Photo-Shoot Q&A
Mosaic Souls had a photoshoot with some DMV artists. During the photo shoot we took some time to have a conversation about what they would like to see on this platform and what type of events they would like for us to host.
We got some really great feedback and could always use more.
TAKE OUR SURVEY & JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Top Left To Right: Nights (Poet & Writer), Dkeyz (Rapper), Ray (Blogger & Writer),
Bottom Left To Right: Brandon (Blogger & Writer), SollikeSoul (Singer, Writer, Youtuber)
Photo Taken By: AYO
MS:
First, mosaic souls is going to be a digital platform for artists in the area, shining light on conversations they would like to have. It's going to create an open and honest space so that you all can talk about whatever y'all want to talk about whether political, love oriented, or art related. We always see the same people in art spaces that are getting spotlighted, but we don't find it fair, because it limits people from learning about other artists. Hopefully we'll get more artists that will want to talk about different things. Some may prefer to come on and talk solely about their art, like an upcoming project --which is cool. But we're trying to encourage a conversation like "Why'd you make the art?" What stops you from making the art? Or what are some other things you do besides the art that you're known for? Or we could talk about some struggles and success with specific industries. Just deeper conversation. Ya Know?
Night:
Like an origin of who they are?
Ms:
Yeah, let's get to know you as a person instead of you just as an artist.
So our first set of questions are
What kind of conversations would you listen to? Or what's the number one form you would like to hear about this stuff? Through video, podcast? How would you prefer to tune in?
Brandon:
I like videos
Ray:
I mean I like podcasts, but they're hard to get into. I feel like you have to do the most in order to catch and keep people's attention.
Brandon:
I think with videos you have the opportunity to read their body language and you can really get a sense of who they are, because with podcasts you don't really get that... Like it may sound good, but if you see them you could be like, "yeah I'm not really f****** with them. They talked some good s*** but they ain't really bout some of that s***."
mS:
Do you all have any local artists that you would want to see interviewed?
Ray:
I still love Rico Nasty.
Brandon:
I still love Tinashe.
ms
Who else? Think of your friends - painters, dancers, poets, artists who are developing their craft and have great conversations with you about themselves. Topics they feel are important.
Brandon:
There are a few directors, local directors that I know that I would like to see
Keyz:
I was gonna say O-Slice, or Odd Mojo. & MC Genesis they're all like that.
MOSAIC SOULS:
What would y’all want to hear them talk about?
Sol:
I want to hear Odd Mojo talk about her project that just dropped. The process of it - because it bangs and it cranks so hard. It’s authentic. When you listen to it, you’ll real live be taking notes. She captured that so well. And it’s like what I want to capture with mine-- my authenticity, what I’ve been going through.
Sun:
What drives your art? And where do you get your inspiration from? Is it a thing? Or is it a person? Is it another form of art? You know what I mean?
MOSAIC SOULS:
Would y’all listen to conversations that had nothing to do with their art?
Night:
Yea! Because if you’re a fan, if you’re interested in the work that they do you would be interested and want to know who they are. You wouldn’t just listen to what they make, you would also listen to who they are, what they do outside of what they make. The people they surround themselves with. What influences them.
Brandon:
I want to hear their opinion on, the current state of “45”. What do you and your friends talk about when no one’s around? Who’s your crush? Who’s your MCM or WCW?
Night:
How do you continue to do what you do everyday and not question it?
Sun:
I don’t want to know all of your personal business, but whatever you want to share. Those things that help someone to get through something, or give them a little more insight into who you are. Why you are the way you are?
MOSAIC SOULS:
So the podcasts conversations are also going to be eventually opened up to the public to create. There will be times we will post a question on Instagram or on Twitter and ask the public to @ artists that they would like to see talk to other artist about that question.
An example of that could be: In today's society is the art we put out more about quantity or quality? Who are some artist you would like to hear discuss this topic?
Do y’all think that would be a good thing? We would have a general topics and then a conversation like we’re having now with some prompts and questions.
Night:
Yea, you would get so many different opinions on the subject that you bring up. I mean of course you’re gonna have people that think the alike, but then there’s always gonna be that one thing that you bring up that’s gonna have someone like, “No, I don’t think that’s the way it is”. It's going to give it dynamic.
Brandon:
And then you may discover an artist like that. One's that we don’t already know of.
Night:
Exactly!
Night:
And then the people that you bring will then spread the word to other people. People who never would have thought that they could be in a situation like this, and they tag along, and then BOOM, you’re starting to create a collective of people that have the same vision and the same drive.
MS:
Our biggest mission is to create a community. We want people to know that they can always reach out to us as a resource. Like , “Oh, you want somebody who does photography, we know someone who does photography, let me link you with them.”
With that being said we plan to have an artist profile page. Something super simple. A photo of the artist, their contact info, and a short blurb that embodies their art and personality.
Night:
Yea, you want the Profile to be solid. No fluff, just the important things.
Brandon:
And leave them wanting a little bit more. They can go to their Instagram to learn a little more about them.
Night:
Or email them if you want to have a little discussion.
MS:
Definitely , we want it to be conversational. We don’t want the artists to come out, do their interview, and then it’s like, “Ok great interview!”, and never talk to them again. We want it to continue. We want it to be fluid. We want it to be a family.
Brandon:
You know what I think would be cool? As far as artists who are painters and drawers, you know how they have Sip & Paints, you can have local artists and also make it a live conversation. As we’re painting we can be having this open conversation.
Night:
I was thinking of something like, a similar concept as Sip & Paint, a circle of people around the artist who is in the middle, and as the people in the circle are painting, the artist in the middle are painting and talking, and then you could open up the conversation and everyone is just talking.
MS:
We like that idea a lot!
Brandon:
Yea and then like put it on Facebook Live, or anything like that.
Keyz:
It would give a scope into the process for a painter, while people get to actually experience it. Like with a rapper, having people write a verse from scratch.
MS
Oooh, like an insider's scoop type of thing.
Keyz:
Yea, and in reference to the sip and paint while that's going on people can be having a conversations about life, or anything. It doesn’t necessarily have to pertain to what they are doing at all!
MS:
One of things that we also want to do is an event once a month. Do y’all have a day of the week that you all think would be good? Because we have been thinking about this, and we don’t know which day would be best for everyone.
Moon:
Lowkey , I want to say Sunday.
Night:
I was thinking Sunday!
Brandon:
Same. But I wasn’t gonna say it!
MOON:
Because who’s got an Open Mic or something on a Sunday right? Let’s say it’s Sunday, all your stuff is done for the week, you want to chill, and you’re like, “where am I supposed to go? Can’t go to the drum circle, it’s closed. Oh! We can go to Mosaic Souls because they have something that starts at 7pm until 9pm. And it’s real cute.”
MS:
That is real cute! I’m trying to find places that will allow wine and beer, so ideally this would be a 21+ event. Sunday is a really good idea.
AYO:
Can everyone come into this area so we can take shots for the promo video.
MS
Forreal yall thanks so much for being here and supporting this vision! Mosaic Souls only wants to get better and be better if it helps and makes sense, but the support you guys show is enough to keep us going.