Featured Events & Concert Archives

The Uniqueness of Creatum Studios: A Marketing Agency with a Difference

Artist Weekly Staff on November 15, 2023

In the realm of digital marketing, numerous agencies promise results but few deliver those essential attributes that truly make a difference: availability, results, and transparency. Standing out amidst this ocean of promises is Creatum Studios, a trendsetter, trailblazer, and game-changer, quickening the pulse of digital marketing with its commendable work ethos and impressive results.

Availability is the cornerstone of Creatum Studios’ operation. In the fast-paced digital world, Creatum Studios understands the necessity for immediate communication. Therefore, they prioritize their clients by ensuring that their dedicated team of marketing experts is always primed and ready to assist. The studio ensures direct communication to bridge any informational gap and make it easier for brands to meet their audience where they are. Creatum Studios’ real-time responses and approachable team reflect their unyielding commitment to client satisfaction, making them a standout agency in the digital landscape.

Furthermore, Creatum Studios isn’t just about availability, it’s about delivering measurable results. Armed with rich insights into SEO, Ads Management, Link building, and a sizeable database of Backlinks, Creatum Studios is strategically positioned to foster online visibility for brands. This agency goes beyond creating aesthetically pleasing content for online users; it creates captivating online narratives that inspire clicks, shares, and, ultimately, purchases. With an array of successful campaigns, Creatum Studios has positioned itself as a powerhouse for creating tremendous growth and achieving tangible results in the digital marketing sphere.

Efficiency and effectiveness stand as the pillars of Creatum Studios’ impressive track record. The agency’s bespoke marketing strategies are designed to help businesses scale through a meticulous exploration of data, audience patterns, and industry trends. By tactfully utilizing various digital channels, the team ensures that brands experience an upward trajectory in their business performance and overall online presence.

Transparency is the final component that significantly distinguishes Creatum Studios in the battleground of digital marketing. In an industry renowned for its digital smoke and mirrors, Creatum Studios places an enormous weight on maintaining transparency with their clients. The studio is honest and upfront about their capabilities, strategies, and results achieved, eliminating any room for doubt, misunderstanding, or over-promised expectations. This transparent exchange is an invitation for businesses to see the inner workings of their marketing efforts, fostering trust and long-lasting relationships.

Their commitment to transparency reflects in the detailed reports they provide, showing a clear breakdown of how and where the marketing efforts are performing. From conversions to impressions, each campaign is clearly documented and shared with the client. This level of openness sets Creatum Studios apart from countless other agencies that often shroud their strategies in ambiguity.

In the often complex field of digital marketing, Creatum Studios has carved out a niche not merely by implementing effective marketing strategies but by anchoring their business operations on the tenets of availability, results, and transparency. For companies seeking a marketing agency dedicated to maintaining open lines of communication, driving tangible results, and operating transparently, Creatum Studios is the perfect partner.

Creatum Studios continues to pave the way in the ever-evolving digital marketing sector, constantly adapting to the changing landscape, innovating, and blazing trails. Their social media platforms like Instagram (@creatumstudios) ripple with engaging, relevant content to provide their clients with a sneak peek into the creative mechanisms turning behind the scenes.

In essence, Creatum Studios is a breath of fresh air in the realm of digital marketing. The agency’s differentiation lies in its dedication to client service, its drive to achieve meaningful results, and its commitment to maintaining transparency. In a world inundated with digital marketing agencies, Creatum Studios emerges as a beacon of transformational marketing, unveiling a new standard for agencies worldwide.

Undoubtedly, there’s a reason why Creatum Studios is regarded differently, and it isn’t merely due to its efficacy in digital marketing. It revolves around a concept that they prioritize and execute flawlessly, making them a clear choice for enterprises – availability, results, and transparency.

Mercy, Rising EDM Popstar, to Headline Ibiza Pride 2023 at Main Stage on Saturday, June 17 with 30-Minute Set

Artist Weekly Staff on May 31, 2023

While singer-songwriter-dancer-actress-stunt performer, Mercy, has been busy overseas for most of 2022 and 2023, she’s been filming and creating new music.

Mercy has four new songs in production, with all four scheduled to be released this summer. As well as her recently released hot new single Broke Bad, which explores the idea of stepping in ones VILLAIN ERA.

“Passion, Introspection, Villainy… with maybe even a hint of Revenge. These are all themes you’ll see in my upcoming songs, including the two videos we’re working on now,” Mercy said in a recent interview. “The ideas have been coming nearly non-stop since White Party Palm Springs last year. “Which ignited a desire to explore myself in a new light.”

White Party Palm Springs 2022 was Mercy’s debut in the United States. She also brought the house down in Europe at the Ibiza Pride event, and White Party Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.

“Palm Springs was a blast,” she said. “Soaked! parties, go-go boys, superheroes, and a Big Top finale. It was amazing. I left the event physically exhilarated and mentally charged inspiring brand-new ideas. It’s going to be exciting to be part of Ibiza Pride again this year and I predict another great show and another great creative push as a result.”

She is pushing hard toward June and the week-long Ibiza Pride event in Spain.

“I’m honored,” she said. “Ibiza Pride is about tolerance and acceptance and celebrating the differences in one another. I’ve been being different almost my whole life. To be part of this monumental … I don’t know what to call it. It’s more than an event. It is more than a gathering. It is more than a movement. Whatever it is, whatever the right word is, I’m honored to be a part of it.

What we have planned is going to knock your socks off, in more ways than one.”

While the set list has yet to be finalized, Mercy is preparing to include at least eight hot tracks, backed by some of the hottest dancers.

As if planning the set list and stage show for Ibiza Pride wasn’t enough – it’s just weeks away – the past several months has seen Mercy casting a wide thematic net as she pushes on in the recording studio. Her new song projects include Broke Bad (released April 7), a revenge-inspired dance anthem; Be The Party, a high-energy summer spectacular; Fucked Up With You, a melodic ballad with EDM overtones; Cry, a sultry look at the villainous side of life; Liar Liar, an infusion of rock and EDM; and Echoes, an introspective dramatic exploration of living life.

“It’s never a dull moment,” Mercy said. “For me, this is all about exploration. I want to surprise people, even those who think they know me well. I want to show the world all different sides of me.

Fans are eagerly awaiting to see her in her next two cameos/appearances in the upcoming DC Comics Blue Beetle to be released this August and another feature film that will be released in September, but fans will have to keep guessing until she’s ready to unveil.

“I’m so honored and thankful for being part of those films,” Mercy said. “If you look back on the things I have done previously, there are some hints and clues as to where those projects might be leading me, but I think I need to be a little cryptic for now.”

“She’s been busy around the globe as the locations for the films include Italy, Puerto Rico, and Atlanta, Georgia.”

She is being less cryptic about her return to Ibiza Pride this year, announcing a 30-minute set scheduled for the annual event. Mercy is moving up in the lineup this year, with a leap to the Ibiza Port main stage.

Last year’s stage presence was the result of Mercy’s lifetime of singing, circus acrobatics, burlesque performing, and professional stunt action. This year’s performance will build on everything she has done to date, with numerous international appearances under her belt.

The June 17 performance will spill over into a club appearance later the same night.

“With everything that’s been going on, honestly, I couldn’t be more excited!

For more information on Mercy, follow her on https://www.instagram.com/theartistmercyofficial/.

Exploring the Yearly Themes of Met Gala: An In-Depth Analysis

Artist Weekly Staff on May 15, 2023

It’s no secret that the Met Gala is one of the most awaited events on a yearly basis. Formed by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, this star-studded affair is attended by some of the biggest names in the entertainment and fashion industries.

The best part is each year is marked by a unique theme that sets the tone for the event and inspires attendees to dress in a certain way. This article talks about the most memorable Met Gala themes of all time.

How It All Began

The Met Gala has been held annually since 1948, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it began to take on a specific theme. In the early years, the event was simply a lavish party attended by the social elite of New York City. However, in 1971, Diana Vreeland became the consultant for the Costume Institute and introduced the idea of a theme for the event.

Its first theme was “Fashion Plate,” which celebrated the relationship between fashion and art. Since then, the theme has changed every year. Some of the notable ones include “China: Through the Looking Glass” in 2015, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” in 2018, and “Camp: Notes on Fashion” in 2019.

Interpreting the Themes

An interesting aspect of Met Gala themes is how attendees interpret them. Some people take a more literal approach, while others use the theme as a starting point for a more abstract interpretation.

For example, in 2016, the theme was “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.” Some attendees, such as Karolina Kurkova and Claire Danes, wore dresses incorporating existing technology, such as LED lights. The likes of Taylor Swift and Emma Stone interpreted the theme more abstractly, wearing dresses that featured metallic accents or futuristic silhouettes.

Similarly, the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” theme in 2017 saw attendees like Rihanna and Katy Perry embrace the avant-garde designs of Kawakubo and wore Comme des Garçons pieces. Meanwhile, Blake Lively and Jennifer Lopez saw the theme broadly and wore dresses with asymmetrical designs or unconventional shapes.

The Importance of Themes

As mentioned earlier, the themes of the Meta Gala set the tone for the evening and provided a framework for attendees to create their outfits. It also allows the Costume Institute to showcase its collection in a new and exciting way.

In addition, each theme reflects larger cultural trends and movements. For instance, the 2019 theme of “Camp: Notes on Fashion” was inspired by Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp,'” which explored the idea of “the love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.” The former was a commentary on the current cultural moment, where social media and reality TV have made “camp” a more mainstream phenomenon.

Looking Forward

As the Met Gala continues to evolve, so too will its themes. Succeeding themes will likely continue to reflect larger cultural trends and movements, as well as the Costume Institute’s ever-growing collection in the coming years.

One potential direction for future themes is a focus on sustainability and ethical fashion. As time goes by and the fashion industry continues to grapple with pressing issues, such as climate change and fast fashion, the Met Gala could provide a platform for designers to showcase more sustainable and eco-friendly designs.

Final Thoughts

The Met Gala’s themes provide a framework for attendees to create their outfits and allow the Costume Institute to showcase its collection in a new and exciting way. While the themes have changed over the years, they have always reflected larger cultural trends and movements. As the Met Gala continues to change, future themes will likely continue to do so as well, reflecting the evolving fashion industry.

Get the inside scoop on music and entertainment at Artist Weekly! We cover everything from new album releases to celebrity gossip and interviews with your favorite artists. Don’t miss out on the latest buzz in music and entertainment.

Visit our website regularly for more updates!

Red Cube: The Safety of Our Patrons, Artists and Staff Has Been Our #1 Priority

Artist Weekly Staff on December 12, 2022

Established in 2003, Red Cube is one of the top production companies on the West Coast, responsible for the largest electronic music events in Portland and Eugene, Oregon. With an energetic team, a highly talented roster of resident DJs, and a pursuit of boundary-pushing music, Red Cube has produced over 2000 events and sold nearly 10 million dollars in ticket revenue. In the coming year, they are all set to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

It was in 2016 that they opened their own venue called 45 East, which has now become the premier 21+ dance music venue in the state of Oregon, booking over 150 events a year. The hustle started when Paul Song, the founder of Red Cube Productions, was introduced to the underground rave scene in the late 90s after he attended his first-ever warehouse party. He immediately fell in love with what the culture and community had to offer. In 2003, Red Cube was born and organized an event, Ice Break, which sold out by hitting the capacity of the club by an hour after doors opened. Paul saw people enjoying themselves, dancing to the music and having a great time at his event. His heart was filled with love and appreciation, and after that night, Red Cube Productions continued to book more events and entertain crowds.

Music and dance have a universal language, and this is something that connects people from various cultures, regions and backgrounds. “Our aim is to create and offer safe events with top-notch production quality featuring international artists. We want to create events where people can gather with their friends and family to enjoy seeing their favorite artists and dance to music, allowing diverse people to connect with one another,” shared Paul Song.

Ever since they started working and opening their own space, 45 East, where the safety of their patrons, artists and staff has been their number 1 priority. They have been consistently booking renowned artists without any specific genre so that diversified people can enjoy various forms of music and dance. However, hosting large crowds means opening doors for medical incidents, yet they have been extra vigilant about such cases. Not just that, they also make sure the artists and patrons can have a great experience whenever they are invited to their venues or events without any mishaps while feeling safe and secure when performing.

There is no denying that healthy competition is great for any business, but Red Cube brings years of experience and expertise to the table, making them stand out from the rest of its competitors. “We can’t book all the shows. Hence, other promoters and venues are able to book artists as well, but overall, this is amazing for our city and consumers,” revealed Paul Song. “I wouldn’t also say that we are better than our competitors, but we have been around longer and have more experience in more ways than one. We are definitely more aggressive and consistent than others in our market,” he added.

In 2013, the city of Portland halted Red Cube’s permission to produce dance music events in larger venues. They worked hard to overcome this issue, and finally, in 2019, they regained the trust of the city and were able to get back into a larger venue, Portland Expo Center. Since then, they have curated a new Halloween brand festival, Freaky Deaky Portland, with Disco Donnie Presents and brought back Moonlight Masquerade, a festival for New Year’s Eve weekend. They have recently launched a new brand, Bridge City Block Party, which will be held in downtown Portland, featuring some of the hottest dance music artists, local artists, local vendors and many more. It is after years of hard work and delivering results in the business that they have gained trust from their audiences, venues, artists, agents, management, city officials, etc. Because of this gained trust, they have been able to develop a solid reputation in the industry.

With around 20 years in the industry, Red Cube has accomplished its goal of creating the most electrifying nights for its diverse audience. However, producing safe and high-quality events still remains the driving force behind every event. They not just focus on pulling in large crowds and booking top artists but also ensure that all their events remain incident-free, secure and safe for the artists as well as the audience.

Aurora’s Runaway Song Rules The Global Chart Thanks to Tiktok

Artist Weekly Staff on February 3, 2022

Six years ago, a Norweigan singer-songwriter Aurora Aksnes, better known as AURORA, dropped an ethereal and folktronica called “Runaway. The song became an instant hit after Tiktok users liked the song and incorporated it into their videos. The “Runaway” song has been hashtagged and used in over 723,000 videos in the said app. Using the music, Tiktok users created beautifully choreographed dance routines with shots of starry skies and surreal sunsets as backgrounds.

The discovery of the song on Tiktok resulted in a massive boost in streaming numbers. Recently, it has reached No. 59 on the UK’s Top 100 chart. The recent trend got the attention of the Norweigan singer-songwriter and said in an interview, “I’ve never been very driven by these kinds of things. I don’t pay so much attention to what happens to the music after you release it. But I am very grateful that people have let ‘Runaway’ into their hearts.”

Even Billie Eilish admitted that Aurora’s Runaway was one of her inspirations that got her into music. During an interview with Vanity Fair, Billie Eilish said, “When I was 12, I saw Aurora’s ‘Runaway’ music video. Something inside me clicked, like, that is what I want to do, no matter whether it goes anywhere or not.” In response to Eilish’s praises about her song, Aurora complimented back the female artist, “I think the world needs more artists who just do what they want. She uses her voice is such a cool way. I’m also a big fan of her brother Finneas O’Connell and the way he produces lo-fi percussion. I will be listening to her more because she must be doing something right. The world seems to adore her right now because she’s really cool.”

When asked about the origins of her hit song, Aurora told NME in 2019, “I wrote ‘Runaway’ when I was 11-years-old. It’s quite funny because the older I got, the more it made sense to me. It touched my heart, and now it reminds me of things that happened after I wrote it. It was kind of like a gift to myself.” Moreover, she added, “It’s weird because my inspiration for the lyrics to ‘Runaway’ came out of nowhere. A few years later, something happened to me (well, the whole of Norway, actually), and then the lyrics made so much sense to me. I sat in my house on the usual piano I always write on, and it looks like an hour, I think.”

Aurora spent most of her childhood in the Os mountains, living in nature. While growing up, she used most of her time going outdoors alone. When she was six years old, she started composing melodies and song lyrics while using the piano her parents gifted to her. Her discovery as an artist was accidental. Back in 2012, she uploaded a song called Puppet on Soundcloud as her Christmas gift to her parents. Luckily, an agent heard the song and made a contract with her.

Over the years of making music, her songs are often classified as electropop, featuring synth, drums, and keyboard as melodies. Among her memorable breakout tracks were Half The World Away, a cover of Oasis’ 1994, Murder Song, and Running with the Wolves. Moreover, she teamed up with Idina Menzel to create the Frozen theme song Into The Unknown. Listen to Aurora’s track today on Spotify.

Sources:

Aurora’s ‘Runaway’ soars up the charts following TikTok success

https://popcrush.com/who-is-aurora-into-the-unknown/

Best Performances From MTV’s Video Music Awards

Artist Weekly Staff on February 3, 2022

Source: Pitchfork

The red carpets are back, and celebrities are offering top-notch beauty looks to make up for a year of sweatpants socially distanced award show of 2020 from the New York Fashion Week, the Met Gala, and the recently concluded MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs). The star-studded event was a big night for Grammy-Award winner Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, among several others.

Several A-list singers—including Chlöe, Lil Nas X, Machine Gun Kelly, Justin Bieber, Camila CabelloKacey Musgraves, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots—marked the night with memorable performances. Other stars made their VMA debuts with new songs. R&B singer Chlöe Bailey (half of the sister R&B duo Chlöe x Halle) performing her jaw-dropping, hip-shaking debut solo single “Have Mercy” onstage for the first time. Kacey Musgraves also literally set the scenes ablaze with a candlelit stage and a hearty performance of “Star-Crossed,” the title track off her recently released studio album.

Some of the borough’s best also returned to the stage, such as the iconic rapper Busta Rhymes along with his hype man Spliff Star. Busta took the Barclays Center by storm, performing a collection of his biggest jams from “Look at Me Now,” “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” to the hit song “Pass the Courvoisier,” amplified by extremely memorable music videos. The legendary rapper finished the show by telling the audience, “Brooklyn, don’t ever forget that.”

Alicia Keys also made a special performance and honored the anniversary of 9/11 by ending her rendition with a piano version of “Empire State of Mind.” The night also included surprise appearances from Madonna and Jennifer Lopez and a special presentation from Fat Joe. Other notable acts include five-time VMA nominee Olivia Rodrigo bringing her prom concert film to life. The “Deja Vu” singer descended on stage in a poofy, iridescent cloud, lending her hearty energy to the party as she spiced up the night.

Doja Cat’s gravity-defying moment is not to be forgotten as she danced midair after being introduced by gymnast Simone Biles. The high-flying performer rendered her song “Been Like This” and “You Right” as she contorted midair surrounded by an orb of circling light.

Justin Bieber led the “moon person” award nomination with seven nominations, followed by Megan Thee Stallion with six nominations. Billie Eilish, BTS, Doja Cat, Drake, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, and Giveon each got five nominations. The video of the year award was awarded to Lil Nas X for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” The music video won best directions and best visual effects and gave his acceptance speech by thanking “the gay agenda.”

Justin Bieber took the award for artist of the year and shared “best pop” with Daniel Caesar and Giveon for “Peaches.” for the song of the year and best push performance. Doja Cat ft. SZA: “Kiss Me More” won the award for best collaborations.

Legendary Universal Music Group Plans IPO for End of 2021

Artist Weekly Staff on February 3, 2022

Source: Universal Music Group

A recognized world leader in music-based entertainment with operations in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content, Universal Music Group (UMG) is an undeniable force in the industry-shaping international sound. This year, the music conglomerate opens its doors and gets listed in a public offering on the Euronext stock exchange in Amsterdam.

Established in September 1934, Universal Music Group is one of the “big four” entertainment agencies and the most extensive record label globally, dominating 98% of the global music market with operations in over 68 countries. The company also carries influential subsidiaries in the music industry. Prominent among them are the record labels EMI Records, Decca Records, Capitol Music Group, Island Records, Motown Records, Virgin Music, Aftermath Entertainment, and many more.

In the business of offering artists coveted brand sponsorships and opportunities with a brilliant production team for more than eight decades, UMG houses global award-winning talents the likes of Akon, Eminem, The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Carrie Underwood, Imagine Dragons among many others under its vast umbrella.

This year, UMG is set to go public in Amsterdam. The decision was announced in a released statement by the organization estimating the value of the record label at $36.4 billion after a consortium led by Chinese e-commerce giant Tencent Holdings increased its stakes and acquired a second 10% chunk of UMG equity taking its total holding to 20%.

The statement confirms that UMG parent Vivendi management board is considering “a distribution of 60% of UMG’s share capital to Vivendi shareholders via a special dividend.” Post-IPO, UMG will be approximately owned by the Tencent consortium 20%, by Vivendi 20%, other Vivendi shareholders 44%, and 16% directly by the Bolloré group (which already owns 27% of Vivendi).

Suppose the plan to distribute 60% of UMG share capital through the Euronext stock exchange in Amsterdam comes to fruition. In that case, it will mark a new era and solidifies the relationship between the companies as UMG would be in a privileged position and be able to utilize its increased financial flexibility to pursue dynamic development that would cement its pioneering role in the music and entertainment industry, accelerates its growth as a global leader to the advantage of artists and fans worldwide.

Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, Sir Lucian Grainge, also confirmed the news through an internal memo sent to the company’s global employees. On April 13, Sir Grainge announced new appointments within the company’s corporate and finance team based at the new headquarters in Hilversum, Netherlands.

The new positions which are effective immediately are part of the company’s strategic development and preparation for the proposed public offering on Amsterdam’s Euronext stock exchange. As the company goes public, the new executives will help navigate the way as a free-standing company. Appointed as the new Deputy CEO Corporate, Vincent Vallejo will be reporting directly to Sir Grainge. Before his new appointment, Vincent has worked with UMG since joining in 1998 and risen through the ranks most recently as VP, Audit, and Special Projects.

Learn more about Universal Music Group and stay updated with its growth by visiting its official website.

References:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vivendi-plans-ipo-for-universal-music-group-by-end-of-2021

Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone’s Series Arrived on Netflix

Artist Weekly Staff on February 3, 2022

Image source: Variety

The new young adult fantasy series recently dropped on the popular streaming platform Netflix. Shadow and Bone TV series is based on Leigh Bardugo’s best-selling Grishaverse novels. It is one of the three books from the Grisha trilogy, including Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising as its subsequent novels.

The first trilogy presents a story of a war-torn Russian-inspired nation known as Ravka, split by an impenetrable darkness called “The Shadow Fold,” where monsters called “volcra” occupy the space. The story revolves around the life of a teenage orphan named Alina Starkov, who later develops immense power and reveals to the saintly sun summoner. Following the narrative, she is considered the chosen one who could heal a divided nation and destroy “The Shadow Fold.”

Compared to all good fantasy books, Leigh Bardugo’s fictional universe has a name of its own. It is called Grishaverse. The name is derived from the word “Grisha,” which pertains to the people in Shadow and Bone. To put it simply, the Grishas are people with magically gifted abilities. They are a class of individuals with supernatural powers, and they are considered unique compared to the rest of the humans who live there. In the said Netflix adaptation, Grishas are divided into groups based on their set of abilities. Each child undergoes a test to determine whether they’re Grisha or not. Once a child is classified as a Grisha, they are sent to the “Little Palace” to hone their abilities.

There are three main types or orders of Grisha. The first one is called Corporalki, having the ability to manipulate/treat the human body. Next, the Materialki, having the power to manipulate materials. Lastly, the Etherealki, having the power to control the natural elements. Alina, the protagonist, belongs in the Etherealki category because of her ability to summon light. The series focused on giving light to the different classes of the Grishaverse. Another thing that sets apart the Netflix series is the complexity of the narrative, which tackles societal issues such as race, politics, and social prejudices.

It was considerably a long journey for Leigh Bardugo before Shadow and Bone was adapted into a television series. Back in 2012, the first book of the trilogy came out and became a New York Times bestseller. In the same year, Dreamworks planned to franchise for an adaptation of the book. However, it didn’t come to fruition. According to Bardugo, “Well, we did first sell the option to the original trilogy to DreamWorks in 2012. And then, as so often happens in Hollywood, the executive who had brought it in and shepherded it left to work for another studio. So, the project was essentially orphaned.”

It was not until Netflix came into the picture and decided they wanted to adapt the book. When she met with Netflix, she felt she was in the right place. “One of the executives there said, ‘Yes, there’s all the flash and dazzle, but we take the stories of young people seriously, and we care about them.’ That really resonated with me,” the author said.

Visit the website of Leigh Bardugo and watch the Shadow and Bone on Netflix.

Sources:

https://time.com/5956638/shadow-and-bone-books-six-of-crows/

https://collider.com/shadow-and-bone-leigh-bardugo-interview-six-of-crows-darkling/

https://bleedingcool.com/tv/shadow-and-bone-author-leigh-bardugo-creating-netflix-grishaverse/

Leave The Door Open: Bruno Mars’ and Anderson .Paak’s Recent Lovechild

Artist Weekly Staff on February 3, 2022

Image source: Billboard

There is no artist anyone can count on but the incredibly talented Bruno Mars when it comes to feel-good sound. With his hottest hits, such as Uptown Funk and Versace on the Floor, Bruno Mars has proven his versatility again as an artist. This time he did it again. Recently, he came out with a new song titled “Leave The Door Open” along with co-artist Anderson .Paak. At a time of the pandemic, his latest track momentarily dispels the gloomy state everyone’s experiencing right now. The song leaves a funky, sexy, and fun feel to the listeners. Even his honeyed vocals highly complement the lyrics of the song. In the music video, he sings about his high hopes of his lover showing up. Though quite unsure, he imagines giving cuddles and kisses to his lover and even preparing a bathtub full of rose petals. It signifies his optimism that his lover will turn up one day, so the best he can do is leave the door open for her.

On the other hand, it has been quite some time since the multi-Grammy-winning singer released a solo album. In fact, his last solo was four years ago, titled 24K Magic, which won the Album of the Year. Despite the lack of solo albums, Bruno Mars has focused his attention on collaborating with other artists. His past collaborations turned out great. Prime examples are Wake Up in the Sky with Gucci Mane & Kodak Black, Blow with Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton, and Finesse and Please Me with Cardi B. The most recent one is the new R&B Duo, Silk Sonic, composed of him and Grammy-winning Brandon Paak Anderson, also known as Anderson .Paak. The duo’s first single is “Leave The Door Open,” which currently takes the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Like Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak is also god-tier in R&B music. He is best known for his incredibly unique rap tunes. He writes his songs and plays several musical instruments. His talent even made it to the Grammys when he bagged the award for Best Rap Performance with Bubblin’, Best R&B Album with Ventura, and Best R&B Performance for Come Home featuring Andre 3000.

Mars and .Paak music collaboration has taken the R&B world by storm. Silk Sonic’s latest single showcases the breathtaking performance of the duo. From their voices to their dance moves, they complement each other well. Anderson .Paak’s gritty vocals blend evenly with Mars’ sultry and smooth voice. There is no argument that Silk Sonic is one of the best R&B iconic duos out there. The band highlights both of the artists’ abilities. The comedic sides to their performance and choice of aesthetics solidified the duo’s road to success.

Even their music video is brilliant! The ‘70s touches on the tone and aesthetics of the video are superb. In the said video, .Paak works on the drums while Mars sings and plays the keyboard with girls dancing in the background.

Just a few weeks ago, the duo performed live at the 63rd Grammy Awards, which likely tells everyone who will be taking home the gramophones next year.

Check out Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s new single on Spotify.

Sources:

https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2021/04/10/2090006/bruno-mars-has-hot-new-collab

Chloé Zhao Makes History With Oscar Wins For “Nomadland”

Artist Weekly Staff on June 13, 2021

Image source: Rolling Stone

Last March 26, Lil Nas X released his highly anticipated single titled “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” The artist has been giving hints with snippets on his new song since July 2020. In a matter of hours since the release, the music video garnered millions of views on Youtube. As the title of the song suggests, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is deeply inspired by the queer movie “Call Me By Your Name,” starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer. According to the artist, “It was one of the first gay films that I had watched.” He added, “I thought the theme was so dope, like calling somebody by your own name is love, keeping the love between you two.” The song “Montero” is embedded with double meanings, innuendos, and suggestive scenes revolving around the concept of queerness. One of the most memorable parts of the song was Lil Nas X slid down a stripper pole and giving a lap dance on Satan.

Although it has gained massive traction of views and streams, the song also amassed its fair share of criticisms, especially from the religious sector and right-wing politicians. He received unsolicited comments from basketball player Nick Young to conservative influencer Candace Owens to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. At the same time, the overly controversial video garnered praise for the explicit representation of LGBTQ imagery and themes. Moreover, the music video is filled with Greco-Roman and medieval Christian influences. It was done to draw symbolism between ancient and modern-day persecution. In an interview with time, the queer artist said, “I wanted to use these things that have been around for so long to tell my own story and the story of so many other people in the community—or people who have been outcast in general through history.”

A lot of different discourses emerged from the song. Even scholars were quite impressed with the excellent conceptualization and sharpness to detail behind the music. The song’s narrative centered itself on queerness, particularly in historical and religious spaces. According to a professor at the University of California who goes by the name of Roland Betancourt commented, “Watching this video, I was a little bit shocked just because of how much knowledge you need to have to unpack some of these elements.” Professor Roland, also the author of Byzantine Intersectionality: Sexuality, Gender, and Race in the Middle Ages, added, “It says that institutionalization of homophobia is a learned thing—and that there are other origin myths available to us that are not rooted in those ideas.”

The music video is conceptualized by Tanu Muino and Lil Nas X himself. One of the scenes took place in the garden of Eden where the artist, who played both Adam and Eve, was tempted by the snake. Joseph Howley, an associate professor at Columbia University, commended the on-point portrayal of the historical scene. He said, “The story of the garden is a tradition that is historically misogynist. It aligns women with evil; it aligns sexuality with women and with evil. Lil Nas is turning that on its head with the way that his character and the serpent interact.”

Despite the song’s backlash, Lil Nas X’s new hit song “Montero” is considered a piece of art that has drawn different reactions from people. Check out more songs of Lil Nas on Spotify.

Sources:

https://time.com/5951024/lil-nas-x-montero-video-symbolism-explained/

https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/lil-nas-x-revealed-the-meaning-behind-montero-call-me-by-your-name-in-a-new-youtube-video/articleshow/81796443.cms