In this special edition of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, we sit down with Jonathan Redmond, the Academy Award–nominated editor behind Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and the new concert film EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert.

Redmond takes us inside the extraordinary discovery that sparked the film: 69 boxes — nearly 60 hours — of unseen Elvis Presley concert footage, buried for decades inside Warner Bros. vaults stored deep in underground Kansas salt mines. Originally uncovered during research for Elvis (2022), the footage was so powerful and revealing that it ultimately demanded its own standalone cinematic experience.

Rather than presenting a traditional documentary or a standard concert film, EPiC reimagines Elvis’s story as what Luhrmann describes as a “cinematic poem” — a dreamlike experience where Elvis sings, performs, and tells his own story in his own voice. The film blends electrifying performances from the early 1970s with newly restored, unheard recordings of Elvis reflecting on his life, his music, and his journey, revealing moments of humor, warmth, and vulnerability rarely seen on screen.

Redmond discusses the painstaking two-year restoration process, scanning the original film at 4K and rebuilding sound from unconventional and fragmented sources — all achieved through meticulous human craftsmanship at a time when artificial intelligence can easily fabricate illusions. The result is an authentic, big-screen experience that presents Elvis at the height of his powers while allowing audiences to connect with the man behind the myth.

Beyond Elvis fandom, this conversation serves as a masterclass in editing and storytelling. Redmond shares insight for students and creators facing massive amounts of footage, tight deadlines, and a blank timeline — explaining how emotion, discovery, and deep familiarity with the material ultimately shape the story.

Whether you’re an Elvis fan, a film and music lover, or an aspiring editor, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how history, technology, and artistry converge to bring one of the greatest performers of all time back to life on screen.

Film opens on IMAX on February 20 and everywhere on February 27th

On this episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with genre-defying vocalist and songwriter Kendra Erika ahead of a major week of performances in Las Vegas. Blending elements of dance, pop, jazz, and cinematic orchestration, Kendra Erika discusses her artistic evolution, early musical influences, and the inspiration behind her bold new project, License to Thrill: James Bond Songs Reimagined.

During the interview, Kendra reflects on discovering her voice through classical training, growing up equally inspired by Broadway legends and contemporary pop icons, and ultimately finding her creative sweet spot through reinvention. She shares why the James Bond legacy — particularly iconic themes like Diamonds Are Forever — felt like a natural artistic fit, and how License to Thrill allowed her to create something timeless, cinematic, and emotionally immersive for modern audiences

Listeners also get a preview of what to expect from her Las Vegas album release showcase on Sunday, February 15, where Kendra will debut the project live for the very first time. She describes the show’s atmosphere as old-Hollywood elegance meets modern drama — an experience designed to transport audiences through decades of Bond themes with lush arrangements and theatrical flair. The conversation also touches on her upcoming Maxim Jazz appearance, her long-term vision for License to Thrill as a Las Vegas staple, and how this project opens the door to a broader, global audience

🎟 Ticket Information

• License to Thrill: Album Release Showcase
  📍 The Space
  📅 Sunday, February 15
  🎫 Tickets available via KendraErika.com or TheSpaceLV.com

For more on Kendra Erika, her music, and upcoming performances, visit KendraErika.com, and listen to this full interview now on Artists to Watch Las Vegas.

Smooth jazz guitarist Chris Standring joins Artists To Watch Las Vegas to talk about a major milestone in his career — headlining Las Vegas at Boulder Station Railhead. A longtime favorite on 91.5 Jazz & More, Standring spoke with KUNV's Program Director Jason Beatty while riding high with the Top 20 hit “Chocolate Shake” while preparing to release his upcoming album A Time of Change, a deeply personal and reflective project shaped by life transitions, new beginnings, and artistic growth.

In this interview, Chris shares the story behind “Chocolate Shake,” discusses balancing new music with fan favorites in a live setting, and reflects on crafting a concert experience that flows from beginning to end. He also talks about his background as an educator, his approach to songwriting, and what it means to bring this chapter of his career to a Las Vegas stage.

🎟 Tickets for Chris Standring live at Boulder Station Railhead are available at:
stationcasinoslive.com/events/chris-standring/