Growing up in the suburbs outside of Washington D.C., and being from
Oxon Hill, Maryland, there was always an abundance of great, cultural
and progressive music around me. Ive always had an interest with
music, but when I was five, If anyone asked me what I wanted to be
when I grew up, I'd say a police officer. Music often helped me when I
was in a jam, so I decided to become a rock star.
Not sure how I got to that point in my life, but perhaps it was from my
elementary school teachers going over genres such as do-wop, pop, and
swing — discussing great songs and the artist who wrote or performed
them — artists ranging from Duke Ellington to Whitney Houston. To me, a
performance is great only when the music is just as important. Without
one or the other, the show can't go on. By the time I was eight, I was
enrolled in piano lessons after getting an electric keyboard. It was
arranged for me to get lessons from a man John McDaniel. Every
Saturday morning, he and his feisty Pomeranian would greet me on the
way in. He had a studio — inside sat two grand pianos and two organs for
his students. There was always a slight smell of cigarettes in the air. I
remember those days like they were yesterday.
I was 11 years old, going on 12, when my family and I went out of town to
visit my great uncle. There was an acoustic nylon guitar sitting in the living
room, and I walked over to pick it up. My dad saw me and showed me the bare
minimum when it came to guitars on the spot — everything from strumming and
finger placements to produce a note. By the end of that summer, I had quit piano
because I wanted to play guitar. I was HOOKED! I ended up buying a moded electric
from a middle school friend. I got a few lessons from friends but eventually taught
myself. I found it easier.
When I turned 12, I went to the "Warped Tour" that took place at Jiffy Lube Live in
Virginia — the venue used to be called The Verizon Post Pavilion. Bands like Hawthorne
Heights, My Chemical Romance, and Fall Out Boy rocked the main stages and, of course,
my heart. These were the types of bands that influenced me and led me to joining my
first group. However, It was short-lived because I was kicked out for being too serious. I'm
a perfectionist, and I know that can bother some people. I like to take my time in order to
put out the best product I can. With this new goal in hand, I ended forming my own band. I
learned from female artists like Karen Carpenter and Meg & Dia, and because of them,
they've inspired me to be known for more than just my singing. My hopes are that people can
see the passion I put behind my playing the guitar as well as my singing and songwriting.
I was introduced to heavy metal and alternative by a girl named Nylisha — the music was great,
and we became best friends after she gave me a mixed CD with songs from the Queen of the
Damned soundtrack. I wanted to rock.
I recently released a single called "Secrets," and I believe this showcases that aforementioned passion.
It was one of my more difficult projects for various reasons. Writing and recording it was overwhelming,
to say the least. Making a dope record was the goal.
This song was produced by Austin Bello. He's a guitarist from Forever the Sickest Kids, who is also featured in
this track. I am grateful for his help in creating "Secrets."
I'm set to release more singles in the near future, and I'd like to invite everyone here to buckle up and join me for what's sure to be a heck of a ride! Thank you!
Fertured| Artist
19| November| 2021