Feature Friday Special #3:
Durand Bernarr & Emil Foster
To be completely honest, I couldn't wait to write this Feature Friday special. I personally promote, and strongly support these two individuals, as they are very talented. Without further a due I present to you; Ðuяand♫βərnαrr and •EmiL~F0st3r•. God knows these two individuals have very different stories so, follow me as I dive into the music pool.
To say the least, I guess it's safe to say, it's NO surprise that these two individuals are Cleveland, OH natives, have similar tastes in music and treasure the gift of music as much more than a hobby or a nice thing, but as a gift as precious as dear as life itself. However, lets take a closer look, and lay out the cards of these free cell artists.
Durand Bernarr, also known as alcoholharmony, has his hands in so much. I'd be highly surprised if you didn't know who he is. Most known for his popular YouTube channel, and his fairly recent Alcoholharmony Mixt@pe release, this unmatched artist is bound to make it to the top of the music industry.
I'm excited to announce he's working on several projects, which include another mixtape with a projected release date for Valentines Day '10; entitled "8ight: The Stepson of Erykah Badu". Which will be reviewed, featured, and available for download on this blogsite only. In the mean time enjoy the first single from the mixtape, "Incarcerated Intuition".
Other projects that are in the works include the "OptimiSkeptic" EP, "80's Baby" album and it's mixtape prelude "Sometime In December 1989". "Durand Bernarr is constantly growing [and] often intimidated by other males artists which causes him to push to be better", even with such a beautiful gift he's only just now become comfortable with HIS gift.
Taking that fact into consideration Durand is very weary of those who wish to have 'his voice' or 'his gift' as it comes with a burden only he was equipped to carry. As is every gift, with every artist. An artists music is a projection and a self-immolated reflection of their struggles, life, failures, fears, joy and sorrows. There are so many faces to Durand Bernarr.
If you want to see more of Durand; you should catch him in theater. His most recent theater involvements include "God's Trombones" & "101 Dalmatians" that just closed in mid-December at the Karamu House. Check out his Music myspace, Twitter, and Facebook. Enjoy this video of Durand's latest musical stylings.
Now lets delve into the artist known as Emil Foster, shall we. Emil, is not as popular as his counterpart Durand, but has a talent that is equally as beautiful and unique. Down to earth, a music lover, an emotional singer, a creationist, and musical chef are all adjectives of what you hear when you listen to the music of Emil Foster.
Emil is a recent graduate of Livingstone College, and now holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance and Theater Arts. He grew up singing in various choirs, including The Jubilee Singers, The Greater Cleveland Youth Choral Performing Arts Troupe, and The 93 FM WZAK Youth Choir; and with musical influences that are so eclectically spread, they cannot be listed.
Emil, or as I call him; "The Music Chef", has been cooking some really wonderful mixes that can not be ignored. Can you smell what Emil is cooking? Some of his most recent musical activities include going to Novafeltria, Italy as one of sixty-four vocalist choosen to participate in a 6-week classical training program called; "La Musica Lirica".
Even with Emil's heavy classical music background, his eclectic taste and hunger for music has evolved, as he looks for "real singers". You can catch Emil at open mic sessions displaying his gift and underground concert events being a slave to his love of music. His most popular video on YouTube being his "Blueberry Molasses" video. (Click here to view)
Emil's body of work on YouTube is NOT deep or dense as other YouTubers, but is solid and speaks for itself. Emil strongly suggests that you get into the music of his counterparts Durand Bernarr, Shauny J and Emma Weisberg. To see/ hear more of Emil check out his YouTube and Twitter. Enjoy this video which I'd like to dub as one of the best YouTube posts by Emil.
