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Nick Isham released the song of the year with his single “I Wanna Know”. “I Wanna Know” begins immediately with Nick Isham’s engrossing voice. His vocals have this raspy and dynamic tone that has the ability to go through multiple registers in his voice. Nick Isham knew how to give you soft dynamics at the perfect correlating measure in “I Wanna Know” while increasing the power in his voice at the right section of the song. “I Wanna Know” instrumentation was delightfully subdued. It was like a feathery light texture that didn’t do too much and allowed for Nick Isham to vocally progress throughout the song. The emotional conviction in “I Wanna Know” is what makes the song stand-out the most. The vulnerable lyricism had to be delivered in a passionate execution and Nick Isham didn’t disappoint not one bit. “I Wanna Know” is a song that can give us a heart-rendering impact by the sentimental atmosphere that’s created for us. Nick Isham has every element to his artistry to reel you in. With his soulful voice, rhythmic ingenuity, his personal storytelling, and melodic messages pull people in from the very first note. Influenced by a wide range of artists from Ed Sheeran, Jack Johnson and Justin Timberlake, to Bill Withers and Van Morrison, and even to country artists such as Sam Hunt and Chris Stapleton, Nick has developed his sound from this variety of influences, crafting his own, unique style of acoustic pop music. You can listen to this moving piece “I Wanna Know” here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Nick Isham! How is it living in Los Angeles? Hey! Thank you so much for having me! Living in LA is awesome, I love it out here.  We’ve got the beach, snow, and desert close enough to do all three in one day, gotta love that! “I Wanna Know” lyrics felt authentically sentimental! What inspired you to write this single? Aw, thank you.  So this was inspired by the last relationship I was in.  I thought about when I hit that point with her where I just wanted to know everything about her - the good, the bad, all the stories, everything she wants to accomplish in life, etc.  So I wrote it pulling from that experience and those feelings I had at that point in my life. “I Wanna Know” had light instrumentation that was highly fitting for this record.  Can you describe the arrangements you were seeking in this? For sure - so first of all, I co-wrote and produced this song with Mikal Blue and Nate Lennox who were awesome to work with!  They really helped me capture exactly what I had in mind for this song.  I really wanted it to have very minimal production and I actually came in with a very very rough outline of the kind of vibe I wanted - and the three of us just went in and they helped bring that to life.  It is obviously based mainly around the guitar progression that we have going through the whole song.  And then we just made sure to build the drums and other instruments up and strip them back around the guitar, depending on the section, in order to create some dramatic effects throughout the song. What was the most challenging aspect of creating “I Wanna Know” for you? The most challenging was probably the vocals.  We had written the song and recorded vocals.  But then before releasing it, I performed the song a number of times and really felt I needed to go back in and re-record the vocals now that I had more of a feel for the song.  So we did that and I am glad we did! What’s next for you Nick Isham? What’s next…. Well, I released my sixth single, Only Human, last month and then just got done with a 2-week, west coast tour.  So I am now getting the music video for that prepped and ready to go.  And then planning my releases for next year - picking songs and in production on those.  I am making a 3-week trip out to Nashville in January and then a 3-week trip in Europe for a little tour out there at the end of March-April.  Very excited about all of it! instagram.com/nickishammusic facebook.com/nickishammusic #BuzzMusic

Located all the way out the I.E, CRASH Stevens is an upcoming sensation that is making his voice heard through his lyrical rhyme patterns, heavy-hitting beat selection, and a confident flow to make his competition re-think their rap career. CRASH Stevens is an incomparable artist. His style is different, catchy, full of metaphors and pop culture references. CRASH Stevens has been setting the groundwork for his upcoming release in the new year, dropping singles like “Scotty don’t “, “Precision “ and the newest release “New Levels” featuring Ayeaux The Gawd of N.C.G. If 2019 proved anything for CRASH Stevens, it was the fact that it was indeed an eventful year for the striving artist. CRASH Stevens has the confidence, the sound, and they look to cater to these current lovers of hip-hop. There’s undeniably room in the market for a sound that’s as powerful and tough as CRASH. Rap is competitive, but CRASH Stevens isn’t afraid of any challenge. In fact, he’s ready than ever to take on the ins and outs of the rap game and to make his name a household one. CRASH will be dropping his EP titled “CRASH Course“ in 2020, with a lot of anticipation and hype behind what to expect, we know that it will not disappoint, but prove he belongs in the game and is very eager to win. Give a listen to CRASH Stevens here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Crash Stevens! Who would you consider some of your early inspirations for rap and why? I’d have to say artists like KRS one, Notorious BIG, method man, Busta Rhymes, ice cube, Dr. Dre, Mac Dre, EPMD, Naughty by nature, then have bands like Aerosmith, Linkin Park, and guns n roses were some of biggest influences, my mother had a wide range of music that had me drawn in each time something was played. What was your personal favorite element to “Scotty Don’t”? Explain! The hook has to be it, the overall energy you get from it is undeniable. Then I'd have to say using a couple of samples from the movie “Austin Powers” was the icing on the cake. How would you describe the lyrical approach you took in songs like “Precision”? Had to step my game up from my first single “cold”, I went in the studio with mindset of “GO”, just bars, Keep spitting! Let’s talk about your newest release “New Levels”, were there any arrangements you wanted to experiment with when creating this single? Not, in particular, I know I wanted a real heavy spitter on the track, so I hit my big bro “Ayeaux The Gawd” we were Throwing ideas out there, and that’s how we came about the song. When he did his verse I knew right then and there I had to Level up and match that energy or even exceed it. Overall “New Levels “ is a Banger! No cap! We’re excited about your upcoming EP release! Mind hinting to our readers what we can expect from this project? BARS, BARS, BARS, only two features, one from my Big bro Swizzle, and YOUNGJOHN. Expect a dope selection of beats and production, this is going to get your head moving and speakers bumping. What are you looking forward to in 2020 besides your EP Crash Stevens? Any goals you mind sharing with us? The consistency, the hustle, the marathon it takes to get were you want, I want to make 2020 the year of Visuals and nonstop content. I want to be that artist who can change the narrative out here, the Inland Empire has so much talent waiting to be heard, I'm going to be that artist. #BuzzMusic

Dylan Cohen is a commodity. He provides soundings that are genuinely intriguing to listen to. He's able to integrate so many various soundings, that we feel almost overwhelmed by listening to the creative and new part of the music he's able to offer. One of our favorite parts of his musical execution is the production and how unique it is to the expressed vocalism. Dylan knows how to blend sounds that only complement each other. If you intently listen and can get past the alluring melody, you can hear that Dylan Cohen intensely expresses his day-to-day life. He does this in such an expressive manner--when this is combined with that exclusive and unique sounding of Dylan, it allows for that unparalleled rhythm and flow. "Alleyways" has been his most recent music video release, which captures the very essence of his energy presented in the track. When "Alleyways" was released in late 2018, it provided that necessary and robust atmosphere for listeners at the perfect time. Dylan Cohen is full of that uncompromised energy and talent, which is why he was a clear pick to feature as Artist of the Day. We can expect that whichever project he stumbles upon next will be as thoughtful and resilient as his most recent releases. For now, we're okay with listening to his most recent work! Listen to "Alleyways" here. Hey Dylan! Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us on your most recent work. What a great year for you! Your music has really grown in a blossoming direction. Looking back over the past couple of years, 2018/2019, what would you say has been your favorite track to create and record? Hey Buzz! Thanks so much! 2019 was a year of huge artistic and sonic growth for me both as an artist and a co-producer. My producer, Michael Kondakow and I have been on a musical journey together advancing closer to a sound that I'm beyond excited to present to listeners in 2020. We've been hard at work on my debut album Just for Tomorrow (Part 1), due for release in fall 2020 with a couple of singles dropping in advance of that. Just for Tomorrow (Part 1) unpacks my experience dealing with addiction and mental health issues for nearly 15 years, but through the lens of my new reality as a recovering addict with just over three years of clean time. My favourite tracks created and recorded this past year have been songs off my new album. That being said, we are currently working on reproducing my 2018 single "Clementine" to better reflect the "trip-soul" sonic identity of my new music. I'm super excited about this endeavor as "Clementine" has extra special significance to me as my first real songwriting dive into the trauma of my early childhood and its connection to my drug abuse and mental health issues later on. You can expect a reproduced version of "Clementine" to appear on Just for Tomorrow (Part 1) coming out in 2020. "Clementine" was one of our personal favorites from you, as we feel connected to the ambiance it holds. How did you feel with writing this track, and how did you intend for your listeners to feel? Thanks so much for saying that. "Clementine" is a weird one for me, as I was very nervous to release and perform it live. I felt it was so personal and specific to my own life, and that perhaps people wouldn't be able to find their own truth in it. To my surprise, this song has consistently been a crowd favourite and one that many have told me they relate to in their own way. That kind of feedback really fuelled my belief in finding the courage to be as transparent as I can be in my songwriting. "Clementine" says a lot of tough things about myself and my family. It wasn't an easy song for some in my family to hear. There's a line in the song that I know made some members of my family uncomfortable - "lullabies at the end of the day, and they walked the other way" or "cause the river's rushin' now and I can't seem to see that I'm a lying, thieving, fucking junkie". I know it hurts some members of my family to hear me refer to the abandonment I felt as a child and implicate them in that, or the frustration and anger I have towards myself and my own behaviour. I only hope that they can respect what I need to do to heal and let go and that I'm trying to create something positive out of the darkness. I hope people can relate to that in "Clementine". It has a line in the chorus - "how do I, how do I, let it go?" and I hope the song inspires people to find their own way through the memories, emotions, and compulsions that seek to control them - for me, my route out of all of that is creating music. Oh! And for all the Elliott Smith fans out there - this song is loaded with nods to him and his impact on me and my memories. See if you can spot em'. Tell us more about the project that's happening soon on your rendition of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen! How do you feel about covering this track? My producer is actually polishing up this project as I sit in the studio with him now as I write this. This "Hallelujah" project came about through a program I was fortunate enough to participate in this past summer called "Canada's Music Incubator". The program took a small group of artists from across Canada and put us through rigorous music industry training for six weeks. During that time I was able to fortify my industry knowledge but also to work with a professional producer, vocal coach, performance coach, managers, publishers and all kinds of other amazing mentors. Canada's Music Incubator shares its space with Coalition Music (a record label and artist management firm) in this big revitalized church in the eastern part of Toronto. In that building, there is this beautiful little chapel where they do industry showcases and small live shows. This "Hallelujah" project stemmed from one of the perks of the program where we artists were able to work with a film crew in the chapel and do basically whatever we wanted. No other artist had ever done a straight-up acapella take for their session in the chapel so I decided to have the crew film me doing a live off the floor take of me singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". I realize this song has been covered a million times, but I knew I could do something completely unique with it and showcase my vocals. This project was super challenging because my producer and I had to build a whole soundscape in post audio using my live off the floor acapella take. This project will introduce listeners to my new found "trip-soul" sound and I can't wait for people to hear it. I know fans of this song are very precious about it, so many will either love or hate my take on it. In any case, I wanted to pay my own tribute to the iconic Canadian singer/songwriter/poet with whom I share my last name and who has inspired my songwriting journey in so many ways. We've felt connected with the type of energy you emulate throughout your songs right when we began listening to your music. Would you say that this aspect to your music is genuine, or was it created and manifested to aid in the overall execution of your sounding? It's genuine! But every song we make naturally channels a different type of energy. For "Alleyways" it was upbeat, celebratory, fun, but for a song like "Clementine" there was a lot more anger, sadness, and frustration I needed to channel. Music creation has been a real ride for me these past couple years and I think I've naturally unearthed different parts of my artistic character over time. I grew up having a true love for musical theatre and studied it at an arts high school here in Toronto, and I think my theatrical side comes out in my music - especially in my new stuff. It's really a gamble when we get into the studio how channeling different characteristics of myself will come out sonically. So many times when I'm in the booth there will be accidental moments of amped up or mellowed out energies that seem to perfectly execute the emotions we're trying to convey. Often times I just concentrate as deeply as possible on the lyrics I've written while I'm singing in the booth and amazing things happen. A performance coach I worked with at Canada's Music Incubator - Luther Mallory (who has a great TED talk by the way), coached me thoroughly on the importance of focusing more on the lyrical significance of what I'm singing as opposed to having a hyper-focus on vocal technique. This hyper-focus on lyrics, and the genuine feelings behind what I've written and why I feel the need to express what I've written have become grounding principals of my performance both in and out of the studio. Are there any pivotal lessons you've learned over the course of 2019 in terms of the music scene? How do you feel you shaped yourself as an artist over this year that differs from how you were artistically in 2018? Learning from the experiences of 15 other artists in Canada's Music Incubator program has definitely been pivotal for my understanding of the Canadian Music scene. I'm still a baby in terms of navigating it all. I've only performed a handful of times and had a few releases. 2020 will be the year that I take all that I've learned and deploy those lessons into my releases and shows. I plan on playing a bunch of shows in Toronto and other towns here in Ontario and working with the best people I can to create an audience for my singles and album releases. Luckily, my experience at CMI also helped to land me great working relationships with some folks in the industry that I plan to leverage as much as possible. In terms of how I've been shaped artistically this year - I think the biggest evolution was coming closer to finding my sound, at least for this album. At CMI I worked with an amazing producer named Hill Kourkoutis. Hill and I listened to all of my new demos and thought that my soul vocal stylings were a consistent element in all of the songs, but that production styles varied so much between soul/pop and alt. rock/soul. A few songs stuck out as having this very "trip soul" feel - a sound nodding to classic soul stylings but tripped out digitally was a sonic identity that really fit the ethos of Just for Tomorrow  - a soulful journey to recovery through a tripped out, drug-induced landscape. Really excited to debut this sonic identity that I feel is truly my own. Stay tuned! Overall, the past couple of years have been amazing for you and your music! You've given us great releases, and we feel more in tune with your artistry. What's the next step for you in the upcoming year, and what aspects will you now add to your future music? I'm planning to tour, release singles and my full-length album plus more music videos all happening in 2020. I'm hard at work to make the best debut album I can with a unique sonic identity and a clear narrative message. I want Just for Tomorrow (Part 1) to give people hope - that they can live life on life's terms and create something beautiful from their darkness. This album is a two-part story and I can't wait to deliver part 1 next fall. Other than that I look forward to releasing Youtube projects like "Hallelujah" where I add my "trip-soul" production style to covers I love. In terms of adding things to my future music - I plan on continuing to focus on finding new truths about myself and the world around me through songwriting and to be as transparent as I can about what I find. I'm more excited about 2020 than ever so stay tuned and thanks so much for the opportunity to talk to you! Thanks, Buzz! instagram.com/dylancohenmusic/ #BuzzMusic

Now residing in Dallas, HYLYND is bringing something unique to the table by mixing the R&B vibes of all stars such as Justin Timberlake, while mixing dream Pop influences. HYLYND is no stranger to performing, writing and being a musician. He has been active since the ripe age of only 2 years old! .. And has shown no signs of slowing down, only moving forward. From playing drums to performing at high energy festivals, and now crafting his unique spin on R&B with dreamy bedroom Pop. “F.F.T.L.I.W.F.F” Is a breath of fresh air to the ears and leaves listeners sonically satisfied. The song starts off with a subtle rainfall to set the mood of what feels like a love interest coming to an end. The soft vocal performance gets your ears ready for introducing more elements musically, as well as HYLYND’s incredible vocal range. “F.F.T.L.I.W.F.F” explodes in the chorus, with an amazing falsetto and dreamy synths that are supported by “trap-esq” drums that instantly hits you and hits you right. The song closes out at 3 minutes and 50 seconds, but instantly makes you craving more from HYLYND and leaves you eagerly anticipating the next song from him to start playing. As many artists in his lane do, starting on SoundCloud was the path that HYLYND chose. However, he has since released 5 singles on all streaming platforms and is quickly building an audience in the tens of thousands, while quickly gaining traction. Make sure to keep up to date with HYLYND and be ready for more musical goodness from this Dallas artist on the rise! Listen to "F.F.T.L.I.W.F.F” here. instagram.com/HYLYNDofficial youtube.com/HYLYNDofficial facebook.com/HYLYNDofficial hylynd.com #BuzzMusic

The Women Of The Night is a proto-punk gang all the way from New York who has consistently been delivering the heat! They give you this edgy outlook on the world around you with their rad visuals and electrifying music. In videos like “QUIET NIGHTS,” you can see how they give this interesting fusion of bright psychedelia and grainy rock n roll in not only the video but the song itself. Women Of The Night is also relaxing to listen to in a sense. Their music can be quite calming, especially the single “QUIET NIGHTS”. A decadently sleazy band with a street talking attitude that will whisper in your ear and punch you in the guts. Somewhere in the vein of Velvet Underground meets The Birthday Party. Women Of The Night is the perfectly crafted mixture of soft and rough that will cater to a vast audience of listeners. They will leave a lasting impression on you through their enigmatic delivery and bold approach. Women Of The Night are taking every aspect of punk rock and transforming it into something much greater and expansive. It’s refreshing, refined, and riveting, We promise you, you have never seen punk rock like this before and we’re sure you won’t forget! Listen to Women Of The Night's music here. Welcome back to BuzzMusic Women Of The Night! How have things been for you? Any exciting new occurrences in your career? We've been great! Since we last spoke we had our recordings we had been working on stolen from a bar we were drinking at, which was devastating. The week this happened we played a great show with our friends from Montreal Dany Laj and the Looks and we were asked to come in and record at a very cool studio in the Lower Eastside called NYHed by their friends who were at the show. It was a really fortunate thing to happen and we jumped at the opportunity.  We 've been pretty busy in the studio with it and are chipping away at a full length. What’s the biggest challenge you face during the creation of your songs? Making decisions. Personally I have a hard time making decisions in general. Everyone in the band has such great ideas and we really try to collaborate as much as possible and sometimes there are many ways we can take the direction of things so ultimately deciding where something will go is tough. Which single you released this year that you feel best represents who “Women Of The Night” is? Probably Leather Glove, it's just so fun to play and I think just puts a smile on my face. It's a sexy song and I always imagine it being played in a strip club. I think it would be fun to dance to, it has time signature changes and it has long-drawn-out vocals in the bridge. It has a raunchy feel and at times a desperate feel to it. After watching the video to “Quiet Nights”, We enjoyed the vintage aesthetic. Was this inspired by any classic? If not, what was the vision you had for this video? Thank you, the song is written in a very observational way and almost in a way similar to Hitchcock's Rear window but rather than the observations being visual it's more hearing/sound-related thing. We wanted to play with this idea visually so we wanted to shoot it in a subtle voyeuristic way to make it feel as though the viewer was watching the subject across the street and through a lens. What’s the best adjective to describe the song “Quiet Nights” for you and why? Haunting, I guess because the stories pretty morbid and depressing if you happen to listen to the lyrics. Essentially it's a very grim story about domestic violence. It's observational and as referenced above aims to read almost as novella. It's a pretty sad story. What’s next in 2020 for you guys!? Any exciting upcoming touring dates? We've been working on a full-length album and are looking to release it earlyish in 2020. We've been working really hard on it and we're really excited to release it. We truly feel it's the best representation of us to date and we can't wait to share it with people. Other than that likely some touring throughout the year. instagram.com/women_of_the_night twitter.com/womenofthenigh facebook.com/womenofthenigh #BuzzMusic

Elisabeth Beckwitt is bringing something completely new to the music industry. Over the past few years, we have noticed a rise in mental health awareness. More and more people are choosing to prioritize their mental well being which we find to be extremely commendable and important. Elisabeth Beckwitt has personally struggled with her own battles with depression and addiction. For her, she has always felt that it was important for her to be honest and open about her personal struggles so that she can encourage others to reach out and seek the help they may need. Elisabeth Beckwitt is a powerful vocalist and artist who pairs her clear, powerful voice with an unapologetically supportive attitude towards her tribe and weaves them together into relatable stories with encapsulating melodies that build an intimate connection with her audience. Elisabeth Beckwitt released a spectacular debut EP titled “Gray Again” in 2018 where she confronted her demons face on, with the sole intent of creating a safe zone and comfortability aspect for everyone who relates. The unique part of Elisabeth Beckwitt’s artistry is the way she authentically story tells. Her latest ep, “Indigo” depicts the life she would find on the other end of her recovery. You can Catch the single “Free Fall” on Nashville's local independent radio station Lightning 100, and stream “Indigo” through Spotify’s “Out Now” Pride Playlist. And when this pansexual queen and driving force in the music game isn’t hosting her monthly showcases, she’s playing locally in Nashville, and touring regionally to promote her upcoming releases, including the dark angry pop singles “Lovely” and “Think You Are”. We can't wait to see what's next for Elisabeth Beckwitt in 2020! Listen to Elisabeth Beckwitt's music here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Elisabeth Beckwitt! Your journey and story are amazing! What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an artist and in what ways has this benefited you musically? Thank you for having me! I've learned that vulnerability is a strength. I've personally experienced so much pain in my life, and by sharing my story through music I've been able to connect to so many wonderful humans who have felt just as alone. I love being able to take darker moments and write them into my songs; there's a sense of empowerment that comes with putting the heavier parts of life into music. The production style of my music has definitely changed and grown since I first started releasing, and I think a huge part of that has been embracing my power as a woman and celebrating my vulnerability. What are some obstacles you may have stumbled upon during the creative process of your album, “Gray Again”?  Was it challenging battling most of your life struggles during the songwriting aspect of it? The "Gray Again" EP was all about the darker sides of my recovery, and feeling stuck in life. Most songwriters know how hard it is to write when you feel stuck; sometimes no amount of freewriting or adventuring can get you out of it. Not knowing why makes it all the more difficult. The songs on that record were definitely some of the hardest to write; I had to sit with the final track, "Static," for over a year until I felt like it was "enough." The music industry is constantly making us prove our worth, and that record was really a test for me that ended up propelling me through some of the darkest times. Which song off “Gray Again” would you consider to be the most emotionally moving for you as an artist and why? The title track "Gray Again" was definitely a powerful song to write and bring to fruition. I've suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life, and I think the most important thing we can do is keep working towards the best version of ourselves. Whether that's with medication, spiritual practices, religion, hobbies, love, art, work, dogs, etc...Something I tried for a long time was pharmaceutical medications (SSRIs). When these kinds of drugs work, it's magic. We don't tend to talk about it when they don't work and you're stuck in an endless spiral of horrible side effects and a crushing sense of apathy. "Gray Again" is about my personal struggles with apathy, and it was so meaningful to have my partner, Jason "Django" Chambliss, write a beautiful and heartbreaking spoken word poem for the extended album edition. I've talked to so many people who connect to this song and it really means the world to me. Talk to us about your recent album “Indigo”. What were some major differences between this project and your album prior “Gray Again” After sharing the darker side of my recovery on "Gray Again," I wanted the "Indigo" EP to feel a little more free-spirited, almost like a celebration of the progress I’d made so far. A life where we embrace our inner strength and allow ourselves to move past whatever baggage is keeping us from moving forward in both our relationships with others and with ourselves. The music reflects that in such an authentic way; my producer Jason Threm of TME did a brilliant job with every single track. This is the first record I've done that doesn't have a piano ballad, which I think is a testament to the celebratory nature. I also co-wrote more of the songs on "Indigo" than on "Gray Again," including the title track with two of my best friends in Nashville, Ian DePriest, and Steffi Jeraldo. I love the safety of writing with friends, it's so much easier to access vulnerability. Catch the LGBTQIA+ anthem "Free Fall" on rotation at Nashville's independent radio station Lightning 100, watch the female empowerment music video for "Goddess," and stream "Indigo" on Spotify's official Out Now pride playlist. Which song off “Indigo” would you consider to be the most memorable for you in your own artistic view and why? "Goddess," my female empowerment anthem. I originally wrote this for a friend of mine, then it became a love letter to myself, and then it transforms into something beautiful for every single Goddess in the world. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You deserve love; whether it comes from a supportive partner or, more importantly, from yourself. There is no one way to be a woman and femininity can mean anything! Writing this song is one of the things that lead me to start Sad Girl Music; a music promotion and production company. Through our events, we've built a community that is dedicated to celebrating the vulnerability and power of womxn and encouraging mental health awareness. We try to create a safe space to practice empathy and spread love. We now have 9 Spotify playlists, regular articles about social justice, a website with local artist spotlight and a local events calendar, as well as a new writers round in downtown Nashville! We have featured over 60 Goddesses and I am so proud. Talk to us about these upcoming singles of yours, “Lovely” and “Think You Are”. What can we expect in the arrangement and lyricism in both of these songs? What are some of the differences between both records? "Lovely," "Think You Are," and "Fake It" is the three singles off my upcoming EP, "Other Side Of Sober" which will be releasing on January 10th, 2020! This project is about what life looks like on the other side; all the anger, confusion, pain, grief, relief, joy, transition, waves, maintenance, and processing that goes into recovery. The more music I release, the deeper I delve into the Pop scene. My debut album was recorded with a full band in a Nashville studio, and the 3 EPs I’ve made since then have been getting less and less analog. This project also marks the third EP that I have made with Jason Threm of TME, and he steps it up a level every time. The production for these songs was heavily inspired by the dark pop movement that has been gaining speed in the past year, specifically Billie Eilish. My angry anthem "Lovely" oozes with power and is a representation of the entire women’s movement. So often women are talked about with adjectives like ‘pretty’ and ‘lovely’ instead of ‘brilliant’ and ‘powerful.’ It’s hard to feel like the movement is moving forward when someone is giving you two sides of themselves; telling you they support you while making you feel small. "Think You Are" speaks to a phenomenon that I think people aren’t really aware of because we don’t talk about it a lot: the idea of grieving the negative things in your life. Missing your addiction, mental health problems, self-harm, eating disorders, whatever you're recovering from is normal; it's all about managing those moments and treating yourself with kindness. This song — this whole next EP, really — is another step in grieving my addiction: a love letter to me before recovery. facebook.com/elisabethbeckwitt instagram.com/elisabethbeckwitt twitter.com/ebeckwitt #BuzzMusic

Emcee Monte does more than just make great music! He’s a talented MC, producer, DJ, Songwriter, spoken-word entertainer, and all-around great artist whose currently making a major name for himself. You may think that many rappers nowadays aren’t equipped with the skill to be considered one of the greats. However, for Emcee Monte, he is known for his versatile rhyming and his powerful positive messages influenced by the pioneers of hip-hop. This strong influence of his is resonating in the work he crafts as he released a phenomenal album this year titled “Jammin’ With The Boombox Vol 1: Birth Of Hip Hop”. Emcee Monte is catered to a wide range of hip-hop listeners. He’s classic enough for the old heads and trendy enough for the new culture of rap. Emcee Monte fits right in while remaining in his own individual lane separate from anybody else. This is what makes him an iconic individual and standout artist as a whole. He delivers a STELLAR performance with the essence of the originators and old school greats like Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, LL Cool J, and Rakim fused together with some of the contemporary front runners like Jcole, Common, Lupe Fiasco, and Missy Elliot. With a fresh and stylistic approach to his songs, Emcee Monte is the next big thing to come out the southside of Chicago and you don’t want to miss his blow up! Listen to Emcee Monte's music here. Welcome to Buzzmusic Emcee Monte! Tell us about your upbringing. How was it growing up in Chicago? I was raised on the South Side of the city in a neighborhood called South Shore near the South Shore Cultural Center. Growing up in Chicago was special. Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world! Lake Michigan was my backyard. My family migrated to Chicago from Mississippi so I am very grateful that my upbringing was in a city as cultured and diverse as Chicago because that played a major roll in shaping my adolescent years. Even though Chicago is very diverse, it is still segregated, so I was awakened to social injustice and inequality at a young age as well. My mom raised my brothers and me to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities Chicago has to offer. I attended Kenwood Academy high school located in the Hyde Park/Kenwood area which is very rich in black history, music and culture. That is when I truly fell in love with Hip Hop! Chicago pride runs deep in my blood and I would not trade my upbringing for anything. Your album was a solid creation that showcased your versatility in rhymes, cadence, and influences! What was the major theme you were seeking in “Jammin’ With The Boombox Vol 1: Birth Of Hip Hop”? The major theme of “Jammin’ With The Boombox Vol 1: Birth Of Hip Hop” is the history of the Hip Hop culture. The album takes place in a live setting. I am on stage at a concert addressing an audience of youth people and telling the story of how Hip Hop started through music and dance. The interludes throughout the album are live tapings of that show and are used to put the listener in the seats of the audience. The perception is that as you listen, you are transported to this live show and you see me on stage with my DJ, teaching the history of Hip Hop through storytelling and rapping. Tell us about the creation process of this album. What are some challenges you stumbled upon and how were you able to overcome these obstacles? I really wanted to tell a cohesive and historically accurate story. Honestly, this album has been in the making since I was a teen 1st learning about the history of the culture, I just fell in love with, from my mentors. Over time I have been learning, studying, reading, listening and retaining the knowledge of the Hip Hop culture so I can teach it, share it and know about my roots. Fast forward to 2017, I began to write and produce songs that would teach the history and development of Hip Hop in a way that anyone could understand and enjoy. Now it was time for me to creatively tell the story of Hip Hop in my own words in a way that nobody was currently doing. 1 challenge that I felt was how to make write and produce a themed album like this that would be appealing, dope as ever, make people interested or even care about the history of hip hop and still make it pop and still make people dance! Eventually, I figured out that I cannot force the process, I just need to make what feels right, what feels good and what made me want to jam. The history is the history, I just had to tell it accurately because I could not rewrite it to make it fit what I needed for the album. In the end, it all worked out. It does fit, and it does hit hard. Which song off this album was a personal favorite for you Emcee Monte and why? This is a hard question, I love the music I make and I never want to choose...but, if I have to I would say, Rock Steady. Rock Steady is definitely an anthem from the album. The message is uplifting and positive I think everyone can relate to it and it is dedicated to my grandmother who passed in 2018. I feel like more music like this needs to exist in the world and needs to be given the same push as a lot of the mainstream rap that we always hear on the radio nowadays. There is no balance. Songs like Rock Steady are fun, funky, make you want to dance, positive and for everyone to enjoy. In your own personal viewpoints, what ways does your style stand opposite from the rappers that are currently out in today’s market? My style, my message, my delivery, my swag, my lyrical ability, and my integrity all make me stand out and stand the opposite of 99% of rappers in today's current market. When they go down, I go up. When they go left, I go right. I strive to make music that touches people's souls, that makes them feel good, that makes them want to dance, that makes them think, that changes them in a positive way, that teaches about our people and the greatness we have created in America. When I rap I want people to understand what I am saying and when I write, I write rhymes that have a positive, inspiring message that brightens the listener's day. I tell stories that portray black people in glorious light and that uplifts women to be queens. When people hear me rap, they tell me that I am unique or different from a lot of other rappers they hear and I love that! Reflecting on 2019, What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned? The biggest lesson that I have learned in 2019 is that I am in the driver seat of my life and career. I can steer myself to success, I can make my own lane and I am in control of what I want to do. With faith, dedication, hard work, and persistence, I can do all things! instagram.com/emceemonte facebook.com/emceemonte twitter.com/emceemonte #BuzzMusic

Halle Abadi has been progressively finding her way onto multiple playlists around the world since the release of her 2nd single “Pandora’s Box” found its way on the Spotify Editorial Playlist. She is a constant showstopper. Her most recent release “Makes Me Bleed” did not disappoint her growing fanbase and word about her chilling vocal ability, deep lyrics, and creative production built around her distinctive tone is rapidly spreading to new ears across the world. We were so invested in her sound that we took a few listens ourselves and we were WOW’d by the quality of her music. Both “Pandora’s Box” and “Makes Me Bleed” transformed us into die-hard fans after listening to both. From her soaring melodies to her well-crafted and finely-calibrated arrangements, Halle Abadi is nothing more than a rising sensation who has all the skill unimaginable to be the next IT girl of the music industry. She doesn’t plan on stopping just yet! Halle Abadi has plans on releasing singles in this upcoming new decade. Just to hint to you guys the title of both, “Salvador”, and “Losing My Mind”. There’s no doubt in our mind that she will execute both records flawlessly, and we’re stoked with excitement to see where her promising career will take her next. Halle Abadi is a diamond in the making and a star from the start. You might want to check her out now before her blow-up happens sooner than expected! Listen to Halle Abadi's music here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Halle Abadi! Congratulations on being chosen as the Artist Of The Day. What has been the most monumental moment in your career so far this year leading up to this? Hey, thank you for choosing me as your Artist Of The Day! I'm still pretty early in my career, but I'd say the most monumental moment in my career this year has been my feature on the upcoming PBS show "Celebration of Music"! I'd never experienced filming for a show like that before, so that was great. Another would be hitting 150k streams on Spotify for my latest single, Makes Me Bleed. I was overwhelmed with the support that song received and it honestly took me by surprise. What is your creative process like Halle Abadi? I tend to be most creative when I'm faced with a challenge, particularly in my romantic and personal life. It sounds dark, but I take advantage of the disastrous things that happen in my life because they allow me to create art in my most vulnerable form. I just pour out whatever I'm feeling on pen and paper and worry about the tedious things later in the process. What inspired you to write both singles “Pandora’s box” and “Makes Me Bleed”? I like to think of "Pandora's Box" as the predecessor to "Makes Me Bleed". Pandora's Box was written when I was uncertain about myself and if I could be good to somebody I'm in a relationship with. It highlights all my doubts and uncertainties about the relationship, and I acknowledge the power imbalance between me and my then partner. The other person is holding out for me and it worries me because I don't want to keep them waiting, but I also can't make up my mind about whether or not I should jump into a relationship. I'm doubtful about whether or not the other person would still like me if they knew what I'm like when I let my walls down. Makes Me Bleed was inspired by the heartbreak and betrayal I felt after finally letting my walls down and giving too much only to be let down. I had made my own fears come true by focusing on them too much and becoming too paranoid, instead of living in the moment and taking it day by day. What would you consider the most challenging aspect in the production of both “Pandora’s Box” and “Makes Me Bleed” ? in what ways were you able to overcome this? The most challenging aspect was probably learning how to tell the story in a way that makes sense. Particularly for Makes Me Bleed, I had to cut some unnecessary things out and focus on telling my true story without the fluff. Getting more in touch with how I really felt about the situation helped me overcome this problem, structure the song in a way that makes sense and helped me recognize my true feelings and the reality of the situation, which helped me heal. In what ways were you able to personally relate to both “Pandora’s Box” and “Makes Me Bleed”? As I said previously, I feel like Pandora's Box was the predecessor to Makes Me Bleed. It seems like the natural progression of things; the initial fear you have regarding getting into a new relationship, letting yourself fall into the feeling, getting too comfortable and eventually manifesting your fears into reality and feeling betrayed and heartbroken. Both songs hold a special place in my heart and have taught me lessons that I carry with me every day. Mind hinting to our readers what we can expect from your upcoming releases Halle Abadi? I'll be releasing a new single titled "Salvador" in the upcoming month! It's a tale of caution and learning to set boundaries when you feel like somebody is infringing on your peace of mind. I'm currently working on an acoustic R&B/pop song that should be released in the coming months. This song is currently untitled, but it's my version of a bounce-back anthem. It's strong and unapologetic and a little bit sassy. instagram.com/HalleAbadi facebook.com/halleabadimusic #BuzzMusic

Growing up with lovely but unfortunately, non-musical adoptive parents, Leda knew her passions and talent strive from somewhere else. At the age of 7, she wrote her first original piece, a poetic ballad titled, "Another Peanut Butter Love Song". In search of her biological roots and acquired musical skills, she soon discovered that music indeed ran in her blood. With a gifted singer as a mom, accomplished pianist and bassist graduate from the Manhattan School of Music as a father and a veteran percussionist for the Boston Symphony as a grandfather. Previously performing under the name, "Michele Jusko", some may recognize her work on many popular indie TV tracks including; Shameless, Supergirl, Charmed, Madam Secretary and Shark. Additionally, she has made it as a finalist in both the pop category for the John Lennon Song Contest and Billboard World Song. “Standstill” is equally as astounding as her previous works. A lovely contemporary piece with captivating lyrics and amazing melodies. She expresses her hardship and journey coping and struggling with a 7-year illness. I love her pure vocals and pop-indie infusion with harmonious piano tones. Although, expressing the singer's story her lyrics can be easily be applied to any personal battle where one is stuck in their own thoughts. She has such a gift in her ability to tell and evoke powerful emotions and empathy. Leda's vocals are powerful and give off a Lady Gaga like vibe. Gifted with a unique story to tell, we look forward to the future of Tali Leda and can't wait to see what's in store for 2020. Listen to "Standstill" here. Hi Tali and welcome to BuzzMusic! Your music has been featured on so many TV shows, which one was the hardest to create and why? As far as creating songs, I'd say one of the most challenging songs to create was "Free Free" which I had on shows such as Shameless and Charmed. Previously, I had been writing mostly in the singer/songwriter and pop genres but this song was more trip-hop, chillout and downtempo. It was the first time I had used electronic sounds and a drum loop instead of live drums in one of my original songs. I had to find the right sounds and instrumentation to convey the vibe I wanted for this. I was fortunate to work with a great producer Mitchell Sigman who really brought the track to life. Another Peanut Butter Love Song” was one of your first songs, how does it compare to your current work? I wrote that song when I was 7 years old so I think my interests have changed quite a bit since then. I am a lot deeper! LOL. Life seems so simple when you're a kid. I write a lot of metaphors and imagery in my lyrics now and think some of my hardships have really influenced my writing in the past few years.   What or who is your biggest inspiration that has helped shape your career in music? Some of my biggest inspirations are bands like Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles because I love the songwriting and connect so much to their lyrics and their universal emotions they convey. They also wrote such amazing, unforgettable melodies!  I'm a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac's harmonies and that has always been a big part of my sound.  I am also very influenced by The Cure and Peter Gabriel because they were trendsetters creating such unique and fresh sounds but still writing really meaningful and incredible music.  What lessons did you learn while working through your illness and how was this translated in your single, “Standstill”? I was so frustrated with my illness because it dragged on for 7 years. So many times I would get my hopes up because I started feeling better and then I would take a turn for the worse again.  I think writing the lyrics for Standstill was a good way for me to work through all my frustrations.  It was like a great therapy session but cheaper! For example, the lyric "On an endless treadmill" really captured the feelings of my illness and feeling out of control.  Or the line "Running in reverse" is how I often felt. For those 7 years, I was moving backward instead of forwards.   Thanks for chatting with us. You have such a talent and unique ability to connect with the audience. Do you have any planned tours? What's next for Tali Leda? Thank you so much. I haven't set the dates for a tour yet but I'm working on releasing some new music in the earlier part of 2020 and then hopefully a tour to follow. instagram.com/taliledamusic facebook.com/taliledamusic twitter.com//taliledamusic #BuzzMusic

Native to Jacksonville, Florida, Rica started her musical career at the young age of 2, performing for family and various talent shows. Known for her unique voice and ability to mimic famous artists like; Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston she has been able to share her talent worldwide. In 2003, she released a gospel album and appeared in several films as an extra such of which include; National Lampoons RoboDoc and Man on a Ledge. Rica is a devoted mother and inspiration to all, proving that you can still fulfill your dreams with hustle, strength, consistency and spiritual belief. “Situationship” is her newest single, featuring rapper Jazz Anderson who some may know as the daughter of Tami Roman, who plays Youngblood from the hit TV series Basketball Wives. Rica hopes to touch listeners with her lyrics and express the unifying message that we’re not alone. “Situationship” highlights Rica's opinion on changing relationships and the lack of respect women encounter nowadays. Given the sass featured in this song, I wonder if she is drawing on personal experience or simply portraying a change of view/advice to her daughter? Rica's vocals are strong, soulful, elegant and most importantly on point! A true talent and inspiration. We absolutely love the collaboration with Jazz Anderson as these two influential female artists express their individuality while effortlessly come together to make such a wonderful track. I love everything about this single, from its catchy lyrics to its jumping hip-hop/ pop beats. Bravo, Rica! Hi Rica and welcome to BuzzMusic. Singing from a young age, what do you remember about touring and performing at that age. How has this experience influenced who you are today? It made me happy to see and hear others cheering me on or saying they were sad and a 5-year-old with strong pipes brighten their day. I sing in different cultures and received the same feedback which was pretty amazing. The experience let me know that if you work hard you can become what you want, it's all about the drive even though I got sidetracked by becoming a mother at age 16 I shifted my priorities but the urge kept coming back stronger to never quit. Being a devoting mother, do any of your lyrics have direct messages to your daughter and if so, what message are you trying to deliver? I want my daughters to know and see the world for what it truly is and I don't judge them because you never know when or what situation you can end up in and to never speak negatively on others situations or hardships nor envy others if you want it bad enough we all have to hustle while staying humble. What was the inspiration for “Situationship”? The lyrics are quite powerful, are you drawing on any particular personal experience? Yes, it is from a situation that I am currently in for over a year now. It's weird that everyone wants to share and not be committed its actually really scary even if you partake in the fun at the end of the day realization start to set in as you get older and wiser and ask your self it's this really worth all the pain and karma because we all will reap, good or bad. Do you see yourself exploring other genres in the future? I actually love pop, neo-soul, and country, I love all genres Thanks for chatting with us and creating such an on-point track! Do you have any plans for a new album release in the coming year? Yes I am taking it one step at a time but I am currently working on an album and my book, I have a lot to say to the world. instagram.com/rica_szn twitter.com/lovejonzz1 #BuzzMusic