Issuu

ISSUE #93 - MARCH 2019

by Catherine Powell

ELIZABETH LAIL

MARCH 2019 04 SUNNY MALOUF

20 JILLIAN JACQUELINE

38 ELIZABETH LAIL

on fighting to be taken seriously + her 2019 plans

on writing love songs for the first time + her musical upbringing

on her slow-building career + the overnight success of you

06 MARIA GABRIELA DE FARIA

26 MICHAEL EVANS BEHLING on going from sports to acting + his breakout role on all american

48 DAREN KAGASOFF

on becoming a teen idol at 20 + his new show, the village

12 DYLAN SCOTT

30 JESS GLYNNE

52 AMERICAN AUTHORS

on the american dream + her new series, deadly class

on releasing new music + his latest headlining tour

on switching from corporate job to artist + writing with ed sheeran

on following “best day of my life” + their new album, seasons

16 QUINN XCII

36 MITCHELL TENPENNY

58 SETH ENNIS

on mental health + his new album, from michigan, with love

on growing up in nashville + his love for songwriting

on growing up with music + his latest tour with dylan scott

CATHERINE POWELL

publisher, editor, photographer, designer, writer

SAMANTHA BAMBINO

ELIZABETH FORREST

NICOLE MOOREFIELD

OLEVA BERARD

IAN HAYS

VANESSA SALLES

writer

STACY MAGALLON

OLIVIA SINGH

writer writer

CARLY BUSH writer

writer

SUNNY MALOUF Words by SAMANTHA BAMBINO Photos by CATHERINE POWELLHair by MARK MENA

When it comes to today’s youth, most kids will name a Nickelodeon/Disney actor or popstar like Taylor Swift as their idol. But not Sunny Malouf. Rather than picking up T-Swizzle’s 1989, 9-year-old Sunny could be found jamming to the late, great Michael Jackson. “He was a huge inspiration in my life,” she says. “My dad introduced me to him at a very young age. I became infatuated with his success and what he did to help people, how he made them feel. He was creating a movement and I wanted to do the same thing.” Today, Sunny is on her way to doing exactly that. Just as the King of Pop entered the spotlight at an extremely young age when he joined his brothers in the Jackson 5, Sunny is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the pop/R&B spectrum at 14. Not only has she amassed 1.1 million followers on Instagram and toured with Team 10, her single “One Minute” reached more than 132,000 views in a single month. Despite not having too many trips around the sun under her belt, becoming a professional musician has been a long time coming for Sunny. It’s something the Dallas, Texas native always felt destined for. From the age of 3, the self-described “performing baby” did it all, from dancing and cheerleading to acting and modeling. But it wasn’t until Sunny was 9 that an agent encouraged her to give singing a shot. A natural entertainer, she automatically clicked with it. There was just something about expressing emotion through

her voice that intrigued her. “Singing was another way to touch people, help them through their day, or even connect with them to let them know that I’m going through the same thing as them,” Sunny says. Once her mind was made up that she would follow in MJ’s footsteps, Sunny began traveling between Dallas and Los Angeles to make a name for her 10-year-old self in the cutthroat music scene. “It wasn’t the easiest coming into the industry because a lot of people doubted me. I had so many ‘no’s’. I heard ‘no’ like every single day,” Sunny says. “Finally, I got this one ‘yes’, and that’s what made me feel like I could do this.” Since then, Sunny has released a handful of singles, including “Lightning in a Bottle” featuring “Whip/Nae Nae” artist Silentó, with her most recent being the catchy “One Minute.” According to Sunny, her first “official” single is an accurate representation of her artistry, and the type of music she will continue to create for listeners. “I’ve experimented in the past, but I think now it’s the direction I want to go in and what I want to talk about,” she says. “‘One Minute’ is about an everyday boy and girl crush where this guy likes you one minute, and then one minute he doesn’t. I really wanted to touch on that because I knew every single girl, and even guy, can relate to it and put it into their lives.” With her new music, Sunny’s mission is to connect with fans of all ages and demographics, not just teens. “I wanted it to be universal

with the meaning,” she says. “It’s definitely something that happens in everyone’s lives, so I wanted to relate to people and make them understand that it happened to me too.” To hear Sunny speak about her craft, it’s clear that she’s wise beyond her years. This is a testament to the challenging career path that forced her to grow up faster than most. “I put a lot of hard work and time into my art. I missed a lot of life experiences by doing this,” she says. But when she sees positive feedback on social media from fans, who regularly express their gratitude for her music, it all seems worth it. “I don’t even care if it’s hundreds of thousands of people. If it’s one person that I can really touch or impact, or make them feel like they can conquer or accomplish something, then that’s the best feeling ever,” she says. This year, Sunny plans to drop at least seven singles, release several music videos and perform pop-up shows. “It’s definitely going to be a whole new world of who I am,” she says of the anticipated music. “They’re all in the same bracket, but they’re all definitely different.” As Sunny continues along this whirlwind journey of success, she has a few words of advice for fellow teens with big dreams. “You’re the only person that holds the key to your success. You’re the only person, and God, that can determine where your future goes and what it holds,” she says. “No one else can tell you what you can and cannot do.” NKD NKDMAG.COM

MARIA GABRIELA DE FARIA Words by STACY MAGALLON Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

dylan scott Words by VANESSA SALLES Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

A rising star on the country music scene, Dylan Scott is the total package. An oldsoul songwriter with a young spirit, the Louisiana native has quickly made a name for himself and has built a loyal fan base that’s always eager to hear more. Set to bring brand new music from his anticipated Nothing to Do Town EP (out in April) to the stage, the singer will be hitting the road with Chris Young’s Raised on Country tour, starting in May. NKD: Tell us about your upcoming Nothing to Do Town - EP – are there any memorable moments from writing/recording that you can share with us? Dylan Scott: I haven’t released new music since my debut album, so I’m just excited to get some fresh tunes out there! I performed my new single (“Nothing to Do Town”) at my tour kickoff in NYC, and never having played it live before — I couldn’t believe it when the crowd

started singing it back to me! I had written the song on my bus at the Iowa Speedway with my buddies Cole (Taylor) and Matt (Alderman), and never thought I’d be singing, “It ain’t New York City...” to a completely sold out audience on a headline tour of my own less than a year later! NKD: How would you describe the vibe/sound of the EP? D.S.: Just some good ole love songs! It’s a celebration of where I came from (like “Nothing to Do Town”) and where I am at in life today with my wife and family (with songs like “Honey I’m Home” and “Anniversary”). NKD: Is there a track that holds the most significance to you? D.S.: There’s a song called “Nobody” and it goes, “Nobody gonna love you like I do.” It’s got a big church feel and I’ve just recently started playing it live, and the feedback has been incredible. There’s

something magical about it. I can’t help but think of my wife every time I sing it and hope it’s my next single. NKD: What’s the songwriting process usually like for you? D.S.: I always write what I know. I’ve been in a relationship with my wife since I was 15, and I’m constantly inspired by her. Some songs like “Look at Us Now” just fall out on paper since they’re based on real life — “Everybody thought that we were crazy… but look at us now!” NKD: What should fans be expecting from your upcoming live shows? D.S.: I just wrapped my headlining Nothing To Do Tour, and will be doing a bunch more of my own shows before hitting the road with Chris Young on his Raised on Country Tour 2019 in May. My EP will be out by then, so I can’t wait to switch up my set and bring some new music to my live shows! Get ready! NKDMAG.COM

quinn xcii Words by IAN HAYS Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Location: COLOR FACTORY

One of the great challenges in life is finding your voice. Vulnerability and honesty with your story and how you share it with others deepens those empathetic bonds, bringing the world closer together. Mikael Temrowski, better known as Quinn XCII, uses music to find that deeper meaning. And with his sophomore release, From Michigan with Love, the singer-songwriter-producer confronts that honesty. Blending various genres, but rooted in pop, soul, and hip-hop, Quinn XCII has carved his own niche to bring his stories to life. Mikael grew up outside Detroit, raised on a steady diet of Motown. The songs were playing around the house whether it was a Tuesday evening or a late night with family friends. “That music has always stuck with me. I caught on to these catchy, ‘ear-candy’ melodies. I always knew I wanted to stick with writing really memorable melodies and catchy lines,” he says. While his appreciation and exploration of music grew, he also delved into creative writing, focusing on prose and poetry as his artistic outlet. It wasn’t until midway through high school that his two passions began to join forces. The first songs he wrote himself leaned towards rap and hip hop. He found a new reason to put pen to paper.

This built the foundation for the hook filled songs he was destined to write. “It wasn’t good by any means,” he laughs, “But I really loved the process of making music and fell in love with songwriting. I quickly realized it was what I wanted to do.” After high school, Mikael went to Michigan State and started independently releasing music under the name “Quinn”. He put up a Soundcloud and soon found a dedicated and growing fanbase. People were wanting to hear his songs and what he had to say. This only validated his desire to start taking music more seriously. It was during this time he started releasing EPs. This led to more serious collaborations with hometown friend and label-mate Ayokay. In 2016, they released the single “Kings of Summer”. Reaching No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart, the single was the catalyst that took him from indie songwriter to being on the radar of major labels. “I was a year out of college and working at an insurance company. But when the labels started reaching out and I was offered a tour, I quit the job and went on the road,” he says, “I haven’t really looked back since. So, with From Michigan with Love, I’m just trying to ride out that momentum and build the brand as much as I can.”

Even with Motown cemented in history, Detroit is often underappreciated when it comes to its musical legacy and impact. Quinn XCII is one of several newer acts out of the Detroit area that is garnering more attention to the variety in the current scene. Mikael’s foundation is built upon is parents’ love for music, taking him to shows whenever possible. Because his parents weren’t musicians or artists, there was no precept to his pursuits; just pure Michigan-bred energy. “I was sort of the oddball out. I sort of just took it upon myself to make art on my own. And I did this in secrecy at first,” he says, “I was timid and afraid to show people I was into music and show them that vulnerable side. It was a situation where I didn’t feet too comfortable, sadly to say, where I could share those feelings with friends. So, I kept music as private part of my life where I could document stuff through song.” It was the only way he could truly express who he was. It doesn’t matter if it is showcasing art or just greeting someone, “Hello”, rejection, mockery are legitimate fears. But with that risk, comes the possibility of the reward of connecting with others. There’s a difference between feeling unique and feeling alone. With art, we display that uniqueness in hopes of quashing NKDMAG.COM

Dress by SNIDEL Tights by SPANX Shoes by STUART WEITZMAN

jillian jacqueline Words by OLEVA BERARD Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Styled by KRISTA ROSER

michael evans behling Words by OLIVIA SINGH Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

Michael Evans Behling grew up running track and playing football in high school and college Columbus, Indiana. Now, he gets to do the latter as part of his role on The CW’s All American and couldn’t be happier to “suit up” and simultaneously live out his dreams of playing football and acting. Michael’s interest in acting began during his high school years. At the time, he was particularly inspired by late actor Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Despite his interest in the entertainment industry, Michael was told that it wasn’t a realistic career choice, so he temporarily pushed the idea away. “Once my freshman year of high school was concluded, I kind of had that wake-up call that entertainment’s not a real thing,” Michael says. “Then I kind of switched my focus to science.” “Growing up in Indiana, we’re very conservative,” he adds. “It’s about having a stable job out of college, so [acting] was just really pushed down.” When Michael began attending Indiana State University, he chose the biology pre-med path. It wasn’t too

left-field, though, considering that his grandfather was a heart surgeon and his mom is also in the medical field. During his freshman year, Michael’s love for entertainment was reignited after he made “a silly video” on Snapchat. From there, he continued making and sharing videos on the internet. After getting signed to an agency, he started modeling and doing commercial work. In July 2017, Michael took his first acting class and booked a minor role on FOX’s Empire shortly thereafter. Michael flew out to Los Angeles in 2018 for pilot season, a time frame (typically January to April) in which actors audition for new shows and film a pilot episode that may or may not result in a full series. In early February 2018, Michael auditioned for the role of Jordan Baker, a quarterback at Beverly High and the son of the football team’s coach (played by Taye Diggs), on All American. It was also during the process that he met Greta Onieogou and Samantha Logan, who both ended up on the show as Leila and Olivia. After filming the pilot, Michael returned home for a couple of months

and continued his job as a pool manager. Then he moved back to L.A. permanently. Michael vividly recalls the exact moment when he learned that he booked the role on All American. At the time, he was sleeping on a friend’s floor and had just come out of the shower when April Blair, the show’s creator, personally called him and asked if he was ready to start working on All American. “I spoke with her about the process a little bit,” Michael says. “And then I got off the phone and screamed. I was very, very happy. It was probably one of the best moments I’ve had in a long time.” Michael describes All American as “a tale of two cities,” in which Spencer James (played by Daniel Ezra), a standout football player at South Crenshaw High, joins the team at Beverly High after getting an offer from Coach Billy Baker. Once Spencer moves in with the Bakers, Michael’s character, Jordan, finds himself overshadowed and often seeking attention and approval from his father. “It’s about Spencer handling the pressures of both worlds,” Michael says. “It’s also about the surrounding NKDMAG.COM

jess glynne Words by ELIZABETH FORREST Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Make-Up by FAYE LAUREN Hair by CECILIE HILDENBRANDT Styled by KATHERINE AGYEI Nails by JULIE KANDELAC

mitchell tenpenny Words by OLIVIA SINGH Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

Mitchell Tenpenny was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and naturally fell in love with music. Growing up in a city that’s considered the heart and soul of country music, the 29-year-old got to understand the industry from a unique perspective thanks to his grandmother, Donna Hilley, who was the president of Sony/ATV Music Publishing for approximately 30 years. “I was very blessed to be in the middle of it,” Mitchell says. “I got to see a lot of things, a lot of the good and the bad, and especially from contracts to just how the business is handled at Nashville, because we are our own little community here. And it is different from L.A. or New York City. There’s a different process and a different way that people go about themselves here.” “I thought songwriters were the coolest people in the world and I just wanted to be as cool as them one day,” Mitchell says of being surrounded by musicians and getting to interact with them. “I’m still not there, but I was just enamored by the whole process.” Mitchell started playing the piano and guitar when he was around 12-years-old. He went on to be part of different bands, from hardcore groups (where he was a drummer and screamer) to pop groups. Mitchell also performed at his local church and recalled feeling like it was “the scariest thing” because the thought of learning a gospel song and messing up in front of an audience was terrifying. “I didn’t want anyone to hear me flop a note,” Mitchell recalls. “I remember I was very nervous. But after that show was over, I just felt like when you ride a roller coaster, you’re scared, but you want to go do it again right afterwards, even though you’ve

been terrified for forever.” When Mitchell entered Middle Tennessee State University, he planned on playing football. He excelled at the sport in high school and admittedly “didn’t really have a plan.” But Mitchell also knew that he was more passionate about music than football, so he pursued songwriting after graduating with a music business degree. He got a publishing deal, wrote music for other artists for years, and “didn’t know if I was going to do the artist thing.” Then Mitchell got discovered by Sony Columbia Nashville while playing at CMA Fest, landed a major record label deal, and released his first record. In December 2018, Mitchell released his 12-track Telling All My Secrets album. He had 200 songs to choose from and narrowed it down to a group that best represented him. “It just felt like a record that was honest, that I could make people believe,” Mitchell says. “My ultimate goal is for you to believe what you’re hearing, because it’s the truth and if there’s just any slight that it’s not real, people call it out. Those songs felt like exactly who I was at the moment of my life for the record to be made.” One of Mitchell’s most popular songs on the album, “Drunk Me”, has accumulated more than 60 million streams on Spotify while the music video has 30 million views on YouTube. “I wanted to write a song about someone who had to quit drinking for a minute, because the standard chance of getting over somebody, every time they try to drink them off their mind, all of a sudden, a floodgate of emotions opens up and it never works,” Mitchell explains. “I’ve been there. I’ve tried to drink

someone else off my mind when your heart is broken and it just never works.” After releasing Telling All My Secrets, Mitchell embarked on a headlining tour, which was both nerve-wracking (“you just never know if anybody is going to show up”) and “overwhelming.” At the shows, some of which were sold out, fans sang along to his new and old tracks, including “Somebody’s Got Me,” “Bitches,” and “Drunk Me”. Since releasing his first album ever, Black Crow, in 2015, Mitchell has come to understand the impact of his music, particularly through people who have messaged him and said that his songs saved their lives or helped them get over a breakup. “You would never think that something you wrote in your room could help somebody in any way,” he says. “And that’s what you hope for. That’s what you dream of, but you never know until it happens. It’s one of the most special feelings in the world and it makes all those ‘no’s’ just disappear. It gives you all that energy again, to go out there and keep writing and keep doing this.” Mitchell is currently on tour with Old Dominion as part of their Make It Sweet Tour. For the remainder of 2019, he’s focused on promoting his newest single, “Alcohol You Later”, playing country festivals, and traveling abroad to more places. His goal is to just continue “to keep doing this, to be in the music industry in whatever way, shape, or form.” “I know at any day it can get taken away and my goal is to just keep getting better, keep learning more about myself, and keep building this team that’s already here. I just want to do this for a long time,” he says. NKD NKDMAG.COM

ELIZABETH LAIL Words & Photos by CATHERINE POWELL Hair by MATTHEW MONZON Make-Up by JAMIE DORMAN Styled by SARAH SLUTSKY Location: COLOR FACTORY

daren kagasoff Words by NICOLE MORREFIELD Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

Despite growing up in entertainment hub Los Angeles, Daren Kagasoff didn’t start acting professionally until age 20. Throughout his childhood, Daren was focused on baseball instead, eventually playing at San Francisco State University. It was in college that he realized something was missing. “My heart wasn’t really into playing the sport anymore and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life,” Daren recalls. “I always had a passion for acting,” so he moved back to L.A., found a manager, and enrolled in acting classes. Shortly thereafter, he booked his breakout role as Ricky Underwood on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, a popular ABC Family (now Freeform) series which consumed the next chapter of his life. “To be honest, I can’t say anything bad about that show,” Daren remarks. He is still close with his former cast mates, and it was a great introduction to television. “That being my first job, and for us to do 121 episodes, I’m still proud of it,” he adds. The acting industry can be very unpredictable, so “to be able to have a consistent, steady job for five and a half years was amazing.”

Being part of such a successful series could be stressful at times. With a fan base primarily comprised of girls aged 12 to 25, “if you went to a mall, that probably wasn’t the best idea,” he laughs. Despite the young audience, playing a teen father alleviated any pressure to be a role model — although Ricky did evolve as a parent over the show’s five seasons, Daren notes. Ultimately, aside from some unwanted fame amongst teenage girls, Daren thoroughly enjoyed his time playing Ricky. “We got to tell fantastic stories and the people that were involved [made] going to work every day a pleasure,” he shares. “It was my first professional job as an actor, so it’s always going to hold a special place in my heart.” At that time, fresh out of school, Daren shared a lot in common with Ricky. As he grew older and high school receded further into his past, however, Daren was ready to tackle more mature roles, most notably a stint on the short-lived Red Band Society and a foray into film with 2014’s Ouija. Now 31, Daren has found a project that perfectly suits the current stage of his life

and career. Premiering March 19 on NBC, The Village is a drama in the vein of This Is Us, following the intertwining lives of the diverse residents of a Brooklyn apartment building. Daren plays Gabe Napolitano, an overwhelmed law student whose world is flipped upside down when his aging grandfather moves in. Daren fell in love with the show the moment he read the pilot. The Village was the first script he received last pilot season, and while he would usually be too busy learning lines for auditions to read an entire script, Daren decided to sit down and read this one all the way through. As soon as he finished, “I had an innate connection to not only the story of The Village but to the character of Gabe,” Daren remembers. “Gabe is a really heartfelt guy,” he adds. “He’s very sensitive, and I think that’s why I resonated with him so much.” Like Gabe, “I would do anything for the people I love,” Daren says. Gabe is “willing to stick his neck out for other people,” whether they are close family members or just live in the same building. “He truly has a heart of gold, and that’s been so fun to play with,” Daren notes, as most of his past NKDMAG.COM

AMERICAN AUTHORS Words by LEXI SHANNON Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

seth ennis Words by LEXI SHANNON Photos by CATHERINE POWELL

Alabama born and Georgia raised, Seth Ennis has carved a significant path for himself in the country music world. Just recently wrapping up a tour with Dylan Scott, the 26-yearold multi-instrumentalist has taken his childhood dream of being a rockstar into a reality. Growing up in a military family, Seth had homes all around the globe. Japan, Washington D.C., North Carolina and Florida, to be specific. Despite all that, he called Georgia home for years prior to making the move to Nashville in pursuit of his career in music. Playing music from the age of 5, regardless of where he lived, music was there for him. He also grew up playing sports, but knowing he would never be the 6’5” quarterback he dreamt of, he chased the music dream instead. “My dad made me take piano lessons when I was 5 and I kind of hated it, honestly,” Seth admits, “He made me a deal that if I got through a certain amount of years playing piano that I could pick any other instrument.” With this, Seth picked up the drums and never looked back. Teaching himself guitar in high school, he started performing and touring at the age of 16 when he started playing drums for other bands and artists on the road. After being in the background, Seth made the step into the spotlight and started performing cover gigs on his own, culminating in a move to Nashville five years ago to immerse himself in Music City. Being only 16 and taking off on the road is a huge step for

any musician, but lucky for Seth, his parents supported him every step of the way. “They were very supportive, but I think it was just a hobby at first,” Seth said. “My dad had pretty high expectations for me and my brothers, and so I don’t know if he really took it as seriously as me. Then when he saw me, I opened at an amphitheater for Billy Currington. I think it really opened his eyes that, ‘Wow, my son is doing something.’” Now, Seth takes the stage with some of the biggest names in country music on a nightly basis, performing to sold out crowds he’s never seen before. He played on tours with Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line, but his 2019 run with friend Dylan Scott has been Seth’s first full tour as a support act. “It’s amazing. This tour we really got to settle in [and] get pretty close with Dylan and his crew. He sold out every show except a few so far,” Seth says. With a positive reaction from Dylan’s fans to his music, Seth’s dream is now a reality. Having crowds singing his songs back to him, even large crowds he never thought he’d reach, has proven to him that he is on a path to success. The tour with Dylan landed Seth in front of crowds from New York, to Florida, to everywhere in between. Even though it’s only one of his first tours, Seth has gained large numbers of fans in every state. “There’s certain cities that have played my songs on the radio a lot and you can totally

tell when you go and play these cities and you hear these crowds singing back to you,” he says. “When I played in Boston on this Dylan Scott tour, it was just insane how many fans I had out there. The cool part about doing what I get to do is that there’s so much culture with how people enjoy music in all these different cities.” Even on the road, however, Seth is working on new material constantly. Writing is “kind of a blessing and a curse” for him – constantly finding inspiration for new tracks, and never being able to turn that off. He wrote Dylan’s last single called “Hooked,” and with that, the two have bene spending more time co-writing during the tour. “I can never shut [songwriting] off. Sometimes, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night at three in the morning and have an idea and just have to write it up. Or somebody will say something while I’m having a drink out at a bar and I’ll hear it and I’ll just write it down,” he says. Despite constantly working and writing, Seth still finds time to support his friends and other musicians, such as LAUV, his friend Mitchell Tenpenny and of course, Kacey Musgraves. He likes to spend his days off of tour relaxing and watching college football and supporting the Georgia Bulldogs. “My dream day off is sitting on my couch, getting up, making coffee, watching college football, watching game day, then literally not moving from my couch all day long,” he laughs. NKD NKDMAG.COM

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