The Daily Shuffle: June 2020 by The Daily Shuffle

THE DAILY SHUFFLE JUNE 2020

RUDY PANKOW

contents 07. jasmine thompson 09. maeta 11. isabella blake-thomas 13. rudy pankow 19. jazzy mejia 21. ashley romans 23. ella isaacson

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DESIGNER

@xonessa

@karlas.jpg

Vanessa Salles

Karla Silva

@thedailyshuffle

BLACK LIVES MATTER

The protests against police brutality and the recent unjust murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, (and many, many more) have mobilized the nation to take action toward dismantling racist ideologies/policies and saying enough is enough. These actions can mean different things for different people. Protesting, educating, consciously shopping, and donating are just a few of the different ways you can show your support and make your voice heard.

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SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE by Ijeoma Oluo

POD SAVE THE PEOPLE INTERSECTIONALITY MATTERS! MOMENTUM: A RACE FORWARD PODCAST POD FOR THE CAUSE 1619

JUST MERCY by Bryan Stevenson BLACK FEMINIST THOUGHT by Patricia Hill Collins I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou WHITE FRAGILITY by robin diangelo

For more information on the Black Lives Matter movement, please visit www.blacklivesmatter.com

June Playlist DANCE ALONE tayla parx MI AMOR nova miller MATCH IN THE RAIN alec benjamin FIGMENT OF MY MIND bruno major FORGIVE MYSELF griff LOVE NOT LOVING YOU foxes DO IT chloe x halle RAIN ON ME lady gaga & ariana grande

letter from the editor Hey, readers! Before diving into the latest issue, I just wanted to take a quick second and check in. How are you, really? The TDS team wants to be here for you in any way that we can be - whether that means spotlighting important resources that you might need during this country’s fight to dismantle white supremacy, letting you know how important you and your voice are, or simply providing you with entertainment. We’re fighting the good fight alongside you all and have open lines of communication if you want to talk about anything! On this month’s cover, we have Outer Banks star Rudy Pankow. It was such a treat to talk to him about his time on set, potential storylines for season two, and what he’s been up to in quarantine. Head over to his cover story to read all about it! You’ll also find our top picks for this month’s must-watch movies/ shows and must-hear albums. Let us know what you’re excited about! As always, feel free to let us know who you’d love to see featured next! XOXO

Vanessa Salles Editor-in-Chief

P.S. 100% of this issue’s sales will be donated and split evenly amongst ACLU, Black Lives Matter Global Network, and The Bail Project.

jasmine thompson

We talked to the talented songstress about her latest release, filming a music video during quarantine, and so much more! words by VANESSA SALLES photo by JACK MUNSCH

Tell us about your latest release, “Love for The Lonely” – what’s the story behind the track? I used to be afraid of being alone. I got stuck in a bad habit of relying on other people to make me happy. I wrote the song about 3 years ago with the wonderful Nina Nesbitt, and I’ve just been waiting for the right time to put it out. Looking back on it, I’m so glad I waited, because now the song has a new meaning to me… now I know that I don’t need someone else to feel okay. It really reminds me not to put myself in that situation again. What inspired the concept for the music video? The video was filmed during lockdown, so me and the team had to come up with something DIY. Luckily, I have a projector (they are way better than TV’s)! We came up with the idea of using the projector to show people outside enjoying life and being happy. I thought it would be a relatable video for everyone staying at home right now. Any memorable moments while writing/ recording the song that you can share with us? I’ve been working with the producer Ollie Green for about a year and a half now, and most of that time has been spent on ‘Love for The Lonely.’ I think I have recorded the main vocal about 4 times, and then decided to go back to one of the first takes... and Ollie did the same with the track. We spent so long trying to make everything perfect and we went round and round in circles for a while, but we are finally proud to let it out into the world. How would you describe your creative process?

I think I just start buzzing around, really. I’m not sure how else to describe it. I normally just get a phrase or melody stuck in my head, and watching it grow into something else is such a weird thing haha. It’s like a separate part of my brain just takes over and I can’t stop it. When it comes to stage presence, which artist(s) are you inspired by? I’ve always been obsessed with Florence and the Machine. Even when she isn’t running around and dancing, you can still feel how powerful and passionate she is when she is just standing still and singing. During these unprecedented times, how are you dealing with staying sane at home? I’m very lucky that my work is keeping me busy at home. I’m spending lots of time playing piano and listening to music, so to be honest, it doesn’t feel very different to pre-lockdown life. I’m happy to be home because I have a bad habit of avoiding home and always trying to stay out. It’s nice to get over that fear of being in the same place for too long. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard sometimes but I’m definitely in a very lucky situation. With a growing following on social media, what’s the best way for fans to get your attention? I’m always active on socials, and really happy to have a chat. It’s been so lovely talking to so many people who have reached out to say hello. Any special message to fans? I just hope that everyone is holding up okay during this weird time. Stay safe, stay healthy and thank you for supporting me.

THE DAILY SHUFFLE

MAETA

If Maeta isn’t already on your radar, let us change that for you. We talked to the rising songstress about her creative process, musical inspirations and more! words by VANESSA SALLES photo by MARK CLENNON

Tell us about your latest release, ‘Boyfriend’ – what’s the story behind the track? I did ‘Boyfriend’ with Bongo bytheway, and Ray Keys. It was one of the first few sessions I did when I moved to LA, so it’s been in my vault of songs for a while... We didn’t end up using it in my project but I wanted to put it out somehow so I decided to use it for a #MaetaMonday release! Any memorable moments while writing/recording it that you can share with us? I remember these sessions being so fun because there were so many people around and the energy was just great. I miss it so much! How would you describe your creative process? I am a pretty free-spirited person and like to do things in the moment. When it comes to making music, I need a relaxed and pressure-free environment. I love to eat and talk; I can’t stand when a session feels like school! What has the reaction been from fans to #MaetaMondays? Should fans expect new content/releases on the way? They love them! They always make sure I never miss a week, whether I post a cover or just do a live. They keep me on point! I might be taking a break from them while I finish my next project, but there will definitely be more in the future. You recently performed for the Global Citizen steaming concert – what was that like for you?

I loved it! I love doing an acoustic set, and loved being live so I could take song requests and all that. It was very interactive and had some great moments. When it comes to stage presence, which artist(s) are you inspired by? I love Beyonce of course, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, and also Whitney Houston right now. I love Beyonce’s energy and how thought out each performance is. I’ve never been to one of her shows but I watch them online all the time! I love how free-spirited and in the moment Rihanna seems when she performs. I’ve also been watching a lot of old Whitney performances, and she was always so graceful. So I take a little inspiration from all of them! Which artist(s) do you have on repeat lately? I’m the type of person who listens to the same three songs for a month straight, so not a whole lot. My favorites right now are ’The Distance’ by Yebba and a few songs from Victoria Monet. And, of course, my own music which has yet to be released… During quarantine, how are you dealing with staying sane at home? I’ve been watching a lot of movies, taking a lot of baths and walks, and trying to just adapt. I FaceTime my friends all day long to keep me company! Any special message to fans? Thank you so so much for supporting me, and stay tuned for new music on the way!

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isabella blake-thomas

Set to star in the highly anticipated Secret Society of Second-Born Royals, Isabella Blake-Thomas shines both on and off screen. We talked to the rising actress about her role, set moments and more! words by VANESSA SALLES photo by CARINA JEAN

Tell us about Secret Society of Second-Born Royals! What is it about the movie that drew you in and made you want to be involved? For starters, who doesn’t want to be in a Disney movie?! In all seriousness though, I love that the movie covers themes like team work, learning to accept yourself, and not worrying about what other people think. All of those things are very prominent, especially at this moment with everything happening with the pandemic. Secret Society does a great job at making all these things relatable because even though the characters are royalty, they are experiencing the same things that all teenagers are going through. What can you tell us about Princess January? What should viewers expect from her? January is so much fun. She’s giggly, smart, sparkly and just all in all, a blast to portray. In regards to what people should expect, I’d say to expect honesty. January is honest about everything. She’s had struggles in her life and she understands her friends’ feelings more than you would think. I loved playing her character because, not only are we similar, but she has a fabulous wardrobe! My costume fittings made me grin because of the incredible clothes I got to try on. Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments from filming that you can share with us? One of my favorite things about being in Toronto was that our apartment building overlooked the street that the Raptors’ stadium was on. We were filming on the night the Raptors won the NBA Championships so when I was coming back from set, the streets were packed with cheering fans and dancing people!

How would you describe the vibe on set? It was like family. Since we were all together every day and then in the same apartment building at night, we all got super close. We would hang out on the weekends, go out for dinners and go watch movies. We became the Secret Society family and still hang out when we can. I speak to the cast all the time because they are like my family. When you think of your ultimate dream role, what comes to mind? My dream role would be a superhero. I watch shows and movies like Super Girl, Wonder Woman, the Marvel movies and I admire the female characters a lot. During quarantine, how are you dealing with staying sane at home? I’m trying to be as creative as I can. I’m writing, singing, painting, reading, etc. I’m also making the most of this time to declutter my life. Another way I’ve been staying sane is by sitting outside and breathing. Clearing out your lungs, your mind, and your heart is my favorite way to stay focused and clear-headed. I’ve also been working on new music so people can keep an eye out for post-pandemic releases! Any special message to fans? Thank you for being there and caring about my work. I put my heart and soul into everything I do and I appreciate that my fans and followers like my work. Also, please feel free to contact me if you need to talk; I am always someone that will listen and try to help in any way I can!

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words by VANESSA SALLES photo by LESLIE ALEJANDRO styling by KAREN RAPHAEL hair by DALLIN JAMES make up by MARINA GRAVANI

R U DY A fan favorite on Netflix’s hit series, Outer Banks, Rudy Pankow shines as the reckless troublemaker, JJ. Hailing from Alaska, the 21-year-old actor delivers a performance that’ll resonate with any and every viewer. We caught up with the actor to get the inside scoop on the binge-worthy series, how he’s been dealing with life in quarantine and so much more. words by VANESSA SALLES photo by SHANNA FISHER

Take us back to the beginning! What drew you to Outer Banks and made you want to be involved? So many things drew me to Outer Banks. I loved the fact that it’s an adventure story and I loved the rebellious nature of teenagers who don’t care about social status. The intensity of the emotions is so raw and the show was just written so well. It’s a crazy ride from start to finish so that really intrigued me. Are there any memorable behind-thescenes moments from filming that you can share with us? Many on many. One I haven’t told yet was that when I slammed Chase [Stokes] into the Twinkie (VW Van) at Barry’s house, I accidentally shoved Chase so hard that I actually shattered the window!

PANKOW

JJ doesn’t care about much but he does prove, time and time again, that he cares about his friends – how do you think he’ll deal with the (presumed) loss of John B. and the fact that Pope and Kiara are now together? It won’t be easy for him, that’s for sure. He’s going to struggle but I think it’ll be interesting to watch how he deals with it all. I also think the dynamic with the Pogues is going to be different now – they’re going to have to learn how to navigate this new dynamic. Throughout the season, JJ has some pretty heavy scenes – which scene did you have to prepare for the most mentally and were you satisfied with the turnout? I would say either the car scene where JJ gets beaten, or when JJ had to confront his father in episode 7. I was definitely happy with the turnout, thanks to Gary Weeks, who plays Luke. He’s such an amazing and gentle actor when the cameras aren’t rolling. We always talked through the scenes and how it was going to work and then made sure that we were both okay after the take. With such a drama-filled storyline, was there room for improv on set? There sure was! And I have to thank the show creators, writers, and editors for giving us that freedom to make it our own. They made the set a safe and encouraging place to work. What does it mean to you to portray a character/scenes that resonates with people?

It means that we made art. That’s what it’s all about. The goal is always to create something people can relate to and characters that they can see themselves in, whether it’s something they admire about themselves or something they want to change about themselves. The war between the Pogues and the Kooks is evident from the first episode – do you think things will remain as hostile in season 2? Is there hope for Topper since we see him help John B. and Sarah get away? I hope things don’t remain hostile. I actually hope there’s some sort of truce or peace treaty that’s made so that they can all gang up on a greater evil. As for Topper, absolutely. I think that could definitely be a possibility. There’s a lot of personal growth to JJ by the end of the season, how would you describe his growing up? I’m happy his arc is prevalent. I think he learned his lessons in a harsh way but it was very impactful. Everything he’s gone through has made him who he is and he’s stronger for it. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on set? Always be prepared for plans to change and do a completely different scene! Shooting on location meant for very unpredictable scenarios. What are you loving on TV lately? What do you want to see more of? I’m loving those good ole Netflix

documentaries. But I’m looking forward to that new season of Peaky Blinders! When you think of your ultimate dream role, what comes to mind? Well... Spiderman. But we all know that’s a long shot, haha. I truly would love to play non-fiction roles, too! With a growing following on social media, what’s the best way for fans to get your attention online? Make art. Make music, act, stand up, draw, do something of sorts to make you feel accomplished and alive. During quarantine, how are you dealing with staying sane at home? Well, doing things like this help. I’m also making it my job to talk to someone different everyday and make them feel listened to. I know I’ve been getting hit up by quite a few people from my home town and I’ve been talking to at least one person new everyday. How does the cast keep in touch? Is there an OBX group chat? Countless. Group texts, groups snapchats, group Instagram messages... can’t keep up! Any special message to fans/viewers? Set a goal for yourself everyday. Then, set another before you go to bed. It doesn’t need to be about art... maybe it’s talking to your mom about life, maybe it’s making chocolate chip cookies, maybe it’s clipping your toenails. Just make a goal and focus on accomplishing it.

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jazzy mejia

Allow us to introduce you to your new fave: Jazzy Mejia. We talked to the singer about her new EP, inspirations and more! words by VANESSA SALLES courtesy of ALEXANDRIA VALENTINA

Tell us about your EP, Seven24 – what inspired the project? The EP was inspired by the emotions I’ve been feeling during quarantine. It gave me a lot of time to reflect and create. What can you tell us about each of the tracks? What kind of sound should fans expect to hear? “Perfect” is a quarantine love song about enjoying time with my man, even if we are doing nothing together. “Xbox” is about the lack of attention I get on some days due to my boyfriend playing his fave games for hours at a time. “Girls” is a song I wrote with my fans and followers via IG stories. I wanted to make my fans feel apart of the E.P. so I included many of their names. Seven24 is an easy listening r&b pop E.P. I wanted the songs to all flow together and give good vibes all the way through.

I usually have on a Spotify curated R&B playlist. If I had to choose right now, it would definitely be Jhene Aiko’s Chilombo album. It’s so good! When you think of your ultimate career goals, what comes to mind? After worldwide touring, a Vegas show, and a documentary about my life (haha), I want to build a successful record label. I would love to give the undiscovered artists an opportunity in this music industry. I would also love to act and direct major films. So many career goals. During quarantine, how are you dealing with staying sane at home? At first I was okay with it. I didn’t mind being home. When I realized how serious COVID-19 really was, it created anxiety. I had to “Let go and Let God” and now I’m feeling much better!

Any memorable moments while writing/ recording that you can share with us? It was really cool to hear the features from MVXMILLI and BAER. Since I usually write everything I release, it was cool to hear their take and opinion on the concepts.

With a growing following on social media, what’s the best way for fans to get your attention? I try to respond to as many messages and comments as I can! The best way to get my attention is to ask a question!

When it comes to stage presence, which artist(s) are you inspired by? I really love the vocal control and effortlessness Jhene Aiko has on stage. Also, who doesn’t love and admire Beyoncé? She’s incredible.

Any special message to fans? Thank you for continuously supporting streaming and engaging in everything that I do. Thank you to the fans for the uplifting positive feedback and for streaming my songs! Without that love, I probably would’ve given up.

Which artist(s) do you have on repeat?

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ashley romans

A fan-favorite on NOS4A2, Ashley Romans shines as the badass Tabitha Hutter. We talked to the actress about what’s to come, memorable set moments and more! words by VANESSA SALLES photo by ERIC TRONOLONE

Let’s talk NOS4A2 – what is it about the show that drew you in and made you want to be involved? Lots of things. For one, it’s a kickass showdown that defies genre and has strong, flawed, and three dimensional heroes leading the story. Secondly, I am really into the real world and metaphysical application of the story. A “strong creative” is a pretty wild concept but not untrue. When we hear a song or walk into any building, or see a piece of art, we are experiencing the real world manifestation of someone else’s imagination and that’s a pretty cool truth to meet already. What this brilliant telling does is take that truth to the Nth degree; the show and novel explore a bunch of really important questions such as, “what is the cost of unchecked and untamed creativity and who pays it?” How would you describe Tabitha? What’s been your favorite part about bringing her to life? We meet Tabitha Hutter season one and she is a highly intuitive and empathetic intellectual person who is working within the confines of the bureaucratic judicial system. We witness a good soldier making a big shift in where, what, and who she puts her trust in and that’s pretty major. My favorite part was coming up with Tabitha’s back story. Immediately, we get the sense that investigating isn’t just a job for her and that she carries a deep connection to her purpose and the reason she became a detective. So, my favorite part was making that reason and those memories that I can go back to in scenes.

Are there any memorable behind-thescenes moments from filming season 1 that you can share with us? We had a weekend off and a bunch of us drove to Long Island for an Elton John Concert and that was pretty epic! How would you describe the vibe on set? Collaborative. Welcoming. Positive. Professional. Friendly. I could go on. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. How would you describe what’s to come in season 2? The second season starts 8 years after Charlie and Vic’s showdown at the gas station. Vic has an 8 year old son, Wayne. Tabitha has had a career promotion and is living a seemingly idyllic existence in Haverhill. Vic’s resurfacing throws Tabitha off but it gives her the chance to go after Bing Partridge, who’s the one criminal able to elude her. During quarantine, how are you dealing with staying sane at home? Quarantine has been such a tricky head game but it has been a great opportunity to step off the hamster wheel I was on and reevaluate the things in life that cannot be shaken and put extra value and care into those. Keeping up with my meditation practice has been important, as well as reading, podcasts, meditation, and calling my family and friends! Any special message to fans/viewers? NOS4A2 fans are a special kind of awesome. Thanks for watching and staying tuned.

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ella isaacson

Much like the lyrics she sings, Ella’s mesmerizing vocals will have you hooked on the first note. We talked to the rising singer about her latest single, fan love & more! words by VANESSA SALLES photo by ELLA’S MOM styling by TIFFANY WOOD

Tell us about your latest single, ‘Expectations’ – what’s the story behind the track? I wanted to tell a story about coming into your own and realizing who you are, what you want, and how life can sometimes take a different path than you thought it would. The song is what I think a real, honest conversation about that would look like. Any memorable moments while writing/recording that you can share with us? On the first day that I went into the studio to write “Expectations,” we had come up with the chorus that you hear but it had different verses and a different pre-chorus than it has now. It was good but the chorus and message was too important; I really wanted to do it justice. So, I suggested we scrap everything except the chorus, I refused to settle. We finally got it right and knew we had something super special. How did Gallant come along and how was that collaboration? Gallant and I met when we were at NYU. At one point, my producer Stargate and I were discussing how we could make the song even better. We thought a duet would be a really great way to tell the story and I brought up Gallant and the emotion in his voice. Stargate sent him the record and Chris (Gallant) asked if he could lay something down, adding this crazy new verse and harmonies! He’s super talented and sweet; I’m so happy to have done this together. What inspired the concept for the music video?

The video, which is coming soon, actually wasn’t intended as a music video! It was a photo shoot for the cover art, in which we want-

ed to be an estranged couple breaking up. We had a videographer, Yarden Lior, shooting BTS and he just so happened to capture these amazing moments that we decided to use as the lyric video. How would you describe your creative process? It can vary, but I like to find a concept that’s really meaningful to me - something we should be talking about that maybe we’re not doing enough. I write pages and pages of poetry to flesh out all my ideas. From there, I form the lyrics to the music and melody. When it comes to stage presence, which artists are you inspired by? Florence + The Machine, hands down. I saw her perform at Coachella a few years ago. She was incredible; her energy is intoxicating and absolutely inspiring! During quarantine, how are you dealing with staying sane at home? I’ve been focusing on writing, recording, doing zoom sessions and connecting more with my fans virtually. When I’m not working, I like to paint, cook, go for walks and be outside in the backyard. What’s the best way for fans to get your attention on social media? I love when fans message me about music, whether it’s about what a song meant to them when they were going through something, questions about my creative process, any advice on how to record, write from home, put out music. etc. I hope there’s something people can take away from my music and that it can help them during hard times.

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JUNE 2020

What to watch

Alexa and Katie (Season 4), Netflix, 6/13

The Politician (Season 2), Netflix, 6/19

Love, Victor Hulu, 6/19

What to listen to

Chloe x Halle - Ungodly Hour 6/12

Maya Hawke - Blush 6/19

HAIM - Women in Music III 6/26

TDS IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN PRINT!

THE DAILY SHUFFLE

MAY 2020

KARRIE MARTIN

www.thedailyshuffle.com/digital-magazine THE DAILY SHUFFLE 26