The Real Me

Weekly News, Features, and Interviews from Metallica HQ and Beyond

This is Episode 10, and Season Finale. Join us as we experience Music Monday together with some of our incredible AYA Artists, and our very own Wonder Woman Program Director Hilary Gan.

Samantha Kayne is a singer/songwriter. Before cancer, Samantha wrote, sang, and listened to music. Her favorite genre is pop and her biggest influence is Meghan Trainor.

Audrey grew up in a musical family, and as a singer herself, has grown up singing in her school choirs throughout her junior high, high school and college years. She auditioned for the state choir in Texas, and got to perform with her varsity women’s ensemble at TMEA.

Brian “RiGHtSiDE” Smith came up as an avid underground-punk fan and a hardcore-rap fan. Although he’s mostly moved on from those genres, his deep love and wonder for music has only grown

Play It Back artist, Christina Best, is an educator and artist from rural North Carolina. She has always been a creative person, known to pop lock, sing/beat-box in a group, or photograph as a side hustle, but her experience as a cancer survivor pushed her to honor her creative talents more intentionally.

Nathan Hooper is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was born in Nashville, TN and loves all kinds of music. He has played drums since he was four and has played the guitar and bass since the fifth grade. Before Cancer, Nathan played in percussion ensemble, the jazz band at his school and a rock band with some of his friends

Sage Escalante is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has been taking piano lessons since she was 5 and voice lessons for many years as well. Cancer caused Sage to write songs about not giving up and persevering through difficult circumstances and her writing is growing by leaps and bounds.

Sara Carreras is a singer/songwriter and instrumentalist. She grew up in a family of music and has been singing in church since she was 12. Her voice is as clear as a bell...and as Belle’s. Sara plays the guitar, but recently got into keys, bass, and drums. Her favorite genres are Gospel, R & B, and 90s/2000s Pop (she loves N’SYNC).

Patrick Eck grew up in a musical tribe surrounded by a brother and close friends with whom he immersed himself in music playing guitar in numerous bands. His love of progressive rock is deep. He’s a thoughtful writer, poet and thinker and his songs reflect that.