BRISTON MARONEY
Briston Maroney @bristonmaroney
Director of Photography Mackenzie Cornwall @mackenzieryanphoto Videography/Creative Coordination Orchee Sorker @orchees @orchees photos Behind the Scenes Stephanie Siau @stephaniehsiau
Embroidered Hand Stitched Tapestries: Lazy Suzy Boutique @lazysuzyjackson
You grew up around Knoxville to a family I've read as "a family who describes music as one of their languages". What inspired you to start playing and making music?
I grew up with this energy in the household that legitimized music and made it seem like it was always happening I picked it up really young and just always turned to it as an outlet The guitar was the first instrument I played My grandpa was super into John Prine He got me into that stuff really young I was always drawn to all of those kooky old dudes who were country.
What brought you to Nashville, and how was it an integral part of growing as a musician? Can you talk more about the community you found here? What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
I wanted to go to Kenyon College for school but I knew it was not gonna last Then, I got my card and scholarship from Belmont. You open it up, and it's like playing the Belmont song or whatever. Huge thing. I'm reading through and it’s great; I've been accepted. So then I was like, “Let's see about these scholarships ” I'm not joking, they offered me like five hundred dollars in scholarships Then I was like, “Let's see what other schools Nashville has to offer.” I ended up at Lipscomb University. They gave me a lot more money
Nashville’s been everything I've been talking about it a lot lately. This place has just been where I've tried and failed so many times to be a lot of different things. It's just been the home for every idea that I've had There are so many resources here. So many people that I've been able to just connect with and make so many creative choices with. It is really important to be in an environment like this
Luckily, I've crossed paths with a lot of people who value music and their relationships as much as they like the music industry Crossing paths with Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Mount Joy...they're not from here necessarily, but it just really comes back to being a community. Folks who encourage me to do this for our friends and families people we love.That's been the most helpful!
You recently released two new songs "Oregon" and "Harvard". Can you describe your creative process when you write new music?
It's different every time It drives me insane There are times when it starts super cliche like a rock documentary moment where the idea hits you in the grocery store. There are other times when I like to sit in our little studio for like 12 hours, just hitting my head on my desk until something comes out. It's different every time, which is why I love making music. It's never the same. When it starts to be a routine process it becomes boring. I love how little consistency there is in being creative.
These songs have been said to have a different feel from your traditional sound, what would you say your personal sound is and how do these songs differ from your other released work or how has your sound evolved?
I think just working with new people has been big on that We've worked with different producers for almost every record It was really fun I think a lot of it has been more production influenced too Also, just staying open These ideas have shaped a lot of what's happening now
You teased your song "Oregon" in TikTok as early as April 2022. How has TikTok influenced the way you connect with your fan base and release music?
It's changed everything for better or worse. I'm not one of those people will hate TikTok I think it's great For what it is, it's letting anyone get their music to a ton of people which I could never knock I don't like that they take advantage of people's emotions. That's the element that's like an emotional battle every time you open your phone. That element stresses me out so much, but I make love that I could post a song that I played on my guitar that took like 30 seconds to make, and it can reach a lot of people It's been great It feels too good to be true, honestly.
You said about "Harvard" that sometimes these songs don’t have a meaning until far after they are written. "Oregon" and "Harvard" are both songs you wrote about 5 years ago and this year decided to record and release them. What made you want to release them this year?
We were going to start working on a record after all the festival stuff calmed down, and we wanted music out for people that was just comforting. I wanted to put out two songs that were like, “No pressure You don't have to listen to this, but if you do, it's just meant to be comforting ”
You just wrapped your all aboard tour were there any highlights from that tour or places you played that stood out?
It feels like we literally went everywhere There were so many special nights. It was incredible. We had two nights at the Troubadour in LA Those were some of my favorites Our New York shows were wildly different. One of them was a really rough night, but it was like looking back on it, it was like a really definitive moment in my life. The Nashville shows were of course crazy Also, the first night on the tour…I'll never forget that
You just had a festival, “Paradise,” at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville. What made you decide to host this event in Nashville? What was the inspiration in creating this event, and how did it come into fruition? There were some amazing artists on the line this year. What inspired the lineup you put together? Is this something you want to continue in years after? Are there any artists you’d like to bring out for future years?
Apart from living here, the biggest factor was to be able to host an event somewhere where all of our friends and a lot of our families could come to. There were so many folks that traveled from surrounding states and a lot of 4 5 hour trips. We knew that this could be a location [where many] people could make it out too if we were going to go all out for a show The city is great The audiences are always either painfully attentive or super rowdy in a great way. We got the best of both worlds for both nights.
For the lineup, I literally went through my playlist of favorite songs on Spotify. I was like, “We're gonna ask all of these people to do this. We're gonna shoot for the moon.” Literally, some of my favorite bands were able to come out and play I wanted to go from headphones to a live setting. All of those bands mean a lot to me.
My partner, Sam was supposed to play this year, but then she got a tour offer that lined up directly with the show. She was in London while we were playing Maybe someday we'll get Sam
Last question, what are your upcoming plans?
Today, I’m just gonna go to bed…not joking. We start recording in two days for the record. Yeah, I'm not gonna think about that until it starts. Just sleep until then
Thank you so much!
Thank you guys for having me! It's been great!
Briston Maroney curated and headlined Paradise Festival, in partnership with local charities and organizations, on November 3-4, 2022. The festival took place in Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. The lineup included Sunflower Bean, The Greeting Committee, Annie Dirusso, Indigo De Souza, Michelle, and Cece Coakley.
JACOB WEBSTER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF JPWPHOTO
How did you get started in the industry? How did you find your niche in the industry? How did you transition to becoming a full time photographer?
I have been a fashion photographer for nine years now. I started in 2013. I focus on beauty, portraits, lifestyle, editorial, etc. I try to stay on the editorial side of fashion, but I also do lifestyle. I just don't prefer to do it. I was actually a lifeguard for seven years before I started doing photography full time. I was also a full time student at Towson University. I was studying business at Towson for four years My sophomore year, my schedule was demanding and I was making like $250 a week doing lifeguarding I could do a photoshoot and make double that in 30 minutes, you know? I was like, “You know what? I think I can just go ahead and do this on my own without having worked on the side ” In my sophomore year of college, I started doing photography full time That's when I started doing my business full time I was able to control my schedule and just focus
How did you start breaking ground and branding yourself? How did you set yourself apart from other photographers? How did you create yourbrand/identity/online presence?
I always show up as myself my authentic self People really like that and admire that It's kind of different in the industry especially in Los Angeles specifically where everyone's superficial I allow my clients and my talent to be themselves I don't pressure them to do anything They're able to share and control their own narratives I think I started breaking ground by being really consistent and wanting to learn I don't feel I'm ever satisfied with just one project Once I'm done with the project, I wanna keep rolling on to the next one I want to make sure that I'm creating to the best ability Even today, I feel I don't create the images that are like my goals yet As I continue doing bigger projects with bigger budgets and a bigger team, I can start getting closer to getting that image that I desire So, I found my niche one by one.
What kinds of equipment/tools do you usually have on set?
Literally, everything down to backdrops is in my car. I keep three lights, a backdrop stand, reflectors, diffusers, a softbox, and an umbrella. That's what got me hired for a lot of stuff. Last Halloween, Doja Cat was looking for a photographer and someone wasn't unavailable When I showed up, I literally came with an entire studio setup and everything. They weren't expecting that. They were probably just thinking I was just gonna bring a flash or something. That's what I do for any client I have. I bring everything so I'm prepared. I'm just going above and beyond to make sure my client is satisfied or just impressed I did that, they were like, ”Oh my gosh, we have to keep you on our team ” Ever since then, I've been with her Anytime I get a new client, I still bring all my stuff, and it catches them off guard every time If they want me to do lifestyle, I wanna do the best lifestyle pictures I can do If anyone had me mopping the floor, I'm mopping the floor just to show up and just to take the opportunity and get myself in the door and I'm listening to make the best out of it That's how I kind of did that Right now equipment wise, I have the Canon 5D Mark IV I'm not sure if I wanna switch over to Sony soon I usually shoot on my 24 70 mm or 70 200 which I use for portraits
What was the inspiration behind Doja Cat's imagery of her wardrobe looks in Paris?
So with her, I have no creative say that's more so Brett Alan Nelson is her creative director I just show up and shoot That’s why I like doing myself on the side of my creative project because I can be creative Recently I did a photoshoot, it was a firefighter type of concept. When I went to set the other day, someone was like, “Oh my gosh, I had no idea if you are that good” I just never really had the opportunity to really create the way that I want to. Doing stuff on the side helps me show people what I'm capable of. Doja and Brett are really creative. They have no limits to their creativity.
What was your experience like in Paris Fashion Week as a photographer?
Paris was literally life changing It was everything I'd ever imagined I was living on cloud nine the entire time I was just so blessed to be there and so honored I was so grateful for the opportunity just to be in Paris and just see all the different designers and creative directors of the brand I saw a few photographers that were walking the show as well There's literally no limit to your creativity There's no limit to where you can and where you can go Paris really inspired me to go all out with everything
From your previous work so far, which one is your favorite?
Anything in 2020 before I moved to LA? I was really creative and created it with no budget. My work went the most viral, and I was building community the most I just felt the most creative, authentic self when I was created in 2020 because of COVID and nothing was really going on I would pop up the studio in my garage and get a model. We would social distance and makeup would be in the garage and I'd be upstairs When they were done, I’d come shoot.
What's next for the brand JPW Photo?
The next steps for my brand would definitely be speaking engagements. I want to start doing podcasts, YouTube videos, and sharing experiences and sharing wisdom. I pray to God every day for more wisdom and creativity Being more intentional and being more present.
One piece of advice you wish someone had told you when starting out? Any advice to young POC creatives starting out in the industry?
Literally there are no rules to this and you create your own rules. Time literally stops for no one You have to keep going and keep being consistent and just keep pushing out content and pushing out stuff for yourself.
imposter syndrome and constantly comparing yourself with others is a big aspects of creativity to deal with. How do you overcome that feeling and keep going?
I used to have a really big issue with imposter syndrome and dealing with that. I think I just grew out of it recently because the more I would become spiritually grounded, I started realizing that I fully and 100% believe that anything that's for me is going to be for me. Anything that's not, is not for me. If something falls through, that was not meant to be If anything comes to fruition, I'm just so grateful. Living in a constant state of gratitude and being intentional about whom I'm surrounding myself with and what opportunities I show up for helps me with imposter syndrome. I always tell myself anytime I get an opportunity and I don't think I'm qualified for this. I always say, “God would've never put an opportunity on my plate if I couldn't handle it.” That's exactly why I just feel like you have to just fight any outside voices and you can't compare yourself to anyone's journey I used to do that too That's just helped me really just focus on staying in my own lane, having my own vision, and focusing on just being myself.
What is your advice in building relationships/networking?
Social media is your number one resource, so I always say that you are a walking billboard for yourself Anything that you share is gonna be an advertisement for yourself. In person, I would just say to always work the room When I came to LA one time in 2019, um, I was there to go to a Greek party when I was still in college. I happened to bring my camera with me. Someone asked me to do Diddys 50th birthday party I told myself, “You cannot leave this room without making a connection…whether it was getting somebody's number/contact. If you don't, there's no point in being here ” If we hit off, we hit it off. If we don't, you leave it. I think that's the best way to network. In Paris, I will go up to people, and I'll be like, “I wanna give you flowers Love to work with you someday ”
Are there resources you think I or any aspiring photographers should check out?
YouTube University, that's where I learned everything I'm fully self taught. I've never taken a class. I think that's where I'm really behind on my photography and imposter syndrome comes in. Sometimes, I'll go on sets. People have been there for 15 years in the game and like they know so much and I really don't know anything technical about photography Recently, I've just started accepting the fact that wasn't my path. I can't be ashamed of that. I literally just ask and I pull 'em aside. I say to them, I say, “Hey, I'm literally fully self taught and I don't know what this is. Can you, can you gimme some advice or can you just help me navigate this new space for me? Or can you help me out?” They'll be like, “Yeah, absolutely Thanks for asking.” That's all you gotta do is just ask. You can put your pride aside and just ask for that help.
The
CHELSEA CUTLER INTERVIEWBY:MAEGANGRENDALL@MAEGANGRENDELLPHOTO PHOTOSBY:STEPHANIESIAU@STEPHANIEHSIAU SingerandsongwriterChelseaCutlersitsdownwithHazzeMediaviaZoomfromhergreenroomin Chicagotodiscusshercurrenttour,andhowhercareercametobe.Chelseahassincefinishedher secondlegoftheWhenICloseMyEyestour,whichshestatesisherhappyplace Shealsodiscusses theimportanceofmentalhealthandtakingcareofyourself,andhowshedoessoontheroad.Chelsea andHazzeendtheinterviewbychattingaboutwhat’snextforChelsea,aswellasherdream collaborations
MG: I wanted to talk about your When I Close My Eyes tour a little because you're in the middle of it right now. Where are you right now?
CC: We are in Chicago today
MG: That's exciting. How has it been going this leg of the tour?
CC: It's been good. We're stuffing a lot of shows into a pretty compact window of time. It's been pretty bang, bang, bang, one show after another. And I love playing shows, so, pretty much for me it's, it's like my happy place to be So it's been great
MG: How many shows do you have?
CC: It's 24 total. And I think today is our 11th, so we're just kind of getting halfway, almost halfway.
MG: What has been your favorite one?
CC: Probably New York just because that's my hometown. It felt super special, but even last night in Grand Rapids was really special as well
MG: I can only imagine how cool it would be to play New York, especially if it's your hometown!
CC: Yeah. It's awesome.
MG: How do you think this tour differs from past tours or even the last leg of this tour?
CC: Well, I think obviously the set list has been changed up. I also think, with every tour comes a lot of growth and I definitely get a little bit better hopefully at performing every single time I think the show, it's just the most inclusive and interactive and hopefully the best that it's ever been.
MG: What is the biggest thing you've learned from touring this year?
CC: I think the most important thing that I've learned is just to take it seriously as a job. People are coming to shows with the expectation to hopefully let loose and have a really good time. And for a lot of people, live music is something that helps them and gives them a place to release and be themselves. And I think the most important thing I've learned is just the focus on helping to create that environment for people where they feel comfortable and can have the best time
MG: How old were you when you started touring?
CC: I had just turned 21
MG: And was that the one you did with Quinn XCII?
CC: Yeah. I had just left college to do that
MG: How did that even come about? How did you and Quinn become friends?
CC: So Jesse Coren, our manager, signed me while I was in college and they kind of took a big chance on me to ask me to open for him, even though I had never toured before They obviously were doing me a massive favor and I had to choose to stay in college or go do that. And I obviously decided to leave school to go do that, which was like a pretty massive decision I'm really, really fortunate that we got linked up through Jesse And Quinn has become one of my best friends since then. So, very grateful.
MG: What is it like making friends in the music industry? Have you found that it's hard or that it's easier than elsewhere?
CC: Well, I live in New York. The industry is really predominantly in Los Angeles, so I'm not surrounded by a ton of music industry people on a daily basis But I feel really fortunate that we have such a tight knit crew through my management team Those are some of my best friends I've been really fortunate through that But I do imagine it would probably be easier if I lived in Los Angeles.
MG: I know that you've talked a lot about your mental health. And touring at such a young age came with a lot of learning experiences I'm sure. How on that first tour did you really learn to prioritize your mental health?
CC: I think mostly just by watching Quinn and seeing him conduct himself That really taught me this is a job and you have to take it seriously and take care of your body. Take care of your brain. I was really fortunate to have such a great role model my first time out on the road
MG: What advice do you have for anyone else who is also trying to take care of and better their mental health, on or off tour?
CC: I think it's really important to sleep a lot When you're giving so much of yourself to these shows every night, your body needs rest. It's just really important to listen to yourself and make sure that you're getting the rest that you need. At the end of the day, everything physical and mental stems to how much sleep you're getting, and how much rest you're getting I know it can be kind of embarrassing to feel like you need 12 hours of sleep to feel rested, but you know, your body and your brain are both doing a lot on tour and I think just listening to them is really important.
MG: That is really important. Even just not on tour too.
CC: Yeah, no matter what you're doing, it's really important for sure
MG: You have a single coming out in November called 'Men on The Moon'. Do you wanna talk a little about what it's about?
CC: Yeah, I wrote Men on the Moon about feeling like the connection is really hard You know, humans are very complex, and communicating and trying to understand each other can just be very, very difficult. It's kind of ironic how much we've figured out as a society with technology and science, and yet understanding each other can still feel so difficult sometimes
MG: Where would you say you find the most inspiration for your songs?
CC: I would say through people, through life experiences Even just through listening to other music I feel like I'm lucky I can derive inspiration from a lot of different places.
MG: Who are your musical inspirations? Who do you listen to?
CC: My biggest inspirations probably are Coldplay, Florence + The Machine, Bon Iver I've been loving Sam Fender lately as well. I grew up on just so much Coldplay
MG: Who's your dream collab? Who do you really wanna work with?
CC: I would really love to work with Flume. That's kind of someone that lately I've felt like would be a really cool fit
MG: Do you want to talk about how you got started doing music?
CC: My parents had me in piano lessons when I was so young, and guitar lessons So, I definitely owe it to them to get me involved in music I think I just fell in love with it. I was fortunate we had such a musical household growing up They always had music playing every morning and all the time I was just surrounded by it and I definitely just fell in love with it at such an early age. At the end of high school, the beginning of college particularly, I really started getting into writing and producing. I was really fortunate again to kind of organically get discovered by my management team I kind of feel like things just fell into place and it was really like the universe telling me that this was what I was supposed to do
MG: Since you grew up in a musical household, how have your parents reacted to you doing music for your career?
CC: They've been amazing They were a huge reason why I even left college because they really believed in me and really encouraged me to go pursue this. Without their support, I definitely wouldn't have felt comfortable leaving school to do this.
MG: Was there ever a moment in your career where you realized this was going to be your career long term?
CC: I think getting to go on the Quinn XCII tour, was kind of the first time that I saw people singing my songs back to me It was the first time I was really pursuing music a hundred percent and seeing results and see the reward coming. It was kind of the first time I was like, "oh man, okay, I could actually do this"
MG: What's one song that you first really love performing live, and then what's one that just came naturally when writing?
CC: I think ‘Crazier Things’ and ‘NJ’ are both two songs that I love performing, and coincidentally are also two songs that were just so easy for me to write I just had a lot of emotion Truthfully those two kinds of fit both of those bills.
MG: That makes sense. When you put a lot of emotion into a song, it's gonna have a lot of emotion with it to perform live too.
CC: A hundred percent.
MG: Was it scary when you first started touring and everything, and even now? What was your reaction to sharing these personal thoughts and feelings with the world?
CC: I've really never been too afraid of that, to be honest I think that I've always just kind of viewed writing music as a therapeutic and cathartic experience for me It has always just felt like a really awesome byproduct to me that people love the music so much But because for me it's so personal, to begin with, it's never really scared me to be vulnerable
MG: And that shows in your performances and everything you do. I feel like you're such a genuine person and performer.
CC: Thank you!
HAZZE MAGAZINE VOLUME #26 NOVEMBER 2022 COVER Briston Maroney Photographer: Mackenzie Cornwall VOL. 26 A L L U R E O F A F F L U E N C E
Creative Director Leyla Shcherbakova @lilucaramella Photographer Efimov Slava @efimov fashion Model Ekaterina Kosenkova @cmg ekb @katek tyan Makeup Artist Bella Smirnova @bella smirnova Agency Celebrity Model Group @cmg ekb
