Diversity Rules Magazine

8 Diversity Rules Magazine June 2019 Drew Schiff makes his tri- umphant return to pop ra- dio with "Ride the Wave," a song he wrote, about the importance of leaning on loved ones in mes of need. "There have been mes I have felt I wasn't strong enough to deal with a prob- lem," he reflects. "I'm a strong guy, so yeah, I probably had most of what it took to rise above the crisis but some mes, when things get really dark, everyone needs that ny ray of light, that li le whisper of 'I believe in you', to help overcome what appears to be insurmountable." "Ride the Wave" is Drew's third single release. It is being distributed by AWAL and is available on iTunes, Spo fy and all digital pla orms. All proceeds from "Ride the Wave" are being donated to the Stonewall Community Founda- on. "I've encountered lots of storms over the past few years but if I had to pick the one that has been most impac ul on my life, it would be when I was forced to leave home due to my be- ing different than what my parents dreamt me up to be." Growing up in Hungary, Drew enjoyed a nice child- hood surrounded by his sister and cousins, who were like siblings to him. Everything changed, however, in his teen years with the divorce of his parents and his mother openly objec ng to Drew's sexual fluid- ity which resulted in some very bad fights. Drew found solace in pop music. "Pop ar sts like Pharrell, Kanye West and Lady Gaga provided an escape from the everyday wreck of my life," he ex- plains. "They helped me to ride the wave of my troubles un l I was ready to make it out on my own." He didn't know it at the me, but the pop singers would also play an important role in shaping Drew into the ar st he is today. He writes and records songs that take listeners on journeys. His first sin- gle, "Ray-Bans," is an upbeat, fun, summer-y track. His second single, "It's Just Today," about missing a special someone, presents a more sen mental side to the young sing- er. In "Ride the Wave," he digs even deeper into his emo ons. "I tend to write a lot about love and rela onships, including heart ache and issues with exes. Rela onships aren't easy," Drew laughs. "I guess I want to provide music for the soundtrack of people's lives," he con nues. "Music that relates to all situa ons. We all have mul per- sonali es, you know. At mes, I love to dance and feel hot and dangerous but there are moments I feel incred- ibly shy or hurt. I'm man enough to admit I cry some mes, especially when I reflect on my rela onship with my mother." Though Drew has split es with most of his fam- ily, he counts himself lucky to have forged lifelong friendships with men and women in the LGBTQ+ community. It is a big reason why Drew decided to donate all proceeds from "Ride the Wave" to the Stonewall Community Founda on. "This year marks the fi ieth year of the Stonewall Riots, the very first modern-day LGBTQ+ march," the though ul singer says. "Back then it was against police oppression and basic human rights. It makes you stop, think and appreciate what the genera ons before us have done. The liber es we all have now to live our lives, be ourselves, and not just be accepted and tolerated but respected and celebrated." Drew Schiff's "Ride the Wave" is available on iTunes, Spo fy and all digital pla orms. All proceeds from "Ride the Wave" are being donated to the Stone- wall Community Founda on. Follow on Instagram @ drewschiff. Ride The Wave New Release By Drew Schiff Proceeds To Be Donated To Stonewall Community Foundation

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