Artist Spotlight

Exclusive Interview With Fast Rising Star (Darla Jade)

Today we had an exclusive chance to interview Darla Jade.

Hello Darla Jade, Thanks for Coming To Honk Magazine To Talk About Your Music Career.

Let’s start off by introducing yourself, you know the basics like name, age, where you’re from. As much or little as you’re comfortable sharing.

Sure! Hi, I’m Darla Jade, I’m an electropop artist from Stoke On Trent in the UK. I’ve been writing my own music now for about 4 years, I started when I was 19 and I’m 23 now.

Talk me through your creative process:

So my creative process can differ a lot, sometimes I have a specific lyrical concept or idea that I want to talk about in the song, or I sometimes start with melody first and then lyric after, so it’s pretty varied.

How do you solve productivity/scheduling problems and reduce overwhelming situations?

I tend to write A LOT of To Do lists haha and my calendar is literally my best friend at this point. I sometimes book things quite ahead of time, which can get overwhelming, but to be honest, I just live day by day and try not to stress about things that are too far into the future, as that makes everything much more manageable for me.

What’s the best advice you ever received concerning music?

The best advice is a common one, but genuinely the most important in my opinion, and it is to always follow your intuition and gut because if something doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.

What is still your biggest challenge?

Imposter syndrome is something I massively struggle with and for some reason I just can’t shake it off. I actually have a song about it that’s coming out in October – but yeah it’s that feeling of success being a fluke when in actual sense it was just hard work and determination.

What would you have done differently if you knew then what you know now?

I wished I hadn’t rushed anything! When I first started making music I thought to create songs I needed to be able to play an instrument. So I picked up the ukulele and started writing, all of my music basically sounded a bit indie folk and I put it out and then I discovered pop producers and then I actually realised that this was the sound I wanted to make. So yeah if I could go back, I’d definitely tell my younger self to work with lots of different producers and find the sound you actually want to make.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

Ahh such a tough question! I think it would have to be Sigrid, I feel like she is so talented and such a big inspiration!

What are you focusing your time on now?

Right now I’m getting ready to release my sophomore ep ‘Only The Paranoid Survive,’ which is coming out on all platforms on the 14th October! It’s a six track ep and I’m just so so excited to share it! Other than getting ready for that, I’m writing new music for next year and also playing quite a few shows, which is really cool! I have a few London shows coming up and my next one is on the 28th September at Roadtrip & The Workshop.

How do you currently feel about the state of electropop in general?

I think electropop is still very much in at the moment, but I do feel like there is a slight shift now to a more punk rockier sound. Although, I think the new 80’s electro pop style will just keep going strong though, because it’s got such a nostalgic feel good vibe to it! I think the ‘Stranger Things’ soundtrack has also really helped electropop stay relevant too, which is great!

What keeps you going when things get tough in the music industry?

I guess the music is what keeps me going. I really don’t think I can see myself not making music at this point. Sometimes I have a hard time processing or talking about my feelings, so making music is an outlet for me. I also think it’s really good to talk to other creatives, because they are going through the exact same struggles, so that definitely makes the tough times in the industry a lot easier knowing you’re not alone.

How can our readers follow you online?

I am on all of the main social media platforms! Here are my handles:

Instagram – @itsdarlajade

Facebook – @itsdarlajade

Twitter – @its_darlajade

TikTok – @itsdarlajade

Spotify, Soundcloud and Youtube – Just type in Darla Jade and I should come up.

Tweet LinkedIn PinShare1

Artist Spotlight

Crispy C Notes brings focused ambition on latest release “Chosen”

Crispy C Notes’ hip-hop release “Chosen” makes a statement with purpose and conviction. The record is clear about its artistic identity, with the independent Connecticut artist behind Alien Trap and Relatable Rap letting his commanding vocal presence lead the charge. The production returns to a hip-hop base and cuts out unnecessary frills, so the lyrics and performance can take center stage.

The song’s strength lies in its delivery. Crispy C Notes glides through measured cadences with sure-footedness, giving each verse gravity and lift. His writing is always spot-on, emphasizing determination and personal conviction with a clean lyrical approach. The sparse production plays to the song’s advantage, highlighting the vocal performance without overpowering it. It’s a balance that makes the listener feel that every rhythmic change and lyrical accent is intentional and serves to emphasize the record’s overarching message.

“Chosen” works because it knows that impact is often a matter of clarity, rather than complexity. C Notes is confident not only in his delivery but also in his songwriting, allowing his personality to flow organically throughout the track. The result is a record that is disciplined in its production but engaging from start to finish, thanks to its expressive flow and thoughtful lyricism. He delivers a project that is a true reflection of artistic growth and creative focus as an independent artist who is still finding his own lane. “Chosen” is a bold statement of self that leaves the listener with a clear impression of the artist’s vision and the direction in which he continues to move.

Connect with Crispy C Notes on Spotify || Instagram || Youtube

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Artist Spotlight

Maija breathes new life into classic emotion with latest release “Where Is the Love”

Maija’s version of “Where Is the Love” is a graceful, emotionally rich offering that pulls listeners into a modern jazz experience of warmth, sophistication, and heartfelt storytelling. From the opening, the song establishes a reflective mood, mixing expressive vocals with polished instrumentation that feels both classic and contemporary. The trumpet’s sophisticated sound, combined with other exquisitely curated elements of jazz, creates a vibe that’s smooth, enveloping, and effortlessly sophisticated.

And the lyric narrative has this feeling of longing, of broken promises and unanswered questions that feels very personal. Love, honesty, and emotional ambivalence are the main themes as the story unfolds, providing a connection to the song’s sincere viewpoint for the listeners. Maija eschews dramatic flourishes, leaving the expressive delivery and tasteful jazz arrangement to do the emotional heavy lifting. The trumpet, with its own soulful voice, gracefully weaves around the melody, and the supporting instrumentation adds to the song’s intimate character.

The production is slick but not overdone, letting the song’s lyrics speak for themselves. Whether you’re attracted to its expressive vocals, its polished instrumentation, or its relatable emotional themes, “Where Is the Love” is a compelling reminder that honest storytelling and thoughtful musicianship continue to define the very best moments in modern jazz.