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.

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Artist Spotlight

GMG_Grizz brings melodic rap and undeniable attitude on latest release “Something Slight”

GMG_Grizz is here with “Something Slight,” officially released as “Something Slight Freestyle,” a rap record built on confidence, personal ambition and lyrical self-assurance. The St. Louis artist’s track, embraces the familiar brag-track approach, but gives it an interesting musical direction through its melodic rap delivery. The title itself is indicative of the mindset going into the release, showing the artist’s ability to spit dope flows and bars as just something natural, not some Herculean effort.

The flowing piano movement and the bouncing rhythm is what makes this freestyle worth revisiting. These elements make the record sound familiar but still keep the arrangement catchy and accessible. GMG_Grizz’s direction is more toward confidence and individuality, someone who is comfortable with his work ethic and the lifestyle he portrays. The melodic approach also gives the track a different personality than a straight rap performance, allowing its rhythm to carry much of the appeal.

“Something Slight” is a tantalising taste of where GMG_Grizz is heading musically. There’s room for him to explore this sound further, but the piano and rhythmic bounce provide a foundation for keeping the track interesting. A confident freestyle with a personality that you can recognise and re-play value.

Connect with GMG_Grizz on Spotify || Soundcloud

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Artist Spotlight

François Marius pushes romantic excitement into a dancefloor celebration with “La Loco”

François Marius arrives with a jolt of Latin Pop energy with “La Loco,” a dance-friendly track about attraction, romantic excitement and the fun madness of falling for someone. “LA Loco” is an immediate invitation to dance, with its catchy guitars, groovy bassline and spirited vocals giving it a friendly musical personality. Its approach is refreshingly simple, with the aim of having a good time rather than complicate the experience unnecessarily.

The song becomes even more interesting when Bérénice is on board, because the chemistry between the two performers is palpable. Their vocal call and response is a playful give and take, reflecting the thrill of two people being attracted to each other. It makes the romantic theme feel conversational, turning the performance into a musical chase instead of a one-sided declaration.

The acoustic elements also merge with the modern Latin beats, defining the danceable orientation of the track. “La Loco” is ultimately about enjoying the thrill that comes with attraction and letting yourself get carried away by the moment. Its constant call to swing along adds another layer of infectious energy. François Marius and Bérénice are a feel good collaboration that combines romance, rhythm and movement into an appealing Latin Pop package.

Connect with François Marius on Spotify