A songwriting technique that singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Ava Della Pietra has applied is the art of concise storytelling. “In a song, you don’t really have that much room to say that much,” the 17-year-old tells So Booking Cool. “So, you kind of have to figure out how to make it concise while also not making it feel like it’s concise…also, little things like figuring out where to get rid of the little … Read the rest
It is not uncommon for people to feel that their college degree is useless. This was how YouTube creator Matt Wade felt about his Film Studies concentration. Before launching the detail., also known as The Michael Jackson Documentary Channel, for six years he started and ran the international fashion label, SHADE London, which garnered the attention of Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, and Ellie Goulding, to name a few. He … Read the rest
Music fans, especially in the R&B space, have been celebrating Usher since his viral Tiny Desk performance. He performed a few of his countless hits including “You Make Me Wanna” (1997); “U don’t Have to Call” (2002); and “Confessions” (2004). He even sang the fan-favorite, non-single, “Superstar” (although, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say every song on the Confessions album is a fan-favorite). As Usher continues to bring the … Read the rest
If you’re a Whitney Houston fan who is not a Robyn Crawford fan, this film is not for you. In all seriousness, if you follow Lena Waithe’s work, you know that she is a big fan of the late great Houston. The Emmy and MTV award-winning multi-hyphenate bravely and boldly created Beauty, the new film that is undoubtedly inspired by the woman many of us know as “The Voice.” … Read the rest
13 years later, Michael Jackson’s death remains a devastation to the entertainment industry and many music fans. Usually, when celebrating the historical artist, the same batch of songs tend to get talked about and played. This isn’t to say that classics like Thriller, Bad, Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, and Human Nature are overhyped (nor are the hits that … Read the rest
Moments before boarding the plane to New York City for fashion week, brother and sister singing/songwriting duo Ammon and Liahona chatted with SBC about their time on this past season of American Idol (the fourth season of ABC and 19th season overall for the series), the pandemic, their new single “Make Me Forget it,” (of course you know we asked if they’d ever write a book), and their artistry. … Read the rest
The rollout of music’s new artist and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star, Olivia Rodrigo, is finely crafted yet still feels organic. Yes, we’re talking about the “Driver’s License” singer, whose next hit is probably going to be her third single (and “Deja Vu” is underrated, but that’s another write-up). This talented singer/songwriter/performer has been compared most notably to Taylor Swift (and Lorde) and understandably so, but … Read the rest
Nearly a year ago, Tonya Lewis Taylor was one of many greatly affected by the pandemic. In addition to her and her husband, and co-founders of the I WILL GRADUATE program, getting coronavirus at the time (and fortunately healing), they lost loved ones to it. They also lost 90% of their money. “But the beauty that came out of the ashes was that we started writing for grants,” the Be … Read the rest
The relationship that R&B and jazz songstress Alyson Williams has with reading today stems from her childhood, which included vigorous academic requirements. “I don’t want to sound like it’s an excuse, I love books,” she tells So Booking Cool. “I physically love a book, the opening, the closing, the spine, the feel of a book, the smell of a book—I love books. But I find—and this is something people may … Read the rest
Before becoming a hit songstress and newly Soul Music Hall of Famer for Best Female Artist, Alyson Williams once felt she had to hide her love for music from her school peers. “I realized at an early age the music that I was surrounded by and the music that I loved was different than the music that all my other friends were into,” the “Just Call My Name” singer recalls … Read the rest
