BUZZMUSIC Magazine Issue 07 // Fall '26

BUZZMUSIC was built on a simple belief: independent artists deserve to be heard.

This year, we've helped hundreds of artists share their stories, introduced new music to audiences around the world, expanded our network of media partners, and built a growing community that believes in the power of independent music.

Our mission has always been bigger than press coverage. We want to create real opportunities, make music discovery exciting again, and give emerging talent the recognition it deserves.

To every artist, reader, and industry professional who's been part of our journey, thank you. We're proud of what we've built together, and we're only getting started.

11 Artists Who Are Elevating Us This Season

1. Bijou Belle

   
   

   

At just 17 years old, South Dakota's Bijou Belle is making serious moves in the independent music scene. Following a standout appearance on NBC's The Voice as a member of Team Adam, Bijou Belle has continued building momentum with a growing catalog of emotionally driven alt-pop releases.

Coming from a musical family, with a grandfather who co-wrote the rock classic “Rocky Mountain Way,” Bijou Belle began performing alongside sibling band The RathCo, touring throughout the Midwest before releasing their self-titled debut EP earlier this year. Following her national television debut, Bijou Belle released a cover of Billie Eilish's “Wildflower,” which she performed on The Voice, alongside original singles “Close the Door,” “Blind Crush,” and “Cuz of Me.”

Her latest release, “See You,” showcases her haunting vocals and vulnerable songwriting, exploring the heartbreak of holding onto someone who's already moved on. With national television exposure, years of live performance experience, and an expanding discography already behind her, Bijou Belle is establishing herself as an exciting young voice in alternative pop.

2. GISELLE
   

   

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist GISELLE is building an independent music career defined by versatility, ambition, and creative independence. Originally from Boston and raised in Buffalo, GISELLE moved to Los Angeles at 21 to pursue music, going on to perform at iconic venues including Whisky a Go Go, The Viper Room, The Hotel Cafe, and iHeartRadio events. Playing five instruments and blending pop, R&B, rock, and alternative influences, GISELLE has released three full-length studio albums while taking a hands-on approach to directing, writing, filming, and editing original music videos and short films.

Following the August release of her third album, JUST SAY SORRY, and a busy year of singles and visual projects, GISELLE is preparing to release “REAL WITCH” on October 17, 2026. The Halloween-inspired single explores self-protection, personal power, and confronting negative energy, accompanied by a music video that expands its supernatural themes. With a growing international audience and an annual Halloween performance at Whisky a Go Go scheduled for October 29, GISELLE continues to demonstrate what it means to be a truly independent, multidisciplinary artist.

3. Joy Brown
   

Memphis-based pop artist Joy Brown is making her mark as a triple threat: singer, songwriter, and producer. After years of helping other artists build their careers behind the scenes, Joy Brown stepped into the spotlight with her self-written and co-produced debut single, “Prowl,” in 2025. Since then, she's performed at a Memphis Tigers basketball halftime show, hosted a multi-artist showcase for Memphis's 901 Night, and collaborated with acclaimed creative director Maxx Reed, whose career includes work with Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and Usher.

Her latest single, “Bender,” delivers infectious pop hooks and unapologetically honest lyrics about embracing life's messier moments. With a music video on the way, a reimagining of the University of Memphis anthem “We Da Tigers” in development, and plans for a debut EP and tour in 2027, Joy Brown is building a career that celebrates individuality, creative independence, and her Memphis roots.

4. Eric Hirshberg

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Eric Hirshberg has one of the most unconventional backgrounds in independent music. Before pursuing songwriting, Eric Hirshberg spent eight years as CEO of Activision Publishing, overseeing global franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, and Destiny, following fourteen years at Deutsch LA, where he served as CEO and Chief Creative Officer. Named one of AdAge's “50 Most Creative People in Business,” Eric Hirshberg has since turned his attention toward music exploring human connection, sobriety, family, and modern life's distractions.

His collaboration with Aloe Blacc on “For Real” led to his national television performance debut on Live with Kelly and Mark, where Kelly Ripa called the song “an anthem.” His music has also earned coverage from American Songwriter, Relix, and Americana Highways. Released October 2, 2026, his latest album, More Is Not The Answer, examines technology, polarization, gratitude, and the importance of staying connected in an increasingly distracted world. With an extraordinary career spanning entertainment, advertising, and now songwriting, Eric Hirshberg brings a refreshing perspective to contemporary music, reminding listeners that sometimes the most meaningful things in life have nothing to do with having more.

5. Kimaya Digs
   

Western Massachusetts singer-songwriter, poet, and producer Kimaya Diggs is an accomplished independent artist whose music blends indie pop, soul, R&B, folk, and spoken word into deeply personal storytelling. Having shared stages with legendary performers including Mavis Staples, Emily King, Trombone Shorty, and Tank & the Bangas, Kimaya Diggs has also performed at Green River Festival, Club Passim, and Rubblebucket's Dream Picnic. Her work has earned recognition from the New England Music Awards, a prestigious Callaloo poetry fellowship, and recent features from WBUR and NEPM.

Following a serious vocal injury and years spent rebuilding her voice, Kimaya Diggs has returned with Green, her new album released October 2, 2026. Serving as the project's lead producer and engineering approximately a quarter of the record herself, Kimaya Diggs explores belonging, grief, resilience, and personal growth through a rich, genre-spanning sound. Recorded in part with Dr. Dog drummer Erick Slick, the album also features a dedicated music video for every song. With a hometown album release performance at Northampton's Academy of Music Theatre and an upcoming West Coast tour featuring another support date with Mavis Staples in January 2027, Kimaya Diggs continues building an impressive career rooted in artistic independence and meaningful connection.

6. BYE MALO
   

   

Toronto-based indie artist Bye Malo is bringing a fresh perspective to alternative music, blending the nostalgic energy of early 2000s guitar-driven rock with modern indie production and emotionally charged songwriting. Drawing inspiration from artists including Dominic Fike, Frank Ocean, The Smiths, and The Strokes, Bye Malo is developing a genre-fluid sound defined by distinctive vocals, raw emotion, and infectious melodies.

His latest single, “Adored,” marks a bold creative step forward, embracing riskier vocal arrangements and guitar-driven intensity while exploring the complicated feeling of constantly returning to someone whose affection isn't always reciprocated. Built around a powerful, sing-along chorus and a moody alternative rock atmosphere, the track captures the excitement and frustration of wanting attention from the one person who matters most. With a sound that bridges nostalgic rock influences and contemporary indie sensibilities, Bye Malo is establishing himself as a promising new voice in Toronto's independent music scene.

7. OBEE

   
   

   

Nashville-based electronic artist obee is carving out a distinct space in dance music, blending heavy bass, euphoric synths, and emotionally charged songwriting with influences spanning Skrillex, Daft Punk, Deadmau5, and New York's underground club scene. After discovering electronic music through skiing videos, obee began producing beats while studying film at Ithaca College, eventually DJing parties and working as a photographer for artists in New York's nightlife circuit. Drawing from those experiences, his music explores love, heartbreak, addiction, and the complexities of the human experience, pairing infectious dance-floor energy with meaningful social commentary.

Following the release of his sophomore EP, SODA, earlier this year, obee is introducing his most ambitious project yet with ATOM, his debut full-length album. Inspired by the energy, connectivity, and emotional frequencies of music, the record moves between euphoric electronic production and introspective lyricism, showcasing an artist unafraid to push genre boundaries. With a sound that balances club-ready intensity and genuine vulnerability, obee is bringing a refreshing perspective to independent electronic music.

8. ISHANA

Montreal-based indie-pop artist ISHANA is building an impressive independent career through distinctive vocals, emotionally driven songwriting, and a genre-blending sound shaped by gospel, classical, acoustic, and contemporary pop influences. A recipient of Canada's competitive FACTOR Artist Development Grant, ISHANA has collaborated with acclaimed producers including Glen Robinson, whose credits include The Ramones, The Beach Boys, and Céline Dion, and Billboard-charting producer Olivier Bassil, known for work with Don Toliver and Mary J. Blige.

In 2025, ISHANA won the Singing Success Valentine's Day contest, earning the opportunity to train in Nashville with renowned vocal coach Brett Manning, whose clients include Taylor Swift, Hayley Williams, and Keith Urban. She also traveled to Los Angeles to co-write and record original material, further expanding her creative reach. Following her 2024 album Coconut Cowboy, her self-produced EP The Answers So Far, and a string of singles including “Ghost Rider” and “Canvas,” ISHANA released “The Odyssey” on August 13, 2026.

Entirely self-produced, mixed, and mastered, the single explores the emotional uncertainty of a relationship's ending and the complicated journey toward acceptance and healing. With an increasingly diverse catalog and a hands-on approach to her artistry, ISHANA continues to establish herself as a versatile and compelling voice in Canada's independent pop scene.

9. THE DELLA KIT

   
   

   

Vancouver- and New York City-based vocalist, producer, DJ, and sonic architect, the della kit is redefining the boundaries of alternative R&B, soul, jazz, and electronic music through immersive production and deeply personal storytelling.

Since releasing her debut album, moonbeams + frequencies, in 2022, the della kit has surpassed one million streams worldwide, earned recognition from MTV Canada, and opened for major artists including Lil' Kim, Questlove, Madison McFerrin, and Son Little. Her growing career includes collaborations with Grammy Award-winning producer Chris Sholar, selection for Alissia's Amazon Music Producer Camp and Music Publishers Canada's Women in the Studio program, and DJ residencies in Los Angeles and New York City.

Released August 21, 2026, through Birthday Cake Records, her latest album, Dreams Speaking in Colour, marks her most self-directed project yet, blending analog soul, hip-hop rhythms, lush vocal harmonies, and atmospheric electronic production. The 10-track album explores liberation, love, healing, and self-discovery while showcasing her evolution as a producer. With placements on Apple Music playlists including Feels, Indie Soul, and Astral Escape, alongside regular airplay on CBC Music and SiriusXM, the della kit continues expanding her reach as a multifaceted independent artist with a distinctive creative vision.

10. Mason Thomas
    

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mason Thomas is stepping into the spotlight with a deeply personal debut album, My Shell Is Gone, a seven-year creative journey shaped by grief, self-discovery, and the difficult transition into adulthood. Having built an impressive musical background as a bassist for projects including Pretty Embers, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, Liam Bauman, and Nordista Freeze, Mason Thomas brings years of collaborative performance experience into a project that is entirely his own.

Written in the aftermath of his mother's passing, the album began with its emotional title track and gradually evolved into a collection of songs exploring loss, anger, depression, anxiety, and personal growth. Rather than offering simple answers, My Shell Is Gone invites listeners to find their own meaning in its stories, reflecting the complicated emotions that accompany major life changes. Following the release of two introductory singles, Mason Thomas is now bringing the full album to audiences through an ongoing release tour. With years of experience supporting other musicians and a debut record rooted in genuine vulnerability, Mason Thomas is establishing a new chapter in his career as a solo artist.

11. ORIAN

    
    

    

Florida-based independent pop singer-songwriter ORIAN is bringing a refreshing sense of romance and emotional honesty to contemporary synth-pop. Having relocated to the United States four years ago, ORIAN has spent years developing her songwriting around love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the pursuit of meaningful relationships. Drawing inspiration from her lifelong love of music and romantic storytelling, she began playing piano and writing songs at a young age, eventually transforming her personal experiences into a growing catalogue of heartfelt pop releases.

Following her 2026 singles “101 Days” and “Dwell,” which explore emotional uncertainty, self-worth, and learning to walk away from unhealthy relationships, ORIAN is preparing to release “Walking on the Moon” in late October. The upcoming single marks a hopeful turning point in her musical journey, capturing the excitement of finally experiencing the kind of love she once thought existed only in movies.

With a forthcoming EP in development, ORIAN is also expanding her live presence with November performances scheduled at Boomtown Brewery in Los Angeles, Corbin Bowl in Tarzana, and House of Blues Anaheim. Combining relatable songwriting, dreamy pop influences, and an independently driven creative vision, ORIAN is building a promising foundation for her next chapter.

Final Thoughts

As we close out our Fall 2026 edition, one thing has never been clearer: the future of music belongs to those willing to create it on their own terms.

Throughout this issue, we've celebrated artists who are challenging expectations, building careers without permission, and reminding us why independent music deserves a bigger spotlight.

But beyond the releases, interviews, and industry conversations, there's something worth remembering. Success doesn't look the same for everyone. Not every artist wants a record deal, a viral moment, or millions of streams. Sometimes, success is simply making something you're proud of and finding people who connect with it.

To the artists taking risks, starting over, figuring things out, and refusing to give up, keep going. Your work matters, even when the numbers don't reflect it.

And to everyone who continues to discover, share, and support independent music, you're helping shape what comes next.