@isisnicole
Columbia Chicago journalism graduate. I interview cool people and obsess over nails. You can get an idea of my interest by viewing my blog, as well as stories and interviews composed by me. I started as a writer for M.I.S.S., Gloss Magazine Online, The Lipstick Diaries, and Don't Trip Yet. Today I blog for NailPorn and I contribute to Jungle Gym Magazine.
I am the co-editor of Tipsy Zine,
Author of THAT'S TOTALLY IN! THE ADVENTURES OF ISIS NICOLE ILLUSTRATED BY SARA M LYONS and your coco connect.
"Tell him I’ve been too fucking busy or vice versa"- Dorothy Parker
All inquires send to
theisisnicole@gmail.com
xx
@isisnicole
Nail designer turns manicures into artwork By Gina Chinino →
It was fun being interviewed for Redeye Chicago!
In order to please the increasing number of nail-art enthusiasts, Crowe and her friend, Isis Nicole Marshall, 22, co-created Tipsy Zine, a magazine dedicated to nail art. Even though the two are business partners, Marshall, a Columbia College graduate, also is one of AstroWifey’s biggest fans.
“I only let certain people do my nails, and she [Crowe] is No. 1,” Marshall said.
Marshall isn’t the only client who is passionate about her nails. —- Read the full story on Chicago’s Astrowifey at Redeye Chicago
Words By Isis Nicole:
Chicago based songbird, Lili K – made in music heaven – consoles broken hearts with her latest music video “Never Ever” off her sophomore EP Metal Petals. It’s a wistful journey (produced by collaborative partner, Peter Cottontale) that carries out the wounds from Cupid’s arrow, also known as the aftermath of love. Rule of thumb, if he breaks your heart, break his MPC. Kidding! But he would never, ever see that one coming.
omg it’s the original donna’s @spifster, @JordanSaidSo, and @Lilikjazz
Words By Isis Nicole
Lili K. and Peter Cottontale welcome in the holidays with “A Christmas Song”, a warm electro-soul medley of Christmas jingles. “A Christmas Song” music video features some of Chicago’s rising artists (Chance The Rapper, ShowYouSuck, Stefan Ponce, and more), coming together during the most wonderful time of the year! Ya see, Chicago can be cheerful too!
Maluca brought the heat to Chicago…or maybe it was a little bit of that LA sunshine from the traphouse. @Personal_jinxs and I were in love with her dress, turns out my girl @stellar_wutevr designed it.
I had been trying to get Maluca to get her nailsdid by @Astrowifey but idk if that ever happened. It was quite an adventure getting to the venue but fun with my friends as usual. Man…I love my second home.
I beez tipsy in the trap with @zAKMATIC @stellar_wutevr @personal_jinxs
![By: Isis Nicole
Meet Peter Cottontale. He produced Metal Petals by Lili K, which makes him responsible for this one track titled “Highlight the Moon” that makes me cry newly divorced tears and I’ve never even been married. I still have yet to meet him but we were introduced through Twitter, and he was nice enough to grace my blog with a little bit of his music history QA style. The Chicagoan who worked with artist’s like Chance The Rapper and Thelonious Martin, shares his music rituals, inspirations, and what he wants to be remembered for in the future after the jump!
NamePeter CottonTale
Age21
HometownChicago
WebsiteMy website is currently being revamped www.realcottontale.com but feel free to keep up with me on Twitter for updates and shows @realcottontale.
Most Known ForProduction on Chance The Rapper’s 10 Day project, and wearing rabbit ears during performances.
What is your least favorite trend?I never understood getting star tattoos. .
Would you rather be deaf or have no hands?Can’t I have my cake and eat it too? Please?
What’s a busy day in your life like?A busy day? It usually starts with me fighting with my alarm clock once or twice, going to some sort of place of work, then a rehearsal (or two), a studio session, then ending with a couple of rounds of select video games at my god-brothers house. Vacation Life.
I learned of you after listening to Lili K’s “Metal Petals”, though I am sure you have been creating music much before then. When did you start?In high school I was involved in a small studio program on the southside of Chicago which peaked my interest and gave me some knowledge. Besides that, I started to create music professionally around four years ago. Lili and I took sometime in 2010 to record a whole live album around 12 tracks long, and it stretched over multiple genres. “Hello Goodbye” was also our first product as who we were as artists at the time [and] it was never released, but we do play some of those songs live. My first released product was “Prelude to Hello”, Lili K’s Neo Soul/ Hip-Hop EP. By the way, Thanks for listening to new EP.
What is your background as an artist?I’m actually a Jazz keyboardist. I did and still do weddings/gigs whenever the time calls. I played in a band for about a year that backed a couple of local artist’s including Dave Coresh, Gemstones and Lili K. I’ve traveled with Chance to a couple of places and have been able to rock with him. I’ve played in rock/soul group Mathien and have had the chance to play in a lot of cities I’ve never even thought of playing in.
How do you make your work standout?A lot of the music that I do is either all original, or some concoction of something plus something to equal music. I also use a couple of choice instruments when recording and producing.
Are there any routines or rituals you practice before recording? Some people sing in the shower, others collect undergarments…I usually have a pair of headphones in my ears, listening to a rough version of something, making sure I have my parts down….but I really want to know which one of your interviewees collected undergarments. Did he or she (hopefully he…) give them back when the record was done? Is this how the thong song was invented? All rhetorical questions.
[It was a guy and from what I remember, he said he did not return their panties. It was his inspiration to make baby makers or something like that.]
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your art?More so what has the biggest influence. I love to imagine. It’s really exciting. It’s even more exciting turning your imagination into a tangible item.
How would you describe your style?Ehhh, that’s for the listener to describe. I’m bad with labels, ask my ex.
Who is your clientele?Mostly vocalist looking for production or producers looking for a session keyboardist or co-production. I’ve gotten a chance to work with Chance The Rapper, Stefan Ponce, Lili K., Thelonious Martin, Legit, Chris Mathien, Suliman Shabazz, Squair Blaq (Animate Objects) Natalie Oliveri, and Legendary Traxster.
Do you have any favorite upcoming acts?Two that come to mind now. Kids These Days and local Milwaukee band Kane Place Record Club.
How do you make the most out of Chicago?Wandering. I use to bike at dangerous times of night. I would stumble onto private properties as well as enter shady neighborhoods. One time I accidentally fell asleep at this spot on the Beach around Belmont. Woke up to the sunrise and I had a lunchable with me. Great day.
What do you want to be remembered for?Inspiring positive creativity and imagination. And as a piano Playing Rabbit.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_me405neCtX1qzwhpyo1_500.jpg)
By: Isis Nicole
Meet Peter Cottontale. He produced Metal Petals by Lili K, which makes him responsible for this one track titled “Highlight the Moon” that makes me cry newly divorced tears and I’ve never even been married. I still have yet to meet him but we were introduced through Twitter, and he was nice enough to grace my blog with a little bit of his music history QA style. The Chicagoan who worked with artist’s like Chance The Rapper and Thelonious Martin, shares his music rituals, inspirations, and what he wants to be remembered for in the future after the jump!
Name
Peter CottonTale
Age
21
Hometown
Chicago
Website
My website is currently being revamped www.realcottontale.com but feel free to keep up with me on Twitter for updates and shows @realcottontale.
Most Known For
Production on Chance The Rapper’s 10 Day project, and wearing rabbit ears during performances.
What is your least favorite trend?
I never understood getting star tattoos. .
Can’t I have my cake and eat it too? Please?
A busy day? It usually starts with me fighting with my alarm clock once or twice, going to some sort of place of work, then a rehearsal (or two), a studio session, then ending with a couple of rounds of select video games at my god-brothers house. Vacation Life.
I learned of you after listening to Lili K’s “Metal Petals”, though I am sure you have been creating music much before then. When did you start?
In high school I was involved in a small studio program on the southside of Chicago which peaked my interest and gave me some knowledge. Besides that, I started to create music professionally around four years ago. Lili and I took sometime in 2010 to record a whole live album around 12 tracks long, and it stretched over multiple genres. “Hello Goodbye” was also our first product as who we were as artists at the time [and] it was never released, but we do play some of those songs live. My first released product was “Prelude to Hello”, Lili K’s Neo Soul/ Hip-Hop EP. By the way, Thanks for listening to new EP.
What is your background as an artist?
I’m actually a Jazz keyboardist. I did and still do weddings/gigs whenever the time calls. I played in a band for about a year that backed a couple of local artist’s including Dave Coresh, Gemstones and Lili K. I’ve traveled with Chance to a couple of places and have been able to rock with him. I’ve played in rock/soul group Mathien and have had the chance to play in a lot of cities I’ve never even thought of playing in.
How do you make your work standout?
A lot of the music that I do is either all original, or some concoction of something plus something to equal music. I also use a couple of choice instruments when recording and producing.
Are there any routines or rituals you practice before recording? Some people sing in the shower, others collect undergarments…
I usually have a pair of headphones in my ears, listening to a rough version of something, making sure I have my parts down….but I really want to know which one of your interviewees collected undergarments. Did he or she (hopefully he…) give them back when the record was done? Is this how the thong song was invented? All rhetorical questions.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your art?
More so what has the biggest influence. I love to imagine. It’s really exciting. It’s even more exciting turning your imagination into a tangible item.
How would you describe your style?
Ehhh, that’s for the listener to describe. I’m bad with labels, ask my ex.
Who is your clientele?
Mostly vocalist looking for production or producers looking for a session keyboardist or co-production. I’ve gotten a chance to work with Chance The Rapper, Stefan Ponce, Lili K., Thelonious Martin, Legit, Chris Mathien, Suliman Shabazz, Squair Blaq (Animate Objects) Natalie Oliveri, and Legendary Traxster.
Do you have any favorite upcoming acts?
Two that come to mind now. Kids These Days and local Milwaukee band Kane Place Record Club.
How do you make the most out of Chicago?
Wandering. I use to bike at dangerous times of night. I would stumble onto private properties as well as enter shady neighborhoods. One time I accidentally fell asleep at this spot on the Beach around Belmont. Woke up to the sunrise and I had a lunchable with me. Great day.
What do you want to be remembered for?
Inspiring positive creativity and imagination. And as a piano Playing Rabbit.
By: Isis Nicole
Mariana tried helping out my blog by suggesting one of her friends for me to interview. I had to kindly object because I was more interested in who she was. The 24-year-old Chicagoan is passionate about her art, plus checking out museums around the city. She dabbles in carpentry and gets her nailsdid. All I do is type, so I’m always fascinated by women who don’t mind putting their hands to work, but still manage to keep them looking good. Anyway, meet Mariana after the jump. Sorry fella’s, she’s taken.
Name
Mariana Flores, but I go by Mari.
Age
24, sometimes I feel too old. Other times I feel like a baby.
Hometown
Chicago (South Side)
Website
www.marianaflores.carbonmade.com
Most Known For
My paintings and passion for the Chicago Bulls.
Unknown For
My graphic prints and being 1/8 Chinese!!! (Laughs) it’s not much, but my dad and grandma try to do little things to remind the family of our culture.
I’m not quite sure how we discovered each other. Was it through nail art?!
Indeed it was! I’ve been going to AstroWifey since early this year and I found you through her and TipsyZine! Which I am beyond excited for!!
When did you recognize that you were an artist?
I’ve been painting since I was in 4th grade, but I didn’t recognize myself an artist until I was in art school…still don’t consider myself one. I feel like art is so deeply personal and sharing it with the world makes me so nervous!
What types of things do you create?
Anything and everything. I love to decorate my life. I’ve made giant dioramas to mini paintings, to metal sculptures, customized clothes, I even do custom cakes, but you have to be really special to get one of those! As far as my aesthetic goes, the type of things I create all depend on my mood. I love color so that always plays a big role. I love clean lines, and symmetry, but the most noticeable thing about the type of things I create is my culture. What I create is very much influenced by my Mexican-American heritage.
How did you get into carpentry?
My dad, he’s been a carpenter and construction worker my whole life. I was always a tomboy and always with him when he would fix things around the house. Now if he’s too tired I do the building for my mom.
Has social networking helped launch any of your work?
I’ve gotten requests for work from my bio on Twitter, but mostly friends on Facebook who look through my work hit me up for the most opportunities.
What would you want people to discover about themselves after experiencing your art?
This is some heavy shit. My earlier work was always for someone. I usually painted because I saw something that inspired or reminded me of someone, and I wanted them to have a piece of that moment in which I thought of them. I guess I wanted them to discover how beautiful they were to me. But now that I create art more for myself. I guess I want them to discover their love for something.
You seem pretty open on your Twitter! Is there anything you refuse to talk about online?
(Laughs!) I’m glad you ask! YES, I actually hold back A LOT!! I try not to tweet as my inner ratchet self. I keep my romantic relationships to a minimum on social media, I may refer to “him” or post a pic that has to do with “him”, but other than that I like to keep my private life private.
How do you make the most of Chicago?
The most common way I make most of Chicago is by getting out of my car and walking the city. I love the museums, I have to go to them constantly. I love seeing the city from the Lake. And when you walk you discover new places to eat!! Walking and eating, that’s how I make the most of Chicago.
What do you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for loving. Loving what I do and the people in my life as much as I am capable of loving.
I got my nailsdid by @astrowifey to represent my co-editor Tipsy swag! Our first issue drops real soon!
Sasha Go Hard carries breakfast, transit card, and passport (sounds so familiar!) I really like this chick and hope all of her dreams come true.
