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Magic and Humor: A Conversation with David Shao

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I recently caught up with David Shao, who’s been making quite a name for himself in the magic world. He’s the kind of performer who sticks in your memory – not just for his sleight of hand, but for the way he makes you laugh while your jaw drops. Over the past decade or so, Shao has worked his way through some pretty impressive venues, from the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood to the thought-provoking stage of TEDxUCIrvine. What makes him stand out isn’t just technical skill – it’s the way he blends razor-sharp comedy with genuine wonder. Just last month at the Magic Castle, he had everyone from regular guests to Jaden Smith doubled over in laughter between gasps of amazement. There’s something refreshingly different about his approach that keeps audiences coming back for more.

Can you tell us about when and how you got started in magic?

I was very interested in magic when I was 9 years old. I saw Lu Chen (刘谦) performing on TV during the Chinese Spring Festival Gala and got hooked with magic. I didn’t start my magic journey until I was 15 when I joined a magic club in high school. I was very shy as a kid, and magic changed me completely. Even though I am still shy sometimes, magic has helped me to connect with people more easily.

What is the core value that drives you as both a magician and an artist?

To make people happy. I like to bring magic and share happiness with everyone. It doesn’t help with my career in terms of business, but it helps me to realize that I am lucky to do what I love, and sharing it with others allows me to see the impact of magic beyond entertainment. It keeps me grounded and reinforces why I fell in love with magic in the first place. At the end of the day, if I can make someone smile, even for a moment, then my magic has served a greater purpose.

How would you describe your style of magic, and how do you differentiate yourself from other magicians?

My style is very unique—I combine magic with dry humor. I have some early inspirations from Kyle Eschen, who was a magic castle junior magician member. I am more of a one liner—each line I say or each action I make would make the audience laugh. Some of the lines that I wrote don’t make sense and they are very silly. But they fit my character very well and people would laugh at them.

What role does storytelling play in your magic performances?

There is almost no storytelling in my magic performance because my show is more centered on the character. For example, one of my lines that I wrote was ‘when I was a child, I was a kid.’ So the show was more centered on how each line would make the audience laugh rather than telling a compelling story. And this is how I find myself different from other magicians. A lot of the magicians like to tell stories, like how magic inspired them and how it had changed them.

How do you balance your creative vision with the expectations of your audience?

I think the key is staying true to my style while remaining adaptable. My magic is built on dry humor, deadpan delivery, and unexpected surprises—those are non-negotiable parts of my creative identity. I always write new scripts surrounding this character. But at the same time, I recognize that different audiences have different expectations, and I adjust the way I present my magic to make sure it resonates with them.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a magician?

Sometimes I would mess up in a show, but I would always improvise to finish the magic, without letting the audience realize that I messed up. This happens all the time. There are a lot of times where the audience doesn’t follow my instructions so I have to control the room. I am always trying to overcome something—whether it’s the magic performance, or the business.

How has being involved in charitable events shaped your career?

I like to bring magic and share happiness with everyone. It doesn’t help with my career in terms of business, but it helps me to realize that I am lucky to do what I love, and sharing it with others allows me to see the impact of magic beyond entertainment. It keeps me grounded and reinforces why I fell in love with magic in the first place.

How do you see the future of magic evolving with technology, and where do you hope to take your craft next?

The world is changing, and magic is also changing. Magic has become more visual nowadays because of technology. AI has been a big topic in many industries, and a lot of AI tools have been developed for people to utilize. But for magic, I think it wouldn’t help much besides screenwriting. Magic is something that you feel in the moment, and AI will never be able to create that sensation. Even if a robot can perform magic, it is still a robot—it lacks the human presence, the spontaneity, and the emotional connection that make magic truly magical. For myself, I want to do a magic tour in the future.

Do you have any upcoming projects or performances that your fans should look out for?

One of the producers of America’s Got Talent contacted me. I submitted to AGT and if I can move on to the next step, I will be on the 20th season.

David Shao

Watching David work is a bit like seeing two shows at once – there’s the technical wizardry that leaves you wondering “how on earth did he do that?” and then there’s the comedian who seems to be having just as much fun as everyone else in the room. It’s this balance that’s earned him his reputation. While many performers in his field take themselves rather seriously, Shao has carved out his own space where wonder and laughter coexist perfectly.

Whether he’s performing for celebrity guests or bringing joy to charitable events, you get the sense that he’s exactly where he belongs. His possible appearance on America’s Got Talent could be the next big chapter in an already fascinating career story – though something tells me he’d approach that massive stage with the same authentic charm that’s gotten him this far.

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Popular Hustle.

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iurisEkero Proves Pop Music Doesn’t Have to Be Loud to Be Good

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iurisEkero

There’s something refreshing about an artist who doesn’t chase volume. “I don’t make music to sound loud. I make music to sound deep,” says iurisEkero, and after diving into his catalog, you get exactly what he means.

Born in Mendoza, Argentina, iurisEkero (stylized in lowercase, like his approach to fame) grew up in a house where music wasn’t just background noise—it was the main conversation. His grandfather recorded albums as a vocalist, his father played trumpet, and young Iuris absorbed it all. But here’s what’s interesting: instead of just carrying the torch, he’s completely reimagined it.

Now splitting time between the USA and Argentina, iurisEkero creates what he calls “sonic exploration”—pop mixed with electronic textures, ethereal vocals, and these atmospheric moments that genuinely make you want to hit pause on everything else. He pulls inspiration from unexpected places: cities at night, red wine, those comfortable silences between people who know each other well, and what he describes as “the glitch of memories.”

His latest single, “This Summer Night,” dropped on August 19th and perfectly captures that specific magic. At 3:17, it’s packed with synths that stick in your head and a melody that somehow feels both nostalgic and brand new. Other tracks like “The Sun, The Wine and You” and “Midnight Drive” show his range—each one catching different emotional frequencies while keeping that distinctive warmth that comes from his bicultural perspective.

The numbers tell their own story. Nearly 3 million Spotify streams. Over a million YouTube views. But when you mention this to iurisEkero, he seems genuinely surprised. “I don’t even understand those numbers,” he admits. “I just enjoy and am grateful.”

What he hopes listeners take away is simple: that urge to play a song again, whether you’re remembering someone, dancing alone in your kitchen, or waiting for something you can’t quite name yet. Even his breakup songs somehow feel optimistic—there’s always this undercurrent of possibility in his work.

Currently working on a new album featuring various guest artists, iurisEkero seems ready for whatever comes next. The sound explorer from Mendoza has found his frequency, and people are definitely tuning in.

Find iurisEkero’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming platforms, or visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.

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Alain Mékani Confronts Success and Solitude in New Single ‘Quiet’

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Alain Mékani

What happens when you achieve everything you dreamed of before turning 23, but there’s no one around to celebrate with? That’s the question Alain Mékani wrestles with in “Quiet,” his introspective new single that dropped August 1st, 2025.

The Dubai-based artist, who grew up in Beirut speaking Arabic with his mom and French with his dad while MTV played in the background, has been carving out his own corner of the Middle Eastern pop scene since his 2023 debut “Fool.” But this latest track hits different. It’s raw, honest, and uncomfortably relatable for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a room full of people.

Written during a period of professional success while living abroad, “Quiet” runs just over three minutes but packs an emotional punch. The track opens with Mékani reflecting on his younger self’s dreams—the car, the new place, all achieved before his 23rd birthday. But here’s where it gets real: “I left it all behind just to find myself / But am I really free?”

The chorus doesn’t pull punches either. When he admits “I’ve been going through some changes and my mind is fucking racing,” you feel that restless energy. It’s not polished pop perfection; it’s someone working through their stuff in real-time. The official music video, which premiered July 31st, visually captures this internal conflict.

“Quiet” by Alain Mékani

Family threads through every verse — and you can feel it. There’s the promise to make his mother proud, the desire to share his victories, and that gut-punch line about missing the people who matter most. The bridge transforms into something between a mantra and a desperate reminder: “Be somebody if you’re nobody.” It’s less motivational poster, more survival mechanism.

Since emerging with tracks like “Awlad El Haram” and his licensed reimagining of the Lebanese classic “Tallou Hbabna” earlier this year, Mékani has built a reputation for blending French, Arabic, and English lyrics with what critics call a “melancholic awakening” sound. Regional outlets including Musivv and Buro 24/7 Middle East have taken notice of his ability to pair cross-cultural production with genuine vulnerability.

The artist, who taught himself guitar after starting on accordion at eight, turned to songwriting as therapy following his father’s death in 2015. While working a marketing day job in Dubai, he spent nights and weekends learning production, eventually creating the demos that would launch his career.

Currently working on collaborations with Rayan Bailouni and Jay Janith, Mékani is pushing further into French territory with his upcoming releases. It’s a natural evolution for someone who grew up switching between languages at home. As he puts it: “I write in three languages because some emotions need more than one passport.”

“Quiet” is now streaming across all major platforms. Connect with Alain Mékani on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, Instagram, TikTok, and at alainmekani.com.

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Siren Built Her Entire Sound in Secret and Now She’s Ready to Surface

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Siren

The first thing that hits you about Siren isn’t just her voice—it’s the sheer audacity of someone who taught themselves everything. No formal training, no music theory classes, just pure instinct driving her to create something that sounds like Rammstein got into a late-night conversation with Lana Del Rey while Massive Attack played in the background.

At 24, this LA-based artist has already written around 70 songs, most still unreleased, sitting in her vault like secrets waiting to surface. Born June 13, 2001, Siren started making music in 2019, and what’s emerged since then defies easy categorization. Her sound pulls from trip-hop pioneers like Portishead, the industrial weight of German metal, and the cinematic drama of Tchaikovsky—yes, the Swan Lake composer.

“Every ache must be turned into art,” she says about her approach to music. It’s this philosophy that drives her self-described “raw confessions where melancholy meets beauty.” Her mezzo-soprano voice shifts between whispered vulnerability and soaring intensity, creating what she calls “cold waves of sound that mesmerize like a siren’s voice in the night sea.”

Siren

The artist’s journey started unexpectedly early. One of her most vivid childhood memories involves her grandmother singing Russian folk songs on a winter swing—an experience she describes as “blue, cold, wintry, dark, nostalgic, deep, soulful, and melancholic.” By twelve, she’d discovered Rammstein, which she credits with awakening “strength, courage, resistance, and the spirit of a fighter.” The band shaped about 60% of her musical taste, while Lana Del Rey, who she calls her “musical mother,” opened up the other side of her artistic personality.

What’s striking about Siren’s work is how she balances opposing forces. She describes her music as reflecting both her anima and animus—the feminine emotional vulnerability paired with masculine instrumental drive. This duality shows up everywhere in her sound: acoustic piano meets electric guitars, string arrangements collide with rock drums, trip-hop grooves support orchestral swells.

Her latest release, “Devil 2019,” dropped on August 3, 2025, running 3:28 and showcasing her hypnotic vocal control. But it’s just a taste of what’s coming. Her debut single “Siren Heroine,” released on June 13, previews her upcoming album “Blue Blood,” which promises an oceanic, siren-themed concept drawn from songs written three to four years ago.

Siren

Beyond music, Siren works as a visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer, creating her own visual concepts exactly as she imagines them. She admits to both loving and fearing the ocean—thalassophobia mixed with an obsession for deep blue imagery. “I reflect what I fear. I am what I fear,” she explains.

When asked about dream collaborations, she mentions Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, and Lana Del Rey—though she notes that most of her musical heroes are dead. Her approach to creation remains uncompromising: “I don’t write for people—I write for myself. Music is how I let you know me.”

For those curious to dive deeper, Siren’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, and her website. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok.

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