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Alternative R&B artist LVXI had an insanely productive 2019. She was hustling to create the very sounds her listener's received, and we have to note that most of these sounds executed amazingly. There's absolutely no way her voice could've been forgotten this year with us here at BuzzMusic. Her thoughts and aspirations, communicated through her music, are presented in such a magical and mystic way. If you want to understand what we mean, give a listen to one of her track releases off of her self-titled EP. Contrastingly, one of her recent releases "What I'm Gon Do" has come out, giving an intriguing divergence to her sound. The track features that characterizable mysterious aspect that's exclusive to LVXI's sound. The hint of capricious sound that LVXI emulates is what makes her so eclectic, and difficult to define in a precise manner. Nevertheless, if we had to describe the fashion of LVXI's music and sound over 2019, it would be versatile, dynamic, and metaphysical. The alluring and stimulating appeal that LVXI persists with during her tracks is a pinnacle to her sound. You can sense the free and calming aspect LVXI has to her character easily with her 2019 EP release "LVXI". One track right from the EP, "Views", has similar elements that "What I'm Gon Do" carries, but contains more of an angelic and atmospheric production, which made the song extremely ethereal ambiance. "All I Want" takes on a completely contrasting vocal performance than other previously mentioned tracks fro LVXI, and this is mainly due to those heavy and striking vocal ballads on LVXI's end. And wow, saying they're powerful is almost an understatement. LVXI puts her absolute passion into this track, and it's so easy to say that once giving it a listen to. You can't just hear it, you can 100% feel it. It's our favorite track off of the EP, and from what 2019 saw of LVXI. There's a huge tracklist of notable releases from LVXI this year, and we hope the BuzzMusic readers decide to give some of them a listen to! Discover the 2019 sounds of LVXI here. Hello, LVXI! Welcome back to BuzzMusic. You've seriously had a stellar 2019 with your current tracklist of the year! Congratulations on the EP release as well! How do you feel artistically now that 2019 is coming to an end? Thanks so much. 2019 has been a whirlwind—I feel like I closed one chapter and opened a new one. It took me over 5 years in LA to find my sound as an artist and actually write/record the EP. It was a struggle to create work I loved and I even worried I may never release work. After I finally released the EP, it was a HUGE relief—in fact, I thought I would call it quits on music after... but life happened and I can honestly say that experiencing pain and vulnerability opened up a well of creativity I never knew I had. I’ve never felt more inspired in my life. While the EP reflected a chapter in my life where I embraced cold, hard ambition and independence, I’ve now written over 30 songs that show a more relatable, emotional side of me. 2020 is going to be a riot. I think it’s going to be my true year of becoming. When we thoroughly gave a listen to your EP, we instantly fell in love with "All I Want". The song was extremely touching, and your emotion packed into the track was what really won it over for us. Was it difficult to manifest this passion you put into "All I Want" during the recording process, or do you get into your own state and easily express it? I knew that “All I Want” needed to represent a pivotal break from the rest of the EP. The other songs explored themes of power/manipulation (Chess), ego (Views), destructive ambition (Let Go) and hedonism (Take Me), which were all struggles I was going through at the time, so I wanted “All I Want” to feel like a release from all that... like a wake-up call. It wasn’t hard to manifest the passion because I was really yearning at this point to be free. I just let myself go and write in a stream of consciousness, with a tinge of delirium (“oh universe, you’ve been interrupted”). Sometimes clarity is found in our most chaotic moments. The dreamy ambiance to your songs is such a characterizable trait of what LVXI entails. Talk to us more about that production side to your music, and how the exclusive LVXI sound gets synthesized! Thanks! I’m really inspired by some of the electric, pop, trap & R&B fusion that’s going on these days (ie. Gallant, Alina Baraz, Sabrina Claudio). My producer for the EP, JR Keys and I often referenced The Weeknd and Drake when experimenting with our soundscape and vocal effects. Lots of reverb and minimalist vocals contrasted with cinematic beats to achieve an ethereal, dreamy quality. My current producers for my upcoming album, Sam Taylor and Michael Nocny, both specialize in moody, seductive beats and so I’m really excited about the work that we’re releasing next year. You moved to LA to pursue your passion for music. How has 2019 treated you with the curation and production of the LVXI sound? I touched on this in my earlier question, but in 2019 I really honed in on my artistic sound while adapting it to diverse styles. My EP leaned darker than how I planned it (I used to list Zara Larsson as an influential, but I’m definitely not as pop these days). As an artist, I would say that my recent work has gotten catchier and more intimate, which you’ll see in my recent singles “Better” and “What I’m Gon Do.” I’ve also experimented with applying my artistry across different styles & moods, ranging from Alicia Keys retro soul to SZA / Frank Ocean freestyle rap-singing.  In fact (secret!)...I’ll be dropping a Latin inspired song soon! But through it all, it still sounds like me, like my unique sound. That’s the cool part. Your debut album is set to go live within the spring of 2020! That's incredibly exciting to hear. How has the album production been thus far? So. Excited. We are chugging along - we whittled 30 songs down to 15-16 that we think fit together and I already know which are going to be the singles and get visuals. My boy Sam (who I found in Upwork and lives in the UK) is finishing up beats for a few more songs, and Michael and I are in the studio recording every week. The creative collaboration is awesome and I’m learning a lot in the process about how to take my raw material and turn it into a polished marketable piece of work. I’m also in the middle of prepping for my first music video that we’re shooting in January - it’s gonna have Bonnie & Clyde outlaw vibes. Thanks always, LVXI! We love getting the chance to chat about your recent music. From here on out, where is LVXI going once 2020 hits? Absolutely! 2020 is going to be the year. I’m hard at work trying to build up my social media platforms so I can reach more people with my music (for those reading, please follow me on Spotify and IG - hugely thankful for the support!). I also plan to shoot at least 3 music videos with my upcoming album and release a few more singles before the big album drop. I would love to do some more interviews too when the work is out because a LOT was going through my mind while writing that I’d love to share with others. It’s gonna be a crazy year. Crazy. I would also love to perform my new songs- not to sound narcissistic, but I love each of them so much, and I think they’d be so cool to perform live. Thank you Buzz Music! instagram.com/lvxiofficial facebook.com/lvxiofficial lvxiofficial.com #BuzzMusic

LA-native singer/songwriter Vintage V had a booming year! She seriously rocked it with the vocal performances she gave in noteworthy releases. Artistically, we try to read through Vintage V but it's quite difficult--she isn't the type of artist you can see through and understand at first glance. Vintage V requires layers of her artistry to be peeled back to fully comprehend. She likes to explain her music as constantly changing, and we completely agree. The released music from Vintage V is multi-faceted in all sorts, which we're going to delve deeper into, piece by piece. Lavender. If you're familiar with the scent, you'll know its goal is to promote calmness and wellness. Vintage V does exactly this in her 2019 track "Lavender", which features the insanely slow and stimulating vocalism of Vintage V. Her method of communication with her listeners is exotic and natural, instilling a blissful sense of self in any person whose ear is peeled to the vibrations and harmonies of Vintage V. We can't deny that there's a prominent ethereal-type feel within the track, and this plays into the hands of Vintage V extremely well, as she's able to easily integrate her angelic vocal delivery. The end of 2019 will see the release of Vintage V's "La La". We imagine that this track will undoubtedly feature her progressive vocal sound that was so observable within "Lavender". A notable component to the sounding of Vintage V is that you can't expect the same thing over and over again. She's versatile, and so her music exhibits that aspect quite well. We know that we can easily anticipate and elevated and more refined sounding during 2020 for Vintage V, and so now all we have left to do is wait! Listen to the 2019 soundings of Vintage V here. Welcome, Vintage V! How have you felt about the way your 2019 was executed artistically? Artistically, I felt that I really studied myself creatively. I created a lot of music that I thought showcased who I was as an artist. I wanted to make sure that the way I was viewed as an artist really came across as clear as possible. I didn’t release as much music as I wanted to by far, but I am happy with what I accomplished in 2019. "Lavender" was released this year, which was definitely one of our favorite tracks that we saw from you. It's incredibly lush and has such an alluring appeal. Was that a difficult ambiance to create, or does that come naturally with your sound? Thank you so much. I really appreciate the way that you describe “Lavender”, it shows me that you really love music and that you listen to the artist and study them. You’re awesome! The ambiance that I created with “Lavender”, is typically a sound from me when I am in my element. It's standard and I really enjoy creating music like this. You're a performing artist, to say the very least! What venue/city have you found to resonate with the most throughout your artistic career thus far? I don’t think I have found a venue that resonates with my artistic career as of yet. I have a few venues that I am “manifesting” to play this upcoming year! I am really looking to capture that perfect venue that showcases my music. As far as cities, I would say, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, for sure. They always show so much love. As an artist who has studied the genres of many sounds we hear today, how do you feel you have the advantage of constructing your music and integrating those types of genres within your personalized sounding? I feel that listening to and studying various genres of music has given me an advantage when it comes to creating music because I am fearless. I am fearless when it comes to writing and recording to a beat with more classical music elements in it, or adding an opera-type of melody or singing simple, airy type of vocals over hard rock style beats, as displayed in my song “All Day Long.” I really love the challenge of creating amazing songs with various styles of music. "La La" is set to release soon! Incredibly fitting that you're sending off your 2019 musically with another track release! Can you share more with us about the production and stylings of this song? Yes!! “ La-La” is a soft guitar-based beautiful produced track with hints of violins, and drums and cam harmonies. I am really excited to release it. As soon as I do I’m sending it to you all for review of course lol. We're happy we got the chance to talk over your 2019! Come back soon, and we hope with new music! Other than the release of "La La", what's next for you? Thank you so much for all of your support and love in 2019. I will be releasing two EP’s in 2020 as well as visuals for most of the songs on them. I hope to tour the majority of the year as well. Instagram.com/iamvintagev Twitter.com/iamvintagevv Soundcloud.com/iamvintagev #BuzzMusic

Toronto’s multi-genre producer, singer/songwriter, and hip-hop artist Myer Clarity recently released a new single “Love Me When I’m High” with a refreshing perspective on alcohol consumption. He began to pursue his musical career at age twelve and studied under the jazz legend, Ernie Nelson. This chill rap song has a relaxed beat and an effortless melody that will catch your attention from the start. Myer’s voice can be smooth, silvery or husky all at the right times. His lyrics add an emotional authenticity that will make you want to keep listening. In his past, Myers had battled with a decade of addiction following the untimely losses of his musical mentor, best friend, and mother. Myer’s song highlights his transition from his former “what’s another bottle” attitude to no longer having to “get drunk to have fun.” Since most songs today glorify the overconsumption of alcohol and drugs, he aimed to create a song that celebrates and relates to sobriety and introversion. The lyrics are freeing and fresh because Myer decided to omit societal pressures of alcohol consumption that are common in many records. Myer’s “so what” perspective is contagious with just one listen. Anyone who hears this song will be reminded of the passion of life itself without the influence of anything else. I guess you could say Myer Clarity has brought his listeners some clarity, too! Listen to "Love Me When I'm High" here Hey Myer! Welcome to BuzzMusic! We are very happy to spotlight your new single “Love Me When I’m High,” which shares such a refreshing perspective on substance use. Can you tell us more about your creative process for this song? Thanks for spotlighting me, good to be here. I wrote the hook/melody for this song back in 2018 to pitch as part of a songwriting pack I was developing with some other Toronto artists. I was still an alcoholic back when I wrote it and left it on the back burner. It was originally a song about the two sides of drunk love. When the group began dissolving I salvaged the hook for one of my own projects and re-produced the entire thing into what it is today. It took on a life of its own, kind of wrote itself. I had recently quit drinking when I wrote the verses and I wanted to capture that introverted mind-state I was in. I felt like I was a ghost at the party, I could watch everything without being involved. It’s a big world out there with lots of people I’m sure some of y’all feel like I do so I’m gonna write some more songs for us to listen to. We know you originally trained under a very successful jazz musician, and that your songs have fit into multiple different genres. Can you tell us about how your music has changed over time? Do you think it will continue to change? I came up listening to a lot of Tribe, Dilla, Common, etc, you know that branch of the hip hop family tree. The ‘Clarity’ in Myer Clarity came from that song Guru did with Common “State of Clarity”. That’s how deep it goes. Also, It was originally my tag (shitty, 7 letters, I know). I was getting into beats and I knew sampling was going to be problematic down the line so I wanted to actually learn how to play the music. My mom had this uncanny knack for finding gems and she found this guy Ernie Nelson, who was retired Jazz legend. I studied under him for a few lessons before he, unfortunately, passed away from natural causes. I continued to study under one of his students I met at a memorial concert we threw for him for a few years after, he taught me all I know about piano theory. I’ve definitely been all over the spectrum and back trying to find my voice over the years. It doesn’t help that I’m a people pleaser, either. I had friends in the punk scene I was pandering to, executives I was trying to impress with pop records, and the OG rap heads I wanted my props from for going heavy on the bars. It definitely took some time to come into my own. This latest one, though, this feels like me. I hope that people look at all the different styles I’ve had over the years and see it for what it is, growth. What are some goals you currently have as an artist? What are some that you have already achieved? My goal as an artist is to tell my story as honestly and unapologetically as possible. There’s a lot of people out there like me who’ve lived through some shit and it helps to know you’re not alone, so I put it into music. I tell people I’m a cautionary tale turned artist because I’m honestly lucky to still be here considering all I’ve been through. I wanna help people process things like loss, trauma, recovery, depression, etc. My second goal as an artist is to create myself a money tree so I can feed the ones I love. We live in a world with such a rigged deck and I just want to level the playing field for some of my people. Last year I used some sync money to get a friend of mine a private therapist and she’s doing so much better now it’s like night and day. So I know I can create something here that’ll give back. Third goal. I’m here for my seat at the table, tell the culture, I’m bringing some recipes y’all never tasted before. This is a party and we’re all here for the same reason because we love this shit. Goals I’ve accomplished: Becoming the multi-genre producer I am and being involved in as many different artists careers as I have been. (Y’all covered Tie Bond recently, he’s one of my clients, good kid!) 15 months no alcohol, Opening for Royce, Yelawolf, D12, Masta Ace, Oliver Jones, Cage, Snak The RipperRecords with Kayo, Camm Hunter (Down With Webster), Moka Only, Mac Lethal, D.O (Art of Fresh). Music brought me to Amsterdam, Prague, LA, New Orleans, Nashville France, and many other crazy places. Debut album charted at #9 on the indie hip hop charts, Toured the US & EU multiple times. Who in your life has influenced your music the most? How do they impact your advancement as an artist? I’ve got different heroes for different days. It really depends on where my heads at. But if I had to pick out some major influences I’d say. Royce 5’9 is a big one, for all he’s done from lyrics to sobriety to de-stigmatizing therapy. Secondly, it would be Dr. Dre for shaping four separate eras of hip hop with his production. I hope to be as involved in timeless music as that man is. Thirdly would be the Atmosphere. They provided a left-field lane for independent artists like me to do it differently, and also for the story-telling and cynicism. We were very happy to have you here on BuzzMusic! Please tell us more about what's next for you after this single release? Are you planning any shows in the near future? Happy to be here! Lots planned for 2020, I got some records in the bag with some legendary producers that you’ve definitely heard of but that’s on hush right now. My album is in its final mixing stages (oh snap!!!). I’ve got another single called “One Day I’ll Get My Shit Together” dropping at the end of Feb along with a short Euro tour and some Toronto dates. Additionally, I’m working on a series where I cover hip hop classics on piano and featuring some of Toronto’s rising stars. Lastly, I got a podcast in the works with the homie Skevious Tips as well as my own label imprint No Damn Good. instagram.com/MyerClarity twitter.com/MyerClarity facebook.com/MyerClarity soundcloud.com/MyerClarity MyerClarity.com #BuzzMusic

Welcome to BuzzMusic Riccardo and Ivan, we are so happy to talk to you about your duo Pool Moon Elephant. From your music to your artwork, everything is unique and creative. Can you tell our readers about the Pool Moon Elephant music world? Our musical world was born from the desire to have fun crossing all genres without setting any kind of barriers, and although some genres we experimented with had more positive feedback than others, this has never influenced the next steps. We love to experiment for the sake of experimenting. In 2018 for example, after having had good success with the trance single EGOFRIENDLY, we immediately turned to dub, collaborating with the UK musician Chris Duff aka Side Project. Fundamental in our creative process is also being able to discover talents around the world and invite them to collaborate with us. It's in the creative encounter between diversities that we look for a sort of uniqueness. Tell us about your love for Japan, how this has been such a big influence over your creative process and music? We love many aspects of Japan, but what attracts us most is the ability of the Japanese to always be extremely innovative without breaking away from tradition. This ability crosses all creative forms, from fashion to animation cinema, to music. Our attraction to Japan intensified when we immersed ourselves in the wonderful city of Tokyo, and even more when we recorded our tracks in the studio with j-pop singer Mikuro Mika. What do you enjoy most about collaborating with other DJ's and artists? Since for us, experimenting is a fundamental part of our creative process, we try to collaborate whenever we can with DJs and musicians who are for geographical or stylistic reasons different from us, in order to achieve an unexpected creative result together. A good example can be the work with the French DJ and producer Lorenzo Molinari for the song HIKARU SUN: we recorded part of the song in the studio in Bali, part in the studio in Tokyo, and we asked Lorenzo Molinari to take the result and give it his personal touch. Then we mixed the final product in Switzerland, we mastered it in Italy and to our surprise, the single was chosen by Spotify Japan for their official J-pop playlists, and it has been aired on several radios. We like this mix of genres, personalities, and cultures. Your music really seems like it could blend and work well with any genre! Is there a genre you would like to explore mixing that you haven't yet? Surely there are many genres that we still want to experiment and deepen, the collaboration we had with the talented Japanese jazz keyboardist Ken Aihara has stimulated us a lot and we will certainly experiment again in this area, perhaps combining a more aggressive electronic music with jazzy sounds. In general, it really seems that the kind of music we make can take many paths and this is one of the reasons why DJs are happy to collaborate with us: they often tell us that our pieces have a lot of interesting elements to work on. We loved your EP "HIKARI PLUS", what was the creation process like? Do you two have any personal favorite songs off the EP that you'd like to share with us? The EP HIKARI PLUS and the EP DEPARTURES ONLY are the two musical projects that engaged us in 2019. Both have been collaborations with Japanese and European artists, in the musical and visual aspects. They were both the result of a long search to find the right collaborations we were looking for. If we had to choose our favorite singles, surely HIKARI SUN in collaboration with Lorenzo Molinari and Mikuro Mika for the EP HIKARI PLUS, and TRAIN TO SHIBUYA for the EP DEPARTURES ONLY because it reminds us of our first arrival in Tokyo. Thank you for answering our questions, Riccardo and Ivan! What can we expect from Pool Moon Elephant in 2020? Surely there will still be some collaborations both in the musical and visual field within Japan, and at the same time, we started working on some hard dance music tracks infused with traditional blues sounds, thanks to the collaboration with a young singer from Washington. We are also taking our first steps with Indonesian artists (another country that fascinates us) and we hope that something positive will come out of it. In short, it will be another wonderful year of collaborations and, as we said at the beginning of this interview, it is in the creative encounter between diversity that we try to have fun every time. instagram.com/pmelephant facebook.com/pmelephant poolmoonelephant.com #BuzzMusic

Guitarist Marcus Machado manifests such a pure and refined sounding with his curative abilities. That raw styling is so incredibly present within his final tracks, and we're obsessed with the feeling and general mood his production imparts on us as listeners. Marcus' preferred sounding doesn't stop with one genre, which we're extremely thankful for. Marcus Machado ensures that a variety of genres are approached within his final sound so that listeners are able to receive a multitude of sensations. What Marcus Machado does as an instrumental artist can be a tough game, but he approaches the execution with a clear idea of how he wants his listeners to feel. Spoiler: he executes quite well. Marcus Machado has such an intricate ear when it comes to instrumentals. He creates atmospheres that are uniquely refined and that fit so well into any imaginable story. He recently released "Dig", a production that is clearly synthesized with good taste. The instrumental track features heavy guitar elements, combined with an addictingly mellow drumming appearance. You can hear other eclectic elements in the mix, and it makes you come to appreciate the refined styling Marcus Machado has. We found "Dig" to be one of those instrumental songs that's so easy to get along and connect with. Marcus Machado has, without a doubt, established an authentic sound with his instrumental collection. Hopefully, 2020 follows suit so we can see more of the soundings that are Marcus Machado! Discover "Dig" here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Marcus Machado! Tell us how did you begin to be fascinated with music and when did you realize you wanted to pursue music as a career? Thank you BuzzMusic, I've always heard music very young when my parents would play records around the house but at the age of 9 years old after performing my first professional show that's when I realized I wanted to pursue music as a career. You are a very talented musician! Can you tell us how you began playing guitar - are you self taught or classically trained? Thank you. I picked up the Guitar round 2 years old and been playing ever since. I would pretty much listen to records and figure out what they were playing, I'm self-taught. Tell us about your new song "Dig" the song itself has a very groovy vibe. Can you tell us what inspired you to write "Dig"? The song "Dig" came about from my guitar endorsers "D'Angelico. They asked me to do a video about the Guitar I'm using which is called The Deluxe Bedford but at same time I was in the studio working on my album and wanted to create an instrumental guitar type of song that had a Lil bit of different genre's mixed together and that's when I got the idea for "Dig". What would you like your new fans to know about your music? I would like them to know that my music is a vibe and whatever type of music whether it is hip hop, jazz, soul, funk or rock. There is something in there for everyone to check out.  My 2020 album "Blue Diamonds" is also the soundtrack for the short film of the same name and takes you on a musical journey. 2019 has been an amazing year for you Marcus! What has been your favorite music moment of the year? We look forward to hearing from you in 2020! Thank You, They're has been a lot of moments this year but it is hard to think of just one-off top of my head but this pass summer being on tour with Jose James playing at North Sea Jazz Festival in Europe with a 75 piece orchestra in front of 20,000 people, that was a moment indeed. Scoring the music for the critically acclaimed Hip Hop Documentary "Contact High" as well as working with Robert Glasper on the score for the HBO documentary on the "Apollo" and the upcoming "Mr.Soul"  documentary. Thanks again BuzzMusic! officialmarcusmachado.com #BuzzMusic

Texas-based artist Mike Kiddoo is in the music game to bring a polished Pop/Rock sound. Mike Kiddoo's musical stylings consist of a contemporary approach to the Rock N' Roll game, but with many dynamic and influential pop ingredients. Kiddoo takes pride in the fact that any sounding you hear from him and his music is purely authentic. Authenticity is undoubtedly a factor to express throughout your music, and once we listened through to what makes us Mike Kiddoo's sound, we agreed that authenticity was there. With past releases such as "Rabbit Hole", "Voodoo" and a future EP, Mike Kiddoo has been a hustling artist, one that gives us yet another single release, "Beyond". With Mike Kiddoo's release of "Beyond" came an intriguing approach and styling to what is Pop Rock N' Roll in our era today. There definitely are modern characteristics that are incredibly potent throughout "Beyond", but Mike Kiddoo makes sure not to forget those prominent rock soundings all Rock N' Roll fans adore and feed off of. There's a dramatic element to "Beyond" regarding both production and vocal integration, which really gives the song energy and vitality. You can't listen to "Beyond" and not feel one ounce of the spirit inserted into that track. It was that sense of energy that really locked "Beyond" in for us as a fruitful pop/rock single, and we urge our readers to check the track out for themselves to see what locks it in for each listener! Access "Beyond" here. mikekiddoo.com facebook.com/mikekiddoomusic instagram.com/mikekiddoomusic twitter.com/mikekiddoo #BuzzMusic

Emerging Canadian Pop influence Sofia Evangelina has released her single "Smile". The characterizable traits of Sofia's sound can be summed up into one word: uplifting. Her voice has that natural tendency to inspire listeners and really make them feel something. With a five-octave range, you'll be pleased to listen to "Smile", which showcases each range. Her delivery is poised and positive, and we know there isn't a hint of fabrication behind the depth of Sofia Evangelina. As you first begin to listen to "Smile", you can sense those notable pop elements, but you'll be pleasantly surprised once reaching the chorus of the track. Sofia Evangelina embeds choir-like components that seriously elevate her voice to another level. Once we came across the chorus of "Smile", we felt warm and cozy with the pitch-perfect soundings of Sofia. Although she's a budding singer/songwriter, her reputation has already soared with this release. "Smile" highlights Sofia's dynamics in such a complementary way. Nearing the end of the song, we really get introduced to the vocal abilities of Sofia. Saying that her voice is wide-ranging is a serious understatement. A serious one. Her voice soars into areas we never knew Sofia Evangelina was capable of, but we were charmingly surprised to hear it. "Smile", ironically, is the kind of track that would make you smile, as Sofia surpasses expectations, and showcases her harmonious vocal abilities to her audience. "Smile" is available on all streaming platforms! Discover the soundings of Sofia Evangelina in "Smile" here. facebook.com/sofiaevangelinamusic twitter.com/sofiaevaxo instagram.com/sofia.evangelina #BuzzMusic

The Hated Crew has been releasing tracks that serve energy and surging confidence on a platter for listeners. The group consists of members JDOTBRWN and Sapphinora from Atlanta, Chicago’s Zig Zag, Denver’s Mr. Xile, Golden The Prophet-KGxTHC from Sin City, or LA’s own SB The QB, Tax Free, and Rocci. All group members are clearly distributed all throughout the United States, all the way to Atlanta, yet collaborate with such an easy flow! They’ve released a multitude of music throughout the span of 2019, showcasing their consistency with their ability to create both quality and quantity tracks. 2019 saw the release of their self-titled EP, which started off with the track “I’m That Chick”. You could give 5 seconds of a listen to this track and already know the vocal performance you’ll receive. It’s incredibly hyped and makes our senses activate in all different ways. The quality of the production is flawless! When it’s integrated into the vocal delivery, the product is heavy, filled with substance, and ultimately raging. Moving throughout the EP, we come upon tracks like the mastered version of “Elevated”, we see the energy intensify, and the vocal execution double in pace. “Elevated” is a highly energy-packed track off their record. The track doesn’t slow down for anyone, and which each verse we pass, we realize how that stamina is built up, and then emulates to all listeners. “Big Dawgs” ends off the 5-track EP, and it ends it off with a soft, but memorable, bang. We personally thought that the production of this track was immaculate. It contained all of the elements to capture our attention, keep it, and then allow us to completely vibe along with. “Big Dawgs” has a more laidback atmosphere, yet without compromising any of that prominent energy presented in The Hated Crew’s tracks. We’re genuinely looking out for more releases from the group, mainly because their quality is never compromised, and so we can easily expect more hit tracks from them. Listen to The Hated Crew here! Hey there The Hated Crew! Thanks for coming to BuzzMusic. How does the group feel about the collective release of your self-titled EP? A lot of my recording is done in spare time. I find it a disadvantage at times to be so far. I'm the type of artist that likes to communicate and bounce ideas off the people I work with. But I do find it at advantage though has to bring able to work with other artists from other areas helps me to be able to keep my style not individual and reach an audience I normally would not reach due to the networking. 2019 has clearly seen the release of many tracks, along with the album! How does the group find the creating and recording process of the tracks? Is it more difficult because of the distance, or does the group use that to their advantage in a way? I would recommend for someone listening to the for a first time to listen to Body Bag. The lyrics say it all. The delivery and lyrical precision on this track show the way we still appreciate the art and lyrics of Rap. Each member of The Hated Crew was able to successfully highlight their strengths in the tracks released this year. Out of all tracks produced, which one would the group recommend a listener to discover first? As a solo artist, I have performed dozens of times in several different venues as many of the rest of thc have. All with solid stage performances. I am looking forward to a time when we are able to showcase all of our talents and live performances. As I'm sure it will be something you won't want to miss. Since we’re right in the middle of the holiday season, we find it appropriate to ask if The Hated Crew has ever given thought into curating any holidays tracks/incorporating holiday sounds into your own? I have never thought of doing any holiday music as I feel my style of Rap would not be a good fit. instagram.com/thehatedcrew #BuzzMusic

2019 saw 15-year-old pop artist Joanna Gabrielle release two amazing songs! Artistically, Joanna attempted to establish a name for herself within the pop music scene with her 2019 creations! Recording her music in Nashville, TN, Joanna Gabrielle is synthesizing the harmony she feels resonates with her the best. Joanna is currently in the midst of manifesting a 5-track EP, set to release sometime in 2020. For now, we have illustrious singles such as "Maybe" and "Time and Again" to look over! Both singles showcase the artistic reach Joanna Gabrielle possesses regarding her listeners, and each provides a different general mood when listening. Ultimately, she'll leave you feeling rejuvenated by her soft and calm stylings! Joanna Gabrielle's voice is well refined and balanced, which as a fairly young artist, you wouldn't have thought would've been a prominent feature. Tracks like "Maybe" were released late this year, and it exposed the soft and flowing aspect of the natural voice Joanna Gabrielle has. Shortly after the release of "Maybe", Joanna released "Time and Again" which highlights the same features we know Joanna Gabrielle to have--innocent, pure, captivating and refined. You can tell she sets out to really connect with listeners during her music, and that musical passion is undoubtedly there within her! Joanna Gabrielle is hoping to release more music during 2020, and so there's more to come with Joanna's matured and structured sounding! Listen to Joanna Gabrielle here. Hello, Joanna Gabrielle! 2019 saw the release of "Maybe" and "Time and Again"! Out of the two single releases, which one do you favor more? Hey Buzz! I’m so glad to be working with you again. As partial as I am to “Maybe” since it was my very first release, I’d have to give this one to “Time and Again”. This was the very first song I wrote after getting “discovered” through Instagram, and also happens to be the only song on my -still unreleased- EP that was actually based on a real experience of mine, but that’s a story for another time :). It was easily distinguishable that "Maybe" was filled with thoughtful lyricism. Can you tell our readers more about the intentions behind the track and the overall takeaway message? I’d say that all five of the tracks I recorded in Nashville were heavily centered around different aspects of love, but the recurring theme throughout is really uncertainty, and “Maybe” is certainly no exception. As the title suggests, “Maybe” explores the wonder and curiosity that accompany the early stages of a relationship. It deals with simple questions at first, asking about trust and reliability in the verses, while circling back to the question of, “Maybe it’s you?” Leading up to the bridge, there begins a sense of urgency, a need to answer the harder questions, with my favorite being, “Are you gonna show up?” It’s such a simple question, but it encapsulates all the basic things a person needs to know before committing to someone. The song finally ends with the question that’s repeated throughout, “Do I?”, leaving the song open-ended. I think this song is important for anyone in a similar situation, that sort of “in-between” state in a relationship. Trust me, I love a good love song, don’t get me wrong, but it’s nice to let people know that love doesn’t have to be as simple as we’d like to believe. How was the recording process in Nashville?! What travel in order to record your music! Does the music scene there inspire and/or help to shape your sound at all?! Thinking about it now, telling people that I went to Nashville to record an EP has become so routine in the whole explanation of my story and my career, that I tend to forget that at this time last year if someone had told me that I’d be doing just that, I would’ve said they were crazy! Going to Nashville was certainly a surreal experience, and it all happened so quickly. When we planned it all back in June, I had about less than three months to get my songs in good enough shape to go straight into recording, and before I knew it, it was August and I was on a plane to Nashville. I headed straight into the recording process with my producer, Shannon McArthur, the next day. I was insanely lucky to be working with a producer as laid-back and easy-going as him, and he really made the whole process so easy and enjoyable. Though as fun as the recording was, I had more fun watching the production process. It was definitely one of the most educational experiences I’ve had. Now onto the music scene in Nashville, I’ve got to start by saying that Nashville was almost the last place I thought I’d be starting my career in. I’d never been a huge fan of country music, but to my surprise, Nashville was so much more than that. I’m still not very fond of country, but the infectious energy and storytelling of the songs that fill the downtown streets and well-loved local bars of the city definitely impacted my way of viewing my music. I admire the way that country music stays so true to its roots. It’s as if each singers sings with the sentiment of, “This is who I am, here’s my story, take it or leave it!” There’s a true sense of heart and genuineness in country music that you can’t find anywhere else, and if anything, that’s what I want to apply to my music. What aspect of your sound do you think you couldn't survive without as an artist? Gosh, well seeing as I’m pretty new to the scene, I’m still in the process of experimenting with various styles and sounds. I’ve never been the kind of singer whose voice got people raving about rawness and raw emotion, and I’ve gotta say that’s probably due to the fact that for the past two years I’ve been used to singing choral and classical arrangements. But with that, I also have a background in musical theatre, which taught me a lot about conveying different emotions without compromising technique. For the most part, the songs on my EP have a sort of lightness to them, even as each song navigates different narratives and emotions. I’m not a huge fan of defining an artist’s music under one genre, so I’d hesitate to call my music strictly pop or indie, but as an artist, I couldn’t survive without that mix of balancing emotions while staying true to my technique. My first voice teacher used to always say that there was this natural beauty to my voice and that even with “crappy technique”, that beauty would shine through. Save for the crappy technique part, it’s always been important that I let that natural beauty shine through whatever I’m singing, whether it be arias or pop ballads. Are there any elements to your hopeful 2020 sound that differ from your 2019 one? One of the great things about being a new indie artist is the fact that I’m free to experiment with any new sounds and styles at any given time. With my first EP, everything was bright and shiny and new, and I think my sound really reflected that. Behind each song, there’s a kind of wonder and brightness, which was sort of perfect for my introduction to the music world. But a significant time has passed since I wrote/recorded the songs on that EP, and at that time, I’ve had the pleasure of really listening to various singers and deciding what aspects of my favorite songs I want to translate into my own music. I’ve learned so much more about songwriting and popular music trends that I’m really looking towards shifting my sound in 2020. With the new year, I really want to try out a different, slightly more mature sound, while trying new trends that I’ve seen across today’s chart-topping hits. In a way, there’s still the same newness that came with my first EP, but it’s a different kind of newness, a desire to reflect in my music the way I view music now, as opposed to then. We appreciate the time Joanna! We hope that 2020 sees the release of more music! Where are you hoping the evolution of your music continues onto in the new year? Of course, I’m so glad I had the chance to do this! Everything is so new right now, that I’m willing to take every opportunity I can get. I definitely want to record more music, possibly a new EP if I can. But overall, it’s more important to me that I continue working on my songwriting and evolving my sound to reflect how I’ve changed and continue changing as an artist. I especially want to dive deeper into newer topics for my songs, as well as different sounds. I’d really like to just try as many different styles as I can before I find the one that “fits”. Thank you so much for having me! Here’s to more music and to 2020! instagram.com/joannaagabrielle #BuzzMusic

For Nordi Blu, music and singing has always been as necessary as breathing for her. Nordi Blu grew up singing with the women on the French side of her family which sparked her interest in being a singer and musician. After many years of trying to find her place in the world, one that straddles tradition and heritage on one hand, and the borders she has crossed and made her home. Her diverse background has impacted her in music greatly, as she finally unleashes her relentless spirit and expanding her artistic vision into the public eye and she’s receiving great recognition from all across the board. Nordi Blu caught the attention and praise in 2017 when she made quarter-finals in Germany’s edition of The Voice. Taking advantage of the growing fanbase and increasing acclaim, she wrote and independently recorded her debut album in 2018 and which she financed all on her own through crowdfunding, and garnering donations from over150 doners. Nordi Blu's debut album who was produced by the great Alex Sprave, and it approaches delicate themes such as growing up, addiction, and the concept of home. We hear the album will be releasing soon, keep your eyes on Nordi Blu's socials for a release date! Nordi Blu spills talent in her 2019 debut release "Skin", along with kickass visual for the single! "Skin" is so raw and real. The intricate and dramatic instrumental, pairs perfectly with her raspy, flared attitude vocals. This really makes you feel every emotion and word that Nodi Blu projects to her listeners. A song that beams confidence! Nordi Blu's hard work ethic, dedication, and talent will send her onto a trail of great success in the music industry. We can't wait to see what Nordi Blu creates in the New Year, we'll be on the lookout! Listen to Nordi Blu here! Welcome back to BuzzMusic Nordi Blu! What has been the biggest influence on you and your music in 2019? Thank you guys so much for having me back, it's a pleasure speaking with you again! I think the biggest influence on me and my music in 2019 would definitely have to be "leaving" and all of the pain and exhilaration that can entail. I just left my most recent home in Berlin, where I had lived for the last 5 years, for Los Angeles. I decided it would be the best move for my music career, but with that came absolute heartbreak. Leaving Berlin also meant leaving my closest friends, my producer, my team and my fans. Leaving is never easy, but I'm hoping it was for the right reasons, and that it will all be worth it in the end. Tell us about your debut single “Skin”. What was the most challenging aspect of creating this record? "Skin" is my debut single, so my very first baby. I've got plenty of my work and my performances out there, but this is my true first release. The most challenging, but also most rewarding aspect of creating "Skin" was that I self-released. I spent countless and sleepless nights preparing the release from A to Z. From my full rebrand to distribution, to the imagery, the music video, my socials, my PR, my marketing, and sending hundreds of emails to radio stations, Spotify playlist and blogs around the world. It was a full-time job and so much more. Something else that I learned during my "Skin" release, was that it's ok to ask for and to receive help. My friends, family and even my fans rallied around me to help in any way they possibly could--from sending email blasts, editing my press release, to making Instagram teasers, I truly had the greatest make-shift team in the world. Did you experiment with any new elements during the creative process of “Skin"? We did! My producer and I got pretty stuck because the demo of “Skin" was already pretty polished. It's hard sometimes to really be able to hear something new and to take the song into an exciting direction for final production. So we sat down together, went back to the drawing board, and started to throw out some completely random ideas and influences. A couple of glasses of wine later, we finally landed on "X Gon' Give It to Ya" by DMX, and that's when we started recording the live horns and sampling them into what became "Skin". What’s the biggest theme “Skin” presents to its listeners? "Skin" is the fiery and gritty tale of hard work, rolling up your sleeves, and working through the intricacies of the music industry as an independent artist. And although that's highly specific, I think it can easily translate to any difficult situation. If you believe in something, you should be fighting for it. If people try to get in the way of that success, just smile at them, keep working hard and show them what success really looks. Talk to us about your upcoming album. What can your growing fanbase expect from this project? I have to start by saying that I am fiercely proud of my debut album, and I cannot wait to get it out into the world. My friends, family and amazing fans helped to make it a reality through my crowdfunding campaign. 150 donors made it possible for me to record and produce the record with Alex Sprave in Berlin. Sadly, as an independent artist, I have been struggling to find the financial means to get the full record out, but I promise that it will be out by the end of 2020. The record deals with delicate themes such as growing up, addiction and the concept of "home". As humans we tend to think struggling is shameful, when in fact it is beautiful to be vulnerable and it is strong to be sad. My hope is that my record will help my fans and listeners to feel hopeful in whatever way it might be meaningful to them. What are you looking forward to in 2020, Nordi Blu? I am so impatient and excited to become a part of the LA community, and the music industry here. And most of all, I truly cannot wait to release my debut album. In the meantime, my second single "Eye of the Hurricane" should be coming out early 2020, I hope you'll keep an eye out for it. Instagram Facebook Twitter #BuzzMusic