What are your names?
Rebecca (L’Amore) Morgiewicz – songwriter, vocalist, and music video writer/director
Stelio Marshall – music producer, composer, and music video editor/producer
Tell us the story behind ‘Princess Cyberspace’
Rebecca: Both Stelio and I were party planners on the East Coast prior to moving to Los Angeles. Stelio went to Berklee College of Music and I went to University of Rhode Island. We met through a mutual friend and hit it off right away because we are both islanders – I am from Guam and Stelio is from Bermuda.
What is your genre of music?
Rebecca: We call our music ‘CyberPop’, because it is pop music that makes ample references to the internet. There is also a distinct island/calypso vibe in most of our songs which reflects our island heritage.
Give us a little bio about you as a duo and individuals.
Rebecca: As a duo, we officially formed in February 2016 in Los Angeles, CA. We wanted to create a new pop icon, because there are little to no Asian-American pop stars in the scene right now. Since we are both on our laptops and iPhones all of the time, we decided to create a pop star whose focus is the internet and social media apps. With that, Princess Cyberspace was born.
I am a multi-racial model and developing actress who grew up in a musical household. My father was a radio DJ and musician in college. He taught me how to play guitar at a young age, and I grew up locking myself in my bedroom and singing/writing songs on my guitar. I then worked as a party planner in college and worked for tech briefly upon graduation, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue modeling and music full-time.
Stelio is an electronic music producer from Bermuda. When it comes to music composition, he is truly a savant. I swear, he closes his eyes and channels the heavens when he is composing new music.
What made you go into music?
Rebecca: My father was a DJ and guitarist prior to starting a family. I think he would have been a radio DJ forever if it paid more than $20K annually! Also, I am half-Filipino, and Filipinos LOVE karaoke. I grew up singing Karaoke, playing guitar, and writing songs, dreaming of being a pop star on stage. At a young age, my idol was Gwen Stefani. People used to say I looked like her, but I never saw it, and I still don’t!
Stelio: I was taking piano lessons as a 6-year-old but it was very academic. At age 11, I really fell in love with music. I started learning guitar and drums and was very inspired by pop-punk. Justice and Daft Punk then inspired me to take my music skills to the next level and learn electronic production and design.
Are you a signed?
Rebecca: No, we are not signed yet.
Tell us more about your new single ‘ So Relatable’
Rebecca: ‘So Relatable’ is our breakout single. When we first moved here, I was absolutely stunned by how many girls were Instagram models! Instagram models did not exist in Boston at the time, and it seemed so superficial to me. I would go out to Hollywood clubs and bars, and eavesdrop on girls talking about their followers, photos, etc. This inspired me to write ‘So Relatable.’ The song was a huge hit on Soundcloud, and went viral right away. A year later, in May 2017, we released the ‘So Relatable’ music video, which we wrote, produced, and directed ourselves. This video has gotten ample attention from media outlets such as Highsnobiety meme accounts such as @grapejuiceboys.
What was the writing process like?
Rebecca: The writing process is Stelio showing me a beat and then me spitting out my thoughts and feeling as rhymes. I grew up keeping a journal of poetry. I was bullied for it. People used to steal my diary in high school and make fun of me, calling me ‘Anne Frank’! They would toss it around and I would get so upset, because my writing was very private at the time. I am happy that I have an outlet, now, to make my writing public and tell stories with music, motion, and graphics.
What was the recording process like?
Rebecca: Stelio’s background in electronic production and design makes him take control when we are recording. We are both artists and both want our voice heard, so we fight A LOT when we are recording. But it seems like the more we fight, the better the song comes out.
You also release the video, what has the response been like?
Rebecca: After only 2 weeks, our ‘So Relatable’ music video has 50K views and memes made after it.
Will you be releasing an EP or Album?
Rebecca: Yes, absolutely! We’re not exactly sure when yet, but you can expect an EP from us by the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018.
If you are what can we expect?
Rebecca: You can expect ample social media and internet references, fun new wave retro beats, and lots of psychedelic colourful album artwork.
Do you have any gigs or tours coming up?
Rebecca: We are currently in Bermuda working on a new song and music video which we will release together. It is called ‘Heart Chained Up.’ It actually has little to no internet references, but is extremely ‘pop punk’.
If so, where will you be heading?
N/A – no tour planned as of now.
Do you play any instruments?
Both: Yes, Rebecca is a professional DJ, guitarist, and played the Clarinet all through middle school and high school. Stelio is next-level. He is a multi-instrumentalist and is professionally trained in every instrument, including but not limited to guitar, piano, drums, and bass. He is also an electronic music producer, and extremely skilled in production and artist development. He can literally pick up any instrument and learn how to play it!
Who are your influences?
Both: Our biggest influences are David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Madonna, No Doubt, Blondie, Diplo, and Dillon Francis.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Rebecca: I literally just channel my feelings! I always have a notebook on me, and am always writing down rhymes that pop into my head. I think I was simply born to be a songwriter/poet. Writing relieves my stress. There is no better feeling than pen to paper.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Rebecca: We really hope to be touring the world! We both love to travel and grew up traveling internationally with our families, so we would love to continue to do so. Also, most of our fans are in Germany, the UK, Australia, and Asia, so we want to please our international listeners and viewers in person!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Rebecca: I am also a professional fashion and commercial model, so I am modeling/acting for other brands, working out, or DJing at local clubs/bars/parties.
Stelio: Watch a lot of anime.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more into the music scene?
Rebecca: Gwen Stefani – ‘Just A Girl’
Stelio: Oh, boy. Uhhh… Daft Punk – ‘Aerodynamic’
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Both: “Do your own thing.” – Diplo, in person, when he performed in Bermuda with Major Lazer.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Rebecca: Always be yourself, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Don’t be afraid to be smart – people will respect you if you don’t dumb yourself down. Have a lawyer and a business manager. Don’t follow trends – start them! If you’re a creative you were most likely bullied your whole life before you got to the point you are at now, so never, ever give up.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Rebecca: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss
Stelio: ‘Food machine broke.’ (It’s a meme)
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Rebecca: I grew up between Guam and Rhode Island, so I would say Tarague Beach, Guam or Narragansett Beach, Rhode Island.
Stelio: House of India (restaurant)
Your straight off tour;
1/ where do you go? The bathroom.
2/ who do you see? Our kitten Wrinkle.
3/what do you eat? Aroma Bakery/Cafe on Sunset Blvd Happy Hour
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Rebecca:
A pen (A writer is never without a pen.)
My iPhone
My lucky crystal
A camera
A sick ass outfit that no one is going to forget
If you had to give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Rebecca: Be more outspoken! I used to be so shy, and I regret it. I wish I got into acting, modeling, and singing even earlier. But, every thing happens for a reason.
Stelio: Chase checks, never chase a b*tch
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Rebecca:
Soundcloud
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Mixcloud
Website
Stelio:
Soundcloud
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Website
