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Gabrielle Nicole Pharms is an award-winning journalist + copywriter

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The Barbed Wire •

‘Beyoncé Bowl’ NFL Halftime Performance Was a Master Class in Black Joy & Authenticity - The Barbed Wire

“As Black people, the world is a lot more surreal,” Tony- and Emmy-nominated multidisciplinary artist Daniel J. Watts told me in 2023. “You have to pay attention to it enough to acknowledge — awareness — and you can’t stare too directly at it, or it’ll steal your ability to do anything. So, it’s threading the needle of balancing joy with reality.”This definition of Black joy has long resonated with me. If 2024 has taught us anything — specifically Black women, but any human with genuine integrit...
American Whiskey Magazine •

Uncorking the Magic of Horse Country

Every whiskey region is decorated with distinct, signature characteristics. Even outside a whiskey’s terroir — the complex interaction of climate, soil, geology and their impact on the spirit’s flavor profile — there’s often a cultural element unique to the area influencing a whiskey’s identity. Kentuckians, especially locals of the state’s inner Bluegrass region, acknowledge two integral facets of their state’s heritage: bourbon and thoroughbred horses. Kentucky’s alluring, rich history in hors...
American Whiskey Magazine •

What's Next In the Industry?

Unpopular opinion: themed days and months, for example Bourbon Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, International Whiskey Day, and many others, are annoying. Why are we waiting to give successful people, places, whiskeys, or anything else we value a brief, scheduled moment on the calendar? March is coined as Women’s History Month nationwide, but does this actually help shift the needle of progress? Let’s look at the stats.
In July 2023, OurWhisky Foundation surveyed 600 women about their exper...
American Whiskey Magazine •

Houston's Finest: Reserve 101

Over the past decade, Houston, Texas, has evolved into a world-class culinary destination. The city’s robust food and beverage scene has long been an attribute that’s made locals beam with pride — and understandably so. Whether you’re in the mood for a delectable Vietnamese fusion dish or a delicious Old Fashioned crafted with Texas-made bourbon, there’s something flavorful for everyone. Among some of the hotspots making waves in the bar space is Reserve 101.

In October, Reserve 101 celebrates...
Whisky Magazine •

Beyoncé Unveils SirDavis Whisky

Whisky is much more than just a drink. It is a cultural touchstone, and has been the inspiration of many artists across the ages, including singers and songwriters. Countless performers have sung about whisky in the context of love, loss, and rebellion. But few have found themselves in the position to bring their own take on whisky to life.
Enter Beyoncé. The Queen Bey herself. She’s not just another celebrity slapping her name on a label of a bottle of liquor. Known for her love of whisky, she...
Food & Wine •

Rye Whiskey Is Liquid Barbecue, According to Renowned Chef and Pitmaster Aaron Franklin

Austin, Texas knows how to have a good time. Widely recognized for its live music scene and vibrant food and drink culture, the city hosts some of the biggest festivals in the country. Austin has a way of bringing all sorts of people together. 

Austin-based chef Aaron Franklin knows something about this. The James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and American Royal Barbecue Hall of Famer has fused two of the city’s iconic scenes, live music and award-winning barbecue, at his renowned Franklin...
Whisky Magazine •

INTERVIEW: Questlove on 'Quest for Craft' in partnership with the Balvenie

Today marks the series premiere of the Balvenie’s fourth season of its Webby Award-winning digital series Quest for Craft, produced in partnership with six-time Grammy Award-winning musician, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, producer, DJ, director, culinary entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author Questlove. I’ve long admired Questlove’s unbridled authenticity and appreciation for anything that speaks to his palate — be it musically or most recently, in Scotch whisky. As someone who....
Food & Wine •

The Black Bourbon Society Is Coming to an End, Reveals Founder Samara B. Davis

In 2016, Samara B. Davis founded the Black Bourbon Society (BBS) with the intent to create a connection between the whiskey industry and Black bourbon enthusiasts, a segment of consumers long overlooked by many producers. Through a membership-based model and engagement via social media platforms, event partnerships, workshops, and educational sessions, BBS brought the often-exclusionary world of limited-edition releases and private tastings to a community that sought direct engagement. 

BBS no...
Rolling Stone •

Sip Your Way Through Music City: 8 Must-Visit Nashville Bars, According to Locals

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Country music, whiskey, Hot Chicken, and all the fringed western wear you can dream of await you in Nashville. However, cowboy clichés aside, Music City has experienced a flavorful renaissance over the last decade, evolving as one of the country’s premier cocktail hotspots. The city’s rich musical heritage plays into its allure, drawing millions of i...
Harper's BAZAAR •

We Experienced a First Taste of Beyoncé’s SirDavis, Her Debut in the World of Whisky

The inevitable has finally arrived.Between Beyoncé’s many lyrical references and hints dropped in Instagram posts and interviews, it was clear a new level of icon was on the horizon—we just had to trust the process and timing. “Sometimes it takes a year for me to personally search through thousands of sounds to find just the right kick or snare,” the 32-time Grammy winner told .css-1xesb7e{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decora...
Sweet July •

Black Girls Rave, Too - Sweet July

Music, particularly hip-hop and electronic dance music, is part of my DNA. My beloved dad loves to share the story of how I would “dance” in the womb, bringing delight to him (and unfortunately, pain to my mother) whenever he’d blast the timeless hip-hop anthem “The Show” by Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew from his speakers.I first acquired my deep appreciation for music in the late ‘80s when my family and I were stationed (my dad was in the U.S. Army) in Germany. I witnessed my dad’s passi...
Adweek •

How Uproxx Studios Is Connecting Brands With Music Culture

Take your media strategy to the next level at Mediaweek. Cultivate new media partnerships and gain tools to standout across platforms from experts at Youtube, Peloton, LTK and more. View agenda.The trio behind newly launched Uproxx Studios is counting on digital media’s current shaky outlook to prelude a period of progress.In April, FYI (Focus Your Ideas) founder and CEO and multi-award-winning global music artist will.i.am, Uproxx Media co-founder and Rawkus Records co-founder Jarret Myer and f...
Sweet July •

Sweet Travels: Houston, Texas

‘Texas in the summer?!’

Hear me out. As a Houston native (and part-time resident), enduring summer’s heat has never been a breeze. However, what the Bayou City lacks in cool temperatures during summertime, it makes up for with a sizzling, thriving dining scene, an alluring art movement, a welcoming community and other awesome attributes.

Another undefeated quality: H-town has maintained its number one spot for the second year in a row as the most diverse large city in America and the fourth most diverse overall, according to WalletHub’s annual ranking of the “Most Diverse Cities in the U.S. (2024).” When you have such an eclectic, multicultural demographic, it’s like one giant potluck city-wide. Bon Appétit, and welcome to Houston!
UPROXX •

Why Every Hip-Hop Lover Needs To Try Sei Less When They Hit NYC

Although Sei Less is full of plush details and boasts an immense celeb following, the convivial staff enhanced the experience immediately with their friendliness. The austere, sometimes cold ambiance of other NYC buzzy restaurants was nowhere in sight. This is all quite intentional, of course, and extends beyond just the rich and famous. “At the end of the day, famous people still eat the same food we eat and like to be treated as normal people,” Mirjahangiry notes. “That’s what we embody at Sei...
Whisky Magazine •

Eight Australian whisky innovators shaping the industry Down Under

The popularity of Australian whisky has dramatically increased worldwide over the last 10 years. Despite the country’s geographical remoteness and the whisky’s relative youth, Australian producers are tapping into their country’s unique terroir and lenient regulations to promote novelty and creative freedom within the category. It is a landscape that Darren Peck at Morris Whisky knows well. “Australia’s appetite for innovation and forging a new path puts us in great stead for producing unique...
Fine Dining Lovers •

3 must-try cocktails when in Texas (and how to make them)

As a native Texan, I find the world’s view of what qualifies as a Lone Star State fundamental is either far from the truth or spot-on. For example, do we still ride horses as our primary mode of transportation? No. Is BBQ a culinary staple throughout Texas? Yes. While these questions always give me a chuckle, I especially appreciate being asked what bars to visit and what cocktails are worth a try while traversing Texas.

Texas is ornamented with many distilleries and wineries showcasing the sta
TIDAL Magazine •

Brittney Spencer Interview: ‘I don’t need to suppress anything’

From the Peabody conservatory to jazz, Baltimore club, the indie scene and the many gifted pupils who’ve passed through the Baltimore School for the Arts, Maryland’s biggest city has an impossibly rich musical legacy. And the city can add another name to its list of favorite sons and daughters: Brittney Spencer.

Spencer, a Baltimore-raised singer, songwriter and guitarist currently based in Nashville, is a country-music powerhouse shifting the notion of what that genre looks like, and where...
Load More

My Articles

The Barbed Wire •

‘Beyoncé Bowl’ NFL Halftime Performance Was a Master Class in Black Joy & Authenticity - The Barbed Wire

“As Black people, the world is a lot more surreal,” Tony- and Emmy-nominated multidisciplinary artist Daniel J. Watts told me in 2023. “You have to pay attention to it enough to acknowledge — awareness — and you can’t stare too directly at it, or it’ll steal your ability to do anything. So, it’s threading the needle of balancing joy with reality.”This definition of Black joy has long resonated with me. If 2024 has taught us anything — specifically Black women, but any human with genuine integrit...
American Whiskey Magazine •

Uncorking the Magic of Horse Country

Every whiskey region is decorated with distinct, signature characteristics. Even outside a whiskey’s terroir — the complex interaction of climate, soil, geology and their impact on the spirit’s flavor profile — there’s often a cultural element unique to the area influencing a whiskey’s identity. Kentuckians, especially locals of the state’s inner Bluegrass region, acknowledge two integral facets of their state’s heritage: bourbon and thoroughbred horses. Kentucky’s alluring, rich history in hors...
American Whiskey Magazine •

What's Next In the Industry?

Unpopular opinion: themed days and months, for example Bourbon Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, International Whiskey Day, and many others, are annoying. Why are we waiting to give successful people, places, whiskeys, or anything else we value a brief, scheduled moment on the calendar? March is coined as Women’s History Month nationwide, but does this actually help shift the needle of progress? Let’s look at the stats.
In July 2023, OurWhisky Foundation surveyed 600 women about their exper...
American Whiskey Magazine •

Houston's Finest: Reserve 101

Over the past decade, Houston, Texas, has evolved into a world-class culinary destination. The city’s robust food and beverage scene has long been an attribute that’s made locals beam with pride — and understandably so. Whether you’re in the mood for a delectable Vietnamese fusion dish or a delicious Old Fashioned crafted with Texas-made bourbon, there’s something flavorful for everyone. Among some of the hotspots making waves in the bar space is Reserve 101.

In October, Reserve 101 celebrates...
Whisky Magazine •

Beyoncé Unveils SirDavis Whisky

Whisky is much more than just a drink. It is a cultural touchstone, and has been the inspiration of many artists across the ages, including singers and songwriters. Countless performers have sung about whisky in the context of love, loss, and rebellion. But few have found themselves in the position to bring their own take on whisky to life.
Enter Beyoncé. The Queen Bey herself. She’s not just another celebrity slapping her name on a label of a bottle of liquor. Known for her love of whisky, she...
Food & Wine •

Rye Whiskey Is Liquid Barbecue, According to Renowned Chef and Pitmaster Aaron Franklin

Austin, Texas knows how to have a good time. Widely recognized for its live music scene and vibrant food and drink culture, the city hosts some of the biggest festivals in the country. Austin has a way of bringing all sorts of people together. 

Austin-based chef Aaron Franklin knows something about this. The James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and American Royal Barbecue Hall of Famer has fused two of the city’s iconic scenes, live music and award-winning barbecue, at his renowned Franklin...
Whisky Magazine •

INTERVIEW: Questlove on 'Quest for Craft' in partnership with the Balvenie

Today marks the series premiere of the Balvenie’s fourth season of its Webby Award-winning digital series Quest for Craft, produced in partnership with six-time Grammy Award-winning musician, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, producer, DJ, director, culinary entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author Questlove. I’ve long admired Questlove’s unbridled authenticity and appreciation for anything that speaks to his palate — be it musically or most recently, in Scotch whisky. As someone who....
Food & Wine •

The Black Bourbon Society Is Coming to an End, Reveals Founder Samara B. Davis

In 2016, Samara B. Davis founded the Black Bourbon Society (BBS) with the intent to create a connection between the whiskey industry and Black bourbon enthusiasts, a segment of consumers long overlooked by many producers. Through a membership-based model and engagement via social media platforms, event partnerships, workshops, and educational sessions, BBS brought the often-exclusionary world of limited-edition releases and private tastings to a community that sought direct engagement. 

BBS no...
Rolling Stone •

Sip Your Way Through Music City: 8 Must-Visit Nashville Bars, According to Locals

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Country music, whiskey, Hot Chicken, and all the fringed western wear you can dream of await you in Nashville. However, cowboy clichés aside, Music City has experienced a flavorful renaissance over the last decade, evolving as one of the country’s premier cocktail hotspots. The city’s rich musical heritage plays into its allure, drawing millions of i...
Harper's BAZAAR •

We Experienced a First Taste of Beyoncé’s SirDavis, Her Debut in the World of Whisky

The inevitable has finally arrived.Between Beyoncé’s many lyrical references and hints dropped in Instagram posts and interviews, it was clear a new level of icon was on the horizon—we just had to trust the process and timing. “Sometimes it takes a year for me to personally search through thousands of sounds to find just the right kick or snare,” the 32-time Grammy winner told .css-1xesb7e{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decora...
Sweet July •

Black Girls Rave, Too - Sweet July

Music, particularly hip-hop and electronic dance music, is part of my DNA. My beloved dad loves to share the story of how I would “dance” in the womb, bringing delight to him (and unfortunately, pain to my mother) whenever he’d blast the timeless hip-hop anthem “The Show” by Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew from his speakers.I first acquired my deep appreciation for music in the late ‘80s when my family and I were stationed (my dad was in the U.S. Army) in Germany. I witnessed my dad’s passi...
Adweek •

How Uproxx Studios Is Connecting Brands With Music Culture

Take your media strategy to the next level at Mediaweek. Cultivate new media partnerships and gain tools to standout across platforms from experts at Youtube, Peloton, LTK and more. View agenda.The trio behind newly launched Uproxx Studios is counting on digital media’s current shaky outlook to prelude a period of progress.In April, FYI (Focus Your Ideas) founder and CEO and multi-award-winning global music artist will.i.am, Uproxx Media co-founder and Rawkus Records co-founder Jarret Myer and f...
Sweet July •

Sweet Travels: Houston, Texas

‘Texas in the summer?!’

Hear me out. As a Houston native (and part-time resident), enduring summer’s heat has never been a breeze. However, what the Bayou City lacks in cool temperatures during summertime, it makes up for with a sizzling, thriving dining scene, an alluring art movement, a welcoming community and other awesome attributes.

Another undefeated quality: H-town has maintained its number one spot for the second year in a row as the most diverse large city in America and the fourth most diverse overall, according to WalletHub’s annual ranking of the “Most Diverse Cities in the U.S. (2024).” When you have such an eclectic, multicultural demographic, it’s like one giant potluck city-wide. Bon Appétit, and welcome to Houston!
UPROXX •

Why Every Hip-Hop Lover Needs To Try Sei Less When They Hit NYC

Although Sei Less is full of plush details and boasts an immense celeb following, the convivial staff enhanced the experience immediately with their friendliness. The austere, sometimes cold ambiance of other NYC buzzy restaurants was nowhere in sight. This is all quite intentional, of course, and extends beyond just the rich and famous. “At the end of the day, famous people still eat the same food we eat and like to be treated as normal people,” Mirjahangiry notes. “That’s what we embody at Sei...
Whisky Magazine •

Eight Australian whisky innovators shaping the industry Down Under

The popularity of Australian whisky has dramatically increased worldwide over the last 10 years. Despite the country’s geographical remoteness and the whisky’s relative youth, Australian producers are tapping into their country’s unique terroir and lenient regulations to promote novelty and creative freedom within the category. It is a landscape that Darren Peck at Morris Whisky knows well. “Australia’s appetite for innovation and forging a new path puts us in great stead for producing unique...
Fine Dining Lovers •

3 must-try cocktails when in Texas (and how to make them)

As a native Texan, I find the world’s view of what qualifies as a Lone Star State fundamental is either far from the truth or spot-on. For example, do we still ride horses as our primary mode of transportation? No. Is BBQ a culinary staple throughout Texas? Yes. While these questions always give me a chuckle, I especially appreciate being asked what bars to visit and what cocktails are worth a try while traversing Texas.

Texas is ornamented with many distilleries and wineries showcasing the sta
TIDAL Magazine •

Brittney Spencer Interview: ‘I don’t need to suppress anything’

From the Peabody conservatory to jazz, Baltimore club, the indie scene and the many gifted pupils who’ve passed through the Baltimore School for the Arts, Maryland’s biggest city has an impossibly rich musical legacy. And the city can add another name to its list of favorite sons and daughters: Brittney Spencer.

Spencer, a Baltimore-raised singer, songwriter and guitarist currently based in Nashville, is a country-music powerhouse shifting the notion of what that genre looks like, and where...
Load More

About Me

I'm an award-winning journalist and copywriter based in Austin, Texas, USA. You can follow me on social media through the links below.