B A L T I S O U L

Stay authentic. Be captivating.

[baltisoul]

LUNA 🌹

‘LUNA’ tells the story of a passionate Parisian girl being stuck within her true love’s mind. The lovers’ romance seems to become more and more intense, capturing that kind of pure bounding which appears so real and natural, you would never guess it might be just an illusion. The short film was created by Producer Alexan K. Sarikamichian and Filmmaker Katja Stückrath who teamed up once again aiming to inspire us to dream more, cherish true love and reach for the stars. Discover the video and photo story below…

Directed and Produced by @katjastuckrath & @alexan_sar

Starring: @lunagonella for @welovemodels.ar

Words: @inaigod

DOP & Camara: @katjastuckrath

1 AC: @marinaamonaco

Editor: @pauchi.pau

Make Up: @micalozadamkp for @kahlemakeup

Hair: @hairvikinga

Color grade: @alejandralescano_colorist

General Production: Alexan Films

Voice Over: @juanmparga

Voice recording: @elotexelotex

Original Music: @inakionate

Sound: @santtnieto

Poster: @mmari1989

Title Design: @tamaconforti

[baltisoul]

My Head Is A Fun Fair

In my head

Is where everything is possible,

Where my dreams are being realized,

And where darkness can destroy my hopes.

In my head

I wander all alone,

To places that feel empty,

And others that feel like rollercoasters.

In my head

I sometimes see memories,

Sweet like Cotton Candy,

And at other times,

I watch old movies from the past,

That feel cold like Ice.

In my head

Everything is possible.

Sometimes it’s all spinning around very fast.

At other times,

it’s all blurry and still.

In my head

Is where I make decisions,

It’s where my ideas are born,

It’s where my strength and my demons,

Come together and fight.

In my head

Is where I create my life story.

It’s where my soul lives and thrives.

PHOTOGRAPHER David Wachmann @davidwachmann

MODEL Lara @lariiiilu

ASSISTANT Marvin @marvlee

[baltisoul]

Rozzi Opens up About Her Music, Goals, and Views on Love

From Madison Square Garden to Jimmy Kimmel Live - Rozzi has been listened to and loved by some of the best in music and she is well on her way to becoming one of them. With a strong will and authentic soul she is an artist dedicated to telling her truth and keeping honest music alive and thriving. Seemingly born with big dreams in hand, Rozzi found success early on in life but quickly came to realization that success is not always what you expect it to be. She found that success and artistry are not necessarily one in the same. Her music now is a part of her and an honest expression of what she was feeling while working on the songs. This album happens to feature many songs about love and heart break. With a powerful voice and an open heart she has thrown herself into the world as a true artist and a woman confident in who she is and what she wants.

Continue reading below to hear her current goals as an artist, what she hopes people take from her recent releases, and what love means to her. Also below be sure to check out her videos for Joshua Tree and Lose Us featuring Scott Hoying from Pentatonix.

What is your main goal as an artist?

What I want more than anything is to connect with people. I fell in love with music as a kid because it validated my emotions. It made me feel seen and understood by people I had never met and it inspired me to lean into my thoughts and be more myself. I would love to have that affect on people through my songs - I hope people feel more and dream more and are more themselves when they listen to my songs. 

Is there anything specific you hope listeners take from Lose Us and Joshua Tree?

I hope people can feel how real they are for me. These aren’t made up stories that I thought would make good songs - I put my life into what I write because that’s the only way I know how to do it and I hope that comes across. 

What does love mean to you?

I think I have a lot to learn about love but so far what I’ve got is that it’s about really seeing and accepting someone. I feel most loved when I feel understood and I think I’ve been the most loving when I’ve really taken someone as they are. 

What are three things people might not know about you?

-I have the worst handwriting on earth and I’m not trying to be cute when I say that

-I walk five miles a day

-Four months ago I ate my first hamburger ever (loved it)

Anything else you would like to say?

My debut album Bad Together comes out on November 16th! It tells the story of a relationship from start to finish, it’s very personal and soulful, and I’m so excited for everyone to hear it I could die!

[baltisoul]

Holander Premiers Her New Video "SMOKE" 🖤

Holander’s new video for “SMOKE” is a dramatic visual delight melting into a fever dream. With vibrant colors, a slow forming darkly dramatic story line, and 90’s edge it is a video that holds your attention the whole way through. The song itself is honest and relatable showing just how intense love and intimacy can truly be.

Holander - who is a general bad ass, singer, and female DJ is an amazing artist and soul that you should for sure keep your eyes and ears on. Below Holander shares why the song and video are so special to her, the hidden message within, and her experience filming the video.

Why is this song/video so special to you?

“The idea was to have a visual representation how love can quite literally knock you off of your feet, almost like a car crash. The almost violent immediacy of the emotions just makes me think 'high-impact.' I met with the director, Will, we met up several times in coffee shops where we were bouncing ideas off of each other and watching watched music videos we loved. He brought a really rad 90’s MTV nostalgia vibe that we cultivated into a stylized millennial narrative. 

What does the video expose about the song fans wouldn't necessarily put together?

The darker twist on the song; the true intensity of the emotion. The song definitely has an edge to it, but the video is meant to show the overwhelming nature of this feeling of being intoxicated by someone; its beauty but also how it can almost feel like a cinematic thriller movie thrust upon your life. I loved making the actual visual of smoke come to life and the smoke being blown into my mouth, the latter was a real experience that inspired the song itself.

What was your experience like filming the video? I cried the next day, from happiness. I felt like i was making the kind of art that I wanted to make. I was so flooded with gratitude for it. It's such a beautiful piece of art to me. I come from an acting background so I always love the various formats I get to act my music out. The opportunity to collaborate with other creatives and expand my song into a visual testament of that collaboration and connection is something I really appreciate about the industry.

Holander: @Holandermusic

Femme Photo: Mallory Turner @mallorymturner Director/Cinematographer: Will DaRosa @Will_DaRosa

Steadicam Operator: Koji Kojima, Gaffer: Zachary Bartlett, Key Grip: Conor Soules,Assistant Camera: Travis Lynch, Colorist: Taylor Mahon, Actor: James Jovanovich Make Up: Olya Tizer

[baltisoul]

KhrystyAna Talks Inclusivity, Empowerment, and More

KhrystyAna is a breath of fresh air, a bodyLove activist, model, founder of theREALcatwalk, and Americas Next Top Model Cycle 24 contestant. This is an example of a woman who is working to make a real difference and impact in the world while being unapologetically authentic. Continue reading below to learn more about her views on inclusivity, empowerment, and more.

What is a message you most want to share?

That every person is lovable, and is worthy and equipped for self love. That every single person matters sooo much even though they might not always know/feel/agree with it. That there is incredible beauty within us all. I’m sure everyone knows them deep in their hearts. I am only here to remind people of those things.

How can women best support and empower each-other?

First of, all women need to see each other as equals, as power houses. We are not competing, we are not comparing each other, we are acknowledging each other. Embracing each others differences and respecting each other. Seeing that we share experiences, can create more progress. We must support each other; feminism is intersectional. I strongly believe that we MUST spend time LEARNING about different kinds of women, their history, their ways, to be able to be better communicators.

Do you think the industry is changing to be more inclusive? How can we continue to push it forward?

Some people say it does change - others strongly disagree. People who don’t spend much time online and who shop high fashion might say “not so much”; others, who are more involved in diversity might say “yes”. I think we are merely scratching the surface; some major brands push for change and I appreciate every brand who does embrace actual diversity. Diversity is not a trend, diversity is the reality we live in. Fashion needs to mirror reality in an artistic fun way. We can only push it forward by speaking up and creating inspiring projects. Speaking up doesn't have to be mean or aggressive, it can be a simple kind conversation or educating people who are used to the old ways. Open hearts and kindness are the keys to change in the industry.

What is a moment were you felt truly empowered?

Honestly, I don’t know how to answer that - My days can be up and down. Empowered, then suddenly discouraged, and boom - empowered again. I just create and speak my truth. I’m really not fighting for change, I’m showing change the best way I know how and people can take whatever they want from it. It’s just the way I do things; I don’t know if i’m really empowered, I’m just more outspoken and unafraid lately.

What does body positivity mean to you? Body positivity is a movement - It’s a growing and massive topic. It started with a strong mission of acknowledgment, and grew with anti body-bullying message. Inclusivity grew into something so much more and found corners seemingly unspoken of. It reached the shy ones and lonely ones. It’s really a community where we teach each other to feel love to our bodies, our faces, our health and each-other.

Model: KhrystyAna @khrystyana

Photography: Peoneemoull Pech @peoneemoullpech

Makeup: Ernest Robinson III @erob3me

Hair: Seiji Uehara @seijiuehara

Styling: The Stylish Duo @thestylish.duo - Devin Lewis @itsdevinjl - Dominique Lewis @iam_dlew

Art Direction: Mickey Freeman @mickeyboooom

[baltisoul]

Taylor Grey Opens Up About Her New Single "Back to Bite"

Taylor Grey is a 21-year-old power house who’s new song “back to bite” is a bit different from her past music. This release shows fans that Taylor is coming into a new phase of her music that is looking like it will be honest, emotional, and empowering. While making music Taylor also is a college student showing that creativity and college can mix with great success. “Back to Bite” isn’t the typical break up song that people expect; instead showing what a breakup really feels like from Taylors prospective. Read the full interview below to know Taylor Grey’s thoughts on the single, creativity, vulnerability, and more.

Back to bite is a bit different than your older music, what inspired the change in style?

I took some time off this past year to do a lot of self-reflection and figure out who I want to be as an artist. I was able to look deep inside myself and face the trauma/ insecurities I’ve faced and build the confidence to turn that into my art. So that time and introspection made the difference. 

You are a student at Stanford, do you feel like school has shifted your artistic perspective?

I don’t know if it’s shifted my artistic perspective as much as it has my world view. I’ve met a lot of interesting people at Stanford, and I’ve realized that even the best of the best (academically speaking), still don’t think they’re good enough. Good enough is a façade. 

Do you find vulnerability important as an artist?

I think it’s the key for me. I don’t know if it will help or hinder me career-wise in the long run to be so open, but as a person, it’s made me so much better. 

Do you think studying the brain scientifically helps you handle your own emotions and thoughts?

You would think, but the thing about the brain is that in the middle of a panic attack, it doesn’t really care that you can pin point the region of the brain that would light up on a fMRI. 

How have you grown since your last release?

I’ve learned a lot about myself. And I’ve learned that I just want to create music that makes me proud and makes people feel something. 

What motivates you? 

I just really love it. I love song-writing. I don’t want to be doing anything else.

What is back to bite about and what inspired it?

Back to Bite is my empowerment song. It was inspired by all the people who have really hurt me in the past. I wrote it so people could relate to it, whether it’s from the perspective of being cheated on to the perspective of being assaulted and having your voice taken from you. 

How do you stay authentic as an artist?

Say “fuck it.” I just have to remind myself that, sure there is stigma around being vulnerable, but it helps me breathe so much better when I don’t have to pretend everything is fine all the time.

What do you hope people take away from the album when it drops?

I hope people can listen to the music and think, “yeah I’m fine as I am. I may not be where I want to be right now, but I deserve to be here.” And I hope that me just being open and honest can be part of this wave of vulnerability we are starting to see in the music industry, I’m hoping it’ll make it easier for young artists in the future.

 Photographer: Nikko Lamere

Model: Taylor Grey

[baltisoul]

The Origin of Friendship by Tatyana Grechina

+        +        +

When the need for connection is greater than the fear of strangers.

What is really happening when two souls collide? What are their intentions? What’s between the lines?

So this is where we begin to see what’s really happening behind the scenes:

She lied.

When a lie goes undetected, who is in control? I wanted to be friends. Rather, I wanted to be wanted.

+        +        +

State of Illusion: Who Needs What?

The passage below is an unspoken conversation between two people who just met on their journeys. Both are coming from completely different places and parts of life, but both have a common need for companionship along the way and will say anything to get it.

+        +        +

It’s the smallest things. Was it a lie? It’s hard to tell. The tongue does funny things. Sometimes it knows what you want before you do; other times, it cannot seem to articulate the most basic needs. When I told her I was waiting for a friend to pick me up, the words were just rolling right off my tongue. I mean, I did tell her the truth in the end… But still. Can’t help but wonder - maybe she was that friend? I felt like I recognized her...but in this strange way, like from another time or another place. Maybe another life. Either way, I told her I was looking for my people.

I totally lied to her. I have no idea who she’s looking for or where to find them. I told her I could help...But I definitely lied to her.

It is kind of the strangest thing, though. I have no idea who she is, yet I somehow trust her. Trust her enough to go with her, anyways. Maybe it’s because we’re both in-betweeners. Space travelers.

Funny what people do for friendship when they need it. And it never changes. Nobody wants to sit alone at the lunch table.

Anyways, instant friendships – never quite what they seem. There’s a lot of tricky, silent, hopeful need involved. Not always, of course. But in those make or break moments, you act fast. It’s a lot easier to be two than alone, after all. Act now, think later.

So definitely not telling her my deal. She’ll think I’m crazy and I need her. She’s the only one I’ve got who half knows the way around. I just have to keep her believing I can help. Shouldn’t be too hard.

+        +        +

Two Weeds Blowing in the Breeze; Two Dreams Meeting in the Street

A comfort clad in bubble wrap, We stand together yards apart. Your needs are yours, my eyes are mine; One pop- The truth deflates a little bit But is it needed to be true? If I do me and you do you? We walk through tricky grasses high We laugh We cry We spill some coffee, Laugh some more. But do you know me? I hope not. I need you/ I need you to trust/ I need you to trust me/ I need you to trust me just enough/ And if you know me, You may not trust me I’m afraid. So for now, let’s keep it light. Let’s be good friends, but Let’s not fight. What you don’t know won’t hurt you. After all, you’re wanting Something too.

+        +        +

 Photography: Nick Centore / Models: Dani Slocki, Tatyana Grechina / Art Direction & Words: Tatyana Grechina

[baltisoul]

My Lonely Thoughts

I think the fact I like being alone confuses people. Maybe they can’t relate because they need someone to talk at; to echo their voice against.

I tell my secrets to the morning air. I organize my thoughts to the sound of birds and rustling grass. I take advice from the unapologetic perseverance of nature.

Have you ever been in the same place at two different times and it felt stepping into different worlds? Right now, the water is crisp and glassy in the calm, but I’ve seen it seethe in a storm. From my view, the grass seems still. But underneath, there’s a metropolis of busy insects and suspect creatures fighting for another day.

Maybe I like these images because I, too, am many things at once. I am reassured knowing that nature is never unsure.  It never asks to be validated, and neither will I.

"At the end of the day, we are all alone in death - and yet, we become a part of something bigger than any singular spirit could hold."

 Photographer: Andrew Obtinalla @andrewobtinalla

Model: Shain Hanson @therealslimshainy

Styling: Tiffany Rose Miles @tiffanyrosemiles

Makeup Artist: Kathleen Fitzjohn @makeupbykathleenanne

Assistant: David Tadros @dt_416

Description: Disclaimer: All skulls used in these photographers were ethically attained cruelty-free. "The story "Top of the Hill" is a series of images of Shain shot at the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant in Toronto, Ontario. Bones depicts living folk in style with a wild spirit and was very cinematically inspired. We included ethically obtained skulls in the photoshoot to represent the unity between our human civilization and the remnants of our nature around us to emphasize that folky lifestyle of the photo series."

[baltisoul]

Always Artist - Art + Short Film

If you picked up a copy of Baltisoul's first issue Young+Wild in print or digital format then you are familiar with the imagery of Always Artist. However, while in Young+Wild the article talks about what it means to be an artist. The short film you are about to watch lets you see the inner working of the mind of an artist. It shows the thought process behind a manic night of color and creation. 

Since this was a shoot all about art, we decided to see just how many forms of art we could include. The shoot ended up inspiring 6 completely different works of art including the shoot, the video, dancing, an acrylic painting, a voice over, and a watercolor painting by Juliette Hays. It shows how important any singular shoot is and all it can inspire. 

Natalie Biehl truly is a talented artist, dancer, and model. Because of this she was nothing but her authentic self throughout the film and that really makes it something captivating and worth watching. 

"As an artist it is important to sometimes create things for yourself alone - without the worry of a clients opinion."

Model/Acrylic Artist: Natalie Biehl  @natalie.reverie

Water Color: Juliette R Hayt @juliette_hayt

Photo: Gavin Crews Gavin.Crews

Video: David Feusse @davey_creative

Director/writer: Weslee Kate @wesleekatecreative

VO: Marley Feuerwerker-otto @marleyetoile

Hair and back ground art (lady and bridge): Ariana Barbara @Ariana Barbara

[baltisoul]

Polaroid Please

Take a Polaroid picture darling - nothing digital - something tangible. Something that will last even when the edges go yellow. Colored shapes of me in bloom in this little perfect love filled room - magical. A moment of time standing still where my eyes hold only you in their gaze. Something this pure must smell of roses and unlearned mistakes. Now my love - we are infinite.  

Model: Steffani Angel @steffani.angel

Mateo Almendares, @mateoaphotography

[baltisoul]

Bloom

 She was soft like sugar floss blowing in the wind. You could have popped her enthusiasm like a bubble if only you tried. She would look at you as if she had died -  and maybe even possibly cried - till her eyes turned into pools that showed your broken monsters in disguise. She was trusting like a young girl whose heart had never been broken. So you drove your fingers into her heartstrings and pulled until they were soft and unspoken. Like spun gold, they pooled in your palms -  until you had all your greedy hands could hold. As even spun they were still pure gold and grew heavy with time. so you dropped them and watched them float into the dirt and the grime. You ran away from your crime leaving her to wind them back into her empty chest. Like gossamer into a cocoon large enough for her heartbreak. Hoping to transform into something less breakable by mistake.

She was forgiving like a trampled flower -  so you stopped by and sat by her for a while. You watered her petals and sang with the breeze you even made friends with all of her bugs and her bees. Yet as winter came and she was less vibrant you walked away in the process taking away her environment. While she did not need you to bloom -  she was used to your shelter and shade from the gloom and harsh winter weather. You left her cold in the dirt of another...heartbreak. This one not a mistake. 

And yet… What you did not see was in your footsteps debris you accidentally planted her souls' simple soft seeds. So suddenly she could bloom with new perspective set free from your souls gloom.

Now you're confused because she is a new shade of color. Her heart is protected from any intruder. She wove titanium heartstrings into a key that she holds like a sword overhead. A warning to all who view her kindness as weak - that she will not fall at their candy coated knees. Her laugh and her smile are still sugar sweet - she now drops poison of off her flower petal and gossamer wings. When your hand tries to hold her's once more she will slip away like the sun from a storm. Her enthusiasm rebuilt its walls - now surrounding gleaming pools of potential that show no flaws. Only love and moments caught in the breeze and heartbeats and sunlight hitting the trees. Her ambition amplified by the pain that you caused she now walks out into the world to her own minds applause. Never in her wildest dreams does she think "maybe they were ever worthy of me."

Don’t take credit for the success you are nothing but a memory melted and under duress.

And her garden is thriving.

Alone.

Model: Weslee Kate @Weslee_kate Photography: Mimi Taylor @dynamimi Stylist/Assist: Lauren Millar @curlyheadedskeleton

[baltisoul]

“Shrouded in devotion him as my guide, I’ll be his Bonnie and he’ll be my Clyde.”🌹🔥 @shannon_elyse_fogerty 📸 by @valheria123 / @sewnbysophia ____________________________________________ #sharpenmyfilm #fujifilm #models #featurepalette #quietthequaos #film #california #postthepeople #bleachmyfilm #vintage #modellife #losangeles #southbeach #instagood #westcoast #postmypicsticks #loversanddriftersclub #retro #baltisoul #girls #mobilemag #jgaltusa #brandyusa #l0stbraids #offtherailsinspo

[baltisoul]

Hey look! It’s us being addicted to escaping reality! 💥💥 “In the end you didn’t come here to face reality. You came to create reality.“ - A.H.♥️✨🌙 @paigecarlson 📸 by @melodramaticsighs / @caitnnl 🌹 _______________________________________ #sharpenmyfilm #fujifilm #models #featurepalette #quietthequaos #film #california #postthepeople #bleachmyfilm #vintage #modellife #losangeles #southbeach #instagood #westcoast #postmypicsticks #loversanddriftersclub #retro #baltisoul #girls #mobilemag #jgaltusa #brandyusa #l0stbraids #offtherailsinspo

[baltisoul]

In Love I Bloomed and Died ❤

The first time my heart skipped a beat was because of love.

Because of love… I opened my eyes for the first time. Learned how to walk on my own feet. Wrote my first love letter. Had my first kiss. Got the feeling of having nervous butterflies in my stomach.

Because of love… I wandered to places far away from home. Made a person become my home. Felt a deep pain in my chest when loosing my precious home. Shut my eyes when it all became too much.

Because of love… I found a new home deep within me. Created a safe world to call my own. Learned to trust no matter what. Felt reborn once I opened my eyes.

❤

Photographer: David Wachmann @davidwachmann Model: Anna Bianca Gerlach @annabiancarose

[baltisoul]

...When you get to the point in your twenties where so many memories are suddenly 10 years ago. Like wasn’t that just yesterday? How on earth did time go by so fast? Can you remember the kind of person you used to be back then? ⚡️🌹 📸 @visual_art_creator ____________________________________________ #sharpenmyfilm #fujifilm #models #featurepalette #quietthequaos #film #california #postthepeople #bleachmyfilm #vintage #modellife #losangeles #southbeach #instagood #westcoast #loversanddriftersclub #retro #baltisoul #girls #mobilemag #jgaltusa #brandyusa #l0stbraids #youngandwild #youthculture #analog #35mm

[baltisoul]

♥️Baltisoul Tees 👉🏻 25$♥️ ‘Cause we can’t get enough of cigarette daydreaming, reckless nights and endless trips, constantly losing an finding ourselves at the same time.🌹🥀🌹 ____________________________________________ #models #magazine #featurepalette #quietthequaos #film #california #postthepeople #westcoast #loversanddriftersclub #retro #baltisoul #girls #mobilemag #jgaltusa #brandyusa #l0stbraids #youngandwild #youthculture #baltisoultee #shopbaltisoul (at Los Angeles, California)

[baltisoul]

Sipping on Nostalgia

Nostalgia - a sweetly bitter taste, filling my mouth like cotton dipped in honey and past loves. The world around me a dreamscape, the same but different in almost imperceptible ways. The little things that show time has past and I have been absent. 

Moving on to something new that tastes like lemons and mint melting on possibilities. The ghost of a younger me running by making my hair swirl around me. Her energy carried on haunted laughter from a time when potential was infinite; where the future wasn’t even of concern. Drunk nights dancing on rooftops and running through waterfalls in the dark, the fearless. Flourishing under the gaze of a city that held me like a mother holds on to her daughter's hand.

Little did I know that this city was my playground, preparing me for what the world had been planning. I thought it was so big but in reality it was a fish tank sitting on the edge of an ocean of a world - so infinite that there would always be novelty nipping at my heels. I blink and resurface from memories of a past carefree flighty girl. I sit at a coffee shop that feels like home, except all the faces moving behind the counter are wrong.

The originals have moved on to their own infinities beyond what my mind can imagine. Now I am a ghost of the past sipping a latte the flavor of nostalgia. The old names that used to be the big names now names irrelevant and undefined. They never left this cradle of a city behind -  dust covering their pages as they repeat on an infinite loop. I sigh and pull out my phone letting my family know that I am coming home early to a city where I am still writing my story.

History - a definition of me, yet this place inaccurate to who I am now. It is dangerous to sit in the past too long, it starts to shade your current perception. So I blink away the dust of what used to be - and face the wind of reality.

Model: Weslee Kate @Weslee_kate Photography: Mimi Taylor @dynamimi Stylist/Assist: Lauren Millar @curlyheadedskeleton