PHOTO GALLERY: OSHEAGA MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MONTREAL
Osheaga Festival kicked off its three-day jaunt to the delight of fans on August 4th, last Friday. The festival was held at Parc-Jean-Drapeau in Montreal and featured incredible performances from a wide range of different genres and artists like Rina Sawayana, Gabriels, Soccer Mommy, Cults, Carly Rae Jepsen, Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, Tom Odell, Rema, Bille Eilish, Fletcher, Sofi Tukker, Lil Yachty, and many many more.
You can view a photo gallery of some selects from the festival below from photographer Sophie Bouquillon.
All photos by photographer Sophie Bouquillon
INTERVIEW WITH… CONNECTICUT INDIE EMO ROCK BAND THE INSIDE OUT
INTERVIEW WITH… INDIE EMO ROCK BAND THE INSIDE OUT
THE INSIDE OUT
Connecticut Emo rockers The Inside Out are thrilling audiences and collecting new fans with their satisfying mix of Indie Pop and Emo Rock. Their debut album "No Brains, No Blood" was released late last year, and the band which is comprised of James Howard, Zach Stout, John Landino, and Andi Wright, recently played a show at NYC's famed The Bowery on February 11th. I talked with the group about their album release show, any musical influences, the debut album, and much more which you can read below.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, guys let’s just dive in. Talk about your upbringing? How pivotal was music to each of you then? Were there any artists or bands that shaped those early years?
JAMES OF THE INSIDE OUT: I personally didn’t even think of music at all until I was about 9 when my parents bought me a Tama drum set. My dad set it up in our backyard shed at the time with some lights and when I could, I would go and practice. I was in band and drumline up until my freshman year of high school. However, I started playing football and didn’t pay much mind to music for a year or so after that.
(cont.) My younger brother Nick was taking guitar lessons and I would always hear him playing and shredding away in his room. To be honest, I loved hearing how his lessons would go, and it inspired me to mess around on the guitar with him and later take up the bass. I loved the idea of being self-taught and bought an acoustic guitar off a friend for $20. I started teaching myself and got a little Peavey amp for Christmas. I rarely left my bedroom practicing that next summer, unless I was walking around the neighborhood and hanging with my friends.
(cont.) I honestly haven’t stopped with music in general since. I got a lot of my early influences from bands such as Taking Back Sunday, Green Day, Modest Mouse, Brand New, and The Killers. There are so many more bands I used to listen to and love but those are really the ones that stuck with me.
ZACH OF THE INSIDE OUT: Starting with the Suzuki method for cello at age 3, my appreciation for classical music was spawned. A little later in my childhood, my dad was a major influence in getting me hip to classic rock; we’d jam out all the time in the car to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and whatever else Sirius XM Classic Vinyl was playing. I decided to vastly expand my musical horizons again in the fourth grade when I picked up guitar and bassoon, before deciding to teach myself guitar after the fifth grade.
JOHN OF THE INSIDE OUT: Growing up I remember just being obsessed with my mom’s CD collection. She had a lot of RnB and movie soundtracks that exposed me to a lot of different stuff. Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose” comes to mind haha. I also remember jamming to Notorious BIG’s Life After Death album on the way to elementary school every day. That was lit.
(cont.) Coincidentally, I discovered Blink 182 around the same time I got a guitar in my hands for the first time, so naturally, I became obsessed with everything in their orbit and wanted to play it all. I feel extremely lucky to have been exposed to so much good music and to be alive at this point in time.
ANDI OF THE INSIDE OUT: I started listening to Aerosmith, Meat Loaf, and ‘90s boy bands when I was 5 years old, thanks to my trusty boom box that I still use to this day to play CDs and cassettes. I started learning piano around that time but ended up not sticking with it because my teacher scared my first-grade brain away with time signature fractions.
(cont.) The first time I really got into music that wasn’t what my parents put on in the car, it was the album The Young and the Hopeless by Good Charlotte when I was 9-10 years old. I started to gain more appreciation for music in middle school when Pop-Punk was at its prime with Green Day, Paramore, Blink-182, MCR, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, and so many more. I dabbled with various instruments as a kid, but it wasn’t until 10th grade.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did The Inside Out form?
THE INSIDE OUT: We formed in early 2020 with Zach, Andi, and James, but we didn’t reach our final form until early 2021 when we snagged John off of a craigslist ad, haha. The band had a few different lineups from 2017-2019, varying from some of James’ high school and college friends, but nothing that really stuck. Honestly, he considers most of those times super fun and enlightening, which led this project to where it is now, but nothing has been official to him since the current lineup.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Is there a set creative/recording process you have as a band? what was for this new release? How did you approach the creative and writing process this time on your latest release, "No Brains, No Blood”?
THE INSIDE OUT: Our creative process for songwriting usually stems from an idea James has dabbled with on his acoustic guitar and then presents to the full band. We’ll jam on it for hours if we like it enough. Each member will start dropping in their own flair and originality, and sooner than later we have a new song idea. Sometimes the best fuel for songwriting and creativity is taking a step away, walking around downtown, grabbing some drinks or food, and just talking about it.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What are some goals you hope to accomplish as a band this year?
THE INSIDE OUT: We’re looking to continue to expand our horizons and play at new venues and cities as much as possible, and we’re hoping to make new friends and fans along the way! A major goal is to continue to introduce lovers of indie/alt-rock to our latest album No Brains, No Blood., and we’re looking to release some fresh tunes by the end of this year.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I read that you’re playing at The Bowery in NYC coming up on February 11th. How are you prepping for that show and what are most excited for?
THE INSIDE OUT: We've been doing a lot of rehearsing and trying to refine the setlist. This is our first time playing the big stage at Bowery so we want that show to be the absolute best it can be. We’re also really excited to see all our NYC friends and family. It's gonna be an epic night for sure!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to create your dream festival to headline what other three artists past or present would you pick as your co-headliners and why?
THE INSIDE OUT: Ooh, it’s tough to narrow our answer down to just three. Inner Wave, The Audiots, and Tame Impala would be super fun to play on a bill with. We have so much respect for the artistry that led each respective band to where they all are now, and those vibey, dancy strains of indie-rock that they’re each known for would mesh nicely with our sound.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: So, to close what's next on the horizon for The Inside Out?
THE INSIDE OUT: Good times are on the horizon! This year we’re looking to play a bunch of shows and go on tour in the fall. We’ve started writing our next album, which is more upbeat and dancy than our last, and we plan to release new music and a music video by the end of this year.
STREAM THE INSIDE OUT’S DEBUT ALBUM “NO BRAINS, NO BLOOD” OUT NOW
PHOTO GALLERY: 65TH GRAMMY Awards® WEEK EVENTS + PARTIES | 2023 MUSICARES persons of the year HONORING BERRY GORDY + SMOKEY ROBINSON
Hollywood is abuzz with GRAMMY® fever this week. The who’s who amongst the music scene clamoring about the glittering events and parties held for the annual occasion culminating this Sunday with the official GRAMMY Awards® ceremony.
On February 3rd, Motown living legends Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson were honored at the Los Angeles Convention Center as the MusiCares Persons Of The Year for 2023. A host of special guests and performers were in attendance including John Legend, Elton John, The Four Tops, Marcus Mumford, Sheryl Crow, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Trombone Shorty, Brandi Carlile, Molly Tuttle, and many more. You can view a photo gallery if the event below. All images are courtesy of Getty Images for The Recording Academy.
PHOTO GALLERY: 65TH GRAMMY Awards® WEEK EVENTS + PARTIES | RECORDING ACADEMY HONORS PRESENTED BY THE BLACK MUSIC COLLECTIVE
Hollywood is abuzz with GRAMMY® fever this week. The who’s who amongst the music scene clamoring about the glittering events and parties held for the annual occasion culminating this Sunday with the official GRAMMY Awards® ceremony.
Last night, on February 2nd, the second annual Recording Academy Honors at the Hollywood Palladium. This year’s honorees were Missy Elliot, Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, and Epic Records CEO Sylvia Rhone, as the event honors the past, present, and future of, Hip-Hop, Black artists, and music. You can view a photo gallery below. All images are courtesy of Getty Images for The Recording Academy.
INTERVIEW WITH LONDON’S MODERN DARK POP chanteuse LUX LYALL
INTERVIEW WITH LONDON’S MODERN DARK POP CHANTEUSE LUX LYALL
London-Based Dark Pop Artist LUX LYALL bridges the gap between modern pop, early 90s grunge girls like PJ Harvey,and torch songs. All while incorporating her multicultural roots and life stories. “Draw Blood” is her latest release and the second single from her forthcoming release, “Runaway Bridge”. The track's orgin story tells the story of a abusive relationship with Lyall ultimately finding the song a difficult but cathartic experience. In an interview I did with Lux late last year, we talked about the single, Christmas Holidays, her favorite record of 2022, and more all of which you can read below. THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Thanks for chatting with me at TRB, Lux. To start, How are you doing? How was 2022 for you both professionally and personally?
LUX LYALL: I'm doing good thanks! Personally, 2022 was the best year I’ve had since I was a small child probably. Professionally I’m trying to pull things up to speed. I’ve had a lot of changes post releasing my debut album VAMP in 2020. I'm taking on practically all aspects of my work myself now so I have more control over how things go and are released. It's hard but it's what I want.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What did you get up to over the holiday season?
LUX LYALL: I was lucky enough to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Cyprus where I grew up with my sister and my fiancé. We hung out on her farm with her horses, dogs, and multiple cats. It was pretty perfect.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Continuing on this theme, do you have a favorite Holiday themed song or movie that gives you immediate warmth and nostalgia?
LUX LYALL: River by Joni Mitchell is my favourite holiday song. It makes me cry but I love it. This year we watched Black Christmas, I think that’s now a tradition.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Moving forward, Tell me about your background before you were an artist? How growing up in a multicultural family and being multi-racial yourself has possibly influenced your sound and music? Also, has music also played a role in your life?
LUX LYALL: Music has played a huge role in my life. It was the first thing I was really passionate about and obsessed with. It still is despite being kind of coloured by the more I learn about the industry-heh
Being from a multicultural multiracial family is a dominating part of who I am. It's influenced my work in many ways, mostly the consistent sense of displacement. I didn’t grow up with people who were like me, and my parents are first-generation immigrants to a more western world and culture, so we were very different and detached while I was growing up. We're extremely close now but I know me trying to figure myself out in situations where I didn’t know anyone like me gave them a lot of grief.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I would like to talk about your new song, “Draw Blood”. Can you talk about the track’s origin story? And how the recording and writing process was like?
LUX LYALL: The origin story is difficult to talk about. I referred to it briefly not thinking that it would be the main takeaway from the song (which I guess in some way is something I need to address and unpack…)
I had a lot of bad relationships. Some of them were emotionally and mentally manipulative, in one instance I was physically hurt by a partner. Draw Blood
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What fictional character do you think would most identify with the Lux Lyall sound and aesthetic?
LUX LYALL: It would be a girls’ gang composed of the following: Audrey Horne-Twin Peaks, Lux Lisbon-The Virgin Suicides, Alabama Beggs - Save me the Waltz, Lily Bart-The House of Mirth, Norma Desmond - Sunset Boulevard & Jennifer North - Valley of the Dolls.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And my last two questions, what is your pick for the best album of 2022?
LUX LYALL: Preachers Daughter by Ethel Cain
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And... Is there anything else you would like to add? Thanks again, Lux!
LUX LYALL: Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. My second album will be out this year and I’m looking forward to playing more live shows again!
STREAM LUX LYALLS’ NEW SINGLE “DRAW BLOOD” OUT NOW
INTERVIEW WITH THE 134TH ANNUAL ROSE PARADE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD
INTERVIEW WITH THE 134TH ANNUAL ROSE PARADE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD OF ALTADENA
On New Year's Eve, I got to speak with one of the members of the 2023 Rose Court, this year's Rose Queen, Bella Ballard. The seventeen-year-old hails from Altadena, and is a Soccer extraordinaire, as she not only plays the sport with several clubs, she is a volunteer soccer coach with Chelsea Football Club. A senior at the distance learning school, The Ogburn School, Bella also enjoys collecting vinyl records, chess, astrophysics, and volunteering. It's these myriad talents, smarts, and extra-curricular activities which Bella and the rest of the young women chosen for the 134th Rose Court exemplify. In my interview below, we chatted about her life as the 134th Rose Queen, her journey to the court, her life growing up in Altadena (which happens to be my hometown as well), and her life post-Rose Court.
This interview has edited for clarity.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: First, congrats to you, Queen Bella, and thanks for taking the time. To start can you talk some about your journey to the Rose Court and ultimately Rose Queen? Was this something that you always wanted to do and be?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: So, my journey started out as my family is from Altadena, so I’m a huge fan of the Tournament Of Roses and the Rose Parade which I watch every year. I thought why not try out that’s how my journey started, I went through the interview process, and eventually, I was selected to become a member of the Royal Court. That was an amazing day and it just started a lifetime of amazing opportunities. A couple of weeks later I was selected to become the 2023 Rose Queen, so it was probably one of the highlights of my life and definitely high school.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: So, you’re one of two on the court that's from Altadena (I'm from there as well). What has been your favorite thing about growing up in such a relatively small town like Altadena?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: My dad grew up in Altadena as well, so I’m really a third-generation Altadena resident. It's really just a sense of community and just home that Altadena feels like to me. I grew up there, my Dad grew up there, and my Grandparents moved here a long time ago. Altadena is such a special place, and it's the perfect place for me.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Yeah, I would, I would say the same thing as well. You kind of get that feeling of a small town meets a big city as well since it’s so close to many other things.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yeah. All my neighbors were so ecstatic when I was selected to be queen. They sent over flowers, I mean, they're all supportive. My family is more than supportive, so it really is the community.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: It’s really great to have that experience, particularly growing up.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yes. Definitely!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How has this experience helped you grow as a person and young woman? What has this experience helped you discover about yourself?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: This experience with Tournament Of Roses is so unique and so special. We all get media training and speech training, etiquette training even. It’s such a unique experience and all the members of the Royal Court come from such diverse backgrounds. We all have such intellectual curiosity, and we have dreams and goals. So we come together in such a unique way that we can really balance each other out.
I think learning how to deal with so many interviews and so many events and then meeting new people. That's something that I think is really special about the Tournament Of Roses and being a member of the Royal Court.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What appearance that you’ve done has been either your favorite or has stuck out the most to you so far?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: We've attended a wide range of events. I think one of the ones that stood out to me the most was it was early on was on Halloween, we all dressed up as our Harry Potter houses and we went to Huntington Hospital. We gotta visit a couple kids there and hand out candy in little goody bags and just kind of make their day a little better, and take photos with them and greet them. Just do whatever we could at the moment to make their Halloween a little more special.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can I ask what Harry Potter House were you?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: I was in Gryffindor. I’m a Gryffindor.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Okay, cool.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What advice would you give to another young girl who would want to kind of go on the same type of journey?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: I would have to say there's not one path to success. I mean, as an online student with a passion, for soccer and astrophysics, and economics. That there's not one path to, quote-unquote, success. Being the Rose Queen is a tremendous opportunity and responsibility that has opened so many new doors for me that I can't wait to experience. That path there was so winding and so chaotic. I mean, a year ago today, if you told me I would have been the 2023 Rose Queen. I would have probably called your bluff and never believed you. So, I just think that there's not one path to success and everyone's journey is a little different.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: You mentioned that your doing online schooling. I did homeschooling as well when I was younger. I’m curious to know how you think that experience either helped or hampered your experience as Rose Queen?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Online school has always offered me flexibility, Especially since I play soccer and with all the traveling doing that. That has kind of continued that amount of flexibility into my duties as the Rose Queen. So, I do have a little bit more flexible time and a little bit more time management. I can talk to my teachers and just let them know what's happening. I don't envy the other girls in their traditional schooling ways.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: You're big into sports, particularly soccer can talk some about that? What are your goals with the sport?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yeah, I've been playing soccer basically my entire life. My mom played Division One soccer at LMU. My dad plays soccer and was coaching. He played a whole bunch of sports, so we're really a sports family. So I got into soccer because I loved it and I still do. My goal, and it's still my goal, is to play professional soccer, either in the US or in Europe. It's one of my biggest dreams, and also to play Division One soccer in college. So I've been playing soccer my whole life. I've traveled to different countries including moving to Michigan to play soccer. So, soccer is a big part of who I am, and it's really helped me along this journey.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: At the end, since you mentioned that it's really helped you along this journey, is there any kind of specifics that you can get into that you would say that has helped you along and will continue to help you along?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yeah, I think soccer is such a unique sport, and I think my dad and mom have always taught me that if you don't love it, just don't do it. So, I think my passion for pretty much everything in academics and athletics, has carried over into other aspects of my life. For soccer, I've done a couple interviews, I've been on the news, and I've done youtube videos. So that interview aspect has continued over to being the Rose Queen. Um, and soccer is such a hard sport to play, so I think that my discipline and time management skills going into playing soccer have also transitioned into this.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Are there any kind of specific goals that you want to accomplish as we go into the new year?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yes, I'm excited for 2023. I can't wait to start college, to finish up my duties on the Royal Court to really get on to the community, to continue to help people, to continue my passion for soccer, and hopefully, continue to place for professional soccer this summer. Helping my sister play tennis, she’s a tennis athlete, learning how to drive. That's a big one. Yeah. I think 2023 is gonna be a great year.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Are you a little bit nervous about the Rose Parade and your ride on Monday? I just want to kind of want to get your mindset?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yeah, I mean, I'm extremely excited. I just can't wait to, you know, it's the big day. It's what we've kind of been talking about, and looking forward to this entire time. So I'm more excited than anything. I'm also a little sad that this whole journey is coming to a slow end, but I know we have a couple of events scattered throughout the new year in 2023. So, it's not over yet, but I'm just looking forward to parade day, the game. I can't wait for that and just, you know, finally turning the corner.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Since you mentioned turning the corner what does the turning the corner theme mean to you? And how will you choose to embody that theme as we go forward into the new year?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yeah, I mean, to me, turning the corner represents the strength and resilience through tough times that can be shown through academics, athletics, personal life, even through Covid I think embodying that symbol of turning the corner, just to get past it and to better yourselves through opportunities new experiences and just new ways to grow.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Is there anybody I guess in your personal life, or just anybody that you know of that specifically embodies this theme of ‘turning the corner’ best?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: I would have to say, my younger sister, Samantha, I think she really embodies the theme ‘turning the corner’. Through her strength, her creativity, her ambitions in tennis and academics. I think she embodies the theme.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I want to ask you some questions about pop culture and music because I did read that you had a big collection of vinyl and a retro record player.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: I-I love vinyl.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: So I wanted to ask you what your favorite vinyl is from your collection, and if you and the rest of the Rose Court listened to any kind of music during your journey? Or if you guys had any playlists?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Well, I think it's so hard to take a favorite record. I think most recently I've been listening to The Weeknd, Taylor Swift. I have a couple of Beatles albums. I have a Fleetwood Mac album. For Christmas, I just got a Lady Lady Gaga album from my sister. As a court, I think we don't really listen to too much music as a court because we're kind of struggling with college apps at the moment, but when we do put something on it's usually more upbeat for fun. We like to listen to Katy Perry, and sometimes Harry Styles. So yeah, I think we have a wide range of music tastes in this group. We like to mess around with each other and play interesting song choices.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Which Harry Styles album?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: His most recent one, I forget what it's called. Harry House. That one!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Do you have a specific memory from this experience that sticks out to you most or that you treasure more?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: The day of the coronation, before I was crowned we were kind of all getting ready in the tournament house. We had our interview suits on, and I think all of us were just in the moment. We were so ecstatic about what was gonna happen. We were so nervous, jumping up and down, and just that moment of calmness before like, the storm. So, I think we were soaking it all in when we were all princesses, and we all had on the green dress. I think that was the moment that kind of sticks out to me.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What three words would you use to describe your experience overall on the Rose Court and as Rose Queen?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Wow. I would have to say. Unique. I think it's a perfect word for that. Another word is Best Friends. Because you're gonna gain six new best friends that will last a lifetime and the third one would have to be ‘Memorable’.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Is there anything that you are most looking forward to when you're riding the float or will you just be taking it all it?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: I would have to say with this year’s theme ‘turning the corner’ that moment when we turn the corner from Orange Grove to Colorado it's gonna be so special. That's probably the moment I think we're all looking forward to the most. All our family's gonna be there in the grandstands. Um, That's kind of the first moment of this is actually happening. So, I'm most looking forward to that.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I read that you were named after both of your great-grandmothers. I just wanted to know more about that. I thought that was really nice and sweet.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yeah, so my great-grandmother on my dad's side Rose. So, I got my middle name from her and Yaeko is a middle name passed down through my mom, who has that middle name, and my great-grandmother on my mom's side also has that middle name. So, it’s kind of special because Rose as in obviously Rose and Yaeko means kind of like a bouquet of flowers in Japanese.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Wow, there are a lot of things that seem fitting and quite serendipitous in you becoming the Rose Queen. That's very, very interesting.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: And here's a fun fact. So we all have numbers, and they don't have your names or know anything about us, and I was number 134. Obviously, this year's parade is the 134 year.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Oh, wow, that’s insane….
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: I know.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Well, my middle name is Rose too. I'm named after my grandmother actually.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Wow, that's so special.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: So, yeah, I also find that a big thing with the Rose Parade is tradition and as I was reading your bio and all of that. I noticed that you and your family seem like they're really into traditions and things. Are there going to be any new traditions that your family has now added with you being Rose Queen or anything?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Oh man, I don't think anything has been added but we have a tradition in the new for the new year with my mom’s side of the family, my Japanese side of the family. Where we all roll sushi and eat soba noodles to kind of bring in the New Year with good luck and good fortune. And of course, when we roll sushi we watch the Rose Parade. So I think the rolling of the sushi will be postponed just a little bit, but that's kind of our New year's tradition that involves the Rose Parade. But I think this year is gonna be so much more special because they're obviously gonna be in California and watching me on a float.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: As I was trying to prep for this interview. I also noticed how multicultural and diverse this year’s Rose Court felt and how it truly hit upon the themes mentioned in ‘Turning The Corner’. I just want to kind of get your thoughts on that.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: Yeah, I think we're such a diverse court through and through. Yes, with ethnicity we are diverse in that aspect but also our interests, our hobbies and our passions for the future are also so diverse because we are all so different. We come from such different backgrounds. But I think it's so special that way as we’re able to bond so quickly.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I just kind of wanted to end it on Is there anything that I forgot to ask you, or what's next on the horizon for you?
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: No. I don't think I have anything else.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Other than that, congrats on being the Rose Queen. Ah, I hope you have a really fantastic time on parade day. I can't wait to see you on your float going by. I'm gonna be there.
ROSE QUEEN BELLA BALLARD: That’s amazing! Well, I'll make sure to it wave your way then. And Happy New Year!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Happy New Year!
