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X Ambassadors

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X Ambassadors (also stylized XA) are an American pop rock band from Ithaca, New York, that consists of lead vocalist Sam Harris, keyboardist Casey Harris, and drummer Adam Levin. Russ Flynn is a touring member who plays guitar and bass. Their most notable songs include "Jungle", "Renegades", and "Unsteady". The band's debut full-length album, VHS, was released on June 30, 2015. Their second album, Orion, came out on June 14, 2019. Their third album, The Beautiful Liar, was issued on September 24, 2021. Their fourth album, Townie, came out on April 5, 2024.

X Ambassadors
X Ambassadors performing in 2015
X Ambassadors performing in 2015
Background information
Also known as
  • Ambassadors (2009–2013)[1][2]
  • XA
OriginIthaca, New York, United States
Genres
Years active2009–present
Labels
Members
  • Sam Nelson Harris
  • Casey Harris
  • Adam Levin
Past membersNoah Feldshuh
Websitexambassadors.com

History

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2009–12: Ambassadors and Litost

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X Ambassadors began playing under the name Ambassadors, touring with artists such as LIGHTS.[3] During this time, they self-released their debut EP, Ambassadors, creating a music video for its lead single, "Tropisms", shot and directed by Rodrigo Zedillo.[citation needed] Shortly after, they self-released their second EP, Litost, which included the eponymous song, later to be used in the soundtrack for The Host. The band signed a record deal in 2012 with SONGS Music Publishing.[4] They launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund and shoot two music videos for the EP's singles, "Weight/Lightness" and "Unconsolable", with the latter being re-recorded later.[5] The group was noticed by Imagine Dragons while frontman Dan Reynolds was sick in the hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. Reynolds heard an acoustic version of "Unconsolable" on 96X WROX-FM and asked Interscope to sign the band as soon as possible.[6][7]

2013–14: Love Songs Drug Songs and The Reason

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X Ambassadors released their debut major-label EP, Love Songs Drug Songs, in 2013. It included the track "Stranger", co-written by Dan Reynolds.[8] In promotion of the album, they toured in support of Imagine Dragons, Jimmy Eat World, and the Mowgli's.[9][10][11][12] In 2014, the band released their next EP, The Reason. Two of its tracks, "Unsteady" and "Jungle", appeared on their full-length album VHS, released after a year. In promotion of the new EP, X Ambassadors supported Panic! at the Disco and Imagine Dragons on their respective tours.[13]

2015–16: VHS

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In March 2015, X Ambassadors released the single "Renegades", which appeared on their debut album, "VHS", published on June 30, 2015, and featuring collaborations with Jamie N Commons and Imagine Dragons. A special edition, titled VHS 2.0 was released on June 10, 2016, with five additional tracks and without the interludes that were included on the original version.

The band collaborated with the Knocks on the song "Comfortable", from the duo's debut album, 55, released in March 2016.

On June 20, 2016, X Ambassadors announced that Feldshuh would be taking an indefinite hiatus from the band to deal with personal issues.[14]

2017: Single releases

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X Ambassadors released four standalone singles in 2017: "Hoping" in March, "Torches" in April, "The Devil You Know" in June, and "Ahead of Myself" in July.[15] They also performed at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. The band was featured in a song by Eminem titled "Bad Husband", from his album Revival. They also collaborated on "Home", a song from the soundtrack for the Netflix film Bright. The track includes pop singer Bebe Rexha and rapper Machine Gun Kelly.

2018–2020: Joyful (cancelled album), Orion, and Belong

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X Ambassadors released their next single, "Joyful", on January 26, 2018, originally intended to be the title track of their second record.[16] Pre-orders of the album became available through their website later that day,[17] and it was slated for an April 2018 release. On February 2, 2018, the band issued another single, titled "Don't Stay".[18]

On January 24, 2019, the group put out their next single, "Boom". Three months later, on April 19, 2019, over a year after the announcement of Joyful, the band stated they had cancelled it in favor of new material for a different record, to be titled Orion, which would include the previously released track "Boom". Vocalist Sam Harris stated that Joyful was the second iteration of their second album and that they felt like the songs on it did not represent where they were at.[19] That same day, the band issued the song "Hey Child" as the second single off Orion. A third single, titled "Hold You Down", was published on May 31, 2019.[20] The album came out on June 14, 2019.[19]

On April 19, 2019, American rapper and singer Lizzo released her album "Cuz I Love You", which featured the tracks "Cuz I Love You", "Jerome", and "Heaven Help Me", all produced by X Ambassadors.[21] The band also wrote the song "Baptize Me" with singer Jacob Banks for the Game of Thrones compilation For the Throne.

On August 16, 2019, X Ambassadors were featured on a song titled "In Your Arms", from Illenium's third studio album, Ascend.[22]

On August 23, 2019, the band released a politically charged standalone single called "Optimistic", which centers around gun violence in the United States.[23]

On February 7, 2020, they issued the song "Everything Sounds Like a Love Song",[24] promoted as the lead single from their forthcoming EP, Belong. On February 21, 2020, the band put out a single titled "Great Unknown" for the film The Call of the Wild.[25]

Belong came out on March 6, 2020, and included the title track as well as "Everything Sounds Like a Love Song" and "Happy Home". Sam Harris stated that it was a collection of tracks the band wrote that didn't quite fit on their upcoming third studio album, but they loved the songs and wanted to put them out.[26] On May 15, 2020, X Ambassadors released another single, "Zen", with K.Flay and grandson, about the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021–2022: (Eg), The Beautiful Liar

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On January 14, 2021, X Ambassadors released a single called "ultraviolet.tragedies", a heavily rap-focused song featuring Terrell Hines. It was the first single from the collaborations project (Eg). Sam Harris said that with this project, he wanted to "give a voice to (several) incredible artists that people may not have heard yet, and really let their imagination be at the forefront of everything".[27] On February 7, 2021, the band released a cover of "Blinding Lights" by the Weeknd.

On February 12, 2021, they released the next single from (Eg), "skip.that.party", featuring Jensen McRae. They issued one more single, "torture", on March 12, 2021, featuring Earl St. Clair.

On June 11, 2021, the band put out a song titled "My Own Monster", which was also announced to be the lead single from their third studio album, The Beautiful Liar. "Okay" was released as the second single on July 30, 2021, while "Adrenaline" came out on August 13, 2021. The album was published on September 24, 2021, along with a music video for the song "Beautiful Liar". A tour for the record began in October.[28] The Beautiful Liar is a concept album that plays out similarly to a radio drama, expressing themes of insanity, powerlessness, self-doubt, and anxiety.[29] It tells the story of a blind girl whose shadow comes to life. It has a trap-influenced sound, a contrast from the band's previous releases, and tells its story over the course of sixteen tracks. Sam and Casey said that the album was influenced by radio shows that they listened to as children. About the record, Sam said, "I wanted to make an album that felt as unhinged as I did, and as the whole world felt around me. So Adam, Casey and I carved ourselves a space where we could all be as ugly, weird, funny, and f'd up as we wanted to be."[30]

On October 22, 2021, the band released "Water", a song for the Blade Runner: Black Lotus soundtrack. The band was featured on "You'll Get Yours" from Tom Morello's album The Atlas Underground Flood, released December 3, 2021. On May 12, 2022, they issued a remix of their song "Palo Santo", featuring ROBI.

On December 9, 2022, the band collaborated with Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies and singer Elley Duhé on "Back to You". A music video for the song was released on January 19, 2023.[31] A deluxe pack was released on March 10, 2023, containing remixes from various DJs.

2023–present: (Eg) season two, Townie, and Townies

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On May 24, 2023, X Ambassadors released "Happy People", featuring Teddy Swims and Jac Ross, starting season two of (Eg). The next single, released on June 23, was "Friend for Life", featuring Medium Build, followed by "Devastation", featuring PAMÉ, released on September 22, and "Alcohol", featuring Breland, released on October 27.

On November 17, 2023, the band put out the song "Deep End", for the soundtrack to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

In late 2023, X Ambassadors began teasing snippets of songs from their upcoming fourth studio album, Townie. The record, published on April 5, 2024, was preceded by four singles: "No Strings", released on January 19, 2024; "Your Town", released on February 16, 2024; "Half-Life", released on March 15, 2024; and "Follow the Sound of My Voice", released on March 29, 2024.[32] The band released the EP Townies alongside the single "Fragile" on October 15.

Musical style and influences

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X Ambassadors' musical style has been described as alternative rock,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39] indie rock,[40][41][42][43] pop rock,[44][45][46] and alternative pop.[47][48]

The band incorporates various genres into their songs, such as jazz, trap, and R&B. Sam Harris has stated that all of the members grew up listening to hip hop and R&B, but they also appreciated rock music, specifically alternative and indie groups.[49] While writing their second album, he cited soul influences, including Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Otis Redding, and the Band.[50] It has often been noted that Casey Harris being blind has been a major part of shaping the band's music.[51][52]

Solo projects

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On May 5, 2023, Sam Harris released his debut solo album, Why Does Everything Make Me Cry?, under the name Sam Nelson.[53] It contains three singles: "Forever, Now", "Battery Acid", and "Give Me Hell", the latter featuring Madi Diaz.

Philanthropy

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In January 2017, Sam Harris participated in the official Women's March on Washington after-party.[54][55] He was joined by the National, Ani DiFranco, Samantha Ronson, Sleater-Kinney, and many others.

In March 2017, X Ambassadors performed a special show to benefit Planned Parenthood on International Women's Day.[56]

Following the benefit show, the band released the song "Hoping" on March 10.[57][58] All proceeds from the song for the six months following its release were donated to the ACLU.[58]

In June 2017, X Ambassadors announced that they would donate all the proceeds from their Mississippi Coast Coliseum Show to Unity Mississippi—an LGBT charitable organization,[citation needed] following the announcement that the state of Mississippi signed HB 1523 – the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act" into law.[59]

Band members

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Clockwise from top left: Sam Harris, Casey Harris, Adam Levin, Noah Feldshuh, performing in 2016
  • Sam Nelson Harris – lead vocals, guitar, saxophone, bass guitar, drums, percussion (2009–present)
  • Casey Harris – piano, keyboards, backing vocals (2009–present)
  • Adam Levin – drums, percussion (2009–present)

Touring member

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  • Russ Flynn – guitar, bass (2016–present)

Former member

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  • Noah Feldshuh – lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2009–2016; currently on hiatus)

Member information

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Discography

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Main article: X Ambassadors discography

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Rock Song "Renegades" Nominated [66]
2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Song – Sci-Fi / Fantasy Film "Sucker for Pain" Nominated [67]
iHeartRadio Music Awards Alternative Rock Artist of the Year X Ambassadors Nominated [68]
Alternative Rock Song of the Year "Renegades" Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Rock Artist X Ambassadors Nominated [69]
Top Rock Song "Renegades" Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock X Ambassadors Nominated [70]
2017 Billboard Music Awards Top Rock Artist X Ambassadors Nominated [71]
Top Rock Song "Sucker for Pain" Nominated
"Unsteady" Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Rock Artist X Ambassadors Nominated [72]

References

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  1. ^ Blum, Aaron (March 3, 2014). "X Ambassadors Unconsolable". IndieShuffle. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "X Ambassadors: Straight Outta Ithaca". Music Connection Magazine. January 29, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  3. ^ "X Ambassadors Tours & Concerts". Concert Archives. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "SONGS Music Publishing". Songspub.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  5. ^ "Help Ambassadors Make Two Music Videos! by Jacob Albert — Kickstarter". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  6. ^ "Introducing: X Ambassadors, Brooklyn's Least "Indie" Rock Band | Pigeons & Planes". Pigeonsandplanes.com. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  7. ^ "X Ambassadors Interview – 92 WICB". YouTube. November 10, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  8. ^ Matt Collar (May 7, 2013). "Love Songs Drug Songs – X Ambassadors | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  9. ^ Staff, A. O. L. "X Ambassadors gets candid about their relationship with Imagine Dragons". yahoo.com. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "X Ambassadors". Bunbury Music Festival. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Jimmy Eat World ★ Mainroom". First Avenue. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Law, Tarynn (September 30, 2013). "The Mowgli's announce November tour with X Ambassadors". idobi. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "X Ambassadors tour w/ Panic! at the Disco & Imagine Dragons | Big Smile Magazine". readbsm.com. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  14. ^ "X Ambassadors' Noah Feldshuh on Indefinite Hiatus from Band". KROQ. June 17, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  15. ^ iHeartRadio (July 26, 2017). "X Ambassadors Nervous About Second Album! – Exclusive Interview". YouTube. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "X Ambassadors Explain Inspiration for 'Ahead of Myself' Video, Label Trump 'An Idiot' Over DACA". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  17. ^ BWW News Desk. "X Ambassadors Release Powerful New Single + Video 'Joyful'". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  18. ^ "Don't Stay – Single by X Ambassadors on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  19. ^ a b "X Ambassadors' Sam Harris Talks 'Hey Child' Single, 'Game of Thrones' Music & Rock's Urgent Need for Diversity". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  20. ^ X AMBASSADORS (@XAmbassadors) (May 30, 2019). "Tomorrow #HoldYouDown". Twitter.
  21. ^ Hampp, Andrew (August 13, 2019). "Songs for Screens: X Ambassadors' Sam Nelson Harris Talks 'Game of Thrones,' Playing Paul Stanley of Kiss". Variety. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  22. ^ X AMBASSADORS (@XAmbassadors) (August 16, 2019). ".@ILLENIUMMUSIC "ASCEND" out NOW go listen, thank you for having us on "In Your Arms"". Twitter.
  23. ^ "We need to keep these conversations going. About gun violence prevention. The 24-hour news cycle is unrelenting, but it's important we stay vigilant and don't forget these injustices". Twitter. August 23, 2019.
  24. ^ X AMBASSADORS (@XAmbassadors) (February 7, 2020). "Everything Sounds Like a Love Song out now". Twitter.
  25. ^ X AMBASSADORS (@XAmbassadors) (February 17, 2020). "GREAT UNKNOWN. THIS FRIDAY. #CalloftheWild". Twitter.
  26. ^ Bocci, Maria. "X Ambassadors on belonging, brotherhood and musicianship". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  27. ^ "X Ambassadors announce collaborative '(Eg)' project; listen to new single "ultraviolet.tragedies" now – Music News – ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  28. ^ Vevo (@Vevo) (June 18, 2021). ".@XAmbassadors' fall tour is booked and their third album 'The Beautiful Liar' is on the way. Until then we got their eerie new video for "My Own Monster" on repeat. Watch here". Twitter.
  29. ^ "X-Ambassadors lose their minds as they strive to reclaim success on 'The Beautiful Liar'". The Cavalier Daily – University of Virginia's Student Newspaper. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  30. ^ Paul, Larisha (September 24, 2021). "X Ambassadors Share New Album 'The Beautiful Liar' | uDiscover". uDiscover Music. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Lost Frequencies, Elley Duhé, X Ambassadors – Back to You (Official Video), January 19, 2023, retrieved March 23, 2023
  32. ^ Staff, Wonderland (January 19, 2024). "X Ambassadors – "No Strings"". Wonderland. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  33. ^ Blum, Aaron (March 3, 2014). "X Ambassadors – Unconsolable". IndieShuffle. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  34. ^ Pickett, Jess (August 17, 2021). "X Ambassadors Keyboardist Casey Harris on New Album 'The Beautiful Liar'". Grammy Awards. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  35. ^ Stavropoulos, Laura (April 19, 2019). "X Ambassadors Announce New Single 'Hey Child' and Album Details". uDiscover Music. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  36. ^ Hampp, Andrew (July 3, 2015). "Alt-Rockers X Ambassadors Take a Page from Imagine Dragons on 'VHS': Album Review". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  37. ^ Collar, Matt. "X Ambassadors — Love Songs Drug Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  38. ^ "X Ambassadors – Biography". AllMusic.
  39. ^ Widran, Jonathan (June 3, 2015). "Sam Harris of X Ambassadors Talks About the Band's Hit "Renegades", Their Album VHS, and Their Other Songs". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  40. ^ "X Ambassadors Release Love Songs Drug Songs EP Today". PR Newswire. May 7, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  41. ^ Weston, Liana (August 15, 2013). "Meet X Ambassadors, the Brooklyn Indie Rockers Who Are About to Be Everywhere". Teen Vouge. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  42. ^ Melendez, Angel (June 7, 2016). "X Ambassadors Struggled Until That Jeep Commercial". Broward Palm Beach News Time. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  43. ^ Murphy, Kate (August 29, 2015). "Opinion – Casey Harris". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  44. ^ Kuenzel, Antonia (May 9, 2024). "X Ambassadors Interview". Euphoria Magazine. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  45. ^ Motto, Nick (January 26, 2024). "X Ambassadors Complete North American Tour with Stops in NYC and Ithaca". NYS Music. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  46. ^ Krebs-Carr, Annisyn (September 11, 2024). "X Ambassadors talks Urbana show, recent music". The Daily Illini. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  47. ^ Yeske Taylor, Katherine (May 31, 2024). "Interview: X Ambassadors frontman Sam Nelson Harris". The Big Takeover. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  48. ^ Collar, Matt. "X Ambassadors – Townie". AllMusic. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  49. ^ "X Ambassadors: Straight Outta Ithaca". Music Connection Magazine. January 29, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  50. ^ "X Ambassadors – Bio". Tracey Pepper. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  51. ^ Andy Thorley (September 28, 2021). "Review: X-Ambassadors – The Beautiful Liar (2021)". Maximum Volume Music. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  52. ^ "X Ambassadors Frontman Sam Harris Unwraps the Rich History and Influences Behind 'Orion'". Entertainment Voice. June 13, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  53. ^ "Sam Nelson – YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  54. ^ "The National, Sleater-Kinney, Tig Notaro Join Planned Parenthood Benefit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  55. ^ Polus, Sarah; Polus, Sarah (January 22, 2017). "An abundance of performers and pussyhats at Women's March after-party". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  56. ^ "X Ambassadors' Sam Harris on Supporting Planned Parenthood with Benefit Show: 'It's Such a Vital Organization'". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  57. ^ Hoping – Single by X Ambassadors on Apple Music, March 10, 2017, retrieved September 6, 2017
  58. ^ a b "X Ambassadors Debut New Song 'Hoping,' Benefitting the ACLU: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  59. ^ "X Ambassadors Donate Proceeds from Local Gig to LGBT Organization Unity Mississippi". All Access. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  60. ^ Lanham, Tom (December 10, 2015). "X Ambassadors tell cinematic stories in song". The San Francisco Examiner.
  61. ^ Weston, Liana (August 2013). "Meet X Ambassadors, the Brooklyn Indie Rockers Who Are About to Be Everywhere". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  62. ^ Treves, Robert (May 10, 2013). "X Ambassadors Love Songs Drug Songs Review". Indiecurrent. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  63. ^ Min, Lilian (April 7, 2014). "X Ambassadors: Sam Harris on Headlining Tours and Living the Major Label Dream". Neon Tommy. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  64. ^ Varga, George (November 11, 2015). "X Ambassadors keyboardist has musical vision". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  65. ^ Warshof, Jason (May 18, 2016). "X Ithacans: Ambassadors rock the State". Ithaca Times.
  66. ^ Variety Staff (August 17, 2015). "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners: Full List". Variety. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  67. ^ Glasgow, Scott. "2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations Announced | Film Music Reporter". filmmusicreporter.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  68. ^ "iHeartRadio Music Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  69. ^ "Billboard Music Awards 2016: Complete Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  70. ^ "AMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  71. ^ "Drake, The Chainsmokers Lead Nominees for the 2017 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  72. ^ Ceron, Ella (June 20, 2017). "The Pretty Little Liars Were ALL Nominated for the Same EXACT Award". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
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