Hometown: Voorhees, NJ
Homebase: New York, NY

How did you decide on your name?

Was having a conversation with a friend about emojis. We were discussing black emojis. I thought, that's a cool name and hits the nail on the head for my new music life.

You've had several roles within the industry. How did you originally get your start int he music business? What inspired you?

I grew up addicted to music. Played drums at 5, then flute, guitar, piano, bass. I was attracted to sound and playing and just getting lost into music period. My family had a great collection and I absorbed the music around the house along with radio and friends. I was a Prince freak. He did everything incredibly well, write, produce, arrange, sing, play tons of instruments. He was a huge inspiration along with many other artists that would take up a whole page to list. Trent Reznor is another huge influence sonically and style in general. I hope to work with him someday. Big time.

How did this project start to come together?

Was just experimenting in the studio with the goal to release a single or two. Nobody goes to the bar and says I'll just have one or two drinks actually does that do they?

How does Blak Emoji different from other projects you've been involved in in the past? What does it fulfill in you?

My previous band was more heavy guitar based hard rock bordering on metal and punk at times, but was melodic. With Blak Emoji I wanted to explore sounds and styles I was afraid to embrace in my previous band. I now have 'no fear' sonically as a result. I fulfilled liberation

What's your song-writing process like?

Depends. Ideas come about when I least expect it. I record snipets in my phone. Or I write on keyboards or guitar or program, make beats, sing. I don't think I have a particular set process anymore. I just follow inspiration.

Can you tell a story of how one particular song came to be?

"Sapiosexual" and "Baby Making Heels" I had for awhile. "Velvet Ropes & Dive Bars" and "Honey" were both written in a day while I was playing keyboard. "Poison To Medicine" was an idea I had for months and I couldn't finish it. The four other songs are all mid-tempo dance tracks and pretty light subject wise, about relationships with another person or others. I was trying to do the same with "Poison" but it wasn't working. It became this introspective piece lyrically and sonically. It's more downtempo ambient and addresses coping with depression and looking on the bright side of things as therapy. There's a gradual climb musically with a big climax at the end of the rainbow. It took months to complete that song but it was worth it. Again, you can't force the process, I tried and it didn't work until I let go.

How did you assemble your band?

The band members came about via mutual friends in the NYC scene. After spending about five months recording in the studio I was getting antsy to play live. I felt ready again but realized, 'oh, I don't have a band anymore.' I have plenty of musician friends so I basically just hit a few up and went on a few recommendations. I met Max (drummer) last minute a few days before our first show. We had this other drummer for the gig but he only showed up to one of the four rehearsals. I was panicking and someone told me that Max was playing at this club. I saw him, loved his playing and he was on stage with us in two days!

Sylvana I've known throughout the scene but never officially met her. We had a rehearsal meeting one day and it clicked like we were friends for years or something. Cool comfortable vibe, like I found a missing link or something. Bryan (bass) was recommended from Max later on. They've played together numerous times so the rhythm section was a perfect pocket of tightness. He's a super laid-back funny dude.

What music/artists had an influence on Blak Emoji?

A lot of electronic based pop or rock groups. Phantogram, Little Dragon, Prince, Panic At The Disco, Awolnation, Nine Inch Nails, St Vincent, Weeknd, Empire Of The Sun and a lot of dance stuff. And pop too. Yes I really dig Rihanna and Katy Perry.

How so?

Well again, no matter what I'm doing musically, Prince will always be a centerpiece of inspiration. The fact that he pulled off and blended so many styles, was a musical virtuoso who wrote incredible songs on his own terms and became a huge house hold name is almost unheard of these days. The risk taking factor is more difficult to accomplish in pop now. It's still there but not as prevalent. Prince was a chameleon. Bowie was a chameleon who paved the way for artists to be comfortable exploring or being freaky and being yourself while stepping outside yourself. He made art cool in mainstream music. Trent's another trailblazer. He pretty much made it acceptable to be electronic in a hard rock place. One minute he's screaming 'til his throat bleeds, the next he's creating a quiet Eno like soundscape. You don't know whats a guitar or keyboard in his music sometimes and I love that. I guess I gravitate towards artists you can't fit into one box from Prince to Bowie to Flying Lotus to Kendrick.

Phantogram has this edgy electronic vibe with pop melodies and cool beats. Weeknd has an amazing style of blending r&b and pop while making it dark and gothic at the same time which is unique too. And you can still dance to all these artists lol. A lot of these things just come out in the music I make. I wanted my first EP to be some tongue n cheek but smart, sexy dance pop shit for the most part. I think that was accomplished. I had this goal of blending genres and sounds and whatever but now I don't think about it so much. I just create. I have my influences and templates and just run from there. The force doesn't force me. 

How do you discover new music?

Blogs, friends and curiosity. Afropunk, Pitchfork, Spotify, Apple, Beats 1, Glamglare, Atwood. And as always my friends. Sharing music with friends has been a huge bonding thing for me. Plus I'm exposed to so much live music in NYC and Brooklyn and meet so many bands and musicians. 

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