Rival Magazine: Issue 15

Caye

Hunter Hayes

LEA

Rioaz

Writer: Olivia Vitarelli Creative Director: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp

Writer: Ashley Vitarelli Creative Director: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp Hair: Jessica Ruby MUA: Ryan Styne Wardrobe: Heather Koepp & L E A

Writer: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp Grooming: Joanna Faivre

Writer: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp

Editor in Chief Heather Koepp Layout Design By Liat Halmos 2

North Ave Jax

Writer: Ashley Vitarelli Creative Director: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Sponsored by H&M Styled: Heather Koepp

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

TEAM CREDITS

4

CAYE

14 HUNTER HAYES 24 NORTH AVE JAX 36 L E A 46 RIOVAZ

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CAYE

CAYE

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CAYE By: Olivia Vitarelli Piano, drums, steelpan, guitar, bass, and didgeridoo.

That’s a list of instruments writer, producer, and singer Caye can play, many of which you’ll see on stage in his upcoming headlining tour this March. A self-proclaimed philosophical, existential guy, Caye spent secluded quarantine months crafting his debut album WE LOVE – a melodious exploration of life’s big questions and universal truths. He’s a storyteller at heart, and he’s sharing his musings in the form of songs that, true to the album’s name, we love.

The multi-hyphenate musician grew up just outside of Boston, in a small town called Belmont. “I grew up in a musical household,” Caye says. “Every other weekend in high school, we’d throw parties and jam with different musicians from the Boston area. It was always a big family affair where we’d have tons of friends gathering and the vibes were just incredible.” The jams were open to all. “It didn’t matter if you were a professional jazz musician or if it was your first time picking up an instrument and you were shaking a tambourine. Even if you weren’t playing music, as long as you brought positive energy, you were welcome.” In addition to these musical gatherings,

Caye found himself writing, producing, and performing for a variety of jazz bands and rock bands throughout the city. “[I was] switching off weekends attending a jazz program at New England Conservatory and competing in tennis tournaments,” he reveals. “There was a time when I thought my future was playing D1 Tennis.”

His love and talent for jazz began early in childhood.

“I studied classical piano for the first ten years of my life,” Caye explains. “I then started studying jazz music roughly for the next eight years. I learned a whole lot of theory, and how to play my instruments at a high level. That experience greatly informs my work today.”

Still, he tries to strike a 7

balance between music theory

around my high school and then

knowledge and uninhibited

soon around other schools in

creative expression. “There’s

the area,” he notes. “Not long

knowing music, there’s playing

after, I started playing shows

music, and then there’s feeling

performing my own music.”

the music. Mostly anyone can

Two years later, after turning

learn the first two, but the

eighteen, Caye enrolled in the

feeling is what I’ve found to be

music program at the University

the most important for music

of Southern California and

creators.”

moved to LA. With just a year of USC training under his belt,

After his introduction to classical

Caye booked a gig opening for

piano, at just age twelve, Caye

a tour through Canada and the

forayed into producing and

U.S. He spent the next few years

solidified his love for music.

on the road, until the pandemic

“I was given Logic Pro as a

hit. “Everything stopped,” Caye

Christmas present and started

says. “I spent a lot of quarantine

producing hip hop beats. I spent

creating what is now my new

that next summer in Trinidad

album, WE LOVE.”

with my dad. We were kindly hosted by this family who

An eight song debut

showed us around the music

album living “somewhere in the

scene down there and even

alternative, indie, psychedelic,

invited me to jam in their family

pop, rock, and R&B world,”

band. This is where I fell in love

WE LOVE started as a mantra

with music.”

between friends and became a sonic reflection on the human

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By age sixteen, he was releasing

condition. “‘We love’ was

original songs on Soundcloud.

something my friends and I

“The word started to spread

would say instead of goodbye or

peace, like Pura Vida in Costa Rica.

Then, I wrote WE LOVE PT. 2 and soon after, WE LOVE PT. 1. These two songs inspired me to create an entire album.”

Motivated by a mantra-turned-melody and his lease up in LA, Caye decided to journey across California with his roommates and girlfriend, embarking upon an adventure that would “greatly change [himself] and [his] music in many ways.” They stayed in a multitude of different cabins and Caye learned to take his time and enjoy the stillness. “I learned that, to truly get to know yourself, it’s sometimes helpful to isolate and get away from external influences.

I learned that I need those quiet, peaceful moments more often in my life, and I will continue taking journeys like this. It gave me the time and space to create something that I’m truly proud of, that I feel truly reflects me and how I feel about the world in this moment. And, although I will continue to change, as will my music, this album will always be a reminder of who I was during this period.”

Moved to reflect by the slow pace of quarantine months, Caye reveals, “I did a lot of thinking on the currencies of humans. I realized that the most important currencies in our society are Love, Time, and Money.

Love, to me, felt like the strongest currency that we have to give and receive. So, since Love is the most important human currency, it just felt right to call the project WE LOVE.” In addition to laying down the vocals on each song, Caye both wrote and produced the album. Of the three disciplines, he notes, “they all resonate equally for me. There are different phases of life for a musical artist. It goes in cycles, sort of like the seasons. There’s creation mode, where you isolate yourself, look

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deeply inwards and create. There’s the middle phase, where you get all the content, cover art, mix and master the album, and start testing the waters by playing it for specific people. And then there’s the release and performance phases, where you take all of that work and share it with the world,” he says. “It’s the cycle that makes me love being an artist. It’s that process that keeps this lifestyle so interesting and exciting to me.” Now that WE LOVE is finally in the release phase of the cycle, Caye feels amazing. “Especially for it to be received with so much love,” he says.

“After putting so much time and care into this album, I’m extremely happy for the world to finally be able to hear it.”

Up next, he’ll headline a tour in March. “I was immediately excited, nervous and then grateful,” Caye says of the moment he learned the news. “I realized there was a lot of work ahead of me. But also, that my manager and I have already put in so much work to get to a place where I can headline my own tour. Headlining a tour is not something that every artist gets to do in their lifetime, so I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity.” Driven by gratitude and excitement, Caye reveals, “I just can’t wait to get out and play this new music for people.

It’s been so long since I’ve been able to play a show. The joy it brought me on my past tours to play my old music live was unexplainable, and I feel that I connect on a much deeper level with the message and sonics of this current album.”

To Caye, touring is like a big sports game that he runs no risk of losing.

“I’ve learned to love the butterflies before stepping on stage. Then, the rest is just pure adrenaline and joy. A lot of times I get lost in the moment on stage and sort of black out. All I know is when I come off stage I 11

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usually feel amazing.” With a tour on the horizon and his debut album in the rearview, music has become a pivotal part of Caye’s identity. “If I go too long without picking up an instrument, or writing a song, or jamming, I start to go a bit crazy…at this point I can’t imagine living without it.”

Creative Director: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp

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HUNTER HAYES

HUNTER HAYES By: Heather Koepp Taking in the beautiful sights of Malibu, I shut the door to my Jeep and approached the front of the studio home. With an intimidating blacked-out gate, I reluctantly entered the code I was given and was greeted with three blinking lights of approval and the click of a release. I stepped over the threshold into the mudroom, from where I could see the sweeping views of the ocean below. Nestled

off the side of the Pacific Coast

out, and Hunter Hayes laughed.

Highway, the 600-square-foot

“I like that,” he said as he

home was all mine - at least

approached. We shared a quick

for the next three hours. I

hug, and I gestured to the small,

immediately began setting up

tucked-in house behind me and

for our photoshoot, pulling out

said, “Welcome home”. I guided

shoe boxes and bags filled with

us through the short hallway

clothing options followed by my

and into the studio, where the

camera equipment.

preparation began and with no time wasted, it was “Lights,

With my camera bouncing off my

camera, action!” We made our

hip, I walked out onto the balcony

way down the treacherous steps

and took in the sounds of the

leading to the beach below and

crashing waves. A seagull and his

found a spot to start shooting.

mate squabbled back and forth

This became our routine for the

as they passed by. Reminding

next three outfits: up and down,

myself to breathe and be present

up and down, until we chased

in the moment, I put on my game

the sunlight to the Earth’s edge.

face as the sound of wheels on

And, as quickly as it began, it was

gravel joined in Nature’s choir;

time to wrap up and head home.

showtime. “H Squared!” I called

We said our goodbyes the old-

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fashioned way, with a selfie on the beach and plans to meet up soon.

Five days later, I found myself on the road to Fantasy Springs Casino in Yucca Valley to attend the singer’s first live performance of 2023. Arriving early for the soundcheck, I found Hunter at the lighting booth speaking with lighting designer Ethan Martin. “Can we add a gradient prism chase to the start of ‘Everybody’s Got Somebody’?” I heard Hunter ask as I approached. You would think this would be the last place you would find the performer before the show, but according to the singer, it’s his “part-time job.”

“It’s 3-4 months of late-night dreaming about a show. I love building the show in my head from scratch because I want to know how it feels before it starts. My exercise

show I’m using that same practice,

with producing music is if you can

that if I can ‘see’ it, I can feel it’, and

hear it, then go make it. With a live

that’s what we’re going to make.

It’s all an extension of the music.”

He goes on to add, “It’s a part of the experience I want guest to have at the show. I’m always looking for ways to take the show from ‘just a set list of songs’ to an experience they won’t forget”.

After the duo put the finishing touches on the lighting design, I took the opportunity to whisk Hunter away to chat some more about his upcoming tour and album.

As we walked through the sea of empty chairs that would soon be filled with excited fans, I began: RIVAL: “Congratulations on the new album! ‘Red Sky’ is a musical journey that steers the listener though peaks and valleys of growth, self-exploration and overcoming inner turmoil. Which song(s) would you say are the most important on

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the album?”

those reactions, those conversations. I write about

HUNTER HAYES: “It’s

feelings; when something

interesting because some of

moves me, I pay attention

the most important songs

to it. I’ll go through phases

are the songs that I almost

where I don’t have a lot to

left off. ‘Lonely Loves Me’

write about; so, during those

is a great example; I never

times I go inward, and I did

felt like that song was

a lot of work on myself- a lot

done, but I’ve felt that way

comes up through that.

about songs in the past and they ended up being

RIVAL: “Were there any

really important songs for

songs that didn’t make the

that album. I don’t know,

cut?”

maybe I have a precious perfectionism around

HUNTER HAYES: “There

certain songs. But ‘Lonely

were a few that didn’t

Loves Me’ I would say is

make the cut, but they

one of the most important

will probably be put on an

because it’s so vulnerable,

extended version as the

raw, in a moment. ‘About a

fans are very honest and

Boy’ and ‘Victory’ are really

outspoken about what songs

important songs to this

they want on the album.”

album. ‘Wallflower’ is one of my personal favorites and

RIVAL: “How many songs do

one of the first songs I wrote

you write for an album, and

for ‘Red Sky’, so I think it

how do you decide which

always carried the spirit of

ones make the record?”

the album.

HUNTER HAYES: “I’m still RIVAL: ‘Let’s talk about the

learning how to do that. I

writing process. Where do

easily write a hundred songs

you gather your inspiration

but if you really dig through

from?”

and look at what was considered for this project

HUNTER HAYES: “I have

and only looked at what was

this piano that I got for the

written specifically for ‘Red

last record, and I kept it

Sky’, you would miss half of

around for this one because

‘Red Sky’ because the record

every time I sit at, I play ten

is a combination of multiple

minutes worth of music and

albums and later projects

three songs start to take

that we brought together.”

shape. There are tons of

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ten-minute piano recordings

RIVAL: “Straying away from

on my iPhone and notes

your early country roots,

full of random sentences.

‘Red Sky’ is a different

I like starting from titles

sound from what fans are

because for me personally,

used to. How do you think

it can act as a time machine.

this album will translate to

It will drop me right

the die-hard Hunter Hayes

back into those feelings,

fans, and what has been the

fan response to the singles so far?”

HUNTER HAYES: “The response has been amazing. As you describe the album on paper, technically, it is different from what I’ve done before, it’s very adventurous.

It’s new, but I don’t think it’s surprising to my core fans that have been with me for so long as they’re familiar with how much love I have for blending genres and sounds and just really going for it.

That is my version of being bold; combining sounds and building my own genre inside a song, and they’ve always supported that.

They’ve always championed that.”

RIVAL: “With every great album, comes one great tour! How does it feel to be hitting the road again?”

HUNTER HAYES: “I love every single part about what I do. It’s exciting because it’s the closest you get to the end goal, which is play the song in front of and for people. I was working on this album in a sort of vacuum; I had a great team of collaborators, but a lot of the process required me to work solo. Going from that to being able to finish it with my collaborators and finally bring it to the stage is what I really love. I didn’t really get to do that with ‘Wild Blue’ due to covid, so to be able to do this with ‘Red Sky’ is really important, and it’s everything that I love and want.”

RIVAL: “The tour life we know can be rather challenging, are you ready to sleep in a bunk again? What is in the Hunter Hayes survival kit to make those long days on the roads a little easier?”

HUNTER HAYES: “I love being on a tour bus. I very rarely use dressing rooms; I typically give those to the band so everyone can spread out a bit more. There’s something about being on a bus; it’s more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B. There’s a consistency to it, there’s like this sacredness to being on the bus,

21

and it gives me this energy of being on the road and it helps me stay on a tour focused mind set. So, anything that makes me feel like I’m at home: incense candles, instruments that won’t go on stage. I typically have a little studio set up in the back because for me that is home: a place where I can keep my relationship with music separate from what I’m there to do. That’s a necessity for me because it allows me to stay excited about music in a new way every day which is really important to me.”

RIVAL: “Which cities are you looking forward to the most?

Are there any new cities on this tour that you haven’t been to yet?”

HUNTER HAYES: “I’m looking forward to all of them. To share where my headspace is, I don’t really get excited about an individual place, my excitement now is in building the tour and that we’re touring and getting to play for actual people.”

RIVAL: “You’ve always been very connected to your fans and now you get to connect on a deeper level with the upcoming Meet and Greet opportunities on the ‘Red Sky Tour’. How excited are you for the ‘M&G’s’ and what can fans expect from the experience?”

HUNTER HAYES: “We put a lot of thought into ‘Meet and Greets’ and work hard to protect those moments and create a safe space of connection. There’s an element behind the scenes where you get to see the show you’re about to watch being built. There’s an element of this was curated specifically for you {the fans} through musical connection by sharing stories and answering questions and performing.

Most importantly, though, is the human connection.”

Concluding the interview so the singer could finish preparing for the night’s performance, I asked one final question: “What do you want fans to take away from listening to ‘Red Sky’?” Hunter thought for a moment before responding, “This is quite ambitious, but I would love for the listener to have a better relationship with themselves.” This was the first album that wasn’t about one chapter in my life but a combination of a lot of different chapters and life lessons.

It’s the relationship you have with yourself and how you see yourself. Self-love. Self-respect. It carries all those themes, and that’s what I really want.”

Creative Director: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Heather Koepp Grooming: Joanna Faivre 22

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NORTH AVE JAX

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NORTH AVE JAX

BY: Ashley Vitarelli

stage name — a combination of the street he grew up on and

Every story has a genesis,

a childhood nickname — North

an emergence, an inception,

Ave Jax has established himself

a start. For rising star North

as one to watch in the world of

Ave Jax, his tale had its

music. With praise from the press

beginning on a small street

and people all over the world, an

called North Ave in the tiny

escalating singing career, and a

city of Burlington, Vermont.

recording contract with Interscope

Provisioned with all the

Records, the next chapter of North

essentials: tremendous

Ave Jax’s story promises to be

talent and an ingenious

explosive, expressive, and exciting.

“Growing up in Vermont, I did really normal things such as hangout with my friends and go to school,” North Ave Jax explains. “I played basketball with all of the older kids because I lived right outside the basketball court. There isn’t much to do, so at the time, basketball was my biggest focus until I found music.”

Indeed, discovering a passion for music transformed North Ave Jax’s life in truly phenomenal fashion.

“My earliest memory of music is watching my dad play the drums when I was younger,” he explains.

“My dad is the one who got me into music and taught me how to play drums, which ultimately kicked off my love for music.”

Indeed, North Ave Jax’s love and affection for music is evident in all of his work. Describing his style of music as “raw emotion,” North Ave Jax’s songs routinely offer powerful insights into his life and mind.

The music video for “Eastside” particularly showcases this raw emotional exchange that the artist describes. The video is an incredibly potent illustration of his life, covering the singer dropping out of high school and struggling

27

with anxiety in a format that

record in my friend’s studio

feels like a three minute

that was set up in his

documentary. “Music was a

closet with just a mic and

ventilation process for me,

a computer, and overtime

especially in high school,”

I would just make music in

North Ave Jax reflects. “It

that little studio,” North Ave

allowed me to vent in ways

Jax recalls. “Things really

that other things didn’t.

changed when I noticed

Making good music made

that the qualityof my music

things satisfying. Listening to

didn’t sound great. There

artists such as Jack Harlow

are no studios in Vermont,

in 2018 and listening to their

so it was hard to produce

story and feeling a good

quality music. I took myself

melody became addicting.

to a real studio in New York

Good music made me feel

City and drove six hours just

good, so I wanted to keep

to professionally record a

pursuing that and make

few songs. Eventually, those

something great from it so

songs I recorded that day

others can relate to

in New York City ended up

music as much as I did.”

changing my life and pushed me to get signed.”

With this vision driving his

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music and career, North

From New York City to

Ave Jax was determined

Atlanta, North Ave Jax visited

to make his dreams come

city after city in pursuit of his

true. “When I first started

dreams. “Being flown to

making music, I would

Atlanta when my first video

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went viral seemed so surreal,”

more,” he reflects. “Playing in my

music is a reflection of me and my

North Ave Jax recalls. “I wanted

hometown is always such a great

feelings and how I express myself.

to meet the expectations of

experience because for a small

I only make music about things

everyone who started to believe

town, the crowd gets so hype and

I’ve gone through, so everything

in me when I didn’t necessarily

everyone is on the same level. It’s

I’ve made has been an experience

fully believe in myself. I didn’t

always good to be home.”

or feeling I’ve went through. It

know how LVRN believed in me

means so much to

so much without knowing me,

North Ave Jax’s work LaZy, but

me knowing that people can

so I wanted to prove myself to

I have goals is incredible from

relate to me. I love it.”

them since I felt the love and

start to finish, often touching on

commitment from them from the

the struggles associated with

That transaction of relatability is

beginning.” Indeed, North Ave

him feeling trapped in a town

even more profound at North Ave

Jax quickly established himself as

where many people suspected

Jax’s exhilarating live shows. “I

a rising star, with the traveling

he would fail. It’s an impressive

like that I am able to share myself

schedule to prove it. And still,

body of work — so much so that

with people while performing live

despite his newfound travel

North Ave Jax struggles to select

and dive deeper into my story

itinerary, the sentiment no place

a favorite lyric from the collection.

with my audience,” North Ave Jax

like home still rang true for the

“I don’t have a favorite lyric, but

notes. “Being able to see people’s

talented singer as he sold out

my favorite songs are ‘Awful’ and

reactions and give someone

a venue of 750 in Vermont. “It

‘Guns & Roses,’” he explains.

my presence is my favorite part

was cool that people from my

“The album I think opened my

of performing live. I hope my

hometown were showing love

eyes to what I want to do better

performances influence people to

and I couldn’t have asked for

next time with my music. My

believe in themselves.”

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Looking to the future, all eyes are on North Ave Jax, poised and ready to watch him thrive in his upcoming plans. “My next project is coming with Jetson and we are taking it to the next level,” North Ave Jax shares. As for dream collaborators, North Ave Jax puts Dominic Fike at the top of the list. “I think he’s super talented,” North Ave Jax explains. “And I think he could help me a lot.” Indeed, the future looks bright for North Ave Jax, but so does the present. His work has been recognized by XXL and Complex, among others, a reception that he is “super grateful for,” he explains.

“It just shows that I have something good enough for them to talk about.”

Through his music, North Ave Jax has a commanding influence on people all over the world, inspiring them to follow their dreams with his story and sound. Moreover, he himself hasc found personal inspiration from a destination far closer to home — his brothers. “My biggest inspirations are my little brothers,” North Ave Jax reflects. “I gotta win for them. That’s my biggest goal.” Indeed, his noble goals do not end there. “I want to be able to help small communities once I get my platform bigger,” he shares.

“I want to help world hunger and help people change their habits so they can live a life they want.”

When asked to reflect on what it was like when his music first started getting traction, North Ave Jax shares a powerfully honest and vulnerable response. Indeed, despite his monumental success, he is still hungry for more. “I am proud of how far I have come,” he shares. “But self consciously there is still a part of me where I get down on myself. I want to walk out in the Hollywood Bowl one day and have the crowd chant my name so loud I can’t even hear

32

myself. I think that’s when I will still start to feel that it’s actually happening for me. Don’t get me wrong, it is crazy the position I am in now in my life because if it wasn’t for music, I would still be painting houses in Vermont.

But now I am in a place where I am working towards my dreams coming true.”

As North Ave Jax’s story continues to unfold, he is enjoying every step along the way. “My favorite part of my career is the journey,” he shares — a perspective that is powerful in the music industry.

From the small streets of Vermont to Interscope Records and beyond, North Ave Jax represents the next generation of creatives making their mark on the business.

In pursuing his passions with steadfast precision, North Ave Jax has made a name for himself in the business — one that soon, everyone will know. “The power of music is never-ending,” North Ave Jax says. “Music is so important because it can change people’s lives.”

Creative Director: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp Wardrobe: Sponsored by H&M Styled: Heather Koepp

33

LEA

LEA BY: Ashley Vitarelli In a world where new music is magic and fresh voices are vital, one emo alt-pop sensation is more than hot on the radar of stardom. Learn the name L E A now, as soon, everyone will be shouting it. As she gears up for the release of her new EP Happy Never Ending, L E A is set to not only thrive in the music world, but redefine it. She is poised to make her mark on the industry with her irresistible style, magnetic personality, and captivating sound, all the while making her dreams come true.

38

“Growing up in New Jersey was pretty great honestly,” L E A shares. “I was adopted and put into choirs and musical theater as a kid and a teen, so I was always exposed to music. I owned a ton of instruments growing up and started songwriting in fifth grade. The music community I was surrounded by really inspired me. And of course, living at the beach was an absolute blessing!”

That exposure to music quickly ingrained itself into every fiber of L E A’s being. “My mom always likes to remind me that I used to sing The Beach Boys for the bank tellers,” L E A recalls. “My own memory though, is when I used to listen to Aaron Carter in the car on the way to go swimming, or when I asked my mom to buy me my first CD when I saw an ad on

television for Dream Street.”

whole and meeting so many new people.”

From singing songs by The Beach Boys to writing her own

Now out in LA and making her

music, L E A evolved into more

dreams a reality, L E A found

than just a fan of music, but

herself coming into her own

also a music creative. “One of

as an artist. Sonically, her

the first of many songs I wrote

music includes pop-punk and

revolves around my fourth

emo nods intertwined with

grade crush,” L E A explains.

brilliant pop sensibilities, an

“It went something like ‘I

essence that is authentically

really like you, I wish I could

and wholeheartedly L E A. “I

say something. Even though

have been making piano ballads

everybody knew, but you.’”

and pop music for as long as

Those lyrics, though “corny” as

I’ve been writing, but grew up

L E A describes them, marked

on classic rock and pop punk

the start of her creative journey

music,” she states. “I’ve always

and, in many ways, the birth of

been told to make rock music

a star.

because my voice fits better in that style, but at one time

Indeed, L E A’s first moment

wanted to write mainstream

where she felt like she had

pop. Mixing my love for pop,

made it as an artist and was

emo, and then some created

becoming a star came from

the genre that I’m sticking with

working with one of her beloved

today.”

music heroes, her producer Chase Coy. “It really felt like

That genre of course is, as

life came full circle,” L E A says

L E A explains, the perfect

of working with Coy. “From

blend of many different styles.

growing up listening to his

“Alternative-pop, nu-rock,

music, to him literally making

pop-punk, pop-rock, nu-punk,

and writing my music with me

exciting, bold, loud, aggressive,

today, all those songs have

and colorful,” L E A says of her

really put me on the map, and

genre and style influences.

I’m super grateful for that and

“I think I’ve always remained

him.”

pretty authentic to myself, but one thing I did notice is that as

Moreover, as L E A’s music

I get older and become more

found itself on the map, L E A

confident in myself, my music

found that her own map was

gets better! So that’s cool!”

shifting, too. “Moving to LA was a dream come true,” L E

L E A’s confidence is more than

A notes. “I had always known I

evident on her new EP Happy

wanted to live in California, and

Never Ending, which showcases

after I visited LA for the first

her captivating capacity to

time in 2014, I knew I was going

create. “Happy Never Ending

to spend a lot of time there.

is about never-ending cycles in

Moving across the country was

your life that you’re not mad

so fun and that part of my life

about,” she shares. “You can

was fresh and exciting! I’ve

expect two never before heard

loved getting to know LA as a

songs, three popular previous

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releases, and a lot of grit!” The

artists.”

EP also highlights some of L E

finish in my opinion, and that’s when I knew it was ready for release!”

A’s collaborative work, as she

In sharing more of the creative

worked with both Kellin Quinn

process for Happy Never Ending,

When discussing specific songs on

and DJ Bemo Rouge on Happy

L E A reflects back to when she

the EP, L E A is quick to bring up “Like

Never Ending.“Bemo has been so

first started working with Coy.

Yesterday.” “I think ‘Like Yesterday’

dope to work with,” L E A says.

“I had just started working with

is the most ‘Lea’ song,” she explains.

“He gets just as excited about

Chase Coy and brought him two

“It flows how all my silly little piano

this music as I do and we’re

songs I was eager to start,” she

ballads I’d write growing up would

always sharing milestones on

recalls. “By the time we finished

flow. The lyrics are super raw and

our song. I feel really grateful

recording them, I just kept giving

specific, my voice is very low, and

to have a tune with him! And

him more to work on, and I’d fly

the end absolutely explodes, which

Kellin was great to work with as

to Nashville to track them. Happy

is what my emotions have felt too.

well. His constant support and

Never Ending came about when I

I thought it was so cool that we

sharing our song before it’s out

had all five songs that completed

captured that in a song. To be honest,

is the best, and I’m also grateful

that little creative project. The EP

I’m not sure how people will take that

he gives opportunities to smaller

told a perfect story from start to

one, but I’m excited to have it out there anyways!”

With the release of Happy Never Ending, L E A continues to manifest her dreams into reality, both inside the studio and out. “I think it’s kinda cheesy, but seeing some of my idols follow me on social media is the coolest thing,” she shares. “That and getting to play Emo Nights in front of big crowds, I feel really lucky. I absolutely love getting to teach the crowd the chorus to ‘I Guess I Like You Anyway,’ it makes me so excited and happy to hear others enjoying my music. Having around 300 people at Emo Night Brooklyn sing back to me was one of the sickest experiences.”

In pursuing music, L E A is acutely aware of the power that her profession has. “Music has the power to connect us,” she notes. “It brings people together. To party together and cry together.” Moreover, as she continues to reflect on her career, she ponders on who to cite as her biggest creative inspirations, before settling on Secondhand Serenade and Mayday Parade. “I think from the start both of those artists and bands have inspired me to get into music, pick up songwriting, and pursue a full time career in this field,” L E A says.

As L E A gears up to share Happy Never Ending with the world, it becomes evident that she is only just getting started on all that she will accomplish in music. “More music is still in the works,” she teases. “I’m hoping to eventually get signed and also play my first festivals.” However that’s not all the singer hinted at. “There may be some cool collaborations in the future,” L E A suggests. “Stay tuned!”

Indeed, L E A is making a name for herself in the industry, making her dreams come true, and making mesmerizing and magnetic music. “Being a musician is an emotional rollercoaster that I wouldn’t dare to get off of,” L E A shares. “I

love every minute of it — the highs and the lows — because it all builds the artist I’m becoming. It’s stressful and financially tough, but the reward of getting to meet new fans and perform in front of hundreds is worth it all.”

Creative Director: Heather Koepp Photographer: Heather Koepp Hair: Jessica Ruby Makeup: Ryan Styne Wardrobe: Heather Koepp & L E A

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RIOVAZ

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RIOVAZ BY: Heather Koepp Riovaz is here to ‘Disturb the Norm’ Singer/Songwriter Riovaz might not be the most well-known ‘Tik-Toker’ on the social media platform, but the 18-year-old, New Jersey artist is no stranger to success. With his catchy ‘contemporary rave pop’ sound, the self-proclaimed introvert found himself in the spotlight when his 2020 song, ‘Prom Night’ took off and amassed over a million streams. This caught the attention of Darkroom Records/Geffen Records and the rest fell into place from there. Riovaz is currently celebrating the release of his debut album, ’Disturb the Norm’ that released on February 24th, 2023 in addition to selling out his first ever tour appropriately named the

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‘Riorave’.

With the tour launching off in Los Angles, I jumped at the opportunity to attend the sold-out performance to find out firsthand, what the ‘Riorave’ experience was all about. The day of the show had me arriving early for soundcheck where dedicated fans had been camping the block as I walked up to the doors of ‘The Echo’. Stepping out from the blaring sun, I adjusted my eyes to the dark venue and took in my surroundings. I quickly found Riovaz on stage preparing for the night ahead as he transitioned through his setlist with ease. When he concluded his soundcheck, I stepped in to introduce myself and was instantly greeted in return with a huge grin and a hug that felt like a long-lost friend. We quickly fell into step as we snuck out of the venue to capture some last-minute photos of the setting Los Angeles sun however it didn’t take long

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for us to be recognized and we quickly ducked back into the venue to conclude our shoot and begin our interview.

RIVAL: ‘U Neva’ is finally out to the world! After nearly a year of fans begging to get this track in their playlist what has been the fan response since the song dropped?

RIOVAZ: “It’s been EXPLOSIVE! After a year some fans would lose interest, but no, they stuck by my side. I kept getting comments from people saying, ‘Drop the song, drop the song!’ for over a year and now that its out it already has half a million streams. It’s crazy!

RIVAL: What can fans expect from this EP that may be different from some of your past hits?

RIOVAZ: “‘It’s me coming into my own. Its like

an introduction to my fans; some fans don’t really know where to categorize me right now and this EP is like a staple.

They’ll really understand when they listen to the album. I want them to hear the album from the beginning to the end with no skips, in order. It’s a whole story.”

RIVAL: Do you have any collaborations in the works or any dream collaborators you want to work on a track within the future?

RIOVAZ: “Oooh ya, I definitely do. Fans are going to be really really happy.

They’ve been begging for this one for a while.”

RIVAL: 2023 has announced some amazing festivals this year. If you could see “Riovaz” on any one festival bill this year which one would it be and why?

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RIOVAZ: “Definitely this year’s Coachella. The line up is crazy.

They have ‘Bjork’, ‘Frank Ocean’, a bunch of artists that I love. Or Lollapalooza, I’d love to do that one day.”

RIVAL: So skipping to the part where you’re selling out performances like tonight in Los Angeles, no big deal right...how surreal is all of this when you stop to think about it?

RIOVAZ: “First LA show! I’ve been wanting to do a show out here for a minute, the love out here is real. It was the first show to sell out actually.”

RIVAL: When will fans get the opportunity to see you perform next? I hear you’re traveling overseas soon?

RIOVAZ: “I’m doing another LA show at a bigger venue, later this year. I wanna do another one in NY as well and yes, I’m going overseas!

I’ll be performing in London, Paris, Amsterdam; London has already sold out! It’s all really exciting; I just want to perform and stay performing.”

Photographer: Heather Koepp

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