12 February, 2021Print
NY R&B/Soul Artist Orion Sun and LA Artist NEZ Release New Short Films as a part of the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series
Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series features
Filmmakers: Ali Roberto L.A. and Gabriel Gomez NYC
Music artists: Blimes and Gab, Cautious Clay, duendita, Frankie & The Witch Fingers, Lauren Ruth Ward, NEZ, Orion Sun, The Regrettes, Rosehardt, Stuyedeyed, Sunflower Bean, Tolliver
PORTLAND, OR (February 12, 2021) Philadelphia-born, New Jersey-raised R&B/soul artist Orion Sun and Los Angeles-based rapper NEZ are the latest artists to unveil mini documentary films as a part of the annual Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series, in partnership with COLLiDE Agency. Thanks to the creative vision of L.A.-based director Ali Roberto and NYC director Gabriel Gomez, the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series tells the stories of artists living in the LA and NYC music scenes in these unprecedented times.
More on the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series here: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/dm-presents
After breaking through with her 2017 Billie Holiday-era single “Antidote” and then touring with Daniel Caesar, Orion Sun followed up a string of singles with her debut album Hold Space For Me in the Spring of 2020. In her short film she speaks about the agency and joy she found in protesting over the summer, and how all of the free time spent reading and devoting herself to her friends and family will only continue to bear fruits in the future. Watch Orion Sun in Episode 10 of the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series here: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/dm-presents-orion-sun
LA’s NEZ talks about how he set aside a dedicated creative space to get outside of the turmoil of the outside world, and how inviting other creators and friends to the space has continued to keep him inspired. Watch NEZ in Episode 9 of the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series here: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/dm-presents-nez
Next Tuesday, February 16, Orion Sun will perform live on the Dr. Martens Instagram page at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET as a part of Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series. Be sure to tune in here.
Previously the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series showcased the resilience of LA hip-hop duo Blimes & Gab Tolliver and NY three-piece Sunflower Bean, who each spoke about their community pursuits and how they remain optimistic. Later in the year the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series will unveil new films from duendita, Frankie & The Witch Fingers, The Regrettes and Stuyedeyed.
More info on Orion Sun, NEZ and the Dr. Martens Presents: Music & Film Series below.
ABOUT DR. MARTENS
The first pair of Dr. Martens boots rolled off the production line on the 1st April 1960. With its trademark yellow stitch, grooved sole and heel-loop, it was a boot for workers, initially worn by postmen and policemen; comfortable, durable and lightweight in comparison to its competitors at the time.
Throughout Dr. Martens history, the brand has been adopted and subverted by diverse individuals, musicians, youth cultures and tribes. These are the people who stand out from the crowd and their journey of self-expression has always been accompanied by a pair of DM’s.
The simple silhouette allows people to customize each pair; whilst on a utilitarian level their famous durability and comfort make them ideal footwear for the world of gigs and street fashion. On an emotional level, they are a flag of attitude and empowerment.
The Northamptonshire factory where it all began still exists to this day, in the village of Wollaston. A specific range of ‘Made In England’ products are manufactured here by a small, close-knit team of people schooled in traditional shoe-making and a process that hasn’t changed since our first pair six decades ago.
ABOUT ORION SUN
Orion Sun's album Hold Space for Me (Mom+Pop) is as much a testament to resilience as it is an emotive journey through cathartic self-reflection and expressing one's truth. While the LP is the first official debut album for the Philadelphia-born, New Jersey-raised R&B/soul artist, Orion Sun has already established herself as a multi-talented rising star to watch.
Her 2017 single "Antidote," from her self-released and self-produced compilation A Collection of Fleeting Moments and Daydreams, has garnered more than 14 Million streams to date on Spotify, with the compilation totalling 24.2 Million. Evoking Billie Holiday-era tones married with modern stream-of-consciousness cadences and indelible beats, it highlights Majette's innate ear for songwriting and production. The compilation followed two previously self-released 2016 EPs, all of which she also self-produced.
With Hold Space for Me, Majette expands on her early work, crafting an intoxicating blend of grooves that buoy her poetic storytelling lyrics culled from deeply personal experiences. Whether it's the confessional "Lightning," which addresses feeling alone and alienated or reflecting on the death of a close friend ("Trying," "Grim Reaper") to the romantic "Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don't Leave Me)," she writes from the heart coupled with warm and lived-in voice that expresses a relatable vulnerability.
ABOUT NEZ
Born in West Lafayette, Indiana, NEZ’s musical style mirrors the duality he saw growing up in Chicago. Witnessing the birth of House Music and seeing it transform through Black experimentation, he incorporates the same genre-defying styles that brought the Hip-Hop community further into the dance world.
NEZ is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His musical styling is marked by dramatic changes in styles, incorporating an eclectic range of influences including soul, electro, indie rock, synth-pop, house and R&B.
NEZ is one half of the Grammy-nominated producer duo, Nez & Rio who first became known for their work with ScHoolboy Q, A$AP Rocky, Chance The Rapper, Wale, King Louie, and many others. NEZ is best known for producing hits such as Schoolboy Q's "Man of the Year," and ASAP Rocky's "Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2". In 2015, NEZ was nominated for the Best Rap Album Grammy for his work on ScHoolboy Q's album Oxymoron.
Nez has spent the last year in the studio perfecting his new music which will be released soon.