Friends started sharing their images and a few changed their pfp to a filtered red version. It exploded into a timeline full of red and pfps, with many people asking, "what's with all the red?".

Color theory is something that I love and use a lot in the background of my art. With the original song, I chose red as the color, since it played into a bigger theme. I previously wrote about the meaning behind 'SHAKE' and how it led to an annual mental health activation.

Seeing the timeline red was so fun . It's not uncommon for artists to release their work and have it go unnoticed. I thought some friends and I would share some images, nothing big. Turns out, people were ready to join in and play.

I received a lot of messages and compliments on this campaign. There was so much excitement for the song and it fueled my fire to keep going. I will continue pouring my heart into my work, trusting that others will sense the intentions behind it.

In a world where artists have learned to settle, I wanted to prove to myself that people do care about music, so I took a risk with this drop. I priced it at what I felt it is worth, not what the market says music is worth. The mint closed with 52 editions collected and I was incredibly grateful to see that my intuition was right. People do love music and they also love to support musicians.

When you see others "painting the timeline" I hope you remember this story, that's now cemented as part of the Chic Bangs lore. Have a beautiful week.

xo, Chic

I was so excited to turn five, that meant I was old enough to start piano lessons like my older sisters. During my first lesson, my teacher told me that my hands were too small and I needed to come back in a year. I was devastated.

Instead, I was enrolled in a rhythm & beats class and every week, we sat in a circle to play percussive instruments together. Music was always meant to be a shared experience and this taught me that lesson early on.

After years of piano and vocal lessons, rehearsals, recitals and competitions, my teacher said that she’d taken me as far as she could and I needed to find a more advanced instructor. I decided to push pause. 

After a break, I began to DJ and followed my passion of learning how to mix and scratch vinyl. Sharing music in this way felt electric and fueled my desire to learn even more.

I wanted to expand, so I learned how to write, record, produce and develop audio engineering skills. My origin story is infused with music and art. I’m incredibly thankful that I grew up with parents who prioritized creativity and supported my passions.

This journey brought me to where I am today, working on an immersive audio visual project.

Testing my balance and noticing where I could dig a little deeper, I was reminded of the importance of intrinsic strength and focus. It’s important to stick with something, even when it feels wobbly.

Stretching and relaxing on the ground, I feel that release. The moment when stress melts away. I turn to my side, slowly sit up and open my eyes. The full moon greets me in the window, glowing and illuminating the room. Everything feels calm.

Today I completed a seven day yoga challenge that gave me the space I needed to pause and I would’ve missed some beautiful moments if I hadn’t slowed down. I hope you take those moments for yourself when you need them.

We all deserve permission to pause.

I’ve been listening to the higher.fm conversations and they’re reminding me to embody what I’m talking about. Walk the talk. I’ve been getting into the physicality aspect of that from a very foundational level.

Back to the basics in many ways.

What brings me joy? What and I doing with my time? Why?

A little self-inquiry goes a long way in moments like these. So today I did an audit and wrote it all down on paper. I’m starting to understand the synchronicities I’ve been experiencing.

More to come.

This is the first draft.

Funny how quickly things can change. The temperatures are dropping, the crows are squawking and the sunsets are arriving earlier.

Colors are deepening and I’m noticing more violet, burgundy and orange in my surroundings. With the visual reminders of inspiration and creativity, it feels as though there’s magic all around me. Which, of course there is.

Next week I’ll be performing at The Leonardo, as part of an exhibition for Art Meets Fashion. I’ve enjoyed DJ’ing the runway show and event in the past, it’s such a fun event with music, fashion and art. This year, I’m bringing a fresh approach that feels really exciting! I look forward to sharing a recap. Enjoy your week and remember to lean into excitement.

Collect NFT

The next season will be full of photoshoots, filming, writing and editing, releasing and harvesting. This kind of deep work is personal and requires presence. I can sense a big shift coming, so I’m taking this time to pause and check in.

I’m feeling into how, where and why to share. With the options for artists evolving and the unknown future of tech’s impact on artistry, I want to make sure that I continue moving in alignment with my intuition. I’ll be spending more time this week being quiet and listening.

Collect NFT

Maybe you’re also feeling this and want to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re headed. There’s nothing like the clarity that comes thru stillness and affirmations that you’re on the right path. Take care of yourself this week

I dreamt of who I could become and how my life could unfold. Visualization has always been very natural for me, yet it wasn’t until I experienced childbirth that I learned how powerful it is.

This is a story that I haven’t shared on the internet for a couple reasons. Privacy yes, but I’ve also realized that I didn’t want others to feel bad reading my story. The internal drive to protect others’ feelings over celebrating my wins was based on an outdated perception.

In my process of unlearning this, I’m learning how to share my wins. We all deserve our stories to be witnessed and this is one that I’m immensely proud of.

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew that I wanted a calm and peaceful experience, so I prepared for the biggest challenge of my life. My partner and I carefully selected our midwives and where our child would be born.

We were guided, educated and supported in the best ways. I worked diligently on my mindset every single day for nine months. Releasing fear and limiting beliefs, rewiring my brain and regulating my nervous system were my focus.

In the last month of pregnancy, every night my partner and I would take a walk and I would recite this mantra that I learned in Birthing From Within classes:

I will only be in labor as long as it takes to make, bake, cool and frost a chocolate cake.

I love baking and this was an easy rhyme for me to remember, so it stuck. Combined with my visualizations, this turned out to be more powerful than I could’ve ever imagined.

I birthed my baby fully unmedicated and fully trusting in my body. My child was born in the water, eyes wide open, caught by dad. It was insanely fast, intense and beautiful while being incredibly peaceful.

The direct connection from my vision to my personal power became my reality. I was shocked to have such a tangible example. I knew this was a defining moment in my life.

vision is a song about this realization that we can tune into our intuition and activate our personal power. I hope that it serves as a reminder to trust yourself, take small steps every day and keep going.

from your vision to your power

live like it's last hour

Collect NFT

Dear Chic Bangs, 

It’s been incredible watching you grow and achieve so much through the years. You’ve always shown courage and ingenuity in your career, diving straight into the deep end. By trying new things and saying yes to opportunities, you’ve had a multilayered career and have uplifted those around you in the process.

Your love for music and entertaining has put you in recording studios, dj booths and on stages, runways, airwaves and screens. You’ve shown up with grace, dignity and integrity - even when it seems to go unnoticed. You’ve paved your own path and never waited for permission. I’m so proud of your curiosity and commitment to learning through your creative practices. The way you intentionally share your talents inspires others to listen to their heart and pursue their passions. I’m so proud of you. Keep going, the world needs joy. And to dance more.

Love, Chic Bangs

critical chic: why are you still doing this? supportive chic: because i love it.

critical chic: haven’t you outgrown it? supportive chic: i don’t believe we ever outgrow passion.

critical chic: but aren’t you too old? supportive chic: too old to create? never. perspectives and voices of all ages are important

critical chic: who do you think you are? supportive chic: i know who i am. i’m an artist, here to help people live as their highest self.

critical chic: oh really? how do you do that? supportive chic: through high vibe music and art.

critical chic: what makes it “high vibe”? supportive chic: a lot, actually. emotional intelligence fuels my practices and creations. i tune into frequencies that are uplifting, honor the range of human emotion, write words that are supportive and not destructive, i incorporate universal symbols and numerology, my work is coded with frequencies that make others think and feel good.

i believe beauty can be found anywhere and there is magic in the mundane.

critical chic: why do you care so much? supportive chic: i dream of a world that is rooted in joy, not fear. i believe beauty can be found anywhere and there is magic in the mundane. i know this perspective isn’t the norm and it can be easier to complain or criticize, but having fun and enjoying life is revolutionary.

critical chic: what if people make fun of you? supportive chic: there will always be people who make fun of others, but to me, that shows their lack of trying. it speaks more about them, than me. i choose to focus on the people who show love and support.

critical chic: why don't you just quit? supportive chic: keep going is a phrase that i live by. there’s power in the ability to pivot and thankfully, it comes naturally to me. i love to explore and experiment. trying new things makes life fun and if something doesn’t bring me joy, i’ll stop doing it. music, dance and art will always be the core of who i am, so i’ll never quit enjoying that part of myself.

supportive chic: anything else? critical chic: no, keep going.

"let go of fear"

"stand in my power"

"learn how to love unconditionally"

"use my voice"

The phrases began pouring out and when I identified the themes, I began to write them in a way I could succinctly share with others. I wanted to affirm the desired result, since there is so much power in our words. They form our perception, consequently creating the way we experience the world.

This simple exercise inadvertently created my guiding ideas that continue to inform my art and lifestyle. They are certainly easier to say than to live, but they provide the guardrails that show me when I've swerved too much.

Collect NFT

Straight from my notebook and making their internet debut, my guiding ideas:

• live bravely - without fear of loss, rejection or judgement

• speak clearly - be direct and say what you mean, mean what you say

• love openly - keep your heart open to fully give and receive love

I find these ideas are a great place to start for introspection. I'll ask myself where fear, confusion and blocks are hiding. Usually, it's enough.

SHAKE

Chíc Bangs

Collect

My first Tahitian dance class was exhilarating with the live drums and beautiful movements. I was reminded of my first music class at age five, where we explored rhythm through percussion and felt an instant connection to the wooden Tahitian drums. After class, the choreographer invited me to train with the troupe for an upcoming competition and I was very excited for the challenge.

We spent months in intense rehearsals and the troupe mother would often go around the room, critiquing and encouraging us to "get our shake". There's this magical moment that happens when the movement clicks and the rhythm sustains. It took a lot of sweat and practice to achieve, but the moment I locked in, I felt a huge emotional release.

I was a little surprised by this release, but also remembered a book my mom had shared with me called, "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma" by Peter A. Levine. In this book, I learned about mammals having the innate ability to shake off trauma and how humans lost that a bit, but could easily tap back into that instinct. From this moment on, I practiced my Tahitian shake with a deeper appreciation and still do to this day.

Collect NFT

When I became a mindfulness and movement instructor, I simplified the practice of shaking for easy, on-the-go nervous system regulation. It is a powerful coping skill to be able to shake things off immediately, then go about your day.

Last year, I was able to share this practice as a partner with Mental Health Action Day and MTV and I'm thrilled to once again offer, 'SHAKE for Mental Health' on Thursday, May 16th. We will connect through art, music and movement by activating multiple channels and communities. Be sure to follow me for all the details and exciting news dropping next week!

The song, "Get Up" was one of those magical creative experiences where everything flows and it seemed to write itself. We didn't know the impact it would have or how far it would go, we simply felt a rally cry for climate action needing expression.

In April 2020, we were invited to join a global livestream event called, Earth Night to engage the nightlife industry in unifying for climate action. It felt serendipitous that we had just written a song exactly for this purpose.

We performed the song live and it was received so well by our audience, that we released it immediately. Since that time, it has received air time on terrestrial radio, a sync placement on Netflix, and minted onchain. It's been a joy to witness the life cycle of "Get Up".

Collect NFT

Earth Night continues to be an annual global event and while my DJ career has shifted from performance, I want to contribute in a way that is still impactful. Taking an innovative approach by utilizing blockchain tech is my contribution this year and I've created the DJs for Climate Action vision in the form of a manifesto.

Collect NFT

Collecting the manifesto is a signal of solidarity and a pledge to take meaningful action in the ways that are available for each of us. The proceeds are split 20% to me and 80% to Chic Fundraising, for direct donation to DJs for Climate Action. Together we can remix the climate message. Happy Earth Day!

But on the evening of December 14th, my world changed forever. I had just completed an interview as a featured artist for a podcast series when I noticed something felt really off.

I was ice cold and when I tried to drink a glass of water, it ran down my chin. I looked in the mirror to find that the right side of my face was fully paralyzed. Very concerned, I whispered to my husband that something wasn't right and trying to not alarm our child, I burst into tears as fear consumed me.

I received a late night prescription from our family doctor and was told to go to urgent care first thing in the morning. Unable to close my right eye, eat or drink, I was definitely terrified. The following morning I received the diagnosis, it was Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

I'd never heard of it, even though it had been in pop culture news because six months prior, Justin Bieber announced that he was healing from the same illness. I found a TikTok video of his announcement and was shocked at the similarity in our expressions.

It was a hellish experience not being able to blink, eat, drink, speak, or smile. Ugh, how I missed my smile. It broke my heart to hear my child express their fear of me dying or never recovering. I felt like I was living behind a mask and inside a shell of myself.

I slept with an eye patch, rested, hydrated and did physical therapy facial exercises. My husband had done all of the researching for me to help me maintain a positive mindset and it wasn't until months later that I learned many people never regain their facial movements.

At my two week checkup, my face was no longer paralyzed and my doctor said I was healing exceptionally well. I was optimistic that this would pass quickly and my normal life would resume.

About a week later, I was hit with the next wave of intense symptoms and they turned out to be the hardest to heal from. Extreme vertigo and imbalance led to a total loss of my autonomy and life as I knew it was wiped away in an instant. This was a dark period and I was unsure if I would fully recover. I dug deeper than I ever knew I could, to pull myself through. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my husband and child. Truly.

Somehow in the midst of this place, I was able to create a song called SHAKE and share it with the world. Nobody outside of my immediate family fully knew what I was going through, but the support reignited my passion to continue as an artist.

SHAKE

Chíc Bangs

Collect

In March, I went outside for the first time, after months of being inside. Looking into the horizon made me so dizzy, but the fresh air and blue sky made me feel alive. With symptoms having plateaued, my doctor referred me to a physical therapist to work through the vertigo.

I was dedicated to the daily practices I was prescribed and within a few weeks, began to have some relief from vertigo. This was a turning point and although I felt like I was crawling, I was coming back to life.

In July, I drove again for the first time. I went to a Real Salt Lake game, I went swimming and even saw Barbie in theater. All things that were inaccessible to me just a few months prior. I stayed mostly unplugged since looking at a screen or talking on the phone would trigger symptoms. This is something I still deal with.

I've let go and accepted that life is different now. I'm still recovering from lingering symptoms and loss of income, but I'm incredibly hopeful that my future is bright. For the past few months I've been reintegrating and finding my new normal. I have a better relationship with social media and the ways I engage. I won't allow myself to be pulled from my center again.

In hindsight, I can see the ways this experience has served as a redirection. I have received clarity and wisdom to focus on what matters most. I returned to practices that make me feel alive, like singing and dancing and drawing outside in the sunlight. I am grateful to be here, to be able to create and to connect with others again. It's been a long road to get here.

Thank you for reading and if I can share any parting advice from this story it's this - please listen to your body. The hustle will go on and taking time to rest is a gift to yourself and those you love.