WorldArts Daily (video)

With his acoustic-inspired songwriting, sleek soulful tone, and island feel, Sam Kiles draws from classics like Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, to The Beatles and Michael Jackson. Born and raised in the Fiji Islands in a family of musicians, he fostered a blend of reggae and soul with hints of contemporary folk and bluesy undertones.

With his acoustic-inspired songwriting, sleek soulful tone, and island feel, Sam Kiles draws from classics like Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, to The Beatles and Michael Jackson. Born and raised in the Fiji Islands in a family of musicians, he fostered a blend of reggae and soul with hints of contemporary folk and bluesy undertones.

An avid writer, Blake Vaz enjoys expressing himself through written word, be it prose, poetry, song writing or screen writing. This has opened the door to get involved in the film industry, as a writer, director and producer.

His multiple projects include:

Adventure Nation, an outdoor adventure reality show which he co-hosts and produces. AdventureNationUsa.com

The Mulberry Purple, a rock band co-founded 15 years ago by Blake and with three EP’s releases. The band is currently recording new material. TheMulberryPurple.com

Valagardo Productions, an independent film production company, currenlty producing three short films and a webseries. ValagardoProductions.com

The Bunker Diaries, a podcast about nothing and everything. Blake co-hosts the monthly podcast. TheBunkerDiaries.com

As the Digital Content Manager for Walton Isaacson, ‘The Planet’s Most Interesting Agency’, Blake has had the opportunity to create unique multicultural digital content for international brands like Lexus, McDonald’s and Wells Fargo.

Blake is currently producing season three of the Emmy Nominated music show “VIDALEXUS Presenta Té Para Tres con Pili Montilla.” and was recently nominated for his work as the producer of season two of the aclamated show.

Blake Vaz:

Blake Vaz is a singer, writer, musician, director, and Emmy Nominated producer who is constantly expanding his involvement in different areas of entertainment, arts and sport.

As the lead singer of the rock band The Mulberry Purple, Blake Vaz has toured and played hundreds of amazing shows since his teen years. With a few EP's under his belt and numerous collaborations with great local and international musicians, his musical repertoire continues to grow. His vocal style combines soulfoulness, power and at times agressivenes which allows him to jump across genres with his singing.

With the recording of their EP's, ...when the music fades, and The Auguries of Sound, The Mulberry Purple was able to package the characteristic energy of their live shows into a product that has been successful in attracting many more to their powerful style, sound and music. Although you may initially be tempted to compare TMP to great bands that have ruled the world of rock, you will quickly discover this musical force is in an arena of its own. 

These days the band is more focused on recording quality material over performing live shows and are currently working with a couple of licensing firms to place their new music on TV and film.

The Mulberry Purple is a pulse-pounding, high-voltage rock band that throws all its inner energy in your face while it grips you with the intensity of their lyrics. Their musical roots can be traced back to the border town of Juarez, Mexico, a city whose musical blend is as diverse and rich as its culture and people. Inspired by such background, they've created a sound that merges the classic concept of straight up rock with their Latin musical roots into a fusion that is reminiscent of the heyday of rock.

L.A. based members Blake Vaz (vocals), Julio Cervantes (bass) and David Aguilar (guitar), have successfully rocked local and international fans at renowned venues through out Mexico, the southwest and local staples such as the Roxy, the Viper Room and The Troubadour. Word of their crowd shaking performances has spread rapidly and each show the numbers only escalate. 

Kison began voice lessons at the age of eight. She was selected as part of a Minnesota Grants project to become classically trained under the direction of soprano, Maria Williams-Kennedy at the Bel Canto Studio of Voice. Ms. Williams-Kennedy has performed in numerous roles with the Indiana University Opera Theater, Arizona Opera, Indianapolis Symphony and Metropolitan Theater of Opera in New York City. One day Ms. Williams-Kennedy put on an Etta James song and told Kison to sing along. “It came easy to me,” Kison said, “It’s what I was supposed to be singing. It’s what was in my soul. God put this music in me for a reason and day by day I am seeing the purpose."

Kison's debut album, "Believe" was produced in entirety by Rahki. When she began working on the project, it was planned to be only a demo CD, but it took on a life of its own after only a few months of working together. 

Kison was invited back to the Target Center three times last season, singing the National Anthem twice for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and once for the Minnesota Lynx, who went on to win the WNBA Championship.

Kison teamed up with VH1's SAVE THE MUSIC foundation and released a Christmas album titled "Merry Christmas: The Kison Collection". A portion of the proceeds went to the foundation to help keep music programs implemented in high schools across the country.

A newcomer to Los Angeles, but hailing from Northern Minnesota, Kison (real name Kim Swanson) is garnering attention not only for her soulful singing ability, but her songwriting as well.

Kison (KEE-SIN) released her sophomore R&B/Pop album, "Part Hero, Part Woman" featuring production from the innovative King Karnov, and GRAMMY award winning producers Rahki, and 88-Keys. In addition to her album, she also released singles with GRAMMY award winning producer Symbolyc One (Beyonce’s “Best Thing I Never Had”, Kanye West’s “POWER”) and Australian heavy hitter, M-Phazes.