n°1 | In Conversation
IDER on Songwriting, Resilience, and Late To The World
Known for their contemplative lyrics, melodic vocals, and genre-bending sound, British indie-pop duo IDER first gained attention with their debut single “Sorry” in 2016.
Miki Berenyi on Lush, Identity, and Her Trio’s Debut Album
With her unmistakable crimson hair, dreamy vocals, and whirling guitars, Miki Berenyi became a defiant icon of the shoegaze era, weaving soundscapes that blurred the line between beauty and distortion.
Margaret Cho on Tattoos, The Election, and Her Triumphant Return to Music
Armed with an unapologetic, no holds barred approach to comedy, Margaret Cho has blazed an unparalleled trail as one of the most influential and fearless figures in entertainment.
Moonchild Sanelly on Empowerment, Self-Love, and Breaking All the Rules
With her signature blue hair and bold, unapologetic candor, Moonchild Sanelly has become a trailblazer in the global music scene. First gaining recognition with her 2015 studio album Rabulapha!, Moonchild’s tracks are laced with hypnotic rhythms and assertive lyricism, oft-exploring themes of sexuality, female empowerment, and self-determination.
EMEL on Identity, Womanhood, and Her Unwavering Fearlessness
Often referred to as the “voice of the Arab Spring,” EMEL gained international recognition when her song “Kelmti Horra (My Word is Free)”, once banned, became an anthem of the Tunisian Revolution in 2011.
Michelle Kash on Heartbreak, “Gravity,” and Finding Her Voice
After remarkably discovering her voice at a meditation retreat, New York-born Michelle Kash rose to the top of the dance charts with her sultry cover of “Personal Jesus.” Now, after a five-year break, the LA-based songstress is back with her lead single, “Gravity,” which she aptly wrote after a chance encounter with Lou Reed.
Morgan Saint on Her Music, Marriage, and Being Set Free
Known for her ethereal sound and introspective lyrics, Morgan Saint has found fulfillment in independence. It was her 2017 debut EP, 17 HERO, that first introduced her distinctive sound to the world – an intoxicating mix of indie, pop, and hauntingly personal lyrics.
King Princess on Queerness, Representation, and Loving Lady Gaga
King Princess burst onto the scene with 2018’s “1950,” a melodious anthem to queer love based on Patricia Highsmith’s seminal 1952 novel, The Price of Salt. Since then, she has secured herself as one of the leading voices in queer pop, penning personal and intimate tracks such as “Homegirl,” “Trust Nobody,” and “If You Think It’s Love.”
MØ on Vulnerability, Political Activism, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I was nineteen when I first heard MØ’s “Waste of Time,” its thumping bass, liquid guitar riffs, and towering vocals frenetically soothing my young broken heart. “Lean On,” her relentlessly catchy, record-shattering track with Major Lazer, pulsed over the New York airwaves seemingly every twenty minutes.
Omahyra Mota on Her Career, New York, and Being Unapologetically Yourself
Wielding striking looks, piercings, tattoos, and an unmistakable attitude, Omahyra Mota blazed a trail for non-conformers within an industry of traditionalism.
Sandra Bernhard on Her Illustrious Career, Unwavering Self-Confidence, and the Election
Sandra Bernhard has always lived by her own rules. It was her biting and groundbreaking stand-up that rose her from relative obscurity to international levels of acclaim, pioneering her way through the late 1970s and 80s. Before searing performances and numerous iconic late-night appearances, she was cast by Martin Scorcese in 1983 to appear in his black comedy drama flick, The King of Comedy.
Chelsea Wolfe on Transformation, Spirituality, and Her Enduring Authenticity
Haunting, alluring, and perennially enchanting, Chelsea Wolfe’s latest album, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She, weaves a web of reverie around its listeners. As its swelling synths rise like shadows in the dark, crashing against captivating vocals that fluctuate from whispers to cries, Wolfe’s latest work of genius personifies emotional catharsis, punctuating a new era of “self-preservation, self-love, and self-worth.”
El Perro del Mar on Metamorphosis, Motherhood, and Aging Fearlessly
Deeply rooted in introspection and authenticity, Sarah Assbring’s sonic journey as El Perro del Mar channels melancholia as a space for healing and contemplation. The Gothenburg native’s latest release, Big Anonymous, profoundly explores bringing secrets into light – “the things that often go unsaid” – requiring us, the listeners, to confront our vulnerabilities and acknowledge the touching beauty of human frailties.
Katy O’Brian on Confidence, Self-Defense, and Love Lies Bleeding
Tunneling through violence, vulnerability, endurance, and erotic encounters, Katy O’Brian tailors emotional torrents with a decided, confident strength, dazzling audiences in Love Lies Bleeding. Yet it is her life off the screen that is arguably as captivating – an unorthodox career path and challenging personal struggles have cemented her as a canon of reinvention, reclamation, and resilience.
Aubri Ibrag on Period Dramas, Inner Strength, and The Buccaneers
Through the exploration of gender roles and power dynamics, The Buccaneers has both redefined and revitalized the importance of the period drama. Portrayed by the shining Aubri Ibrag, Lizzy Elmsworth finds herself within the crosshairs of Lord Seadown’s abuse of power within the hit show’s first season, prompting her inspiring and modern response to the perennial injustice that is exploitation.
quinnie on Intuition, Vulnerability, and Her Meteoric Rise
quinnie’s brilliant masterpiece, “touch tank,” took the digital world by storm in the summer of 2022. The brazen, candid, and tender track, as sweet as it is blunt, is a perennial tale of infatuation that enchantingly wove its way onto the playlists of millions around the globe. But quinnie is uneasy – if not completely reluctant – to consider that her magnum opus. In fact, that’s only the beginning.
Jennifer Morrison on Directing, Dr. Death, and Owning What You Love
From her landmark roles on illustrious shows such as House and Once Upon a Time to her directorial debuts on Euphoria and Dr. Death, Jennifer Morrison is the fully-realized embodiment of multi-dimensionality.
Gaye Advert on The Adverts, Art, and Being a Pioneering Female in Punk
Often touted as the first female rock star of the punk movement, Gaye Black (Gaye Advert) stood as the kohl-rimmed eyed and jet-black haired beacon in a storm of chaos. Embodying fearless attitude and striking confidence, Gaye formed The Adverts alongside TV Smith in 1976.
Dita Von Teese on Self-Confidence, Old Hollywood, and Her Historic Las Vegas Revue
Seductive, vampy, and intoxicatingly enigmatic, Dita Von Teese has innovated an intriguingly transgressive world of vintage glamour, class, opulence, and timeless beauty. Bursting onto the scene in the early 1990s, Von Teese transformed from a “dishwater blonde from a farming town in Michigan” to a raven-haired, red lipstick-swathed siren, becoming a beacon of empowering reinvention and self-confidence for women all over the world.
Taylor Momsen on Provocation, Musicianship, and being a Female in Rock
Taylor Momsen has firmly commanded her own destiny. In 2012, the former Gossip Girl alum boldly cut ties with an exceedingly successful acting career to pursue music full time. Since then, she has become one of the leading women in contemporary rock by fronting and founding her own outfit, The Pretty Reckless.