Kalisha Midlani

I'd argue, though, it still got to people who didn't get her before. Oh, yeah. A lot of normies, and I say normies with love, a lot of normies are thinking that they're so Julia and that they're everywhere. And I think that's the beauty of this era is it really transcended beyond the people that didn't care before.

I'd argue, though, it still got to people who didn't get her before. Oh, yeah. A lot of normies, and I say normies with love, a lot of normies are thinking that they're so Julia and that they're everywhere. And I think that's the beauty of this era is it really transcended beyond the people that didn't care before.

Correct.

Correct.

Don't spend your time pining over being niche.

Don't spend your time pining over being niche.

Yeah. Gatekeep yourself.

Yeah. Gatekeep yourself.

We're bringing back gatekeeping. Charlie did say at that one private event that she did where she had that quote, it's like, it's hard being ahead. Like she said, there's power. No, no, no. Sorry. It was Hollywood reporter event or something where she goes, you know, there's power in the niche.

We're bringing back gatekeeping. Charlie did say at that one private event that she did where she had that quote, it's like, it's hard being ahead. Like she said, there's power. No, no, no. Sorry. It was Hollywood reporter event or something where she goes, you know, there's power in the niche.

And I think even at the time she was getting so much critical acclaim for Brat, but she still felt like this is niche. This is still a subculture.

And I think even at the time she was getting so much critical acclaim for Brat, but she still felt like this is niche. This is still a subculture.

My favorite thing was she didn't follow the traditional like press mold. Like I loved that she waited to go on SNL because people are like, okay, it's album release. We're going on SNL this week, right?

My favorite thing was she didn't follow the traditional like press mold. Like I loved that she waited to go on SNL because people are like, okay, it's album release. We're going on SNL this week, right?

And she waited so long. I was like, yes, this is cool.

And she waited so long. I was like, yes, this is cool.

Yeah, I mean, day one of my first time or first day working in the music business, I got thrown into a Travis Scott project, which was insane. So my first day on the job, I was thrown into Jack Boys. We were going to release in like a couple of weeks and we did a really cool activation for that.

Yeah, I mean, day one of my first time or first day working in the music business, I got thrown into a Travis Scott project, which was insane. So my first day on the job, I was thrown into Jack Boys. We were going to release in like a couple of weeks and we did a really cool activation for that.

I spent the last year working on Lana Del Rey's Ocean Boulevard, which was we met or actually went through John.

I spent the last year working on Lana Del Rey's Ocean Boulevard, which was we met or actually went through John.

One thing I will make very clear on this podcast, I am Dua Lipa's defender. I will defend that girl till the day I die. So let's go.

One thing I will make very clear on this podcast, I am Dua Lipa's defender. I will defend that girl till the day I die. So let's go.

I don't think so. Have you seen the Brit nominations? Come on. I'm sorry Americans did not get radical optimism. You just don't have taste.

I don't think so. Have you seen the Brit nominations? Come on. I'm sorry Americans did not get radical optimism. You just don't have taste.

Sorry, there's an entire Minecraft world for radical optimism. There is. There's totally a world around it. You just don't get it.

Sorry, there's an entire Minecraft world for radical optimism. There is. There's totally a world around it. You just don't get it.

Yes, I am. There is a world. Okay. Just because she didn't do like a brat style tortured poets department style like situation. I don't I don't think she needs to be conventional. Dua Lipa's radical optimism. Like, OK, first. Sorry. Sorry.

Yes, I am. There is a world. Okay. Just because she didn't do like a brat style tortured poets department style like situation. I don't I don't think she needs to be conventional. Dua Lipa's radical optimism. Like, OK, first. Sorry. Sorry.

Batiste who is also another artist that I got to work on world music radio was awesome and yeah those are probably like top three great I didn't mention this in my intro but I'm now leading artist partnerships at SoundCloud so yeah it's fun getting to work at the intersection of music and tech not to sound like that guy but you know

Batiste who is also another artist that I got to work on world music radio was awesome and yeah those are probably like top three great I didn't mention this in my intro but I'm now leading artist partnerships at SoundCloud so yeah it's fun getting to work at the intersection of music and tech not to sound like that guy but you know

What? When you think Dua Lipa. Right. What do you think of?

What? When you think Dua Lipa. Right. What do you think of?

Okay. Always on vacation. Instagram. Great food. Service 95. Right. Radical optimism is all about the way you can go through just something so heartbreaking and horrible. And then I'm just going to like live my life and be so optimistic about it. Like I'm happy for you. You know, it's, it's the end of an era. I think she was like, it's just, it's great.

Okay. Always on vacation. Instagram. Great food. Service 95. Right. Radical optimism is all about the way you can go through just something so heartbreaking and horrible. And then I'm just going to like live my life and be so optimistic about it. Like I'm happy for you. You know, it's, it's the end of an era. I think she was like, it's just, it's great.

That's fair.

That's fair.

Just be hot.

Just be hot.

And look, I don't think you're wrong. I think a lot of people have this take, right? She didn't do anything traditional in the sense of world building, but she did it her way.

And look, I don't think you're wrong. I think a lot of people have this take, right? She didn't do anything traditional in the sense of world building, but she did it her way.

And I think if we didn't have this almost like model that exists where you must create a world where you must have strong visuals, like for the purpose of this thesis, I think Dua Lipa is the perfect example of someone who did it wrong. Right. Okay. I think she did not build a strong visual identity around it because

And I think if we didn't have this almost like model that exists where you must create a world where you must have strong visuals, like for the purpose of this thesis, I think Dua Lipa is the perfect example of someone who did it wrong. Right. Okay. I think she did not build a strong visual identity around it because

I will argue that there is some information that the podcast cannot know that prevents people from seeing the real world that was built.

I will argue that there is some information that the podcast cannot know that prevents people from seeing the real world that was built.

is in that spectrum i think if you look at dua as a person right okay positive loves to enjoy nice things loves to read really values her intelligence and being well spoken and health and these are clear motifs that you see in her in her lifestyle right if her instagram was like a content strategy you you know who she is and what she likes and i think if you look at you know self-titled and future nostalgia they were really strong

is in that spectrum i think if you look at dua as a person right okay positive loves to enjoy nice things loves to read really values her intelligence and being well spoken and health and these are clear motifs that you see in her in her lifestyle right if her instagram was like a content strategy you you know who she is and what she likes and i think if you look at you know self-titled and future nostalgia they were really strong

visually i think she went like in on future nostalgia she couldn't go as in on radical optimism but i do think her lifestyle if we're just using social right really did reflect what she's trying to convey is like you're not gonna see me like hold up writing this album in a mountain because i'm sad over my breakup it's like i'm gonna go experience the world and show my taste through my newsletter and i have all these like multi-faceted things about me and i'm not gonna do

visually i think she went like in on future nostalgia she couldn't go as in on radical optimism but i do think her lifestyle if we're just using social right really did reflect what she's trying to convey is like you're not gonna see me like hold up writing this album in a mountain because i'm sad over my breakup it's like i'm gonna go experience the world and show my taste through my newsletter and i have all these like multi-faceted things about me and i'm not gonna do

the standard like little show pony things that everyone expects me to do. I'm going to do a really awesome show at the Royal Albert hall. And I'm going to like launch little activations with, with my, my fans. Right.

the standard like little show pony things that everyone expects me to do. I'm going to do a really awesome show at the Royal Albert hall. And I'm going to like launch little activations with, with my, my fans. Right.

Um, I do think that there were a lot of other lovers that she could have done. Like, I think one idea I had when I was really disappointed about the marketing initially was like, this red hair was such a moment for this album.

Um, I do think that there were a lot of other lovers that she could have done. Like, I think one idea I had when I was really disappointed about the marketing initially was like, this red hair was such a moment for this album.

Why wasn't there a London club? Right.

Why wasn't there a London club? Right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think that's why people were confused. Like why red hair, blue album, you know?

I think that's why people were confused. Like why red hair, blue album, you know?

Yeah, it's not connecting. But it's not for everyone.

Yeah, it's not connecting. But it's not for everyone.

Yeah. And if you weren't already in those existing worlds, it required you to do research.

Yeah. And if you weren't already in those existing worlds, it required you to do research.

And it in turn made all those people even more famous. Yeah.

And it in turn made all those people even more famous. Yeah.

I mean, like I'm on our creative director's Instagram right now. And like, it's just like this, this feed, man. Like she did such great work.

I mean, like I'm on our creative director's Instagram right now. And like, it's just like this, this feed, man. Like she did such great work.

I think it's fresh. I think it's unique. I think she's really someone who has taken a lot of time to sit and be with herself and be quite introspective. It's a cancer thing.

I think it's fresh. I think it's unique. I think she's really someone who has taken a lot of time to sit and be with herself and be quite introspective. It's a cancer thing.

Shout out cancers. But I'm done gatekeeping this quote from her. We can share this one. The most important thing she's ever said to me was the most glamorous thing you can do is have a real life. And I've taken that quote and I've internalized it, but I think... What makes her so cool and what makes her visuals and ethos and everything so strong is it's real for her All of this is real.

Shout out cancers. But I'm done gatekeeping this quote from her. We can share this one. The most important thing she's ever said to me was the most glamorous thing you can do is have a real life. And I've taken that quote and I've internalized it, but I think... What makes her so cool and what makes her visuals and ethos and everything so strong is it's real for her All of this is real.

None of this is a fantasy like even if she's you know romanticizing or being dramatic with certain things or like referencing things that aren't hers or creating perspectives from other people. Like at the end of the day, her life is her real life and she's going to create art through it. And so there's this high level glamour that comes from just like, I'm me and I'm a girl.

None of this is a fantasy like even if she's you know romanticizing or being dramatic with certain things or like referencing things that aren't hers or creating perspectives from other people. Like at the end of the day, her life is her real life and she's going to create art through it. And so there's this high level glamour that comes from just like, I'm me and I'm a girl.

And yes, I am like Lana Del Rey, but like, I like boys and love and I want to be in love. And like, who doesn't want that?

And yes, I am like Lana Del Rey, but like, I like boys and love and I want to be in love. And like, who doesn't want that?

Yeah.

Yeah.

How do you make an ugly thing beautiful?

How do you make an ugly thing beautiful?

And she does that so, so, so well, where it's like, you could say, okay, here's a leaf, like write about it. And she would make the most heart-wrenching poetry about this leaf, right? Because ultimately I think a lot of artists are artists and Lana is a poet. And first and foremost, she's always been a poet.

And she does that so, so, so well, where it's like, you could say, okay, here's a leaf, like write about it. And she would make the most heart-wrenching poetry about this leaf, right? Because ultimately I think a lot of artists are artists and Lana is a poet. And first and foremost, she's always been a poet.

She's not sitting in there like, okay, we have a songwriting session today, right? We're going to write Sports Car, amazing song. But it's her poetry throughout her life that she's writing, recording little audio notes of and like, you know, collecting it. It's raw. It's real. Like a lot of her music is voice notes too.

She's not sitting in there like, okay, we have a songwriting session today, right? We're going to write Sports Car, amazing song. But it's her poetry throughout her life that she's writing, recording little audio notes of and like, you know, collecting it. It's raw. It's real. Like a lot of her music is voice notes too.

It's just real.

It's just real.

I know a lot of people who have, you know, their, their vinyls up as art. And I think it's cool for me. The only way I've taken that is like, I like, I think it's beautiful to listen to your music and like, I love listening to vinyl, but if there's ever something where I want it on display or I want to protect the integrity of it, I will buy two of each.

I know a lot of people who have, you know, their, their vinyls up as art. And I think it's cool for me. The only way I've taken that is like, I like, I think it's beautiful to listen to your music and like, I love listening to vinyl, but if there's ever something where I want it on display or I want to protect the integrity of it, I will buy two of each.

You know, like, um, for example, not to bring her up again, but like the Lana boob vinyl, right. I'm listening to ocean Boulevard on my standard ocean Boulevard vinyl boob vinyl, never getting opened, but I'm also not displaying it. So I think it's interesting. Like for me, it's, it is art.

You know, like, um, for example, not to bring her up again, but like the Lana boob vinyl, right. I'm listening to ocean Boulevard on my standard ocean Boulevard vinyl boob vinyl, never getting opened, but I'm also not displaying it. So I think it's interesting. Like for me, it's, it is art.

And I think vinyl packaging is, it's the highest form of music art from a physical perspective, a tangible perspective. But yeah, that is interesting that like, you know, your point, the movie business never did it. Like, is everyone just going to release a poster?

And I think vinyl packaging is, it's the highest form of music art from a physical perspective, a tangible perspective. But yeah, that is interesting that like, you know, your point, the movie business never did it. Like, is everyone just going to release a poster?

Oh, she could.

Oh, she could.

We just got to figure out these label deals.

We just got to figure out these label deals.

Like, which is really interesting.

Like, which is really interesting.

I get it. I have a lot of thoughts. Okay. I'm going to summarize it as she's a Pisces.

I get it. I have a lot of thoughts. Okay. I'm going to summarize it as she's a Pisces.

I just think, okay, my honest take, Addison wants it. Madison doesn't want it.

I just think, okay, my honest take, Addison wants it. Madison doesn't want it.

It comes down to that.

It comes down to that.

It's interesting that you say that because I don't think like, yes, Addison did fail publicly many times. But I think as someone who's followed her career this whole time, maybe I just wasn't hating on it. But like, I didn't observe people hating on her. I do know that when Obsessed came out, like...

It's interesting that you say that because I don't think like, yes, Addison did fail publicly many times. But I think as someone who's followed her career this whole time, maybe I just wasn't hating on it. But like, I didn't observe people hating on her. I do know that when Obsessed came out, like...

people were hating on her but it's just like it i don't think it tarnished her trying still hate on her yes but like there's people who just cannot get on board with addison ray i've had this conversation with many people who work in the same and i'm like i'm sorry you don't understand you gotta get in that girl it's coming it's coming like you're gonna be so sorry you are like how do you love britney spears and not love addison ray how

people were hating on her but it's just like it i don't think it tarnished her trying still hate on her yes but like there's people who just cannot get on board with addison ray i've had this conversation with many people who work in the same and i'm like i'm sorry you don't understand you gotta get in that girl it's coming it's coming like you're gonna be so sorry you are like how do you love britney spears and not love addison ray how

It's very different.

It's very different.

I will say, I will defend her. Make You Mine was a reference to Jennifer's body.

I will say, I will defend her. Make You Mine was a reference to Jennifer's body.

But I think her early identity to what it is now, it's confusing. It's confused for sure. And I... I will argue I think it's probably just really hard to be that sexy and have to like fix that girl.

But I think her early identity to what it is now, it's confusing. It's confused for sure. And I... I will argue I think it's probably just really hard to be that sexy and have to like fix that girl.

Yeah, man. Me too. Thank you so much.

Yeah, man. Me too. Thank you so much.

Totally. I love how you've broken it down here. I mean, I don't really think about it in almost this like chart perspective, but I do look at it almost like, I guess the, the visual in my brain is almost like, like a Roblox or like Minecraft world. Yeah. Like a fake world, right?

Totally. I love how you've broken it down here. I mean, I don't really think about it in almost this like chart perspective, but I do look at it almost like, I guess the, the visual in my brain is almost like, like a Roblox or like Minecraft world. Yeah. Like a fake world, right?

Where it's like, okay, I'm walking through this. Like if an artist had like, like a Neopets world almost like Neopets, like when you're going to, you know, the gift shop or whatever, like what does each world look like if you're going to walk through it? And I've been thinking about this, like even before these.

Where it's like, okay, I'm walking through this. Like if an artist had like, like a Neopets world almost like Neopets, like when you're going to, you know, the gift shop or whatever, like what does each world look like if you're going to walk through it? And I've been thinking about this, like even before these.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Who greets you when you like land in the land?

Who greets you when you like land in the land?

Yeah. One of my favorite quotes is context is important, but not everyone deserves it.

Yeah. One of my favorite quotes is context is important, but not everyone deserves it.

I think Alana does that really well.

I think Alana does that really well.

She's telling you a lot without telling you anything versus some other artists who are really like world building and like throwing everything almost in your face.

She's telling you a lot without telling you anything versus some other artists who are really like world building and like throwing everything almost in your face.

So I think why can be told in many different ways, whether it's like poetry and you're dying to dive in and like learn every bit. Like, who is this about? Like, let's track down the, you know, timelines of, you know, the whole Stan behavior of like figuring things out versus like, oh, I'm going to tell you that this is what happened to me.

So I think why can be told in many different ways, whether it's like poetry and you're dying to dive in and like learn every bit. Like, who is this about? Like, let's track down the, you know, timelines of, you know, the whole Stan behavior of like figuring things out versus like, oh, I'm going to tell you that this is what happened to me.

Love this girl.

Love this girl.

You can't or you can?

You can't or you can?

Okay.

Okay.

I mean, I think like with how it's showing up online, there's, I would argue there's a lot of people who like listen that don't care because of the fact that it's just like, it's like an earworm kinda, but subconsciously you're like downloading her entire story.

I mean, I think like with how it's showing up online, there's, I would argue there's a lot of people who like listen that don't care because of the fact that it's just like, it's like an earworm kinda, but subconsciously you're like downloading her entire story.

Not everyone's a freak.

Not everyone's a freak.

I want to say like it was timing for her specifically in terms of like what distribution channels were available at the time. But if you think about who like has referenced her, right? If you talk about like Lana's daughters in the music business, like Billie, Nessa Barrett, Madison Beer, for example. Yeah.

I want to say like it was timing for her specifically in terms of like what distribution channels were available at the time. But if you think about who like has referenced her, right? If you talk about like Lana's daughters in the music business, like Billie, Nessa Barrett, Madison Beer, for example. Yeah.

All of them are kind of taking a play in her book while saying like, okay, we're going to show this through visuals. We're going to show this through having like really public breakups. We're going to show this through whatever it is that we're going through. You're kind of going to know about it, but we're not going to give you everything.

All of them are kind of taking a play in her book while saying like, okay, we're going to show this through visuals. We're going to show this through having like really public breakups. We're going to show this through whatever it is that we're going through. You're kind of going to know about it, but we're not going to give you everything.

And I'm trying to think, um, like we might have to get this out, but something Lana did tell me once when we're talking about world building for her and like when she shot down ideas of mine, she said, it's not for everyone. Point blank period.

And I'm trying to think, um, like we might have to get this out, but something Lana did tell me once when we're talking about world building for her and like when she shot down ideas of mine, she said, it's not for everyone. Point blank period.

And I took that and like really applied it to my entire life and started gatekeeping myself so hard.

And I took that and like really applied it to my entire life and started gatekeeping myself so hard.

But we were having kind of like we were talking about like boys, I think, and like dating and love and what, you know, different songs meant. And she was explaining what certain songs meant that she hasn't publicly explained. And when I asked like ways to kind of or when I was pitching ways to. share it online or share it through her community. She was like, it's not for everyone.

But we were having kind of like we were talking about like boys, I think, and like dating and love and what, you know, different songs meant. And she was explaining what certain songs meant that she hasn't publicly explained. And when I asked like ways to kind of or when I was pitching ways to. share it online or share it through her community. She was like, it's not for everyone.

Hi, everyone. My name is Kalisha. I've been working in the music business for basically my entire life. I got my start being extremely online, running a One Direction fan account, and now I have experience working at various record labels like Epic Records and Interscope Records, leading digital strategies for some of your favorite artists. I need to breathe.

Hi, everyone. My name is Kalisha. I've been working in the music business for basically my entire life. I got my start being extremely online, running a One Direction fan account, and now I have experience working at various record labels like Epic Records and Interscope Records, leading digital strategies for some of your favorite artists. I need to breathe.

So I think people taking pages in that book were like, interesting. I don't, I don't know if Billy has outwardly said the things like the topics that her album is about. I think she has done a little bit more storytelling than someone like Lana would.

So I think people taking pages in that book were like, interesting. I don't, I don't know if Billy has outwardly said the things like the topics that her album is about. I think she has done a little bit more storytelling than someone like Lana would.

But she's never outwardly being like, this song is about Jesse Rutherford.

But she's never outwardly being like, this song is about Jesse Rutherford.

I don't think she said that.

I don't think she said that.

It's very implied.

It's very implied.

Right?

Right?

And there's like worlds being built around songs like that where it's like when she's playing it at the concert and like definitely Carlson's in the audience. Like, you know, everyone's like, ah, it's so crazy. Right, right, right.

And there's like worlds being built around songs like that where it's like when she's playing it at the concert and like definitely Carlson's in the audience. Like, you know, everyone's like, ah, it's so crazy. Right, right, right.

Yeah. It's personal at the end of the day and like everything is subjective.

Yeah. It's personal at the end of the day and like everything is subjective.