ATI Magazine - Issue Four // Emma Blackery (June 2017)

FIELDS L O V E Y O U R S E L F A N D S TAY H Y D R AT E D

It's a Wild World IN THE FUTURE THEY’LL INVENT A SMALL GOLDEN LIGHT

T H AT F O L L O W S Y O U E V E R Y W H E R E A N D W H E N S O M E T H I N G I S A B O U T T O E N D , I T S H I N E S B R I G H T LY S O Y O U K N O W I T ’ S A B O U T T O E N D .

Contents

Here’s a sneak preview of what’s in this issue of ATI !!!!

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This time around we have exclusive interviews with Emma Blackerry, Aston Merrygold, Newton Faulkner and more. It’s an honor and a privilege to work with such talented individuals, none of this would be possible without them, I hope you enjoy this Issue. We

this Issue. We work so hard to make these Issues and collaborations happen, in the hope that you can feel inspired and motivated. That you see that life can be beautiful, that your struggles you face we all face them as well, but that’s okay because it

it’s apart of our journey, the journey of life. So sit back, be inspired. Let it be known there’s light in the darkness, hope in the hard times, good times ahead for all of us. Love, light, and Inspirations. Be yourself, anything is possible, chase your dreams, never stop.

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EDITORS NOTES Hello and Welcome to another issue of Aspire to Inspire. I would firstly like to say thank you, thank you for taking your time to show love and support to this magazine. To those who reach out, to those who ATI collaborates and features. to those who read this and to those who support the Artists we work with, it’s appreciated. It wouldn’t be possible without the constant love and support from everyone. ATI was founded in 2013 and would not of had half of the success it has had if it wasn’t for those who believe in the magazine and what we are about. For me myself as the founder, I feel blessed that people are so enthusiastic and believing in a thought that came to me when I was doing my degree, what feels like forever ago now. It’s been such a rollercoaster and one hell of a journey up until this issue you hold in your hands or are browsing through online.

Throughout my Journey so far, I have had my fair share of no’s, my fair share of doubters and my fair share of learning the hard way, but I have dreams and ambitions, and when I have a vision, there’s nothing that is going to stop me in getting there. This magazine is a testament to this, this magazine is the foundation, the tears, the blood, sweat and joy, I endure to make it happen. I wouldn’t change a single minute. I want people to look at what I am doing and read these Issue’s and feel like anything is possible, because honestly if you asked me a couple years back, I would have no idea I could have done half of the things I have, I’ve been able to do. To everyone I’ve to meet in my path and will continue to meet, I have nothing but love for you all. It’s because of you that I am able to continue to push boundaries and climb up the ladder to bigger and better things.

Keep pushing!!!!!!!

Never let anybody tell you any different to what you believe in. Make sure you follow your heart and live your life for nobody else but yourself. Don’t forget to get in touch for collaborations, features and so much more. We always want to hear everyone’s stories and would love to work with everyone. Get in touch, LILC!!! // www.lilcdesigns.com Illustrations for Emma Blackery - Rob Brown https://www.instagram.com/mypocketportraits/

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Fuck Them Don't Worry Emma Blackery

T W E N T Y- F I V E Y E A R O L D S E L F M A D E S TA R , YO U T U B E S E N S AT I O N

AND

ENTREPRENEUR

EMMA

BL ACKERY

S P O K E T O A T I M A G A Z I N E //

Q1: If you had the opportunity to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, what would your message be?

A1: Well, I kind of do have that ability with YouTube I guess, mostly just that, whatever it is that your going through, it’s 6

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completely temporary, everything that makes you sad or is stressing you out, it will be over and there will be better times and this thing that is bugging you will stop. That’s pretty much it, I feel like that’s something people overlook all the time, were so wrapped up in things we should care about, don’t care about anything, STOP CARING, unless it’s about people that you like, just stop worrying, stop carrying about exams, and, you know all that stuff. Just stop worrying.

Q2: What or who keeps you motivated and inspires you?

A2: I have a few inspirations, I suppose, close to home like my dad, you know like he’s my hero, I love my dad, he’s great, If I could be half the person he is then I’d be a great human but I terms of music, I suppose Paramore, you know Hayley Williams, she’s been through so much crap, she’s had so many people betray her and everything, people making up stuff about her and she still keeps going, she owns her own

business, you know, she’s this massive brand, it’s admirable.

Especially in terms of vocals as well, I’d say music-wise, probably Hayley Williams.

Q3: What lyrics mean the most to you and why?

A3: I’ll tell you ones that I haven’t written that mean a lot to me, there’s a song by Reliant K, who are one of my favorite bands, they have a song called ‘Part Of It’ and one of their 7

lyrics in the chorus, I think is ’When a nightmare ever does unfold, perspective is a lovely hand to hold’ and it’s really nice, when things get really shit, just look at it from the outside. As for me, I don’t know all my lyrics are great. On this new EP there are some more personal, emotional songs, like the whole of Nothing Without You is based on like a relationship I had and how that person helped me and all that stuff, so I suppose all of that song is probably the most personal or the one that’s called Instead, it’s very RAW. Q4: What would your advice to be to those out there who want to live out their dreams?

A4: What’s the alternative, like what’s the alternative to not doing what you like, doing something you don’t like, why would you want to do that. A lot of people do struggle with biting the bullet, even if you fail and you have to go back to thing you didn’t want to do, at least you tried it, what is stopping you, I know that’s so cheesy, but it’s true, why would you not try and give everything your all, if it doesn’t work then that sucks, but it’s better to say, just do it, fuck it, inspiring, fuck it, fuck them, fuck it all.

Q5: What is your motto in life/what do you live by?

A5: Be honest, communicate with people and allow yourself to feel sad, don’t be so hard on yourself because everyone has got their own things they go through.

Q6: If you could have a song to be the soundtrack to your life what would it be and why?

A6: Oh one song to be the soundtrack to my life, I know the soundtrack to my teenage years and it would have been ‘I’m Not Okay’ by My Chemical Romance because I had that song on repeat for like five years. Literally, the CD was scratched to hell, you know, like there was almost a whole in the CD, my dad would yell at me, to stop playing the same song, Overall, probably a song called Battle For The Sun by Placebo, it’s about going through a lot of crap and then coming out and fighting to find the happiness. The good side of things after going through a lot of trouble, I like that song.

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Someones Gotta Get It Aston Merrygold

A S T O N M E R R YG O L D S P O K E T O AT I M A G A Z I N E :

crazy so be different be crazy be weird be whoever the hell you want to be.. just be cool with it.

Q1: If you had the opportunity to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, what would your message be?

A1: I think it would have to be we live in a world where we rely on likes and approval but some of the greatest things ever created were done by people that were told they were

Q2: What or who keeps you motivated and inspires you?

A2: I keep me motivated. As there are so many people/things I want to be able to take care of in my life. nobody is going to push me harder than I can. In terms of inspiration. that’s a feeling that just hits me out of nowhere at times.

F O R M E R J L S S TA R A N D S U P E R S TA R I N H I S O W N R I G H T

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A family member bringing up memories, someone in your team winning, or a total stranger doing a good deed.

Inspiration from everywhere.

Q3: What is the most inspiring message you have internalized in life so far?

A3: Seal once told myself and the JLS boys.. “please just enjoy work hard but enjoy working hard. Don’t let life just pass you by and take for granted.. nobody will understand

but you so take it in and enjoy” And believe me.. every moment is fully enjoyed.

Q4: What is your motto in life?

What do you choose to live by in life?

A4: Perfection is a preference.

Basically, whatever you do or want to do you can’t please everyone, so do you, because you do you the best.

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Q5: If you could collaborate with anyone who would to it be and why?

A5: Right now it has to be Justin Timberlake. He was the first concert I ever saw and everything just clicked. I feel like I’ve learned a lot from him without even knowing him ha! That collab would be madness. So Mr. Timberlake when you’re ready sir…..

Q6: What lyrics mean the most to you and why (ones you have written and or ones you didn’t write) A6: ‘I’ll take the heartache I’ll take the sadness I’ll take it all and write those tears away You were the heartbeat Heavens so lucky Your not just the Lady on my sleeve’ This is a song called ‘Lady On My Sleeve’ and it’s about a close childhood friend who passed a few years ago. That was a hard song to put in words but I did and might sound weird but I felt a bit of a weight lifted off my shoulders as I didn’t really talk about it. I just tried to be the rock for my friends/family at the time. And as soon as I finished writing it I took myself off had a tear and one of her favorite drinks.

Q7: What are your biggest dreams? and what are your biggest fears?

A7: Biggest dreams are touring the world and hitting every city out there with new music constantly. Fears are me falling out of love with what I do.

Q8: What is next for you/your plans for the next year?

A8: The next move is new music, new shows, new countries, new people, new memories. Also, I’ve just finished my first movie so you’ll hear more about that as the year goes on.

Q9: What would your advice be to those out there who want to live out their dreams?

A9: Someone’s gotta do it so why can’t it be you? Get it.

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Somebody Help Me Savnanna Betts

E X C L U S I V E I N T E R V I E W W I T H S AV N A N N A B E T T S F O R AT I

Q1: If you had the opportunity to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, what would your message be?

A1: Failure is a good thing. I know people probably hear this a thousand times, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to embrace failure. It can be failing in an exam, failing to get that job interview, failing to finally beat 16

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a level on an Xbox game, failing to cook dinner or whatever.

No matter what you personally feel you have failed in, it’s okay. If you succeeded in everything all the time you would either be the perfect human being or a robot, and your life would be dull. Without failure, we don’t learn and we don’t feel challenged. Without challenges, you wouldn’t develop a stronger mental aptitude or understand what your capabilities as a person even are. This is something I have

to sometimes make an effort to remind myself of because we put so much pressure on ourselves in this society to be the most perfect human being all the time and it’s just impossible. Failure is something that should be celebrated because it means you tried and sometimes trying a thing is so much more important than the success of it. It’s that whole cliche thing about the journey being more important than the destination, and despite it being so cheesy it’s

so true. Lastly, you have to celebrate failing and trying something in the first place, because you should celebrate your confidence and determination to be successful in the first place. If you celebrate and nurture that confidence to continue to keep trying and failing no matter what then one day you will be successful in your entirely unique way because not everyone’s journey is the same.

Always try.

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Q2: What lyrics mean the most to you and why (ones you have written and or ones you didn’t write) A2: I find different meaning in the lyrics of songs every time I listen to it, depending on how I’m feeling that day so it’s hard to choose something from someone else.

Lyrics that I have written that mean the most to me, though, are from my song Help. This was a song I wrote about my personal experience with some of the worst depression I have experienced so far.

The song was my way of manifesting the pain, but also trying to reach out to those who might be able to relate. For them to hopefully just know that someone else out there understands what it’s like. Asking for help isn’t always easy, especially when you feel like no one can or wants to, and the stigmas around mental health that exist make it even harder sometimes. Asking for help is not attention seeking, it’s an incredibly brave thing to do ‘Somebody Help, please. Somebody hear me. Somebody help, somebody come, somebody pull me away from this gun.

Somebody Help, please. Somebody help.’

Q3: What is the most inspiring message you have internalized in life so far?

A3: To be unapologetic for who you are and your self-worth, especially as a woman.

Q4: What is your motto in life/what do you live by?

A4: There’s a fantastic excerpt of a quote by Marianne Williamson: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.’

Q5: What would your advice to be to those out there who want to live out their dreams?

A5: Do it. If you have a dream that you want so desperately it hurts, then just do it.

Just remember that it’s going to be a tough road. There will be times when you think you can’t do it,

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Step Outside Harry Strange

E X C L U S I V E I N T E R V I E W W I T H H A R R Y S T R A N G E F O R AT I

Q1: If you had the opportunity to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, what would your message be?

A1: If I had to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, I guess it would be to do whatever you can, to get to where you want to be? I’m still working on that myself but I’ve learned that when someone says you can’t do 20

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something, you say ‘watch me.’ (Apologies if that’s super cringing haha) Q2: What or who keeps you motivated and inspires you?

A2: Oh wow! Who or what keeps me motivates me is a hard question. Umm, I’ve got some very close and special friends and they are always there to push me a little harder and keep me moving forward when I start to slack.

Q3 How did you get started with your music? And if you weren’t an artist/musician what would you want to be doing?

A3: I got started with music through my family. I grew up in quite a creative and artistic family so both my brothers had singing lessons and there’s me wanting to do everything they do I too started having singing lessons. If I wasn’t an artist I would love to think I could be doing something in

film? I love film and editing footage and actually spent 6 months working for a viral Facebook company making viral videos which were a lot of fun.

Q4: What or who keeps you motivated and inspires you?

A4: I’ve got some very close and special friends and they are always there to push me a little harder and keep me moving forward when I start to slack.

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Q5: What lyrics mean the most to you and why (ones you have written and or ones you didn’t write) A5: Wow! Some seriously hard questions going on here, I’ve got loads of favorite lyrics but perhaps Ben Howard’s ‘Keep your head up” all the lyrics in that song are just words to live by I think.

Q6: If you could collaborate with anyone who would to it be and why?

A6: The Ultimate collaboration for me would be Jennifer Lopez!!

Q7: What are your biggest dreams? and what are your biggest fears?

A7: Biggest dreams? I guess to be successful and happy? Even if it turns out not to be successful in music, as long as I’m happy all is good! And then biggest fear would be not happy I guess.

Q8: What is your motto in life/what do you live by?

A8: I think it’s safe to say I truly do live by the motto “Everything happens for a reason” in any situation, to me, it’s the most real saying ever!

Q9: What is your motto in life/what do you live by?

A9: I think/I hope I’m getting better at doing things outside my comfort zone.

For example a few months back, I left my job and decided that the following week I would go out to Vietnam by myself. Was so scary but one of the best times ever and met some amazing people.

Q10: What is the most inspiring message you have internalized in life so far?

A10: An inspiring message that I have internalized in life? Maybe to try and do something that pushes you outside your comfort zone or scares you.

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Can't Does Not Exsist Raphimusic

OUR

EXCLUSIVE

INTERVIEW

WITH

SONGWRITER

/

S I N G E R R A P H I F O R AT I M A G A Z I N E .

Q1: If you had the opportunity to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, what would your message be?

A1: If I had the opportunity to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, my message would be to always be yourself and to never doubt your ability to succeed in 26

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something you are passionate about.

Q2: What or who keeps you motivated and inspires you?

A2: Life, in general, inspires me! There’s constant inspiration around us on a daily basis and I feel blessed to have amazing support around me to keep me motivated.

Q3: What is the most memorable experience of your life/ career so far? And what have you learned from it?

A3: My most memorable experience to date in my career would have to be when I was 15 years old and won the Be A Star competition with Capital Radio. It had always been a dream of mine to go on stage at the o2 Arena and now I can tick that off the bucket list. Winning a competition of that scale at such a young age really taught me to utilize every opportunity you get in life.

Q4: Would you go back and change anything in your journey

so far? (If no, why) A4: This is a Great Question! Initially, my first answer would be yes, of course, we all make bad decisions growing up but now I think about it there is nothing I would change about my journey so far and that’s because I believe everything happens for a reason and the hard/good times have made me who I am today!

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Q5: What lyrics mean the most to you and why (ones you have written and or ones you didn’t write) A5: The Lyrics “Don’t worry about a thing, cause everything thing, is gonna be alright”

by Bob Marley are one of the strongest lyrics in my opinion. Just by the simplicity of the statement to live life stress-free and happy.

Q6: If you could collaborate with anyone who would to it be and why?

A6: The Ultimate collaboration for me would be Jennifer Lopez!!

Q7: What is the most inspiring message you have internalized in life so far?

A7: I watched a film many years ago that had the saying “Don’t let the fear of fighting, keep you from playing the game” This is the most inspiring message to me and after watching that film, I now live by that every day.

Q8: What is your motto in life/what do you live by?

A8: I think it’s safe to say I truly do live by the motto “Everything happens for a reason” in any situation, to me, it’s the most real saying ever!

Q9: What is next for you/your plans for the next year?

A9: Next for me is to just get all the music I’ve been working on for the past year out for everyone to listen to and enjoy. I’m super scared but also very excited. I always love to plan things but we never know whats around the corner so I’m going to say my plans for the next year are to just keep developing as an Artist and perform as much as I can and share great tunes!

Q10: What would your advice to be to those out there who want to live out their dreams?

A10: To anyone who has a dream no matter how big or small! Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do it because the word Can’t does not exist. Remove it from your vocabulary!

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Get On With It Newton Faulkner

E X C L U S I V E I N T E R V I E W W I T H N E W T O N F A U L K N E R //

Q1: If you had the opportunity to get an inspiring message across to a lot of people, what would your message be?

A1: That is actually a question I’ve thought a lot about a huge amount and it’s hard to draw solid conclusions. I did one of those talks at the Oxford Union and I asked them, What would be the best use, I have a very simple 30

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philosophy that seems to kind of encompass everything that needs doing in a very simple way, which is basically, every tiny small kind act, just creates a small ripple that eventually comes back to you and that seems to work. If I can promote that then that’s going to do as much help as anything else.

Q2: What or who keeps you motivated and inspires you?

A2: Everything, I find music endlessly fascinating and if it’s not

playing an instrument then it’s the whole production side off things and if both of those kind of plato then there’s stuff too listen too, I am very rarely, not excited about music.

Q3: What is the most memorable experience of your life/ career so far? And what have you learnt from it?

A3: I should be able to answer that (laughs) I’ve had a really good time, when I’ve released, wait what have I done, five

albums now, just starting on my sixth, I love playing live, so every gig is memorable like I like gigs where it’s right, because it’s nice when everything goes right, I think might love gigs where everything goes wrong more, because it’s more of an interesting challenge.

Q4: Would you go back and change anything in your journey so far? (If no, why) 31

A4: No definitely not, I am a stronger believer that everything kind of happens for a reason, and everything is leading towards one defiant point. Yeah, I feel like everything, every record I’ve made, I’ve made for reasons that I 100% believe in.

Q5: What is most inspiring message you have internalised in life so far?

A5: Amazing question, I love it, I almost want to sit down with a pen and paper and write a short book. Life’s complicated always, I work like a lunatic, that’s one of the things I’ve managed to do recently, I’ve gone massively to far in certain directions in the past, is that work life kind of balance thing. I did work and do pretty much nothing else for years, like I did solid work for years and I loved what I was doing so I didn’t really mind at the time, but over the last few years I’ve been like I’m stop at this time in the evening and I’m not working at weekends apart from I am working this weekend but that’s an exception, but I have started carving out time to do some normal stuff, because obviously I have a studio in my house so I can work, if I can’t sleep I’m likely too just go into the studio and make some noise, make use of the time. It’s a really counter intuitive thing but in order to get more work done, I had to work less but in a more focused way.

That’s been hard, that’s nothing something that has come natural to me, as I just don’t like stopping anymore, I’m like the bus on speed, I feel like if I go below a certain amount of adrenaline I might just die.

So I have to proof myself wrong on that because that’s obviously not a sensible way too live your life because you’ll end up being a bit knackered.

Q6: What would your advice to be to those out there who want to live out there dreams?

A6: Just get on with it, it’s very simple but it’s definitely not going to happen if you don’t try and do it, so the first step is trying to do it, I’ve never had any kind of safety net, I just threw myself into this, with no, I didn’t give not doing music for living a thought at any point. I don’t know if that’s wise, that might be incredibly unwise, I might of got incredibly lucky but I feel like safety nets are obviously very sensible but can also make you quite lazy.

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