Photography by Dan Austin
Makeup by Alicia Harris
Hair by Amanda Fernandez

Fall fashion trends and the Lakeland artists you need to know.

I look back at this cruel, cruel summer, all I can think, besides the Ace of Base holiday anthem, is “We made it!” The above-average temperatures, daily thunderstorms, and the lack of people around town because they were kidnapped by amazing vacations had me so ready for a season change. As I was asked all summer to share the fall trends I was foreseeing this year, it seems many shared similar sentiments. Clearly you are just as eager to crack open the coat closet and dust off the cozy sweaters to start playing with fun layers. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about the prints, colors, and silhouettes we’re seeing on the runway and streets this fall season.

Release your inner glam rocker and say hello to exaggerated shoulders and oversized silhouettes; the ’80s are back in a big way. Designer Marc Jacobs led the movement by sending models down the fall runway in ridiculously big coats and colorful power suits straight out of a scene from Heathers. Keep this look current by pairing pieces with a modern skinny jean and opting for sleek hair and makeup. Men’s check prints are also dominating this season and taking on many forms.

From overcoats to cropped blazers to relaxed trousers, these typically bespoke fabrics are crossing gender lines and are the go-to print for day and night. The shearling coat is being reimagined and having a moment alongside mix-media denim. Before you shrug this look off because, well, Florida, play with the scale of the jacket and mix it with some killer knee-high boots and shorts. The rich, creamy color palette of the shearling coat is the perfect segue for the all-American folklore patterns and tones we’re seeing. Taking the spotlight from the traditional fall “fair isle” prints, these modern, prairie-chic patterns and textures strike the perfect balance of classic and current.

To demonstrate how to make these trends your own and “Florida fall” appropriate, I’ve enlisted four of the best Lakeland musicians that are repping our city locally and abroad.  Covering a range of genres, these artists are creating nationally recognized music on all streaming platforms, touring the states, and staying active in our community. Their future is bright, and, after reading this, so will your fall wardrobe.

Jeremey Rosado

How would you describe your music?

My music is definitely pop. I love everything about new-age pop, all the synths and samples.

Describe your vibe in three words.

Moving, spiritual, engaging

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration in music would have to be Israel Houghton. 

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Where you’ve heard him: American Idol Season 11

Listen: Rewind EP

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How many years have you been performing?

I’ve been performing since I was three! Professionally — six years now.

What is your proudest moment as an artist?

I think my proudest moment will always be making it on American Idol. Being a little boy, it was all I wanted and told my parents I would do. So that’ll go down in history for me.

What is your, “Look, Mom, I made it!” moment?

Hugging Jennifer Lopez and getting a kiss from her was probably the “I made it!” moment.

What helps you, or where do you go, to get in the zone when creating your music?

Honestly, God. Spending time in His presence helps me
get set.

If you could have one celebrity’s entire wardrobe, who’s would it be and why?

I think Bieber is fly and has the sauce in clothing.

What’s a fun fact no one would know just by looking at you?

I am a huge aviation geek. I’m an online pilot, and I love it!

 

Bela Pierce

How would you describe the sound of your music?

I’ve always been inspired by many genres. My music definitely reflects that, or I hope it does. I would say it is a blend of pop with some folk/R&B influences. I love the pop gals in the industry right now, like Lorde and Maggie Rogers. I definitely pull from them for songwriting and production inspiration. I’m also obsessed with 80s’ music. I hope my sound can be something that can make people dance, cry, and feel deeply all at the same time … so whatever that sound is!

Describe your vibe in three words.

Experimental, mold-breaking, emotional

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My little sister, Emily. She is a phenomenal dancer, dancing six hours a day, but still manages being number one in her class all three years of high school so far. She is way more organized than me and works harder at her dreams than anyone I know. She pushes me to dream bigger and reminds me that it’s always about being yourself, not being the best.

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Fun Fact: Was a Competitive dancer for eight years growing up

Listen: Free Single

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What is your proudest moment as an artist/band?

The best moments are people connecting with songs. Like showing people/friends my music and them sending a text back saying how they felt so happy while listening, or that one lyric brought them back to a specific memory.

What helps you, or where do you go, to get in the zone when creating your music?

Different things help at different times, but my favorite place to write is still my bedroom. It’s my safe space where I feel I can be the most honest and vulnerable. But I’ve learned it’s important to experiment with other environments, too — writing with other people has really inspired me lately. I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by so many other amazing friends/artists who push me to dig deeper and find the best possible lyric or melody.

How would you describe your personal style?

80s’/90s’ inspired, edgy, simplistic

If you could have one celebrity’s entire wardrobe, who would it be and why?

OK, so she’s not a real person, but Carrie Bradshaw from The Carrie Diaries.

 

Spirit and the Cosmic Heart

How would you describe the sound of your music?

[Kerri Ann:] Dream pop and space rock seem to fit. When listening to our new EP, it’s very relaxed, even a bit plodding at first, albeit intentional. It’s with the hopes to take a normally rushed, stressed, and busy human into a space where none of those derivatives or causations exist. Like a dream.

Describe your vibe in three words.

Lush, nostalgic, dreamy

Who is your biggest
inspiration?

Each of our members is from a different upbringing and background. So there’s an eclectic range of answers you’d get depending on who you ask. Looking to each other has become an important role in the sound of our music and is what keeps us inspired each time we play together.

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Fun fact: They never play the same set twice. Their shows are different every time.

Listen: Dreams EP

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How did you guys all get together?

Danny, Josh, and Dewey have been close friends and jamming since pre-teen angst. Matt and Dallas came into the picture a little later in the game, and our sound began to take a new direction. It just felt good and unlike anything we’ve been a part of before. It’s strange how even the smallest decisions, like randomly connecting and playing music with new people, can result in the sound and songs we currently play and write together.

What’s the story behind your band name?

Josh had a dream; it’s all about the dreams. But really the idea was to have a title that was unique, but also comforting and relatable. “Spirit” comes off as a heavy and serious word in most contexts, while “Cosmic Heart” evokes the idea of this swirling, integral part of life that is so important. We have no idea what it means, really. We’re OK with that.

What is your, “Look, Mom, I made it!” moment?

A really rad photoshoot and interview in The Vanguard Room for The Lakelander magazine hits home. Lakeland and surrounding cities are where we call home, and nothing beats hometown appreciation.

What helps you, or where do you go, to get in the zone when creating your music?

We all meet out at our dingy warehouse, usually once or twice a week, way too late and at the end of a long workday. This might not sound like the most creative or convenient window of time to meet, write, and rehearse (and usually it’s not). But looking forward to band practice and seeing one another is like therapy, the best kind of therapy.

 

Logan Pierce

How would you describe the sound of your music?

I produce freeform, experimental bass music. It’s always sub heavy but ranges from slow and emotional to powerful and fast paced from track to track.

Describe your vibe in three words

Dark, thought-provoking, experimental

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is Dave Tipper, a producer and turntablist who hasn’t stopped pushing the boundaries of electronic music since the mid-’90s.

What is your proudest moment as an artist?

When I am playing out-of-state shows and people come up to me after the show and tell me how much they connect with the music I create. Sometimes it’s new producers telling me that my music inspired them to start making music. Other times it’s couples that met at my shows.

What is your, “Look, Mom, I made it!” moment?

It’s definitely when I was offered to be represented by an extremely well-connected agency in the industry and having the opportunity to tour all over the United States this past summer.

What helps you, or where do you go, to get in the zone when creating your music?

My studio is in my bedroom at the moment, so I always create at home. I have a bit of a ritual that I do involving my salt lamp for lighting and an essential-oil diffuser to relieve any tension, but I haven’t really noticed any creative coincidences that really affect my work. I pull inspiration from all genres of music, ranging from jazz to hip hop, and I incorporate them how I see fit.

If you could have one celebrity’s entire wardrobe, who would it be and why?

If I could have one celebrity’s wardrobe, it would be Bones. Bones is an underground rapper from Michigan and also the owner of the TeamSESH record label. He runs his own SESH clothing line for his label as well. I want to start a label and clothing line, and that is mainly due to seeing the success of TeamSESH.

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Fun fact: Saw snow for the first time at his first out-of-state show in North Dakota

Listen: Special Requests EP

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