Today we’d like to introduce you to Deviant Donna and Nova Nordstrom. They and their team shared their story with us below:
As members of the creative community and best friends (Donna is a music journalist, and Nova is a visual artist), we saw a huge gap in the event space in how artists are compensated. We’ve hosted events separately outside of LA and wanted to come together to create a safe and fun space for all types of creatives. Our focus is on putting money directly into the hands of artists, and we’re super passionate about helping emerging talents find their audience while also helping established artists reach new fans. Our goal is to make a positive impact and support the creative community in a meaningful way!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We both knew from past experience that embarking on this endeavor would be an ever-changing task. Because of the varying nature of our events (be it a different theme or form of entertainment), we encounter all forms of obstacles. For instance, emergencies can pop up, leading to an artist being unable to make it to the event. But luckily, we’ve built a fantastic community that comes together to fill those open spots. Adaptability is key in our line of work, and we have to think quick on our feet to ensure we maintain a positive environment for everyone involved. It’s all about preparing for the unexpected and finding creative solutions when challenges arise.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Nova: I’m a visual artist with a strong background in design. I specialize in digital paintings, brand design, and graphic design. When it comes to our events, I take pride in curating the gallery and event space that seamlessly blends various artistic styles and creates a captivating experience for everyone. When I first moved to LA, I was searching for a creative community. That’s when I crossed paths with Donna, and it was an instant connection. Together, we started going to art events and music shows. It was incredibly fulfilling, and I felt that I had found the community and support that I needed. My experience is what motivated me in starting this business with Donna. Interactive events enable people to find their own unique communities, build relationships, and spark creative collaborations.
Donna: Running a music blog came about very serendipitously. When I was a kid, I spent parts of my summer at Camp Winnarainbow- a sleepaway camp run by Wavy Gravy (he MCed Woodstock and was a clown and activist in the Bay Area in the ’60s & ’70s). Camp exposed me to some incredible music. When I was 14, I fell in love with guitar. When I turned 18, I worked in radio. I’ve always loved talking about music and breaking it down for the general populous in a way that’s digestible. I just want everyone to find their new favorite band and give the musicians a platform to expand their audience as well. Getting involved in the music and art community just made me love it all even more. But meeting Nova was the biggest blessing! I finally had someone trustworthy who shared my passion for the community. Our mutual love for our friends and their art is what made us realize we wanted to give back even more. It truly is a labor of love above all else.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Nova: My favorite podcast: “Music and Shxt with Donna and Audrin,” keeps me entertained for sure. (Check out episode 4, where I guest host and talk about my intense love for T-Pain’s lyrics). For my art and design work, I heavily rely on Procreate and Adobe Illustrator. Digital art is regularly overlooked, but it’s like learning how to paint all over again when you start working in a new program. They’re both really versatile.
Donna: I live by my Spotify and the Lex App! Spotify not only gives me access to all my music but has become a great way to discover new artists once I learned how to use their algorithm to my advantage. For one of our events, we connected with an artist off of Spotify who also turned out to be a visual artist! It was such a welcome surprise to collaborate with a creative who embodies two big aspects of our events. The Lex App has also been an amazing resource in connecting with people. As a member of the queer community, I feel a great desire to hold space for queer creatives, and Lex has made it really easy. If only this app was around sooner so we wouldn’t have to scour tumblr to find each other!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedeviantgroup?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedeviantgroup?_t=8e6rTk8IXNb&_r=1
