Before being inducted into the Wondaland family Isis Valentino and Alex Belle had a growing audience in Atlanta they accumulated after starting their group. St. Beauty was formally introduced to the world through Janelle Monae, who announced the official launching of her label Wondaland Records early 2015. Both Alex and Isis bring their own unique talent to the group, matched with true style and grace. Their passion for music, peace and being free is exuded in their presence, sending off a wave of positive vibes to anyone around them. St. Beauty's future in this industry seems bright, considering there aren't many artist that mimic their look and sound.
Their single "Going Nowhere" is featured on the Wondaland Records compilation project Wondaland Presents: The Eephus. We caught up with St. Beauty at the premiere event for their music video "Going Nowhere" in Atlanta. We spoke to the ladies over loud music and attendees raving about their video. Isis and Alex were full of giggles and love that night as we got to know them a little better.
Tell us about yourselves and how
you became a group.
Our name is St. Beauty, I’m Alex
and this is Isis. We started at Poor Little Rich Girls, which was a vintage
boutique in Atlanta. That’s where we met, that’s where we became a band. They
started having showcases there and we performed. After we performed, we were like
“we should just be a band,” because the reaction we got from people and the way
we felt up there, just made us want to become a band.
Was it always just the two of you?
Alex: It was originally three of us. Her name is Sakina Bashir she used to be in
our band. She lives in New York, she’s a stylist now.
You two are friends that got
together and decided to make it work, explain to me your name St. Beauty.
Isis:
I was really interested in Stevie Wonder
at the time and one of my favorite songs was “Bird Of Beauty,” so I wrote a
song called “St. Beauty” a knock off of the song. After I wrote that song, we
were looking for names and I felt like it felt right for us; it embodied
everything we’re about. You want something
to believe in and beauty, people should believe you’re beautiful no matter
what. Beauty is a strong word to describe yourself.
From style to music to being signed
to Wondaland, what does that mean for you all and where you’re trying to go in
your career?
Alex:
We both love style, we both love vintage
clothing. We love expressing ourselves through style and through our music. We’re
still growing, so it means growth, it means progression. We’ve been in the
studio lately so we’re still writing and working on our body of music that we’re
releasing soon.
Besides Stevie Wonder who you
mentioned, who are some other people that inspire your music and fashion?
Alex:
It’s so many people! With fashion looking
at blogs, magazines and combining how we feel it’s based on that. With music, it’s
so much out there and I would say personally one of my biggest influences is
Kid Cudi. I’ve been influenced by him since he came out.
You just premiered the video for “Going
Nowhere,” talk about the concept behind it.
Isis:
"Going Nowhere” was inspired by the
Chinese Red String of Fate theory. A string that ties two people together so no
matter what happens in life they'll still be on each side of it. You have that
one person that you're like 'we're always gonna be together, you're not going
nowhere.' It’s kinda like a subconscious thing. We wanted to have a video to
embody that. You'll see the red string; you’ll see couples in the video. We
just wanted to show forever love, a continuation of love. We had the vintage
feel with the Volkswagen van. The video is just our interpretation of what it
felt like to be in love back then.
Where’d you find the van?
Both:
Craigslist! (Laughs)
Say word! How much was it?
Isis:
That’s to be announced.
Since you’ve been touring a lot
this year and really working on your music have you found it difficult to find
love?
Alex:
I’m in a relationship.
Isis: You know, it’s ‘going nowhere’ right now.
Alex: Well, there’s a lot of great men out there.
How has work impacted your
relationship?
Alex:
You know, we’re still growing, we’re
great right now. I’m not complaining.
When you’re in the studio how do
you determine who writes the lyrics, picks the melody, who sings what notes,
etc.?
Isis:
It depends. We both can do what the other
can do. There may be a song Alex has written the whole thing and I may just
have a little idea. I may have a song and she may the lyrics. It’s truly collaboration with us.
You bringing your whole to the
group Isis and you bringing your whole Alex describe what makes St. Beauty unique
and beautiful.
Alex:
We’re both free. We do what we want as
far as music, we dress how we want. Not a lot of people in the industry can do
that, they don’t do that. Free, that’s how I describe St. Beauty.
Isis:
Compassionate. We care for other people,
we care for each other. We make sure we have talks to know where we are in life.
We have a bond. We want to uplift each other and inspire people. That’s really
what it’s about. That’s the goal of humans I think, make sure everyone is good
living life.
Want more St. Beauty?
Watch the video for their latest single "Going Nowhere."
View photos of them at ONE Musicfest 2015
(Photo: Farrin Hymon, FH411)
View photos of them at ONE Musicfest 2015
(Photo: Farrin Hymon, FH411)
CONVERSATION