Marilyn Hucek Is the ‘Man of the House’
Recent Articles On July 28, American-Chilean singer-songwriter Marilyn Hucek released the studio version of her latest single, “Man of the House,” an achingly beautiful song about stepping courageously into whatever it is that you may not feel ready for. Marilyn Hucek – Photographed by Elisabeth Donaldson – Styled by Payton Dale “Man of the House” […]
Crystal Joilena: ‘My Comeback Will Be Greater than My Setback’
New York-based artist Crystal Joilena discusses her latest single and how she plans to come back stronger than ever after a rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease diagnosis.
For New York-based genre-bending artist Crystal Joilena, music is life. Channeling a majestic, otherworldly sound that transcends genre, Joilena’s music captivates like a powerful spiritual encounter, shifting the atmosphere and illuminating everything that it touches.
Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she connects with Crystal Joilena to discuss how music helped her to process trauma while growing up, the most important lesson she’s learned as a rising independent artist, why she believes introverts have a secret power, and her favorite memory of the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.
Crystal Joilena always knew that she was destined for a creative career. She got her starts singing in church choirs, attending Broadway productions, auditioning for school musicals, and performing karaoke at venues like Hard Rock Café in Universal Studios, Hollywood.
“I’ve had a few different stage names and been in a lot of rock and metal bands in high school as well,” she shared. “Nothing truly clicked for me until I decided to become a solo artist in 2014 and used my first and middle names to make it more personal; that’s where my stage name Crystal Joilena comes from.”
Rina Chanel Celebrates the Magic of Love with ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’
More to Watch Virginia Beach native Rina Chanel releases ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ ahead of her self-titled album. Rina Chanel – Photo Courtesy of the Artist Virginia Beach native Rina Chanel released her latest single, “Je Ne Sais Quoi,” ahead of her forthcoming self-titled EP slated for release July 2023. The fervent, soulful track celebrates […]
Ray Hodge Releases Bold Club Banger, ‘Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me’
Recent Articles Jamaica, Queens, NY-based artist Ray Hodge delivers big-time with his latest single, “Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me.” Ray Hodge – Cover Art – “Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me” Jamaica, Queens, NY-based artist Ray Hodge delivers big-time with his latest single, “Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me,” a genre-blending club banger that […]
DC/DOX Film Festival Explores the Modern National Anthem and More
On June 15-18, the inaugural DC/DOX will showcase a diverse lineup of 60 documentary screenings, including five acclaimed films that center around music. DC/DOX, which provides a platform for “powerful, timely stories in our nation’s capital,” will be held at premier venues throughout Washington, D.C. See the full schedule here.
A quest for greater equity, inclusion, women’s rights, police reform, and more are among some of the most pressing challenges that we face as a country. Throughout history, creatives have served as a medium of social change through their art, and this holds true today.
DC/DOX co-founders and industry veterans Jamie Shor and Sky Sitney launched their documentary film festival to “bring together innovative visions, bold voices, and truth seekers” through non-fiction film as a means to create community and greater understanding, as well as highlight the connection between the past, present, and future that individuals everywhere have a role in shaping.
Sam Tinnesz Talks Latest Album and the Beauty of Second Chances
RIAA gold-selling artist Sam Tinnesz discusses his latest album and mental health journey.
Nashville-based RIAA gold-selling artist Sam Tinnesz knows how to write a hit song. With a collection of viral releases that have amassed millions of streams and more than a billion views on TikTok, as well as major TV and film placements, Tinnesz continues to win over new audiences with his evolving sound and genuine down-to-earth personality.
Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she connects with Sam Tinnesz to discuss his latest album, There Goes the Neighborhood, lessons learned from his traumatic experience being signed to a label, what he believes is key to creating a song that resonates widely, and how he discovered a sense of purpose after losing his faith.
Sam Tinnesz grew up in a musical household, and his earliest memories center around hearing songs his father played at home. It was not long before Tinnesz began to sense that he, too, had something of value to offer.
Chipelo: ‘I’m Very Prideful of Who I Am…Because as a Kid, I Wasn’t’
DMV-based Salvadoran-American artist and dancer Chipelo discusses his debut single, the importance of cultural representation, what inspires him to give back, and more.
For Salvadoran-American artist Chipelo, music is a lifestyle. The DMV-based musician, dancer, producer, and actor fuses his diverse talents into his art seamlessly to create a vibrant full-mind and body experience for new and existing audiences alike, and the Towson University senior is just getting started.
Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she connects with Chipelo to discuss his debut single, “SIN TI,” how he prepares physically for high-energy performances, the importance of cultural representation in his art, what inspires him to give back to the community as a mentor for youth in Baltimore, and his upcoming performance at TreeFort Fest in Rockville, Maryland on June 10.
Chipelo aka Benjamin Molina has been immersed in music since childhood. He has fond memories of being introduced to Spanish music and Salvadoran culture by his parents at home, and English and American culture in school, as a first-generation child.
Crystal Joilena Channels the Divine with New Single, ‘The High Priestess’
More to Watch On June 2, New York-based alt-metal artist Crystal Joilena released her latest single, “The High Priestess.” Crystal Joilena – Photo courtesy of the Artist. On June 2, New York-based alt-metal artist Crystal Joilena released “The High Priestess,” a majestic, enthralling track that explores what it means to connect with your higher self […]
All-Women Afro-Brazilian Ensemble Batalá Washington DC Has Rhythm and Purpose
“We like for our audience to be empowered by the beats of the drums and the energy transmitted by the women in the group”
Batalá Washington DC discuss their impact, favorite songs to perform, and how being a part of the DMV creative scene influences the collective’s approach.
Within an industry that is historically dominated by men, all-women Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble Batalá Washington DC is here to show us what they are made of. Launched in 2007 as the newest branch of the Batalá band and the first-ever in the United States, Batalá Washington, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, brings its powerful, invigorating sounds to the nation’s capital and across the globe as a means of empowering women to be change agents in their respective communities.
Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she connects with Marly Perez, board president and musical conductor of Batalá Washington DC, to discuss the collective’s impact over the years,
Dave Mallen of Innovation Station Music: ‘I Didn’t Get Into This Line of Work to Just Set Up Mics and Hit Record’
Three-time WAMMIE Award winning producer Dave Mallen has contributed to some of the best music of the DMV, as evidenced by the 200 plus artists whose careers Innovation Station Music, his one-stop-shop studio, has advanced. Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she connects with Mallen to discuss his early starts, the circumstances that led him to transition from a full-time career in IT consulting to music production, how being a Highly Sensitive Person allows him to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for clients, and what Mallen considers his “why” beyond the music. Take us back to the beginning. Where did you get your starts in music?
DAVE: From age 2, I’m told I was always running to the piano at my grandmother’s house. My grandmother was a trained opera singer and pianist and was probably my first inspiration for becoming a musician. She would always tell me to “play with feeling”, and to this day, I try to inject as much emotion into the music I play and produce.
