and the first national TV performance of Cuban raised, and now Nashville based captivating rock guitarist and singer Hector Tellez Jr, – whose prowess already finds him backed by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Peter Buck, and Seattle Rock Scene veterans Barrett Martin (producer & drums) and bassist Dune Butler.
“We are thrilled to honor yet another inspirational class of Hispanic Heritage Awardees, and to pay tribute to them through these amazing performers and entertainers on the PBS broadcast,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “Thanks to PBS and our corporate partners we will be able to share our celebration of cultural pride, accomplishment, and vision with all of America during Hispanic Heritage Month and year-round. Stay tuned for our announcement for the in-person celebration.”
Presented by TARGET with Official Broadcast Sponsorship by Nationwide, and hosted by Google, the 35th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards will air Friday, September 30th on PBS stations and stream on Public Broadcasting Service and the PBS Video app. This year’s deserving honorees spotlighted throughout the broadcast and announced over the past two months are trailblazing Reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee, Marvel Studios executive producer Victoria Alonso, Oscar Winner Ariana Debose, multiple GRAMMY winners Los Lobos, aviation pioneer Olga Custodio and ‘Back To The Roots’ co-founders Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora. They join the ranks of HHA winners across the last 35 years, that includes Rita Moreno, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Martin Sheen, Ricky Martin, Rubén Blades, Fania All-Stars, José Feliciano, Los Tigres Del Norte, Anthony Quinn, Juanes, Diego Luna, Juan Luis Guerra, and right up to the continued relevancy of recent winners such as Carlos Santana, Linda Ronstadt, Bad Bunny, Ivy Queen, Zoe Saldana, Residente, Selena Gomez and more inspiring figures ranging from essential farmworkers to pioneering NASA engineers.
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round mission focused on education, workforce, social impact and culture through the lens of leadership. HHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
New York designer and entrepreneur Jevaughn Williams, known as Mugzy McFly, is the co-founder and director of Signed By McFly.
McFly has made the Bronx his inspiration. Last June, he was interviewed by us and told us about his passion for fashion and explained what kind of design he creates for his clothing brand. Signed by McFly was created in 2013 with a single graphic t-shirt and has since increased into an extensive range of clothing pieces and accessories including joggers, sneakers, goggles and even cargo pants.
Listen to McFly talk with Vaughn Lowery about new designs lined up for the winter season and upcoming projects for 360 Magazine.
McFly confirms that this summer he has been able to see the trends that he had predicted at the beginning of summer in the streets of the Big Apple, “Quality, comfort and sustainable styles have been incorporated in bright and earth tones combined with eclectic sneakers. In addition, he adds that fabrics such as cotton have been the ones, he has seen the most. Listen to Mugzy McFly’s previous podcast with Vaughn Lowery on summer 2022 trends click HERE.
Instead, for the winter season he will incorporate designs with slightly more strange colors: mint. In addition, he wants to combine these colors in garments such as hoodies, for example he is very aware of the typical and traditional black hoodie, although he does not rule out adding more vivid colors such as yellow, pink, or purple. He foresees that the chosen material will be cotton again and something that he has in common with summer clothes is comfort. Even one of the star designs of his brand will be the bubble jackets not only for men but also for women. We can’t forget about footwear, a pedestrian accessory of Signed By McFly’s main clothing. This time it is a more functional shoe with a sporty touch. He is a basketball fan and would like to create ”those basketball player feet for next year”. For inspiration “I plan to go to the Flyers basketball tournament, which is completely decked out in my stuff.”
Accessories is one of the options that he is designing for this year. The theme: back to school. Own designs such as composition notebooks. In addition, the fanny packs are going to become a design and trend in his brand, for this he wants to design a classic PVP logo or an embroidered logo. Finally, hats will continue to be designed but this time with different textures than the previous ones.
Now, the designer is working on more graphic and higher quality clothes, ”I want to go back to looking for more graphics on things”, so he wouldn’t mind spending more money so he can design clothes that are better quality and different from what that people normally see.
Their designs are unisex with flattering silhouettes and elegant use of orange details. The style construction leans towards high-end clothing and high street.
Mugzy’s 2022 summer and winter collection are inspired by the slow and calmness of the previous years, aptly defined as “comfy elevated” with neutral earth tones and calm prints.
Francesco Yates is a 26-year-old Canadian singer/songwriter. His music effortlessly blends the pop sound with nuances of R&B and soul. 360 Magazine’s Vaughn Lowery had the chance to sit down with Francesco and chat about his early beginnings in the music industry, and what’s to come for his career.
Listen to Francesco Yates on the 360 MAG Podcast HERE.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Francesco draws his early inspiration from the iconic movie School of Rock. At age 11, the film felt like a dream to him, one that he knew he was going to chase after. Being surrounded by differing music that his parents would play throughout his childhood, too, influenced his artistry.
Francesco recalled hearing his dad listen to “Brown Sugar” by D’Angelo, and other artists like Bob Marley and Led Zeppelin. Being introduced to a diverse palette of performers gave Francesco the opportunity to play and experiment with his own music. “I never felt boxed in, y’know,” he stated.
Having a more classical musical background, Francesco also learned to play the piano at a young age. He still accredits his experience with the piano as a major shaping factor for his career. Incorporating his self-proclaimed “piano chops” into music production, this allowed Francesco to experiment with his sound. With the piano being the initial instrument, he was trained in, he loves to create music with the keys.
At just 16-years-old, Francesco landed a record deal with Atlantic Records, something that he never saw happening. He remembers the feelings that he felt when signing over, stating, “I felt like a deer in headlights.” He made sure to soak learn everything he could during the experience, asserting that “the lessons I learned are invaluable.”
Francesco’s debut EP was released in 2015 while being co-produced by Robin Hannibal and Pharrell Williams. The opportunity to work with such legendary artists is one that he surely did not take lightly. Francesco remembered Williams vision that he had for him, always offering up this one piece of advice. He recalled Williams stating, “the only thing you gotta do is play guitar and chew bubblegum and not look at the audience, that’s what you gotta do,” referring to Francesco’s effortless self-assurance.
Francesco’s latest track, entitled “JIMI” combines his natural imaginative flow with a seemingly pop/R&B/rock feel. He recollected on the writing process for the track, and how the lyrics nearly popped into his head instantly. Using the beloved piano to advance the writing process, “JIMI” hints to Francesco’s laid back, modern vibes
The track carries a feel-good, upbeat aura throughout. The chorus is met by Francesco’s uplifting, impressive voice when he sings out to a lover, “I think I love you, baby, like I love my guitar.”
Modernly as an independent artist, Francesco’s excited for what the future holds next. He hopes to continue to grow and build his own imprint, his own record label. When discussing his number one goal to achieve in the next few years, Francesco communicated that he would love to play theater tours consistently. He’s not driven by the metrics and streaming numbers that he could generate, but more motivated by his passion for his craft. Francesco simply wants to “just be happy and be living.”
We’ll see Francesco join the Backstreet Boys on their North American tour stops in Canada beginning July 24. Opening up for such an iconic group comes as nothing new to Francesco, as he’s opened up for other popular artists like Justin Timberlake in the past. Being able to have opportunities to open for incredible artists has ultimately shaped the way that Francesco works, always striving to learn from other musicians.
Electric Dance music phenomenon YVONTI has caught the attention of countless for their distinctive take on concealing their identity. Though mask mandates have slowly been lifted in the year 2022, YVONTI keeps themselves hidden by wearing a mask. That’s right; this artist’s true identity has been kept completely secret.
So, why exactly do they do it? Why did this choose this route for their career?
YVONTI decided to hide their identity to take a stand in opposition to societal norms, forcing audiences to throw away preconceptions revolving around race, gender and sexuality. In hopes to remind audiences that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like, the true matter at hands matters is the music that is being produced. An artist unlike any other that we’ve seen modernly, YVONTI continues to break boundaries.
Adding in the likes of Swedish Dance Pop Music producer/artist MVRE, we see the two powerhouses collaborate on YVONTI’s latest single “Looking For Me” with a fresh remixed track. The track is full of modern, reimagined pop and dance music influences, showcasing the duos true mutual power.
MVRE, too, stands up for what is truly important to him through his musical endeavors. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, MVRE has continued to voice how he often grew up with no other artists inside of the Electric Dance music category that he truly connected with. Speaking on such important topics has cemented himself as an advocate within the musical realm.
The 360 team had the opportunity to chat with both YVONTI and MVRE about their artistic careers.
When speaking with YVONTI, we were able to learn more about their reasoning behind the choice to conceal their identity, their musical inspirations and so much more. Let’s dive in.
Q: When did you know that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
A: Music has been a key part of my life for as long as I can remember. In my teens I discovered Electronic Dance Music and fell in love. After that I started producing and realized I wanted to pursue a career in music.
Q: What artists do you look up to the most?
A: I feel quite connected to bands like The Beatles when it comes to my message but musically my inspiration comes from artists like Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Marshmello, among others.
Q: Tell us a little more about your decision to mask your identity as an artist, and when did you make that artistic decision for your brand?
A: I believe that many uprising issues in the world revolves around preconceptions about colour, sexuality, gender, etc. and I’ve seen it affect the music industry as well. I want people to judge me for my music not judge me for the way I look or the way I act. People are different and if there was more acceptance around the differences there would be fewer conflicts. Strong forces are clearly trying to polarize our society and have so far succeeded since friends/families now can become enemies solely based on different political views. Though I understand that emotions are powerful in questions like these, it shouldn’t ruin those important relationships. I want to be a force to counter the polarization that is connected to preconceptions by letting people judge my music not my person. My plan is to reveal my identity in the future to prove my point.
Q: What type of artist would you describe yourself as? What genres are your favorite to create for?
A: My roots come from the EDM genre but recently I’ve enjoyed producing more pop-like music as well as hiphop.
Q: What does music mean for YVONTI?
A: When I was young, music took me to another place where I could escape reality for a while. I believe that many people feel the same as me, an example is when we’re on a bus or plane and we plug in our headsets and listen to music to escape the less entertaining reality. It’s a way to ”capture the moment” even when the moment isn’t the most enjoyable one. In these situations (and everywhere else) you can choose music after your current mood in order to make yourself feel the way you want to feel. Music is powerful, it can help people in all kinds of situations and my goal is to play a part in my listeners life by creating music that connects them to their emotions.
Q: Will YVONTI’s identity ever be revealed?
A: As noted above I will reveal my identity in the future and if you pay attention you might notice when I start dropping clues on who I am.
Q: What’s next for YVONTI?
A: We’re soon revealing my next release which I am really excited about and more news will follow shortly after. Stay tuned!
360 then got to speak with MVRE about their early beginnings, what LGBTQ+ representation truly means to them and about diversification in the electronic music scene. Let’s take a look at what they had to say.
Q: What was it like growing up in a small town with a lack of diversity and inclusion?
A: I guess you never think of it much as a kid cause all you know is your hometown, but as I got older I slowly started to realize that I didn’t relate that much to the people around me and that there were a few too many that I didn’t share views or values with. Anything that stood out in any way wasn’t really received or accepted particularly well amongst (not all but) most people. I do love my hometown and growing up there, but as with all small towns, however charming, people have a tendency to become cut off and conservative in a way. It’s very sheltered if you don’t actively venture out to see and experience “the real world”.
Q: Did you admire/look up to any artists while growing up that have influenced your artistic career?
A: I think Blink 182 were my first idols going into my early teens and pop punk was the first genre that I really fell in love with. I think I picked up a lot of my way of playing guitar from pop punk, something that I’ve carried over into my EDM productions. I always try to incorporate at least some guitar! Justice was a huge inspiration for getting into electronic music and still holds a special place in my heart and I’ll never forget the first time I heard Swedish House Mafia or Skrillex. I think that speaks a lot for how varied my productions can be, I really take inspiration from most music I like in some way.
Q: When did you decide to pursue creating dance pop music? Did you grow up listening to the genre?
A: No, not really. Like I mentioned, I got into Pop Punk early and from that more Punk and Metal as I started to play in bands. It wasn’t until High School when I heard Justice and similar acts that I started to dabble in making electronic music, though I knew nothing about how to do it. At the end of High School I had gotten into more House music and Dubstep as well and I had my first few DJ-gigs at small clubs. I practiced my productions and my sound started to slowly move towards the Dance Pop-ish sound it has today and 10+ years later here I am, still learning haha! MVRE didn’t come around until around 2017, which was when I decided that I wanted to get more serious about my music.
Q: How important is it for the youth, specifically LGBTQ, to see themselves in the people that they look up to the most?
A: I think it’s very important! It’s about feeling validated, that you belong and knowing you can achieve your dreams, the way you want, just the way you are. Seeing someone “like you” that you look up to can mean a lot.
Q: Do you think that the electronic music scene is making steps towards diversification, or do you think that there’s a long way to go?
A: Yes I do, I think that it’s moving in the right direction. You see more female DJs and artist-producers now than 10 years ago, and more LGBTQ representation too. The mainstream EDM scene is still very “straight-male” dominated, but again, I think it’s moving in the right direction. The more diversity in any genre or field, the more vibrant and meaningful the experience can be for everyone and we all learn and grow from it.
Q: What does electronic music mean to you?
A: I think it’s such a wide and interesting span of sounds, emotions and expressions. You can go deep and vibey, dark and distorted, uplifting and melodic and everything in between. To me I think electronic music is both freedom and constraint at the same time. I can express myself really freely and genuinely, but I also want to make you move, to dance, and that keeps me grounded in a way.
Q: What can we expect from MVRE in the future?
A: A lot of new music, I’m really excited for the projects coming up! Also it would be really fun to get out and start playing shows again. Nothing is in the books yet but who knows what the future holds!
Both Winnetka Bowling League and Demi Lovato came together when Demi got into touch with head singer Matthew Koma. He posted a short video of the track onto the popular platform of TikTok, where Demi was drawn to the song.
Matthew raves about the inspiration behind fiimy (fuck it, i misss you), saying ““fiimy” is about running into an ex for the first time since a break up and the rush of mixed feelings that ad target you. There’s wondering if you even know that person anymore and there’s reckoning with your own “did i fuck up a good thing”. When Demi heard the lyrics, I think they reminded them of their own version of that experience…so it was really cool to hear them come with a verse framing how that story was told in their world. It takes dismissing a lot of pride to admit to yourself you miss someone.”
Demi spoke on their collaboration on the track, stating, “Winnetka Bowling League has such a unique sound, and I am excited to be on this record with them. If these times taught us anything it’s the power of human connection and missing someone, and I think this song speaks to that in a very honest and relevant way.”
The new EP pulp was written and produced by Matthew, and comes after their accomplished 2020 EP Congratulations.
Matthew talks about pulp, asserting, “Writing songs feels nauseatingly self-important and talking about writing songs is worse than a writer’s camp. But alas, I wrote most of the songs for the new EP in New York and felt panicked for 2 months that I was only capable of pure shit. I grew up in NY but I’ve spent the last 11 years in Los Angeles and sometimes the mentality here makes you forget about doing stuff you actually love. Being back in New York sort of sparked all these memories of being a kid recording terrible demos on ACID (the recording program, not the drug, unfortunately). And that headspace got me thinking about things and people I haven’t thought about for a long time. Usually I’m arm wrestling myself to write something about my current circumstance that’s relatable to more than my three friends who like quarantine as much as I do. But there was this shift in NY and I started writing about people and feelings I hadn’t visited in a while. Time grants you kinder eyes and with songs like ”barcelona” and “fiimy” I got to re-explore those relationships from a helicopter’s view and see it a little differently. “pulp” was about this really odd memory that came back to me one day when I walked by Port Authority and smelled hot pretzels. It made sense to call the EP “pulp” because every song was born from some specific snapshot detail that wasn’t at all the main juice (lol). I usually like my own music for 2-3 months after making it then I’m paralyzingly humiliated. I wrote this on 4/22/21 – use that information accordingly.”
This spring we see Winnetka Bowling League heading out on a series of shows while backing CHVRCHES on their practically sold-out UK Screen Violence Tour. To access more information on the tour and to get your own tickets in Newcastle and Birmingham, visit HERE. See tour dates below.
About Matthew Koma and Winnetka Bowling League
Head artist in charge, Matthew Koma was raised in New Jersey and became a critically acclaimed performer, songwriter and producer who has worked for the likes of Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Keith Urban, Shania Twain and Kelly Clarkson. The beginnings of Winnetka Bowling League came in 2018 when Matthew, his brother Kris Mazzarisi and Sam Beresford joined him to release their self-titled EP. They soon released two more Eps, Cloudy with a Chance of Sun in 2019 and Congratulations in 2020, all showcasing impeccable songwriting paired with memorable lyrics. V Magazine proclaimed, “Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Matthew Koma…[as] raw and honest, possessing a dry sense of humor that is reflected in both his songs and his mannerisms…[Winnetka Bowling League is] the perfect pairing of deep lyrical content and alternative rock melodies.”
pulp EP track listing:
1. “pulp”
2. “fiimy (fuck it, i miss you)” with Demi Lovato
3. “barcelona” with Sasha Alex Sloan
4. “dandelion”
5. “emotionalporn”
CHVRCHES x Winnetka Bowling League tour dates
March 14th – Edinburgh UK – O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)
March 15th – Newcastle, UK – O2 City Hall
March 16th – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton (SOLD OUT)
March 18th – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy
March 19th – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo (SOLD OUT)
A pioneer in the international unity between fashion and sustainability, Jesscia Minh Anh, elevates the new LNG-powered cruise ship, Costa Toscana, into a fully immersive ocean catwalk in Portofino, Italy. The J Spring Fashion Show 2022 will take place amongst the Italian Riviera, articulating the significance of Fashion x Sustainability in the world. The announcement of Jessica’s inimitable fashion show will not only alter the world of fashion and design, but the travel industry as well.
Catch a sneak peek of the out-of-this-world catwalk HERE.
Jessica’s catwalks always serve a deeper purpose than just marketing a new collection; the shows serve as advocation for global transformation. Each production is cleverly debuted at iconic international venues. Every runway has an underlying cause in support, like her J Summer Fashion Show, One World Trade Center. The event signified the newfound power and strength of America that was symbolized in the construction of the One World Trade Center. The event was held at the center 6 months before it formally opened.
The J Spring Fashion Show 2022 serves as Jessica’s return to the catwalk after her last show, “Runway on the Runway,” that occurred preceding the onset of the pandemic. The show took place at JFK International Airport in New York City, where inspiration came from Jessica’s mission to durability in the global supply chain.
Watch the newly released Official Campaign Video featuring high fashion on the world’s newest Liquefied Natural Gas cruise ship in Italy HERE.
“This particular moment in history provides an opportunity for a sustainable “restart” of our society. Costa Toscana aligns perfectly with my mission of highlighting sustainability in a visually attractive way. It represents a breakthrough in the travel industry”, said Jessica.
Former captain of Manchester UnitedEric Cantona announced the launch of his very own travel brand in collaboration with DHARMA, the travel organization that has released travel brands such as Equinox and Culture Trip.
Cantona commented on the inspiration for the travel brand, stating, “Our idea was to create the most passionate football trips on earth, with charisma and soul. Everything today is optimized for price – we wanted to optimize for passion.”
Looking FC, named after the Looking For documentary series produced by Cantona and his brothers (Canto Bros Productions), includes 4-day trips produced by Cantona himself. Guests are taken along an exclusive experience traveling global football cities through the point-of-view of the world’s leading clubs and their devoted fans. Each trip concludes with a Game Day experience seated in the passion sections of stadiums showcased for big League and Champions League competitions. If the Game Day experience wasn’t enough, trips also consist of immersive experiences like fan chant workshops, sports-themed graffiti tours and method briefings with journalists.
The nine trips included this season consist of Manchester (United), Buenos Aires (Boca), Liverpool (Liverpool), Milan (Inter), Madrid (Real Madrid), Barcelona (Barca), Paris (PSG), Lisbon (Sporting), and Casablanca (Raja), with thrilling events planned including Liverpool v Manchester United at Anfield, a Real Madrid v FC Barcelona El Clásico at Bernabeu, and a PSG v Marseille Le Classique at the Parc des Princes. Scheduling is intended for groups but is available to be booked privately to enjoy with your friends and families.
Pricing starts at 1,290 Euros per person based on double occupancy. Included in each ticket is all accommodations, experience, most meals, guides and game tickets.
Looking FC showcases the use of a people, plant and profit approach; in the first-of-its-kind partnership with Common Goal, Looking FC will donate 1% of its returns to fund the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Initiative. The trips are designed with intention to strengthen local businesses, and each trip is carbon offset through Thrust Carbon.
About DHARMA
DHARMA is an emerging travel brand that creates one-of-a-kind experiences. Entering a pivotal period of growth for the company, DHARMA is creating relationships with brands at the top of social markets to continue their purpose of uniting the people of the world through the “power of shared experience.”
CXO and co-founder of DHARMA Leah Howe spoke on the company, stating, “DHARMA brings the passion economy to the travel space by applying the people-buy-people mantra that has been tried and tested for products to experiences. When you build an experience for a specific community it is hyper-personalized. Am I going on a fitness trip curated by my favorite wellness instructor, or a culinary trip curated by a star chef, or on a football trip designed by my idol? The future of travel is social.”
About Eric Cantona
The French football player Eric Cantona has been in the spotlight since the beginnings of his career. Cantona’s football career took off when he was 15, and he started playing with Auxerre during the 1983-84 season. Later in his career during 1993, Cantona played a vital role in Manchester’s first league title in 26 years. Cantona was voted the greatest ever Manchester United player by Inside United magazine. After his retirement from football, Cantona began his career as an actor. In 2009 he played himself in ‘Looking for Eric,’ directed by Ken Loach that won a British Independent Film Award.
