Multilingual Artist Clifford: ‘The World Is a Very Large, Yet Small, Place Filled with People Who Are Just Like You and Me’
Maryland-based genre-bending artist Clifford creates music from a place of freedom. His distinct signature sound prompts audiences to live colorfully by embracing their authentic selves. Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she connects with Clifford to discuss his journey. Learn how being a multilingual dual citizen influences his songwriting, the most important lesson he has learned from collaborating with Grammy Award-winning drummer Jerome Brailey, fun stories from his experiences growing up on a farm, and why he believes that “evolving is your duty as an artist.”
Jeania Stewart: ‘We All Love, Wonder, and Ponder Life As We Wish Upon the Same Moon and Stars’
Pianist, percussionist, seamstress, world traveler, antique collector, art framer, wife, mother, Elvis enthusiast – just a few of the many roles balanced with grace by Jeania Stewart of The American Rogues – for whom the journey is the destination. Since joining The American Rogues officially in 2006, Stewart has become a secret ingredient to the award-winning Celtic rock collective’s successes. Join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she connects with Jeania Stewart in recognition of Irish American Heritage Month to discuss her starts, proud DMV roots, and exciting plans for the future.
Brandon Camphor: ‘I Haven’t Given Up Because I Know the Promise Looks Different Than the Present’
Christian pop and urban gospel artist Brandon Camphor defines his calling by one word: purpose. The Gospel Billboard-charting songwriter won his first music competition at age 10 and has since continued to build on his successes. This Black History Month, join contributing writer Cynthia Gross as she sits down with Brandon Camphor to discuss his band, Brandon Camphor & One Way; the opportunities and challenges of being an independent artist; what he believes is the secret to his band’s longevity; how he emerged from a dark season of depression; the role of faith in his journey; and details on his new single, “Forever.”
DJ O Show: ‘The Story I Am Telling… Rarely Gets Told’
DJ O Show, also known as Orene Askew, has been in the music game for over 15 years. Her professional musical roots are in DJ-ing, but she recently entered the hip-hop game with the release of her first single. Askew’s passion and driving force in music comes from her being an Afro-Indigenous, Two-Spirit female, and former member of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, learn more about Askew’s story with contributing writer Jaci Jedrych, including her influences, why she believes it’s important to acknowledge intersections, and the tragic event early in her career that gave her a renewed perspective on life.
Reflecting on the 5th Annual DC Music Summit
The 5th Annual DC Music Summit wrapped up on October 16, with a flurry of fantastic panels, a keynote speech by Anwan “Big G” Glover, performances, art installations, and more. Held at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts, the Summit’s core values of diversity, community, mastery, and service were all on full display, as music workers gathered to share their experiences and insight from the ever-growing music industry. Join contributing writer Charlie Maybee, as he reflects on the Summit with two key participants, major label mix engineer Chris Carter and hip-hop artist and educator, Marc 2 Ray.
Floyd Miles Brings Spiritual Calm and Reverence in “No Place Like Om”
Recent Articles Los Angeles-Based Afrobeats and R&B musician, Floyd Miles, has compiled his last several singles into a new EP titled No Place Like Om with a few new tracks to round out the 8-song collection. With previously released songs “Don’t Play”, “Attract”, “Afraka”, “Insomnia”, and “Nasty” spanning an impressive diversity of Afro-diasporic influences, the […]
Gordon Sterling Speaks on Truth, Perception, and Manifesting Dreams
“I had a dream one night when I was 15,” DMV-based guitarist and singer Gordon Sterling recalls, “that I should start playing music because I would be part of a movement that would remind people of a side of themselves that they had forgotten.” A young, eager Sterling got himself a guitar the very next day and started playing everything he heard, gravitating toward blues. Jump forward to today, and Gordon Sterling and the People, the musician’s band, has found its drive deep in political and philosophical thoughts about race and truth inspired by Sterling’s identity as a Black man. Learn more about Sterling’s empowering mission as a creative with contributing writer Charlie Maybee.
DC Music Summit Continues to Reach Superior Heights
One side effect of listening to the music of Dior Ashley Brown is, at least in part, a better understanding of the contagious energy behind the DC Music Summit, the event and organization she founded. Celebrating its fifth year, DCMS (for short) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports local musicians and the DC music industry by fostering inclusion, community engagement, professional development, and networking. Both DCMS and Brown’s music command the presence of something altogether powerful, uplifting, and convicting.
Dubbed the “Hip-Hop Polymath” by the Washington Post, Dior Ashley Brown defines art through a wide lens of intersections and correlations.
Mexican-American Metal Band Scarlett O’Hara Shapeshifts Toward the Future
Since forming in 2007, South Texas Mexican-American metal band, Scarlett O’Hara, has been honing their sound and finding themselves along the way. The lone star natives have shared bills with the likes of Metallica and Disturbed, worked with Grammy nominated producers, and been featured on the Sirius XM Octane radio station. And though their sound has transformed significantly over the years, their metalcore roots still hold great influence as they have gradually polished their sound. Join contributing writer Charlie Maybee as he connects with the band to delve into their evolution, which is evident in their latest single, “Witching Hour.”
All the Colors of the Human Voice: This D.C. Conductor Rounded Up a Stellar Cast for PBS Pride Month Special
The programmers and artists involved in PBS special, “True Colors: LGBTQ+ Our Stories, Our Songs,” had a novel idea: Music could be the ultimate leveler. In celebration of Pride Month, join contributing writer Eric Althoff as he goes behind the scenes to explore the songs and stories of “True Colors” with members of the star-studded cast, including Founder and Artistic Director of the American Pops Orchestra, Luke Frazier; Grammy Award winner and Broadway veteran André De Shields; and Black trans operatic vocalist Breanna Sinclairé.
