By: Mical J. Roy, Entertainment Editor

Violins have always been associated with high class debutantes and their driven socialite mothers who force them off to Julliard in the blink of an eye. An instrument that exudes the utmost in poise, dignity and class. Its never been thought of as an instrument that could bring funk, soul, and dare I say Hip Hop into the picture. Or has it?

A couple of days of playing phone tag with the publicist for these Jamaica Queens, New York born brothers, I was starting to doubt my real potential. I’d spoken with there PR Reps via e-mail several times, and we’d agreed upon a date and time. A couple of times, they’d call me and I’d miss the call, and when I called back I couldn’t reach them, and so we’d start again from square one.

Damien and Tourie Escobar of Nuttin but Stringz were introduced to me on accident, but then again, I’m often under the assumption that this was by no means a mishap. On an easy night I was sitting at home flipping through channels as I often do, in search of something good to watch on TV. I’d recently purchased a barbecue pit, and stopped flipping through the stations so I could check on the meat I had on the grill. I must have stopped on America’s Got Talent, another reality show where contestants compete for a title and win a lavish prize.

As I closed the top on the barbecue pit, I was summoned to the television by strings and what sounded like musical thunder. I immediately sat there on the couch in total shock, as I witness two young men, playing these violins as though they were base drums, or a saxophone. It was mind blowing, and as I sat there, I realized, like so many others, I was hooked. Not hooked on the show, but hooked on what I’d just witnessed. I had to find a way to get in touch with these violin twins, a name I gave them before I realized they were just brothers who looked almost identical.

That night, I pulled their website up on my laptop, in search of more information. Perhaps the whole world knew about these fellas, and it was I, who was late. I was quickly brought up to speed, as I learned there journey didn’t began on America’s Got Talent, much rather this was a bit of a mid point. Nuttin but Stringz got their big break in 2005 when they entered a local talent contest at The Apollo in Harlem, and won. Since then these men, have been anywhere from, The Tonight Show, with Jay Leno, all the way to The White House.

Back to square one, and this time, I’m sure it will come to pass. I sit patiently on my patio, watching the skyscrapers downtown. The sun has set, the sky is hiding amidst the silver lined clouds, and amidst the jazz blaring from my 1920’s inspired record player, my cell rings. “Mical Roy”, his publicist solicits. “This is”, I rebuttal. “OK, I’m going to connect you to the guys ok” and I tell her, I’m ready to roll. Just like that, the phone clicked, and there they were. I’d just watched them on TV what must have seemed like minutes ago, and now I would be interviewing them for all the chic readers.

TCM: How long have you all been playing the violin?

Tourie: Well, ummm about 12 to 15 years.

TCM: What would you say inspired you to get into it?

Tourie: We had to take it in our Elementary School, it was a requirement and the love for the instrument just kept that motivation going.

TCM: So okay tell me, where did the name come from?

Tourie: Well really when the time came that we needed to establish ourselves as musicians, we knew we needed to come up with a name, and we threw around nuttin but skillz, nuttin but success, and we really liked Nuttin but Stringz, so that’s the one we chose to ride with.

TCM: That’s interesting man. Tell me, what can you tell our readers about the importance of voting?

Tourie: Awe man, it’s like this, you know especially the way the economy and the world is right now, its important that we go out there and express ourselves through voting.

TCM: How important is family and education to the both of you?

Tourie: Family and education is very important. It’s family that helped us when we didn’t want to get up and pursue that education. If you’re not educated you won’t be able to get out there and have certain things. When you feel like dropping out, it’s your mom that’s telling you, you can do it. Having a strong solid family foundation is the key.

TCM: I know that your mother had to be your biggest fan, how does she feel about your talent?

Tourie: Ya know, we were raised by two strong beautiful black women, our mother, Gloria Ponder, and our aunt, Gayle Ponder. Right now, they’re real overwhelmed by the response that we’re getting. From the start because Nuttin but Stringz has been around for awhile, but once we started doing it, it gave them a reason to walk around with their head up and be proud of their black sons.

TCM: Name something that you cant live without?

Tourie: I can’t live without my violin (Damien yells into the phone he can’t live without his daughter).

TCM: How have you guys dealt with friends or schoolmates who may have tried to taunt you all for the instrument you’ve decided to play and how would you tell our teenage readers to deal with negativity from peers?

Tourie: You’re gonna go through it, but “we need more leaders”. In order to be a leader, you have to “put your stamp on it”. We’ve heard it all, sissy instrument the whole nine, but at the end of the day, you have to believe in yourself. People will be people, and there will always be naysayers.

For more information on Nuttin but Stringz please visit them at www.nuttinbutstringz.com and/or email them at nbsbookings@gmail.com.

Stay Chic. Stay True.

By: Mical J. Roy, Entertainment Editor

After much anticipation, I had the opportunity to sit down with Texas born and raised L.A., an up and coming artist to certainly be on the lookout for. With the perfect mix of charisma, personality and sheer genius, it’s no wonder this lyricist is well on his way if he is not already there.

L.A. born Larry Allen has been working with beats since 2000 and his roots span as far back as 4 years old participating in school plays, concertts, etc. When asked how he defines himself as it pertains to his artistry, he said simply this, “I would define myself as the word trifecta. Not only am I a writer but I’m also an entertainer and producer.”

 In this day and age when determining the difference between rappers and artists is more and more difficult to achieve, it was good to hear what L.A.’s thoughts were on the issue. He says that artist are up for more of a challenge when it comes to their music and won’t settle for just free-styling. It’s all about cultivating the sound and birthing something different, something that will stick. “People need music that they literally can’t live without”, says this up and comer.

Speaking of things that one can’t live without, I thought I’d ask L.A. to give me a couple of things he just can’t leave behind, some “must have’s” if you will. In true musician fashion, he responded with “My instruments and food.”

Musically, we can expect an earful (literally) from this one man band stand along with his label 500 Block Entertainment/Funkboxmusic. The label also has an up and clothing line on the risewhich is already approved and scheduled to hit stores locally soon.

You can check out L.A. on YouTube by searching L.A. Funk Box and you can hear him on the Houston nightlife scene and if you’re in Los Angeles his latest track is in heavy rotation out there.

Finding it hard to resist, I had to get a little extra info on the artist, as I always do, just so we have a window into their lives. I was able to squeeze some pretty good info out of L.A. when I asked him to tell our readers something they may not have known about him.

How pleased was I to find out that L.A. plays all brass and precussion instruments as well as the piano and some woodwind instruments. Listen up chic readers, L.A. impressively has a Bachelor’s degree in Music as well as a Master’s degree in Sociology. So for all who may not be sure…SCHOOL IS COOL and a lot of people’s favorite artists went to college. His lists of favorite artists include Quincy Jones to George Michael and all the way to Z-Ro. L.A. realized that rapping was for him after he and some friends hooked up in High School in an effort to get the musical ball rolling.

L.A.’s musical journey has been great and he’s met so many people and seen so many places. His advice to any up and coming artist is to stay true to yourself and your music and stay hungry. Seek higher EDUCATION and use your time and talent wisely because tomorrow’s not promised and life gets harder and harder as each generation burst on the scene.

 his parting phrase, “When they say it doesn’t happen overnight, they really mean it!”

If you would like to be featured in our Artist Spotlight, please contact Mical J. Roy via email at Editorial@TeenChicMag.com with the subject line: Artist Spotlight. 

By Mical J. Roy, Entertainment Editor

Deep in Houston’s posh River Oaks neighborhood, there I sat waiting patiently for the one and only Sean Williams. It was a breezy day, perfectly set for an interview that would soon become one of my very first with Teen Chic Magazine.

My phone rings, blazing loudly over the backdrop of music that was so intimately playing around me as I sat inside the Starbucks awaiting my guests. “Hey Mical, it’s me Sean’s publicist and I just wanted to let you know that I’m stuck in traffic  and I will be a few minutes late.” Alyssa Green, one of the most interesting and driven women I’ve come to know, has always been so perfectly organized in terms of making sure her client has what he needs. In what must have seemed like moments later, Williams accompanied by his publicist, Ms. Green paced into the building seeming to be unaffected by the stiff environment I’d come to know briefly.

“Hey man, how are you?” Sean said as cool as he pleased. I replied, “Doing good man, nice to finally meet you.” His publist immediately insisted that she sit quietly to the side, only there to observe and make sure her client had what he needed.

It seemed lile we had known each other forever and we got comfortable with conversation about music, politics, style, nightlife and essentially the everyday hustle and bustle that often make ya go…hmmmm! I realized quickly though this was an interview, it would not be boring and uptight, as some can be, but much rather it would be a recorded rap session in which I could display to all the Teen Chic Magazine readers so please enjoy.

“I wont make it more complicated than it is:, I told Sean a college graduate from the University of Houston. He quickly jumps into letting me know that entertainment has always been a passion. Williams told me about the itch that he could never get rid of and though he knew he always wanted to act, he also knew that higher education was essential to breaking ground anywhere in life. In this day in age, we both agreed that a degree is a must!

Williams, a many of many crafts often seen smiling endlessly on www.indmix.com, a marketing organization that he is affilated with behind the scenes as well. He said that he believes firmly in living for now and taking a strong shot at every chance given. It’s this same thought that took the U of H Alum to Los Angeles, California where he participated in several independent plays and really took the opportunity as a sponge, sucking in as much of the entertainment fundamentals as one could possibly retain.

His persona is certainly the reason he’s been propelled to so many levels of success. High in confidence, with an equal does of humility, its no wonder he has been afforded opportunities as an Entertainment Anchor at Hampton University, acting in plays and short features and becoming a prestigous member of Houston’s own 97.9 The Boxx and much more.

Currently, Sean is aggressively pursuing bringing Improv night to Houston. It’s a market that is so big on the West Coast, though not yet tapped in the Dirty South. Sean Will is into hosting and one day plans to host the Emmy’s. Even in his future endeavors, I notice he NEVER says, “this is something I want to do”, but boasts, “this is something I will do”. Being raised that speaking things into existence is key, I immediately identify with his train of thought and I understand how he has made it this far with such an intrigue way of thinking.

When asked why teen years are so important to a person’s evolution, Sean Will responded swiftly, saying that these are the years where you are really trying to figure things out. These are the years when you are going through things mentally and physically. In your teen years, you have little responsibility and teens should really sit back and assess what they truly want to do with their life. He adds, it’s equally important to have fun and enjoy these years, thus keeping a level head.

The struggle is all about the perseverance and the end result, Williams demurs. He insists that you can never fully understand what Heaven is unless you have been through Hell. A powerful statement that holds pure certainty. Though life may not necessarily be a crystal star for you, or what you’d perceived it would be, keeping pushing, keep pressing and keep praying. It’s this mantra that’s taken him from his valley to his mountain top and in time beyond.

For more information on Sean Williams, please visit him at www.myspace.com/willisniceguy.

Stay Chic, Stay True!