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ISSUE #97 - JULY 2019 #8YEARSNKD

by Catherine Powell

NIKKI REED

JULY 2019 16 RACHEL WAMMACK

04 FRANCESCA REALE

on her discovery story + telling stories with her songs

08 HAILEY WHITTERS

on kiss me, kate + her very broadway year

10 CARLIE HANSON

on their new ep, muses + their career-changing hit, “bad for me”

on her history as a gymnast + the encouraging women in her life

on releasing music she believes in + her massive touring year ahead

on her debut ep, junk + how youtube has influenced her life

32 NIKKI REED

20 STEPHANIE STYLES

on finding her passion with bayou with love + social media

24 MEGAN & LIZ

on her new album, good at falling + working with george daniel

30 SAVANNAH KEYES

on the emotional story behind “strong” + his new single, “rewind”

42 THE JAPANESE HOUSE 46 CHRISTIAN PAUL

on her new song, “hypocrite” + her radio show, let the girls play

CATHERINE POWELL

publisher, editor, photographer, designer, writer

SAMANTHA BAMBINO

ELIZABETH FORREST

VANESSA SALLES

writer

OLEVA BERARD

IAN HAYS

LEXI SHANNON

writer

HILARY MAGLIN

OLIVIA SINGH

writer writer

ANNIE CONDODINA writer

writer

francesca reale Words by IAN HAYS Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Hair by COREY TUTTLE Make-Up by JUAN ANTONIO

BORN AND RAISED IN LOS Angeles, the industry lurked on every street corner for Francesca. And in the beginning, the glitz caught her eye. She wanted to walk the red carpets. You can hear her eyes shimmer recalling that innocent adoration. But when her father explained the hard work and dedication it took to reach that point, like most children, she quickly turned her focus elsewhere. “I was a competitive gymnast for about 13 years. I was an artistic gymnast, like Simone Bilesalthough I was never as good as her,” she quips. “My favorite events were the balance beam and the floor. And I did that until I had a back injury that forced me to stop. But its okay, I’m all good,” she says, with the lighthearted reassurance only someone who has to endlessly recount a trauma can embody. To understand Francesca, just listen to how she speaks of gymnastics after all these years. It wasn’t about her doing the routine, but the routine itself- putting your soul into your work only for it still to be separate from you. “It made you feel strong and

powerful and present- which are such important things for young girls to feel,” she emphasizes. The unbridled dedication she learned as a gymnast was applied to her acting career, building it up one step at a time. In gymnastics, you’re on a team, but perform individually. Francesca was taught that you build up, not tear down, your competition. It surprises no one that Hollywood can be as petty as they come. But Francesca didn’t have this mindset. And she’s been able to surround herself with friends happily living this same ethos. While her focus was on gymnastics, as Francesca reached her teens, she began slowly incorporating in acting. “In middle school, if you didn’t want to take PE, you had to take dance. So, I took that. PE was outside and its hot a lot of the time in L.A.,” she says, laughing at her own explanation. “It’s brutal!” The dance teacher was friends with the drama teacher and a symbiotic relationship began. For eighth grade dance class, it was coupled with drama for the school musical. Francesca’s first roles? An orphan in Annie and a

caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. And while its easy to laugh at the shenanigans of someone besting the system to get out of PE, performance art found another way into her heart and took root. It was in high school that life forced a change of plans. With her back injury, going to college for gymnastics was now out of the question. “It was then my mom kind of peer pressured me – and I mean this in the best way – but she pressured me to do the musical, A Chorus Line. She told me how it was the best musical and dance oriented and that I would love it. She may say it happened differently,” Francesca laughs. “But she definitely encouraged me.” Unsure of the future after graduation, she took classes for a year at a local community college. It was in an acting class she was told to pursue being in front of the camera, not behind it. While she remains humble about her talents, the fact remains she was quickly accepted into NYU for acting. Francesca found herself being drawn to film even though her start was live productions. NKDMAG.COM

hailey whitters Words by ELIZABETH FORREST Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Glam by AUBREY HELLER

THE ROAD TO COUNTRYstardom hasn’t been easy for Hailey Whitters; she summarizes her struggle with transitioning from a small town in Iowa to Nashville best in her recent single “Ten Year Town”. In less than three minutes, Hailey precisely spells out the intense longing and hopefulness that comes with put08

ting your all into a goal and falling short. “No matter what your profession is, it’s really hard to see yourself putting in so much time and getting passed up by people who haven’t been there as long as you,” Hailey admits, but by focusing on herself and focusing on her work, she was able to push past it. After 12 years of living in

Nashville and with an album already under her name, Hailey began to feel her music was going astray. “I felt like I was watering myself down to fit into what I thought people wanted from me,” she explains. She wasn’t making music that she believed in, so she scratched her project, which proved to be an expensive lesson. She

then holed up in a studio with her boyfriend to write music she was proud of and came out with what will be her next album. On June 21st, Hailey released her latest single “Red Wine & Blue”. She wrote it with Brandy Clark and Jessie Joe Dillon – her “girl gang,” while they shared a bottle of wine. “It’s kind of

a dreamy, sad girl, drunk in the bathtub song,” Hailey says. The inspiration for it came one scorching Fourth of July while Hailey was sitting in her backyard. Even though it was hot, she wanted to drink red wine, so she put ice cubes in it, “which was classy,” she laughs. Hailey has a massive year coming. She’s scheduled to open for Maren Morris, Lori McKenna and Brent Cobb on tour; she can’t wait to watch her heroes perform every night and to warm up the stage for them. “These words aren’t doing it justice,” Hailey says as she struggles to find a way to accurately describe how she feels about it all. “I’m really excited about it and it’s a dream line up for me. I couldn’t have picked better artists to open for. They’re some of my top favorites, so I’m honored.” She’s excited to see Portland and Seattle and to travel and visit new concert venues, most notably The Greek Theatre and Radio City Music Hall. “I’m such a country bumpkin that I’ve honestly never been to New York or Los Angeles, so this will be my first time hitting both,” she says. “I feel so spoiled because the first time I’m going there, I’m playing these legendary venues, but I’m really stoked about them.” It’s been a few years since Hailey has been on the road. “I still get a little jittery

before I’m going on,” she admits, “But the minute I step out and break into that first song, everything feels right.” The last thing she does before beginning her performance is take a shot of tequila, so that always helps, too. Twelve years into her career, Hailey doesn’t feel like she’s “made it” yet, but she makes sure to take in the moments as they pass. One such noteworthy moment was in 2016, while on tour with Martina McBride. “I remember walking to the bus after the show and I looked up and said to myself, ‘if this is as good as it ever gets, stop right now, breathe, and soak this all up,’” Hailey remembers. It wasn’t a negative thought, but it was a way to appreciate how far she’d come and recognize the magnitude of her accomplishments. Hailey’s 12-song album, The Dream, is coming soon. “When I was 21 and had just come to Nashville, starry eyed about the business, I would have said the dream is a tour bus, playing stadiums, thousands of fans,” Hailey says, “But now that I’ve been here for 12 years, the fact that I get to do this every day, simple as it is, wake up and write songs for people, that is the dream to me and that’s what makes it worth it.” That’s the entire record’s concept, and Hailey can’t wait to share her new songs with the world. NKD NKDMAG.COM

carlie hanson Words by OLEVA BERARD Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

rachel wammack

Words by LEXI SHANNON Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

“FEATURING RACHEL Wammack.” Being featured on a Spotify playlist is often a huge feat for many artists, especially those in the early stages of their musical career. For Alabama born and Nashville living country goddess Rachel Wammack, those three words take you to playlists full of legends. Rachel is featured on Spotify’s top playlists, alongside Dolly Parton and Kacey Musgraves on the “Women of Country” playlist, and Thomas Rhett and Chris Young on the “Wild Country” playlist. The young country singer-songwriter hails from the small, tight-knit music lovin’ town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The riverfront town in the northwest corner of Alabama became home to some of the hottest recording studios of the 1970s - including FAME studios - where legends like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded. “To say the least, I feel like I carry the soul music with me,” says Rachel. Growing up in Muscle Shoals, Rachel was surrounded by talent no matter where

she looked. Her hometown was where she got her start, and consequently where she was later discovered by Sony Nashville’s Jim Catino. “I’ve been writing song since I was in middle school. My ‘discovery’ I guess you’d say is different than most people’s. I was actually discovered in my hometown in Muscle Shoals. I had started playing out at different restaurants when I was a junior in high school, so I would play piano and sing. I’d do my original songs and then I would do some covers. One night, actually, senior year of high school, when I was performing at this restaurant that was basically my regular spot. This guy comes up to me and says ‘Hey, my name is Jim Catino at Sony Music in Nashivlle. I really loved your original stuff.’ Being a little 17-year-old girl, I was thinking this man is about to kidnap me,” Rachel laughs. She would later go on to sign with Sony’s RCA in 2018. Going back to the start of Jim’s and Rachel’s professional relationship, “he gave me his card and my dad and I actually went up to Nashville to meet him and kind of talk

about what it would be like to move to Nashville and pursue my career as a songwriter there, which was kind of farfetched in my mind because when you’re 17, you really don’t know what you want to do with your life,” Rachel says. Before pursuing music, Rachel enrolled in undergrad classes at the University of North Alabama as a Professional Writing major. “I wanted to have a degree because that’s something nobody can take away from me,” she said. Juggling classes and music, Rachel spent her nights and weekends around Muscle Shoals continuing to perform, saying “writing and performing out every weekend just kind of became the foundation of who I am today as a performer and songwriter. I just grew a lot during those years.” During her college years, Rachel merely dreamed of having the success she has now. “No, absolutely [did] not [expect to be here]. That sounds horrible because I hear Keith Urban tell his story and he’s all ‘I knew I was made for this’ and I honestly

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stephanie styles Words by ANNIE CONDODINA Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

“IT’S SO BROADWAY” SHOULD be the official catchphrase of 27-year-old Stephanieanie Styles, a Houston native who is finally making her Broadway debut with the Roundabout Theatre Company. As the revival of Cole Porter’s 1948 classic musical Kiss Me, Kate closes out its limited run at Studio 54, Stephanie finally has a chance to breathe and reflect on the past few months with this company. And, as she says, it’s all been very Broadway. “I couldn’t imagine a more perfect Broadway debut. It truly blows my mind, and it makes me realize that my path was meant for this to happen in this exact way,” she says. “I mean, ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show’? Come on, it doesn’t get better than that.” Stephanie is referencing the opening number of the iconic Kiss Me, Kate, the first show to ever win the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1949. To her, this is all a dream come true. This revival gave Stephanie the chance to work with Broadway legend Kelli O’Hara, who plays the lead role of Lilli Vanessi. Kelli also portrays Katharine in the play within the play, a take on Shakespeare’s The Taming

of the Shrew. Recall all your 10 Things I Hate About You knowledge from 1999 for reference. Stephanie’s partner in the show is played by Corbin Bleu, who takes on the roles of Bill Calhoun and Lucentio, pining on and off stage for the hearts of Stephanie’s characters, Lois Lane and Bianca. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve been told by several people that it’s not always like this,” says Stephanie of her Broadway debut materializing next to such household names. “They’re incredible, incredible people. Kelli is an absolute gem. And I’ve never had such an incredible partner in a show as I’ve had in Corbin.” Stephanie feels grateful for getting to play Lois Lane, a treasured Broadway character. “Lois is so iconic,” Stephanie confirms. “The thing I love about her is that she’s just living her dream, living her best life, she’s very comfortable with her sexuality. And I get to live that joy of her as a person.” It’s true. While everyone else in the show is dealing with the trials and tribulations of any classic musical, Lois floats along unfazed, enjoying her first experience in a show and catching the immediate attention of every man in her

wake. If you thought this debut couldn’t get any more perfect, think again. Kiss Me, Kate was nominated for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Choreography at the 2019 Tony Awards, meaning Stephanie appeared on TVs across the country in James Corden’s opening number in early June. “I had the most Broadway 48 hours of my life,” she says of the experience. This year’s Tonys came almost a year to the exact day that she auditioned for Lois Lane in 2018. Stephanie booked a red eye from Los Angeles, attended the 2018 Tony awards on Sunday, went to the audition on Monday, and knew by Wednesday that she had gotten the part. “It was the quickest audition process of my life,” she says, still seeming breathless over the experience. “After I found out that I was in, I walked past Studio 54 and was like, ‘Oh, you’re going to be my new home.’” It sounds glamorous, but this success has been a long time coming. Long before Kiss Me, Kate began to take shape, Stephanie was cast in two shows that were supposed to be on Broadway but never came to fruition. It seems as NKDMAG.COM

MEGAN & LIZ

Words by OLIVIA SINGH Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

savannah keyes Words by SAMANTHA BAMBINO Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

WHEN I GET ONE THE PHONE with country artist Savannah Keyes, she had yet to get her hands on a morning cup of coffee. On a normal day, this wouldn’t fly for the self-admitted caffeine lover. But this was no normal day. Savannah was still on “cloud nine” after attending the Radio Disney Music Awards the night before, where she was interviewed alongside industry giants like the Jonas Brothers about her single “Hypocrite”, which reached No. 3 on the station’s country charts. For the 22-year-old, being able to share her artistry with the world is a dream come true. It’s something she caught the bug for in an unorthodox way while growing up in San Diego, California. “It was this small town that my grandparents lived in called Borrego Springs and there was a little karaoke bar called Carlee’s. Even though I wasn’t of age, because it was 21 and up and I was 6, they would let me come by and sing karaoke until 9 p.m.,” Savannah says. It was these unforgettable evenings at Carlee’s that sparked an unshakable passion for performing. “I was doing any play, any pizza shop, opening in the corner where I had to bring my own karaoke machine and sing. Literally anything I could think of,” she says. By 13, Savannah’s family had relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah. To keep her San Diego relatives

updated on her musical journey, she posted videos of herself singing on YouTube. Though she now describes them as “terrible Broadway covers”, the talent exuded caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited Savannah to perform on her show. The opportunity provided by Ellen catapulted Savannah’s career, which saw a permanent move to Nashville and publishing deal by 16. Once settled in her new home, Savannah wrote “incessantly” as she attempted to figure out who she was as an artist. Simultaneously, she got involved with Radio Disney. “I got to interview artists at the Houston Rodeo, which was so cool because it was everybody from The Band Perry to Jason Derulo,” she says. “I was like, ‘What is happening? What is my life?’ I fell in love with it.” Since then, Savannah has not only continued to chat with country artists at music festivals and award shows, she and fellow country artist Katie Shorr launched the segment “Let the Girls Play” in December 2018. “We made this concept where we play some of our favorite female artists all day, every day on the Radio Disney App, and we have our own little show where we get to highlight different girls that are doing cool things in Nashville that you might not hear about on other radio stations,” she says.

Though she won’t be the first to brag about it, Savannah is one such artist to watch out for. Drawing influences from Walker Hayes, Dolly Parton, Ryan Tedder and Pat Monahan, her style is a perfect blend of modern and old school. “It’s throwing the country lyric in with the pop melody,” she says. “It’s been a fun project to put my fingerprint on.” To date, Savannah has released three tracks - “Ghost”, “Good Day” and “Hypocrite” which she said is the favorite of the trio because of its relatability. “I had just entered my 20s and everyone was like, ‘You’re going to learn so many things’ and I was like, ‘OK I’m ready.’ But the only thing I learned was that I was the world’s biggest hypocrite and I never practiced what I preached. I would get on stage every night and tell these girls, ‘Love yourself. Be confident. Do all these things.’ Then I would go home and pick myself apart in the mirror,” she says. As Savannah continues to ride the high of what her life is quickly becoming, she plans to release a music video and a few singles this year before working on an EP. “I want to take my time with it because you can only release the songs once. I want to make sure that it’s the right pile of songs,” she says. “Other than that, my idea is to get a cup of coffee in me and see how the rest of the week goes.” NKD NKDMAG.COM

NIKKI REED Words &Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Make-Up by FABIOLA Hair by LAURA POLKO Styling by LINDSEY DUPUIS

the japanese house Words by HILARY MAGLIN Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

THE YEAR 2019 HAS BEEN A whirlwind for electronic dream pop artist The Japanese House, and it shows no signs of slowing down by the turn of the decade. After debuting a full-length album titled Good at Falling in March, the one-woman act hailing from Buckinghamshire wrapped up a tour across the United Kingdom, embarked on a 28-city trek through North America, and released a music video for her song, “Maybe You’re the Reason”. By the end of the year, The Japanese House will kick off a string of European and Indonesian festival performances at France’s Pointu Festival in July, before jetting off for the musician’s first tour through Asia. It may sound like a pretty full schedule, but it’s nothing Amber Bain, the 23-year-old vocalist and multi-instrumentalist at the heart of The Japanese House, can’t handle. After all, she has friends like George Daniel -- who co-produced Good at Falling -- and his band The 1975 to lean on if she needs it. Not that she needs it. Between her busy days spent performing, traveling the world, and

hanging with her pup, Calvin, Amber chatted about her success since her first EP, 2015’s Pools to Bathe In, and what she has in store next for her global fanbase.

it and I went absolutely insane. It almost feels like I’m cheating if I ask people to do things for me. Eventually I Googled all of these albums and found a common thread between them was this NKD: WHAT DOES “THE JAPANESE HOUSE” producer called BJ Burton, who’s MEAN, AND WHY IS THAT THE NAME YOU brilliant. We ended up doing two CHOSE FOR YOUR IDENTITY AS A months in Wisconsin, a month in MUSICIAN? Brussels, then the last bit in Oxford AB: When I was about 6 or 7, I with The 1975. I rarely get to hang went on holiday to Devon, England out with them, so having that couwith my parents, and [the place we ple of weeks was really nice again stayed] was called The Japanese because we are close. I have done House. The name always stuck with a couple of tours with them and me. I didn’t want to release music they are lovely people to tour with. by my actual name, so I ended up The shows are always great, as they being called The Japanese House. have a really amazing fan base.

NKD: WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH GEORGE DANIEL AND TOURING WITH THE 1975 BEEN LIKE? HOW DID YOU AND GEORGE MEET? AB: George has been a really great

NKD: A LOT OF YOUR EARLY WORK HAS A COMMON THEME OF DEALING WITH WATER AND BEING CLEAN (YOU HAVE EPS ENTITLED POOLS TO BATHE IN, CLEAN, AND SWIM AGAINST THE TIDE) BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU’VE MOVED AWAY FROM THAT. WAS THAT PURPOSEFUL, AND WHY DID THAT CHANGE? AB: I don’t actually think it was in-

collaborator right from the first EP. Originally, I was going to try and produce the album by myself because George was too busy, and I didn’t know whether I wanted tentional to use the theme so much another producer because that rela- over the EPs, but I guess it was subtionship had been so special. I tried liminal. There was a lot of metaphor NKDMAG.COM

christian paul Words by VANESSA SALLES Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

IF CHRISTIAN PAUL ISN’T already on your radar, it’s time to change that. The rising singer, whose sound is best described as pop-leaning R&B/Soul, has proven with each release that he’s a force to be reckoned with. “I’ve had a passion for music for as long as I can remember,” he says. “I grew up playing instruments and played my first show at City Hall in my hometown when I was 12-years-old. I remember seeing that the local paper had advertised the show and I remember being so anxious to see who would actually show up. I ended up having around 300 people come to watch the show and it was in that moment that I knew this could be something that I could pursue as a career.” Flash forward to today, the 19-year-old Florida native has secured quite the loyal fan base and rewards their support with constant new music. ‘Strong,’ which serves as an introductory track from his recent signing to 12 Tone Music Group, is as emotional as it is authentic. “The inspiration for the chorus came from a phone call that I had with my mom where she broke the news to me that my step-dad had been diagnosed with cancer,” he recalls. “Her voice was shaking and I could tell that she was trying to hold it together, emotionally. In that moment, I told her that she had

been strong for me my entire life and then it was now my turn to be strong for her. I wanted her to know that if there was anyone that she felt like she could break down in front of, it was me. In a broader sense, the song is about carrying another person’s burdens, out of love, regardless of how heavy or unfavorable their circumstances or past may be.” Having shared such a vulnerable experience, Christian’s been able to connect with his fans on a whole new level. “It’s been really amazing to see how fans of the music have been interpreting the song and relating it to their own lives,” he says. “It’s really encouraging for me. As a songwriter, my ultimate goal is to write songs about specific, personal life events in a way where it resonates with and relates to everyone.” With new music always in the works, the singer assures fans that a new single and music video can be expected on a monthly basis. In fact, his most recent single, ‘Rewind,’ is a repeat-worthy track that deserves a top spot on any playlist. “’Rewind’ is definitely a lighter track on the project,” he says. “This one wasn’t really inspired by anything specific. It actually came about in a writing/recording session while an engineer was comping vocals on another song. I ended up finishing

‘Rewind’ in roughly 30 minutes with Evan Rogers.” Recalling his time in the studio, Christian describes the recording of ‘Rewind’ as quite the memorable and special time. “The songwriting/recording process for me usually varies but it’s remarkable how quick and easily this one came together,” he says. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget it! I remember the guitar part that plays throughout the song being the very first thing I played when I picked up the guitar. In fact, I even remember the first verse coming right away, too. It’s pretty crazy to look back on but it was such a fun time for all of us.” A natural born musician, the singer/songwriter has always had a soulful sparkle inside of him. With that soul, raw and honest lyrics are bound to flow through every release. “I rarely ever have second thoughts about vulnerability in songwriting,” he explains. “As a creative who creates with purpose, I think it’s my duty to be vulnerable in my work; to tell stories and express feelings in a way that the masses can relate to. I would say that great art has the ability to unify, and it does; but I really think it’s the vulnerability in that art that’s responsible for bringing that unity. I’m happy that I get to do that with my music and I can’t wait to see what kind of future will come of it.” NKD NKDMAG.COM

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