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Sean Garrett

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Quarantine Diaries: Sean Garrett Is In The Studio, Talking Story Behind Usher's Hit "Yeah!" & Hitting The Gym

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Jan 4, 2021 - 4:48 pm

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, Sean Garrett shares his Quarantine Diary. 

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[8:30 a.m.] I’m being awakened right about this time with a little tap on the shoulder from my 5-year-old (Cruzzy-Bear). I’m still extremely sleepy because I’m on 3.5 hours of sleep after last night's recording session. As I put the big guy (Cruzzy) in his tub for a bath, I’m being ordered by special request that he needs his iPad set up on the counter to watch while he plays in the tub. After I wash him up and get him dressed, we go downstairs for some breakfast and then off to school.

[10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.] After dropping off my son, it’s straight to the gym. Dreading this workout with my trainer—he has a full two-hour workout set up consisting of weight training, cardio and low impact strengthening.

[2 p.m. - 7 p.m.] After a shower and a quick change, I’m headed to a top-secret meeting/session with a few of the biggest hitmakers in the music business; It's a very tedious process because of the level of success from this artist's last project. We go back and forth comparing notes on the angle and approach we will take on production and song to ensure this project is not only successful but exactly what the “artist”'s fans love.

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[8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.] I’m off to change and then head to a late live interview to discuss the current state of music, the art of hit-making and the story behind the No. 14 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 Greatest Hits Of All Time Chart: Usher’s “Yeah!”

[10 p.m. -11 p.m.] Head to a late dinner. With most of the city semi locked down due to COVID, it’s a blessing to have a few spots in Atlanta open to enjoy some good food.

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[12 a.m. - 4:00 a.m.] Back to the studio with my client. I love writing and producing songs. I’ve been blessed to create, and I take my craft seriously. Labels and artists depend on me to tell a story and make a hit. These “closed sessions” always end up in your ear. I mean, I don’t say “smash on the radio” for nothing!

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Kissie Lee 

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Quarantine Diaries: Kissie Lee Is Getting New Music Ready, Spending Time With Her Daughter & Reading Paulo Coelho

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Dec 10, 2020 - 4:21 pm

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, R&B singer/songwriter Kissie Lee shares her Quarantine Diary. Her latest single "My Love"​ is out now.

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[8 a.m.] My daughter, Denver Moon, wakes up and walks into my room to let me know I can’t sleep anymore. She just turned two so I put her on the potty—hopefully she uses it lol. Then I get her dressed, do her hair, pack her bag, and take her to her school. It’s a private school for infants and young children up to Pre-K and they have been open throughout the entire quarantine. They go through all the safety precautions, and parents can’t go past the door—she’s been safe the whole time. Today she started in her new room with the 2-year-olds, so no more sippy cups or bottles!

[10 a.m.] I get home and read a chapter of one of my Paulo Coelho books. Today it's "The Archer." Then I do my makeup, hair routine, and head out to my artist development 3-hour rehearsal with AGI Entertainment. While I was getting dressed, I found out that my latest single "My Love" produced by Mr. Hanky reached over a million views so I was super excited!!! 

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[12 p.m.] I get to rehearsal. For the first hour, I do a crazy cardio-focused workout and core training. This all is to build my endurance for stage and to control my diaphragm, something singers have to master. Then the next hour we do vocal training where I practice my breathing, do scales to increase my range and I rehearse my songs and we perfect how I perform them. The last hour we do choreo and staging. I’m not a Chris Brown type dancer lol, but I have my moves and we rehearse how I will engage with the audience and different ways to get the feeling of the song across.

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[3 p.m.] I head home to eat something! Today, I ate some chicken and potatoes that I meal prepped the night before. Then I go to the studio because I have about 2-3 hours before I pick up my daughter from school. Today, in the studio I had to add more bars to my new single that I am about to release ft. Light Skin Keisha. It’s called "Sheesh" produced by legendary producer Mr. Hanky. Usually, in the studio, I’m either writing for my EP I will be releasing in February or I’m doing features for other artists. And sometimes, I’m just writing new music for me and other artists because I am also a songwriter for the likes of Jacquees, Jacob Latimore, Keke Wyatt, Skylar Stecker, and many more new and established artists! 

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[6 p.m.] I pick up Denver Moon from school, and we go home to fix her a snack. We do some more potty training and I cook dinner. Then I hope she doesn’t tear up the house too bad lol. I sometimes go live on IG if she is in the room playing with her brother. Today we put up the Christmas Tree!

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[10 p.m.] I put Denver to bed after a bath. Then I head to my “social media” room (lol) to do some TIKTOKS. I just got my TIKTOK monetized so I try and post at least 2-3 a day! I also record covers and freestyles that I write for Instagram and Youtube at this time. I picked up a new passion during quarantine: editing vlogs and doing graphics. I edit Keke Wyatt’s vlogs during this time. Today, I work on Keke’s latest vlog, "What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!." I also edit my youtube vlogs—It's so much fun to me!!

[1 a.m.] I finally crawl on the bed and I scroll through my phone lol. I get on a new app called Clubhouse and talk in those rooms for a little while and meet new people. I watch some of my favorite podcasts on youtube. I look at my analytics on all my social media and music platforms and brainstorm ways to grow them since more people are tuned in during this time. Then I fall asleep to random youtube videos lol—usually I fall asleep to Anita Baker playlist. So relaxing.

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Maeta

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Quarantine Diaries: R&B Singer Maeta Is Eating At Tender Greens, Rehearsing & Adjusting To L.A. Life

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Dec 7, 2020 - 4:12 pm

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry,GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, R&B/pop singer Maeta shares her Quarantine Diary. Her new single ‘Teen Scene,’ produced by Kaytranda, is out everywhere now.

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[7 a.m.] Woke up. First thing I did is grab my phone, which is a habit I’m trying to break! I feel like the first 30 minutes to an hour after you wake up are sort of sacred and you should spend that time doing peaceful things to start your day. Although I love social media, I wouldn’t call it peaceful, so I try not to do it immediately. But today I failed!!! I checked Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Laid there, and for about 30 minutes, pondered life until it was time to jump in the shower. Then I got ready and left for my appointment.  

[11 a.m.] I went to the dentist and came home around 11. I have the biggest sweet tooth when I’m working/recording, so I gotta make sure I’m taking care of my teeth. Once home, I spent the next hour doing my makeup, which I love to have fun with. I did a quick clean around my apartment and blasted some music on my new speaker gifted to me by my friend Amber, a photographer I work with. She ended up coming over, and we shot some behind-the-scenes of me getting ready. Capturing all the moments of being an artist is something I’m starting to get used to. She was with me today because it was my first rehearsal with my new band, and we wanted to document all the feelings I had during these new experiences for me.

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[12:30 p.m.] We had a little time, and we were both starving, so we headed to Hollywood to grab some food. My favorite is Tender Greens, so that’s where we went. I got the fried chicken of course, and Amber got salmon and rice. Out of all the new places I’ve tried since moving to L.A., Tender Greens has a special place in my heart. One of my favorite producers, J. Lbs, ordered it during one of my first ever sessions here, and I’ve loved it ever since. Amber and I were in a rush, so we just picked it up and ran to rehearsal. 

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[2 p.m.] Got to rehearsal. First ones there, of course, as everybody in L.A. comes late to everything. Everybody here always has a packed day, so rarely do schedules line up perfectly. Indiana is so simple, and people are not really in a rush there, so it annoyed me when I first came here, but I am definitely used to it now. It’s taught me to go with the flow. I used this time to eat and check my phone before starting. 

[6 p.m.] Rehearsal was amazing. It was my first one with my new band, so it was all very new to me. But it was crazy to see my songs being played live. I couldn’t stop smiling! I love seeing my songs broken down and flipped based on the musicians' take on it. It’s such a collaboration, which might be my favorite part about being an artist. We worked on a lot of stuff, including songs off my upcoming project, Habits. It was especially cool to sing my new single “Teen Scene” with a full band. 

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[7 p.m.] After rehearsal, my friend Alex came over. We had tacos and chatted for a couple of hours. I am so grateful for her and all of my people here. I was once so lonely when I first moved to L.A., so I'm incredibly happy to have an apartment now with actual furniture and actual friends to be with lol! I feel like I'm starting to feel at home here. After a few hours of hanging, I ended up slightly falling asleep on my floor, so I knew it was time for me to go to bed lol. 

[11 p.m.] After a long day, I just want to jump in bed and knock out; Taking off my makeup is the last thing I want to do. But the number one rule of skincare is sleeping with a clean face, so I had to. After that, I clean up and check Instagram one last time until I finally passed out. It was a great day!!! 

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Ukiyo

Ukiyo

Photo: Matsu

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Quarantine Diaries: Ukiyo Is Making An Infomercial For "Make It Better," Shopping At IKEA & Eating Frozen Pizza

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to musicians to see how they were spending their days off the road
GRAMMYs
Nov 16, 2020 - 6:00 pm

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, Australian producer Ukiyo shares his Quarantine Diary. His self-titled debut album is out now.

[9 a.m.]  Hitting the road early, for me at least. Got a busy day of video shoots this afternoon and a sporadic trip to IKEA in the morning. My Movember mo' is beginning to make its first appearance.

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[9:30 a.m.] Arrived at IKEA! All I wanted was to look at couches and get a new smart light, but I've ended up buying a cutting board, glasses, a fancy shelf thing, and a TV unit. Whoops.

[11 a.m.] Lunch break at Sushi Wawa just over the road. Honestly, it's half the reason I come to IKEA, an amazing sushi train.

[11:45 a.m.] Grabbing the generator I booked for the night, we'll come back to that later.

[12 p.m.] Back home and I'm getting set up to film a couple of little bits of a skit to promote "Make it Better." Who knows if this one will see the light of day. It's meant to be like an infomercial and the song is some miracle drug inspired by how it helped me with my anxiety and its relation to mental health. Quickly mocked up a fake box in Photoshop as well.

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[1 p.m.] I'm in a very last-minute costume now, and ready to film. I wanted to be a scientist-kinda character but nothing I have looks like that so this'll have to do.

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[1:15 p.m.] Filming. I ain't no actor so 50 takes later and I've got something usable. If you never see this video anywhere it's probably because I've realised since that it really wasn't.

[1:30 p.m.] Shower time. Hair gel is gross, the stickiness is awful. Why do I do this to myself?

[1:45 p.m.] Back in the studio. I've got exactly one hour and 15 minutes to run through a 45-minute set and make sure everything's working as it should be.

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[2 p.m.] Phew, everything appears to have loaded up in Ableton fine. Let's just hope I can remember how to play my parts.

[3 p.m.] The "crew" arrives. My friends Jayden, Jarred, Jacob, and my girlfriend Clare are all here to help shoot a live set in front of the sunset. It should be fairly straightforward except I've chosen a spot on top of a hill which is only accessible by walking, so there's going to be a lot of effort required to get all the gear up.

[6 p.m.] Three hours of sweating later and everything is up the hill and where it needs to be. We timed that well as it's sunset in pretty much exactly 45 minutes.

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[6:45 p.m.] Finito. There were a couple of little mistakes and one power issue with the generator later, but I think that went really well. I had never shot with a drone before but I'm imagining it'll look beaut'.  Now just a lot of packing away, at least we don't have to drag stuff up any more hills.

[8 p.m.] Back at home base and taking a much-needed sit down, chatting with everyone about how it went. It's a "throw a frozen pizza in the air-fryer" kind of night for sure. I've got to reply to a couple of emails and messages after a busy day and then I'm ready to call it a day.

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Quarantine Diaries: Robert DeLong Is Making Breakfast Burritos & Recording In The Studio

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Peppermint 

Photo: Magnus Hastings

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Quarantine Diaries: Peppermint Is Releasing "Best Sex," Filming 'A Girl Like Me' & Staying In Touch With Fans

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Oct 2, 2020 - 1:11 pm

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, actress, singer, reality star and activist Peppermint shares her Quarantine Diary. Her latest single "Best Sex" is out now. 

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[10 a.m.] It’s Day 2 of shooting my short film A Girl Like Me and I’m feeling so many emotions. Yesterday was a whirlwind of cast and crew arriving, filming the first few scenes in Jackie Robinson Park, moving into the Airbnb we rented for the remainder of the shoot, reviewing makeup/hair/wardrobe options and spending as much time as possible with my co-star Levi Smith to build chemistry. This album is a year and a half in the making and now that we’re creating a visual component, everything feels all the more intense.

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[10:45 a.m.] Cast and crew are meeting to discuss the scenes for today and, very importantly, to review safety protocols. It means the world to me to have a small team willing to come together and work on this project, so I have made it clear that we will be serious about everyone's health and well-being while on set.

[11:18 a.m.] Now it’s time to get into makeup, wardrobe and of course drink plenty of tea. Even though there isn’t dialogue in this film (the music from my album serves as the narration) I do need to keep my voice healthy because, at the end of the week, we are also filming a live performance of the album. Details on that to be announced very soon!

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[1 p.m.] We’ve started filming some intimate bedroom scenes and it takes major concentration...so I’m going to take a break from this and catch up with you all a little later in the day.

[5:01 p.m.] A light meal and more hot tea are all I have time for. We’re rolling right into new scene setups since this video project encompasses all of the songs on the album. Also snuck in a few interviews on Zoom to go over our release plans for the first single "Best Sex."

[5:45 p.m.] Time to film Cameos, social media and promo content. I actually really enjoy doing this kind of stuff because it breaks up the day and really connects me back to my fans. It’s a reminder of why I’m making this art.

[6:00 p.m.] We have a quick break so I'm going to go up to spend more quality time with my make-believe husband.

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[6:37 p.m.] Back to hair and makeup for another costume change. I'm really nervous about the next scene. It's one of my favorite and most anticipated moments. It's also a Carole King song so I don't want to get this wrong. I'm going to close my eyes for a few minutes while getting my makeup refreshed by Casey. She's a M.A.C. makeup artist just as I was years ago so we literally speak the same makeup language.

[8:26 p.m.] We are filming out on the veranda for "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" This scene is one of my favorites. The song, lighting, and overall mood just make me feel so beautiful and really captures a lot of the meaning of this album. Although we have to be careful because the neighbors next to the house we are filming in don't want loud music to play after dark. Also somehow slugs are falling out of the trees and dropping down onto us.

[12:13 a.m.] That’s a wrap! The day flew by but having this team together to help bring this to life is such a joy and honor. Back at it tomorrow! I promise I'll eventually get to my emails!

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