KCR Secret Sessions

KCR Secret Sessions are exclusive interviews and performances with our favorite artists.

Charlotte Lawrence and Goody Grace at the House of Blues

McCaeley O'Rourke

Charlotte Lawrence and Goody Grace put on an electrifying show that had the crowd moving all night long at the House of Blues on November 21, 2019.

Before the show, KCR got to have a friendsgiving with both artists in our production studio. In this intimate setting, we all enjoyed a fully vegan Thanksgiving, screen printing reusable tote bags, and more! We also got to sit down and talk to Charlotte and Goody about their music, new songs, and their tour. They each performed an acoustic song, which you can watch both the interview and acoustic songs here. 

Goody Grace

I had never seen Goody Grace or Charlotte Lawrence live before, and this show absolutely blew me away. Goody Grace opened up the show, playing songs such as “Scumbag,” “Two Shots,” “Rest Your Eyes,” and more. There were some die hard fans in the crowd, singing along to every word and dancing their hearts out. For the people who had never heard of him before, they were still moving and dancing along to the songs.

After learning about the influences behind Goody Grace’s music earlier in the day, it really translated to his music. His music is a mix of all of the music he likes and listens to. You heard emo, pop punk, r&b, and rap influences in his music. They all merged together to create this very unique sound that is 100% Goody Grace. Since this show, I have had Goody Grace’s music on repeat, and you should too.

Charlotte Lawrence

Charlotte Lawrence headlined the show. She played a total of 14 songs: “Why Do You Love Me,” “Just The Same, Keep Me Up,” “I Bet,” “Stole Your Car,” “Young and Reckless,” “Everybody Loves You,” “You,” “Sin X Secret,” “Psychopath,” “Cowboys,” “Navy Blue,” “God Must Be Doing Cocaine,” and “Sleep Talking.”

The crowd was totally and fully engaged with her performance; Charlotte had so much energy on the stage, and was interacting with the crowd at all times. At one point during the show, she claimed that she is too tall to dance but her dance moves went perfectly with her music. This encouraged everyone in the audience to dance along too; not a single person in that crowd stood still.

I wish I had the proper words to describe how utterly gorgeous Charlotte’s voice is. It has the perfect mix of raw emotion and effortless talent. She hits these high notes and goes on these runs that are so beautiful, it genuinely does not sound real.

My favorite song of her performance was Stole Your Car, which has been on repeat since this show. This song in particular had everyone jumping in the air, and dancing. The vocals in this song are insane, and she executed them flawlessly.

Charlotte also performed her newest song, “God Must Be Doing Cocaine.” It calls attention to all the messed up things going on in our world today. It was a super stripped back and emotional performance, which the crowd stayed silent throughout the entire thing. The show was one you should not have missed!

You can listen to Goody Grace ft. Blink 182, “Scumbag,” here.

You can also listen to Charlotte Lawrence’s newest song, “God Must Be Doing Cocaine,” here.

Written By: McCaeley O’Rourke
Photos By: McCaeley O’Rourke

Interview with DaniLeigh

Peter Swan

DaniLeigh Lays Out Her Heart For Us at the North Park Observatory.

DaniLeigh is a fresh, young artist from South Florida signed to Def Jam Records. With an extensive background within the entertainment industry, DaniLeigh is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Upon hearing that she was appearing alongside Teyana Taylor as part of the Keep That Same Energy tour, Peter Swan and Christian Le immediately drove out to the North Park Observatory to chat with Dani before the show.

 

You went from a background dancer to gaining a huge following and going on tour with Teyana Taylor. Is there any real technique to how you’ve gotten your internet following?

I’ve been on Instagram for a while now, and I’ve just been posting videos of me like, either dancing or singing and stuff. But I really gained a huge following when I did the “In My Feelings” challenge. It kind of went viral for me, so, that was my big spark for the jump in followers.

He mentioned you touring with Teyana Taylor, but I think you’re basically a jack of all trades; you’re a singer, dancer, songwriter, model, you’ve directed a [Prince] music video, and even acted a little bit. What made you focus on becoming a singer, because it seems like you’re talented in so many different areas?

I think I just love music so much and I think music is just the…what’s it called, the “middle of everything” for me, you know what I mean? And it’s dope that I get to express my story through music. I think music is the platform for me to showcase everything I do.

How has touring with Teyana been?

Good! She’s cool, she’s a great performer, it’s very chill, it’s real cool. Everybody’s dope and the concert’s get sold out so that’s a plus for me.

So you’re on tour right now, is this your first time in San Diego performing or…?

Have we ever performed here? No, I think it’s my first time.

Well welcome to San Diego. Going back to your following, you have a special name for your fans: what is it?

DaniLions.

DaniLions! Well, I do have some alternate names if you care to hear them?

Sure!

So, I’m thinking the DaniMonds, like diamonds, or the DamnDanis.

DaniMonds… like diamonds?

Yeah!

Oh… [everyone laughs] 

Let’s go back to your background. You’ve been a background dancer for a lot of music videos too, but the one that stood out to me was I found out you were actually a background dancer in a Romeo music video.

Yeah, [laughing] that was when I was like 16!

What was that like, because I used to see him, he had his own Nickelodeon show, he was in Like Mike, and I’m just thinking “this dude’s so cool!”

Yeah, that was fun. That was when I first moved to LA.

Oh really? That’s awesome!

Mhm. Did you watch the video?

Yeah, it was alright. He does his thing. I don’t want to compare music now, but him back then versus you now? There’s definitely a clearer and better person.

Yeah [laughing].

As he’s said, you’ve been doing just everything for a long time now. You first started just doing YouTube videos when you were about 14. Now personally, I’m not proud of the stuff that I put on YouTube when I was 14. Is their anything that you like to look back on and laugh at?

For sure. I think I couldn’t sing at all when I was 14, so all my YouTube videos are all private now, but they’re fun to watch cause, y’know, I was a shy little girl.

Hey, are you hungry Peter?

I could eat.

You know what, I’m feeling Curly Fries right now.

[DaniLeigh bursts out laughing]

You know, while we’re on the subject, can you tell me anything about Curly Fryz?

I love curly fries! I want some right now… I mean I was in a group back then, and that was our name.

Do you feel like being in that group helped you at all?

Definitely! We were very self-sufficient, we weren’t signed or anything, so we did a lot of independent work. Like, I learned how we did our websites, we wrote video treatments, we were super D.I.Y, so I learned a lot.

So other than this interview, what’s been the highlight of your career so far?

Last night.

Last night?

There was a little baby girl. I was singing to a little baby, and it was so crazy! I posted it on my page, so you guys can see it there.

Anyways, you’re pretty talented, but your family’s pretty talented too. You have a brother and a sister who also do music?

Yeah, my little sister, she’s 15, she’s in a girl group, but she’s a crazy singer. She’s super good. And then my brother’s a rapper, he’s pretty fire.

And your brother, did he used to be a barber too?

Mhm. And he still cuts hair too.

Maybe if I come to LA I’ll look him up.

Yeah, he’s nice.

I’ve been looking for a haircut actually…  But you’re signed onto Def Jam, and you’re on a US Tour. Do you feel like you’ve made it?

No.

No? What’s next for you then?

Yeah what’s the plan?

The plan is “The Plan,” my album dropping, did you know that? [laughs] In October, I’ll be dropping my album, so after that’s out, I feel like that’s what’s going to make me feel more “on.” But I don’t feel like I’m there yet.

Okay, so he’s already mentioned your YouTube covers, but I have a related question. Which artist would you want to cover one of your songs, and which song would it be?

To cover one of my songs? Drake should cover Lil Bebe.

Wow, no hesitation there! [laughs] So my final question for you is, what’s the tallest tree you could climb, and are you able to prove it?

Yeah for sure, probably like a 14 inch stalk [bursts out laughing].

That’s not even higher than the chair you’re sitting on!

That’s my answer.

And last but not least, do you have anything to say to your fans?

I love y’all fans so much!

Be sure to check out DaniLeigh’s work on Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud.