Category Archive: Music

Cassandra Jenkins: When the Ordinary Becomes Phenomenal

Although life makes us resilient, sharing personal experiences and breakthroughs are what keep us connected. Cassandra Jenkins highlights the beauty of these life moments in her music. 

Jenkins is a musician, singer, and songwriter who incorporates elements of pop, rock, and folk into her music. She is from Brooklyn, New York, and grew up playing the guitar and singing folk music in her family’s band. In 2006 she graduated from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and worked as an editorial assistant for The New Yorker magazine.

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Claud: Indie Explosion

Music lets artists express their feelings in a way that plain words can’t, and the explosion of independent artists through Spotify and TikTok have let this music finally be heard. Claud Mintz, whose professional name is simply Claud, is a nonbinary musician from New York (and uses they/them pronouns), has blown up in the bedroom pop (where artists typically record in their room rather than a recording studio) and indie music world. 

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Nas: King’s Disease II

Following the success of 2020’s “King’s Disease,” the legendary rapper Nas and famed producer Hit-Boy decided to run it back and drop another album together. “King’s Disease,” was an incredible album for both Nas and Hit-Boy, as it marked the first Grammy award for Nas received during his 25+ year career. Prior to this award he had been nominated for 13 Grammy awards. Long overdue for sure, but it was well deserved as the two collaborated for what should go down as a modern-day classic.

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Mia Morris: One Woman Band

Exclusive interview with Va Mag's Andrew Kacer

“A lot of these older men classify me and my music as, ‘She’s bringing rock back.’ I don’t wanna bring anything back, I’m trying to make new rock.”

-Mia Morris

These days, it’s quite rare to find a high school girl who prefers the likes of The Beatles or Led Zeppelin over a pop artist like Doja Cat - or whoever the latest TikTok sensation may be. However, after conducting an exclusive interview with17-year-old Mia Morris, I discovered that classic rock runs deep through her veins. “Growing up, in the house my parents would always be playing the best music. Obviously, I’m a little biased, but you know, I like classic rock: The Beatles, Police. I just grew up knowing really rad music.” 

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Kings of Leon: ‘Rockin Out

Alternative rock meets Southern blues; The Kings of Leon have been deemed comparable to rock legends of the past by Rolling Stone magazine. 

It’s hard to believe that the band members were prohibited to listen to secular music while growing up. The brothers, Nathan Followill (drums), Caleb Followill (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), and Jared Followill (bass) along with their cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) make up the American rock band, Kings of Leon. The brothers Nathan, Caleb, and Jared had a non-traditional childhood, they traveled across the South with their mother and father Leon, which the group is named after. Their father was a Pentecostal preacher who spoke at various churches and tent revivals, while their mother homeschooled the boys.

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