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Rikke Norman is a modern singer-songwriter with a soulful voice and a solid pop-background who is completely winning over the hearts of many music lovers that’s out right now! She’s a highly seasoned vocalist whose been singing for over 10 years now. Rikke Norman has been killing the game in the year of 2019 and she doesn’t plan on stopping the ball from rolling. She had amazing releases this year including fragile which was accompanied by a smashing video. An album in February titled “35” which showed off her mastery as an artist, another single in April called “it’s Complicated”, “Birds” a two-track EP, acoustic version, AND a studio version. We love her skilled and seasoned vocals and it’s noticeable in her promising album she released titled “Home Alone”. Home Alone begins with the augmented and magical single titled “Waiting Game”. Waiting Game has this strong melodic instrumentation in the production thanks to the dramatic piano keys. What I admired a lot about “Home Alone” was the way the vibes transitioned from serious to more light-hearted and canorous in the next song “Oxygen”. Oxygen had a gorgeous hook that I found myself singing over and over again. The interesting part about this song is how I can see it being played in various different theatrical productions both film and live. It just has a way of moving the listener and creating a storyline. This effect was also noticeable in “All I Got” which gave you a more sweet-sounding soft direction. “Birds” felt like I entered a time machine and transported me back into a time where music felt even more alive. The classic era of the fun ’60s was a noticeable characteristic in this relaxing song. Rikke Norman keeps the magic pushing forward with “Rip It Off” and “It’s Complicated”. A stand-out song on this album that captivated me the most was “Fire”.” Fire” was such a passionate song with a strong emotional conviction that made me feel every single lyric that was sung. Rikke Norman knows how to switch the mood from serious to emotional to even delightful, which was demonstrated in the joyful track “Sorry Bebe” that gave lyrics of heartbreak and independence. The closing song “Fragile” began with a striking high pitched falsetto corresponding with a gorgeous light piano key. All in all, this album is unorthodox from your typical. Rikke Norman is an artist whose bringing back feel-good music while creating strong messages behind her lyrics. The arrangements of her songs show influences of theatrical broadway while giving us a refreshing aesthetic of all-American 1960s. Not only is she a musician, but she understands the ins and outs of being an artist, using her artistic creations to give us an online merch that will launch with a limited edition of designs, solely by her. This entrepreneur, singer, songwriter, and a stand-out star will be the face of the upcoming year if she continues her path to greatness. Listen to Rikke Norman's music here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Rikke Norman! What initially made you pursue music? Do you recall any of your early inspirations and motivations for it? It wasn’t really something I decided to do, it was more like it just happened. Music kind of chose me. I started singing because I heard songs, melodies and lyrics in my head and taught my self to play the piano to get it out. I come from a family of no musicians, so it was just by chance we still had my great grandma’s old piano in my house. Some keys were broken, and it was definitely out of tune, but I worked around it to write the songs I heard in my head. Sometimes I would put stickers with numbers on the different keys to remember the order I was gonna play them in, cause I didn’t know what they were called. My inspirations came from my dad's enormous record collection, I think he has around 2000 vinyl in all genres. Today I’m musically inspired by great songwriting in general, currently with a little extra love for country music! And always in love with Bon Iver. Your album “Home Alone” was so memorable. The productions of the songs were very versatile and diverse. What was the major theme behind this project? Thank you so much! :-D I decided to record this album because people started asking for it. I’ve been touring quite a lot by my self this year, playing stripped down versions of my songs all around the country (I think I’ve done around 55 solo gigs by now, with 15 more to go this year). Every time I played people wondered when I would release the songs like that, they wanted an acoustic album, and so I decided to give it to them. They chose the songs after me asking which ones they wanted and then I started recording. What started out as me figuring out how to arrange and keep a 40 min concert interesting for the listeners, with the only person playing, is now a full album, produced by me in my living room. I never pictured myself doing this when I started touring earlier this year, so I’m really grateful to all the people for asking for this album and making me push my boundaries. I love the kind of synergy we have created together, we listen and give to each other. They make me grow as a musician and person. I hope people are happy with “their” song wish on “home alone”. From your own artist perspective, which song off “Home Alone” best represented the theme of the project and why? I think a couple of tracks really suited this acoustic, dynamic theme because it made the songs and lyrics stand out more as what they really are. In my opinion, it makes the actual songs “pop” and grabs your attention in a different way. Like with Birds, on this recording, you get a clearer sense of the actual songwriting and bluesy-stomping-quirky thing this song is! The cello on “Oxygen ads to the emotion of the lyrics, and with this little wrapping it kind of makes you listen to the lyrics, which is what that song is all about. My personal favorite is “rip it off” cause I changed the chords and vibe totally, and I’m really happy with the contrast it made to the lyrics. How would you describe your creative process? Did you stumble upon any challenges during the making of this album? I’ve been really spaced out all summer while making this album! To the people around me, I’ve kind of been out of reach inside my own head a lot, as part of the creative process, unconsciously looking for the different feelings to the tracks. When I woke up some mornings I would suddenly get the urge to record a specific track that matched my mood that day. Grabbing a coffee from the kitchen (I desperately need that when recording) I would run to my living room and start capturing what I was feeling. Almost all songs on the album are the second take through, that was usually when everything aligned perfectly when I was in the zone. The most challenging thing to me on this was trusting my gut feelings when it came to know if I “had” the take I needed, that can be kind of hard when you don’t have a producer telling you, haha! I had a lot of worries in the beginning. We noticed a lot of classical and slightly theatrical arrangements in this album. What was your main influence behind this? Hmmm.. I think maybe I’m a bit theatrical myself these days (lately I’ve been feeling like Willy Wonka) maybe that’s why. On this album I just did whatever I felt and haven’t really thought or planned much of it, it’s been all about capturing moments. I wanted an album showcasing classical, old-school songwriting, which I ‘m really passionate about, and I knew that I wanted the listeners to feel as if they were right there in the room with me when listening to the album, other than that it’s been a pretty free-floating process where no takes where the same. My favorite string instrument is cello so I knew I had to have that on my acoustic album as well. You had an amazing 2019! Now that 2020 is approaching us, can you hint to our readers what we can expect from this cool merch store you’re launching online? Weeeeee, my merch store!! I can’t wait to show you my stuff! As I’m a complete one-woman production I’m totally in control of the creative process, I make whatever I want, and can promise you variety, colors and hopefully stuff bringing joy! Some things you can put on your body, some things you can drink from, some merch are more on the classical merch side, like totes and vinyl and everything is very “me”, not that surprising maybe since I’ve designed it all myself :-D Launching very soon so stay tuned. instagram.com/_rikkileaks_ facebook.com/Rikkileaks #BuzzMusic

22-year-old Max Earnshaw from Auckland, New Zealand is a strong engaging music artist with a sound that's filled with driving rock instruments and surprising rhythmic offbeats. Max has been developing as a performer and songwriter since the age of 8 where he was entertaining and bringing smiles to faces on the streets of Christchurch. Max along with his band have impressively appeared in major events such as Christmas In The Park, the Rugby World Cup, and the A&P show. A Rock/ Pop artist with very catchy melodic tunes that will stay in your head long after the songs have finished. Max brings a very captivating look to the stage that will bring you in. His energetic stage presence is infectious and has a sound that is undoubtedly unique. Influenced by Jazz and Blues genres, Earnshaw can be found in Auckland smashing live scenes and venues alongside emerging and upcoming New Zealand acts. Following his debut single “Temporarily” on NZ radio and media, he released a new single “Lonely Love”. A track that portrays emotional heartbreak along with powerful deep rock music.  You’ll feel the energetic presence in the song the moment you throw it on. It’s very groovy and fun and will have you dancing along to it. A definite song for your fee-good playlist. Listen to "Lonely Love" here. Hey Max, thanks for being here with us at BuzzMusic! What made you decide to pursue a career in music? Hi there, thanks for having me! Music has always been a passion of mine from an early age. I started busking on the streets of Christchurch (NZ) when I was 8 years old! I think a lot of it combines with my passion to perform and entertain people. For me, there’s no greater feeling than seeing someone having a great time and connecting with your music. I started doing music, and never stopped! Does “Lonely Love” relate to you in any way? How does it relate or differ from your other single “Temporarily”? “Temporarily” is a song that articulates the greed in people and the need for material things (even though they don’t last). Whereas "Lonely Love” reflects the emotional heartbreak of an unfixable relationship. They are very different subjects! I often write about situations I see in the real world around me, and I take and internalize that idea before it all comes out on the page. What & who have been some of your biggest inspirations along your journey? I think my biggest inspiration is people's belief in other people, and what they can achieve! I’ve been incredibly fortunate enough to have and work with amazing people around me in my life, who have always supported me. I also look up to a lot of iconic and confident performers like Freddie Mercury & Michael Jackson, and musically I look to people like The Black Keys, John Mayer, and Rex Orange County. We love the powerful contagious energy and unique sounds in your tracks. Do you see yourself blending any other genres into your music in the future? Totally! I’ve always loved singing and listening to many genres and I love letting them influence my sound and writing style, especially Pop, Jazz, and Blues. The more I can approach writing in a different way and then bring it back to a rock sound (my first love), the better! "Lonely Love” started off as a Singer-Songwriter type song on my acoustic guitar before the Rock and Pop started to build around it. Thank you so much, Max! What's next for you in 2020? This summer I am back into writing and planning, I’m definitely looking to create a bigger body of work in the near future, (although I love Singles!!) And this release is such a great send-off for me this year. There are a few other things like touring, collaborations, and videos that will be happening soon! Thanks so much for having me! facebook.com/maxearnshawmusic instagram.com/maxearnshawmusic maxearnshawmusic.com #BuzzMusic

Adera is an indie-pop duo from Vancouver Canada who formed in 2016. Their unique sound came from years of experimenting with the same songs until the founders of the band landed on a sound they felt was extremely unheard before. Adera’s live performances are extremely magical and explosive. Adera most recently orchestrated its sound and live show to include saxophone, guitar, and drums while still holding onto its vibrant synth sounds, introspective lyrics, and soft vocal tones. When you listen to Adera’s music you hear their distinctive and peculiar sound that becomes absorbable, completely wrapping their listener inside this bubble of creativity and mystic. Adera’s live performances have gained them huge success and amongst this success came the track “Hollow”, completely engineered, produced, and mixed by Tom Dobranski. It was chosen to represent Vancouver on its global playlist that can be found on Spotify. Adera has obviously left a lasting impression on the people they come into contact with. Their music resonates well with practically anybody with an ear. I mean how can you not love them? They don’t follow the norm of other bands and instead sticks to their own individual characteristics that help them stand out from the crowd. A trailblazing act that’s producing dynamic music, Adera has been proving to everyone that they are here to stay. Listen to Adera here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Adera! What’s the biggest element of your sound that you hold true to your music? Thanks for having us. That's a good question. What we try to do is make songs that we enjoy and that keep us guessing. The element of surprise? Haha, I don't know if that's exactly it but we do try to create songs that don't always do what we/you might expect them to. Whether or not we're succeeding I guess that's up to the listener. What’s the biggest challenge you face when creating music and how do you tend to overcome the obstacle? This is kind of a continuation from my last answer. The biggest challenge is trying to find melodies, rhythms, structures, etc. that doesn't sound familiar but at the same time draw us in. To tackle this challenge we just play around until we uncover those unique ideas. It's all in following what our guts tell us, we're brutally honest with ourselves. Let’s talk about your live performances! Do you have any pre-performance traditions you’d like to share with us? Nothing too crazy but now I feel like we gotta start some. We should make fun, obnoxious chant or something. I've heard that Walmart employees have to do one before work, ours could be like that lol. Generally, we'll just make sure our tummies aren't rumbling and we've got water ready to go on stage with, the basics. Real exciting stuff. About your EP, “Inward”. What was the main theme behind this project? So this EP was created over the course of about 2 years, I believe. Because of this, all the songs were written as separate pieces of music rather than a collection of songs to be released together. There was a common sound between them though so that's how they ended up together on the record. Lyrically, the thread running through them seemed to be that they were all about looking within yourself to try to be a better person. Each track takes on a different inner struggle like anxiety, close-mindedness, equality, growing up, etc. You stated that you experimented with your sound a bit, can we find this different elemental music in your EP? You can :) We're always trying to let our music evolve. This way each release sounds different from the last and we don't get bored with what we're creating. At the same time, it naturally unfolds a story for us and our sound. What’s next for you Adera? We're always working on new music and have some juicy tracks that we're excited for people to hear. We are planning on releasing them next year and continuing to play shows in the meantime. Thanks for the questions BuzzMusic! You're the best. instagram.com/aderamusic facebook.com/aderamusic twitter.com/aderamusic #BuzzMusic

Drop Top Alibi is a band that doesn’t need much praise to be reminded of how rad they are. I mean, in May 2019 they won the IHeart’s radio’s rock search contest which earned Drop Top Alibi radio airplay with their single “Burn.” so most people are definitely taking notice! What’s truly unique about this band is how they are giving you the ultimate classic rock & roll experience. Drop Top Alibihas quickly garnered all the attention towards them and became one of the most high energy and mesmerizing rock acts in Toronto. Drop Top Alibi has surpassed everybody’s expectations with their latest release “Summer Nights & City Lights”. This single showcases the band’s ability to be versatile and dynamic, utilizing soft acoustic guitar sounds with punishing drums and groovy bass lines! The soaring vocals and ripping guitars shows how skilled this band is in creating a melodic experience. Drop Top Alibi has all the right tools, tricks, and talent to become a huge name in the market and this is simply the beginning for them. Drop Top Alibi is poised to have a breakout year in this upcoming start of the new decade that will completely change the playing field for modern-day rock music and we are here for it! Listen to Drop Top Alibi here. Welcome back to BuzzMusic Drop Top Alibi! We are so excited to have you as one of our breakthrough bands of 2019! Can you tell us about 2019? Thank you for having us back! We are very excited to be a part of this list, 2019 has been a very exciting, promising, and busy year for us. We got to record some new music, won a major radio contest, made our commercial radio debut in Canada, have been on tour promoting our latest single “Summer Nights & City Lights,” and started getting some press from places around the world. I guess we need to thank you guys for getting that last one started! Cheers. In what ways has your band elevated since your debut single “Holding The Gun”? The most impactful elevation since the song’s debut in 2016, has been having a solidified line up for almost two years now. When “Holding The Gun” first came out, we had just started playing with our current bassist Luc Ricci, and Jeff Cox was not touring with us live at that point on drums. Being able to build a strong live show, write together, record extensively together, and work on new techniques together, has helped us become a well-oiled machine. Over the last two years, we have really found our sound. Both from songwriting and sonic production perspective. Drop Top Alibi has also grown up a lot too. We’ve put a lot of time into our art, and have really learned how to navigate our way through the personalities and intentions of different people involved in this business. The band has become a lot more self-sufficient and has put the time into working on the things that will help expand our reach. We know our worth, we know what we do best, and we know when we are in the driver's seat with opportunities presented to us. Drop Top Alibi has been lucky enough to have some great mentors as well. “Holding The Gun’s” producer, Gilby Clarke is definitely one of them. From your artistic perspective, what’s the major difference between your single “Burn” and your latest release “Summer Nights & City Lights”? The easiest way to put it would be that “Burn” is a party song, and “Summer Nights,” is probably closer to a power ballad. Sonically, there are a lot more instrumental and vocal layers creating a range of dynamics in “Summer Nights.” The dynamics contribute to the storytelling of the song. Lyrically, we’re coming from a place of excitement and anticipation, knowing all the while that everything can go to shit really fast. It’s a looking in view of what it’s like to be a dreamer, and realistically an entrepreneur of sorts as well. “Burn” is a three minute, get down, get dirty, and take them home kind of song that is easy to dance to. The other side of youth, living freely and comfortably in your own skin. Allowing yourself to experience some of your deepest desires. Basically, one song got written before the party, one song got written with the hangover. When attending a Drop Top Alibi performance, what can we expect from your live shows? A punishing, mesmerizing, high energy, and intoxicating rock n’ roll experience. We’re as real as it gets. No bullshit, just four guys, live and in the flesh. We’ll have you singing with us, laughing with us, dancing with us, and screaming out in rage with us! Times are tough, everyone needs to blow off some steam, maybe even get lucky too. What has been the most monumental moment of your career so far in the year 2019 and why? Winning iHeart Radio’s 97.7 HTZ FM Rock Search, Battle of The Bands contest was definitely the monumental moment of this year. The contest has kick-started the careers of a lot of great Canadian bands over the last twenty years. Bands like “Finger Eleven,” “Monster Truck,” “The Glorious Sons,” and “Crownlands” all came up through this contest. These bands have gone on to have #1 hits in the U.S, tour with bands like Primus, Nickelback, Jack White and in the case of “The Glorious Sons,” even opened up for the fucking Rolling Stones! As a result of the contest win, “Burn” has been playing on commercial radio across Canada since June and is still going strong! We have had the pleasure of opening for bands like “Finger Eleven,” “I Mother Earth,” and “The Wild!,” which has helped build relationships with some important people who are very capable of making opportunity happen. Ultimately, it has given us the platform to start proving to people and building our reputation within the industry as a great rock n’ roll band. People are watching now, and it feels good to be able to reach so many new people. What can we expect from DTA in this upcoming year of 2020? Any exciting performances or new releases in store for us? We got new music, new cities, new faces, and new places coming up. Everyone will just have to stay tuned to see what happens next. #DTARNR instagram.com/droptopalibi facebook.com/droptopalibi twitter.com/drop_top_alibi #BuzzMusic

Music with substance is completely unmatchable. Especially in today’s current market of music where it seems like everything has been flooded with a bunch of songs that consist of no actual meaning or motive behind them. So if you’re somebody who likes an artist to create an actual piece of music that will move in your ways you didn’t expect to be moved in, then we have just the artist for you! She goes by the name of Courtney Cole and she is undeniably on her way to the top of her game. Courtney Cole is keen on creating lyrics that inspire her listener. It’s one of her personal favorite elements of being an artist. A powerhouse who grew up on powerhouse divas, her early inspirations have noted being the vocal greats like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. Her love for music drew her to the Nashville scene where she created a significant amount of success for her and that includes touring and opening up for multiple A-list acts like Miranda Lambert. Kenny Chesney, Chris Young and more! She is no doubt in mind, making a name for herself and growing huge traction for her own music. After spending time in Nashville killing it, she decided to move to Los Angeles, and this caused Courtney Cole to smash it even more! With a new single out called “Right Direction” that has a trail-blazing production and mellifluous melody, Courtney Cole is no doubt in my mind a newcomer to watch out for in 2020! Listen to Courtney Cole's music here! Welcome to back to BuzzMusic Courtney Cole, we’re always excited to have you on our platform! What initially inspired you to pursue music and why? Thank you guys so much for having me! It’s always such a pleasure! Music has been a part of me from the moment I took my first breath! More so than anything, I’ve always felt a need to share. Performing is where my heart is most fulfilled, and being able to share my story and my truth through healing music is incredibly rewarding. We loved your single titled “Right Direction”. What was the meaning behind these lyrics? And in what ways do they represent you and your story? I believe that music heals, and I believe that the truth heals. This song is from the upmost honesty of my soul and where I was at the time. A place of confusion, dismantling of old belief systems, and really trying to navigate my way through that. I think we’ve all been there, and so I think it was nice to be able to connect with so many people through this place and through this song. Knowing you have opened up for various acts in Nashville, Did you ever stumble upon any nerves or challenges performing live? If so mind explaining how you overcame them? I’m always nervous before I perform.. it’s a very vulnerable place of putting yourself out there. I remember being a kid and never being scared to perform my songs or dances that I had created in front of anyone, so I always try to channel that brave little girl. She is what keeps me going today! How would you describe the creative process behind “Right Direction”? The creative process is exactly what it states in the second verse... “sitting on the apartment floor..” I literally wrote that song sitting on the apartment floor in a state of honest confusion and begging God for clarity. I’m thankful for my friends Trannie Anderson and Cameron Stymeist for helping me take it to the next level in the studio! Were there any specific arrangements you were going for in “Right Direction”? If so mind detailing it a bit to us? I wanted “Right Direction” to feel like reflection,  empowerment, and healing. I think Cameron did an amazing job of tapping into the emotion and bringing the moment to life. What can we expect from you in this upcoming year of 2020? New music!! I have a lot in the pipeline that I can’t wait to share! twitter.com/thecourtneycole instagram.com/thecourtneycole facebook.com/thecourtneycole #BuzzMusic #Bestof2019

Welcome to BuzzMusic Kierscey it's great to have you. Tell us how long you've been in the music industry and what inspired you as a music artist. Thanks for having me. It's great to be a part of BuzzMusic. I've been in the industry professionally for years now, however, I'm usually in the background helping the artist. I started out as a keys and guitar player for local bands. The bands that have a lot of success, I direct gigs for them now. One of those bands is my long-time friend K'naan, whom I've known since I was a youth. Put it this way, about nine years ago I was playing The LA House of Blues during a time when Bruno Mars was an underdog and was opening for us. Already so much has changed since then, but I'd say there's over a decade of history even before that when I was just touring. Mos Def, Damian Marley, Nas, M-1 to name a few artists who we played with and are also people who supported K'naan when he was just on the come up. And because I was in his band, I got to hang out with some really cool people. I got some amazing guidance, saw some legendary shows and traveled all around the world. I love R&B, Hip Hop and I love making beats! My beat-making days go as far back to the time when using a four-track was still a thing. I was just a kid using whatever I had at the time to make music; hitting a pillow with a microphone under it for a kick drum, cookie cans for a snare and a metal fan for a ride cymbal. I also used a Yamaha DX-7 keyboard. No editing just live takes. I spent a lot of time recreating tracks by Babyface and Jam and Lewis. I studied those tracks and listened in-depth to all the things that made it great. I still love those tracks and play them all the time, but I also crave to hear a good 808 or snappy clap from a DJ Mustard or Hitmaker track. I enjoy the music that moves the new generation, but some of my older friends can't stand it. This gap between what the kids and the O.G.'s listen to inspires me to make music. I feel my music fills the gap and is what keeps me going. We've been told that you play the guitar in a very unique way like no other. Can you tell us a bit more about this? Yes, I love explaining this! I play a regular right-handed guitar turned upside down. So I strum with my left hand and grip with my right, however, the Low E string is on the bottom and the high E-string is at the top. When I was very young, I picked up my Dad's guitar and it felt natural playing this way. I had to read chord charts backward and had to find my own way to grip them. My Dad thought this style of playing was very rare so he encouraged me to keep it this way even though I'd be tempted to switch back or re-string it. He explained to me the advantage of this is that I can feel comfortable playing left-handed, and wouldn't need a left-handed guitar to perform. Those were some good reasons to keep it that way, so I did. Whenever I play live, I love to see other guitar players trip out when they notice how I play. Congrats on the recent release of your album "Breaking Beds". Were there any obstacles faced along the way in creating the album? Which music artists have been some of your influences or made an impact on your music? Thank you so much. I am so proud of this new album, "Breaking Beds" and had so much fun making this record even though there were a few hiccups along the way. Anyone that knows me knows I could've dropped a couple of albums by now, but when I hear some of my older tracks I can tell I was in a different headspace. Perhaps I was creating from a 'songwriters perspective' and was looking to sell my songs to a big artist. They were great tracks but I felt like I wasn't really being my true self on them. On the album Breaking Beds I feel like I'm giving all of me and 'more'. Maybe too much of me at times, but you gotta make an impression in seconds these days. One obstacle I remember was trusting myself with this new way of doing music. Before this album, my tracks were smooth, romantic and soulful. That's cool but I wanted this album to be fun, silly, bumpin', and at the same time stand out conceptually. These lyrics are some of my most explicit and in ways ridiculous, but I knew it would be genius if it was performed with sheer confidence. It's like my music was asking me to level up. I used to show listeners that I can play instruments very well, but now I'm disciplining myself to play more basic so anyone can catch the beat. Same thing with my songwriting. I'm still tempted to show off my vocal chops, but now I'm trying to find the simplest best idea to sing and deliver it with the raw talent it deserves. I got the chance to show one of my friends August Rigo (you should look him up by the way) an album I was planning on releasing before Breaking Beds. He said the vocals and playing on that album was great but there's too much going on in the music and some people won't catch what's great about it. When artists have talent they're tempted to show listeners what they can do, but sometimes it's not what's best for the song. August described to me what he calls 'a crossroads of greatness and simplicity' coming together and the result of this is a 'common denominator'. This way there's room for any audience to take in your talent and it doesn't go over their heads. Bruno Mars understands this, so does T-Pain and that's why everyone listens to them. They can do anything with their talent but they choose to be this way because it appeals to the masses. This really spoke to me. It was hard to start over. I thought this change was risky and I didn't know if I could pull it off, but it excited me to see if I could. I was confident in my talents to deliver the performance, but on the hard days, it was tough to get into this new character. Being an artist is like being a superhero in the sense that it's a double-life and both lives are important. The older we get the more responsibilities come about and it's easy to get lost in all that. I had to learn to say 'no' to some opportunities, take some time off, sometimes create all night with no sleep to make this work. With the rare time, I had to record music, there was a battle of me 'letting go' of everything holding me back so I could give it my all. You've had the privilege of working alongside and being around many well known and respected talented music artists. Tell us about these experiences and how they have helped you grow. Being a Musical Director is an amazing opportunity and it does take you places. Here's a crazy story when I was touring with K'naan, we once shared a dressing room with Bill Clinton and had a short moment with him. We saw him again a few months after that and he still remembered us which I thought was incredible. On our journey, we've crossed paths with Jon B, Anthony Hamilton, Dave Chapelle, Russell Peters, John Legend, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell Williams, and the list goes on.  One of the very first tours we joined was Mos Def's "Breed Love Odyssey". We got this gig at a time when we weren't making any money and saving our per diem was a crucial part of life. We were those guys who had to be placed on other people's buses always asking for a ride to the next city. It was a blessing in disguise sharing a tour bus with Pharoahe Monch and his band for a month. We also caught a ride on Talib Kweli's and Mos Def's bus a couple times. I was non-stop trippin' because I never been on a tour like this and was star struck all the time. I quickly observed that these heavy hitters are constantly being bothered by tons of people that want a "shot". So much talk of what they can do and that they're the 'shit.' It can be a headache. I found myself gravitating to the quiet guys in the background and found a lot of them were very important people. They were like 'secret weapons' of a mass operation and portrayed a different kind of confidence. They told me to work smart, be on time, be 'cool' and everything will come to you one day. They showed me that you can get way further in this business by listening rather than talking. They're more about working on their craft and letting that speak for itself. Words are not usually my way of expressing myself, but I got infinite ways of being creative. I've seen people that can move others with their words keeping audiences wanting to hear more and I have respect for that. I've also seen people make a killing from working on being 'original' and creating their own lane. They know how to get on people's good side without talking too much, and they achieve that by being present in the moment and truly living with that in mind. On tour, you will spend hours waiting together and your set will probably be one hour or less. When all's done, understandably a lot of people wanna be alone after. But if someone you highly respect wants to just hang out, I recommend you make time because there's so much importance in that as well. Make an honest effort to be present and make a real connection. Thank you for being here with us. How do you plan on kicking off 2020? Where can we find you singing and performing live? Well, nothing is set in stone for 2020. I'm still riding the wave of 2019. I've got plans on releasing a few singles in December. But as for 2020, I really want to collaborate with more artists. Toronto has a great music scene and a lot of great musicians. So I only think it's fair to build up the city that I call home. I would love to release a compilation album similar to DJ Khaled. I would produce and write all the tracks and have a bunch of feature artists that I support/admire. It'll definitely be a lot of work but I'm up for the challenge for sure. I also just recently played a successful show in Toronto for the release of my EP. I had such a great response to the whole show that the goal is to put together a couple more shows in 2020, but bigger and better. And of course, I'll be gigging and musical directing as much as possible. Listen to Kierscey's music here. instagram.com/kierscey facebook.com/kierscey #BuzzMusic

The ever-changing genre we like to call "pop" goes by many other names and while it goes through growth spurts in different directions, there are artists that take advantage of having an independence to do something new. The self-titled album release from Glotis is most certainly an outstanding example of how to utilize this independence. Stylish vocals birthed from emotion, and a combination of flashy indie pop and dream pop production with more than all the bells and whistles. The record opens with one of its singles dubbed "Lola". The track starts off as something of a pop ballad and swirls into synth-pop crossed with dubstep and building percussion. With all going on in this song, it's the vocals you become addicted to most. While seemingly laid back, "Lola" packs a punch and shows some of the soul of this album. As this one track is only a taste of the full record, it does represent what's to be expected to an extent. Put that way only because from song to song, you really won't know what to expect. Even if you think you do. Glotis is loaded with delightful surprises and all sorts of fun. This album is a must for any indie-pop fan out there. glotismusic.com facebook.com/glotismusic instagram.com/glotismusic

Get ready for the transcending vocals of Jame Doe. An upcoming, electro-pop vocalist originally from Portland. Jame's music focuses on themes of; boys, getting older and feeling lost in the big blue sea. His lyricism will have you spiraling into a transcendent realm, with calm and peaceful tunes. Doe has the unique ability to hook listeners from the very beginning with cool and captivating vocals. He draws his inspiration from artists including; Years and Years, Elton John, Adele, and Fleetwood Mac as well as avant-garde fashion, plants, and the LGBTQ community. Previously known for his other originals of “Done Said Boo” and “Garden W/No Water”, Jame Doe is a staple to the changing and evolving music industry and we're all for it! “Garden W/NO Water” by Jame Doe is stereotype defining. The song has a very smooth beginning that gets your head bopping. It's easy on the ears in the most elegant of ways. Not many artists can execute such a graceful vocal range. I especially love the multitude of textured sounds throughout the song. The water sound effects add a subtle and satisfying addition to the track, both incorporating creativity and brings a nice tie to the title and chorus. By mid-song, you'll be up on your feet dancing all over the room! What is Jame Doe expressing with his lyrics, “High and dry. I'm like a garden with no water”. The mystery and meaning behind his words compel me to play this track on repeat and figure it out! “Garden W/NO Water” is definitely the song you need on your daily feel-good playlist. Listen to “Garden W/NO Water” here. Hi Jake and welcome to BuzzMusic. Jame Doe is a catchy stage name! What is the inspiration behind this name? I'm sure you remember the missing people on the milk carton campaign from the 1990s. It was a really instrumental campaign though it actually didn't return any missing people, and it, in fact, freaked out a lot of kids. I want my music to feel like anyone can relate, and that it can be for anyone. Jame Doe is a twist on the iconic missing person's name and is a nod to anyone that's felt lost. Dying to know, what are you referring to in the lyrics, “I’m dry like a garden without water”? This song is about my old piano player who left our band in the middle of the night, moved to Georgia and never heard from her again. We were so close and wrote so many of my favorite songs together. When she left, I felt like a garden with no water. Like I had all of these beautiful ideas in my head that would never grow because I didn't have a piano player to write with. That clearly wasn't true and I grew so much from her leaving, but at the moment I seriously felt like I'd crumble. Can you tell us what got you into singing and songwriting as a profession?                                 I've always wanted to perform, and I always have. Whether it was in my parent's house singing Spice Girls to my family or in musicals, being on stage is always when I feel most confident. I'm constantly chasing that confidence, and the way I get there is through my voice. I love feeling what my body can do and what runs I can hit. It's always been the only choice that will make me happy. A lot of fans don't know this, but I actually have a degree in Biotechnology from Brown, and never for a moment thought I wouldn't end up singing. You do a beautiful job of combining electro and pop music. Do you see yourself incorporating any other genres in your future productions? I've actually been swaying heavily into a more sultry sound lately. I think that feels more genuine to me, and I love electro-pop and want to stay in the pop genre, but I'd like to fade away from the electro portion of it a bit. I depend a lot on electronics and my voice lends itself to being more successful with more real instrumentation. I also love runs and riffs and it feels a bit mismatched in pure pop. I like bedroom pop, but I don't dig, and I don't do lazy mumble vocals. Thanks for chatting with us! With two awesome singles out, do you have any plans to release an album and if so when can we expect to hear it? Always working on new music, no concrete plans for an album just yet. My heart lies in performing and being on stage, I'm not in love with recording quite yet. Still searching for that song that'll put us on the map. I don't know what story my album would tell yet, so I'm really happy with singles for right now! Working on making the Jame Doe story a bit more cohesive! Facebook Instagram Website #BuzzMusic

The fresh EP by alt-pop rock project Sugar Lunch provides an array of styles from catchy pop songs like "Luv", to a grungy garage rock feel with songs like "Upholstery". Full of attitude, energy, and a sort of creative freedom, the Ticks  EP is mainly the effort of songwriter Richard Miller. Recording most of the EP on his own, the Sugar Lunch project shows a definitive case of how today's self-recorded records can bring on something new and different. With "Luv" at the forefront it may be easy to think you know what to expect, but these tracks differ from one and another as the EP holds on to its pop feels throughout its course. This is a great example of today's alt-pop songs and hopefully more to expect from projects like Sugar Lunch. Set to be released in early December, you can catch the tunes early right HERE. soundcloud.com/sugarlunch/sets #BuzzMusic

Pretoria is an energetic, guitar-driven alternative rock band hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Composed of guitarist Josh Bilisko, bassist Rob Gullett, and drummer Ben DeWitt, the trio originally started as a duo between Josh and Rob while attending the same high school. When asked how it all started, Bilisko recalls, “Rob and I were in the same weight training class and I saw him wearing a Nirvana t-shirt, so I knew we had similar music interests.” Their musical chemistry was instant and together they started composing original works. As their lyrics grew the group followed suit, and Ben was added to the group. Pretoria’s sound is a fusion of indie influences and evokes artists like And The Kids, Beach Fossils and Wallows. Bilisko expresses his “love for the Wallow's ability to represent indie rock in a poppy form.” Their goal as a band is to produce melodic vocal lines that quickly engage a live audience. In August 2018, Pretoria debuted its first official EP and continued to gain ground by appearing at several shows throughout Northern USA as well as receiving airtime on stations such as; WYCE 88.1 and WRWW 92.3. Starting 2019 with a bang, the trio has released singles including “Lafayette Ave”, “Keep Two Stepping” and “Cape Town”. November 23, 2019, marks the release of their new single “Gently”, a beautiful and truly relaxing use of acoustic sound. After 23 seconds of listening, I was unexpectedly transported from a cold winter’s day to a warm sand-filled beach in the summer heat. Their song takes my mind to happier memories and seamlessly eases my mind. However, diverting my attention to their lyrics I soon realized the true intentions of this song, which expresses the miscommunication between lovers during vocals, “I’m a long way from excepting why we can’t have a happy ending”. I love how this song evokes both happiness and empathy, the clever use of soothing indie-surf music with meaningful and relatable lyrics. I’m curious to see what the future holds for these extremely talented men. Listen to "Gently" here Hey there Pretoria! Welcome to BuzzMusic! We’re completed captivated by your sound- Gently is such a tranquil track. Can you explain what you mean by releasing music with a new take on surf-inspired indie sound? We love dipping our toes into different styles, and this song exemplifies that perfectly. It’s got everything from power-pop to western to Latin music, while still staying rooted in Pretoria’s sound. We want to use our influences to break some new ground. Listening to “Gently” expresses a dialogue between lovers, does this song have a significance to any of your personal relationships? Gently isn’t necessarily a retelling of a specific moment in my life, but it is inspired by relationships I’ve been in. It’s really about that moment in a relationship when you realize that the spark is gone. Kinda sad. Tell us about the creation process of "Gently" We often collaborate as a band when we write, but that was not the case with Gently. Ben wrote the song and recorded it, then he had Rob track the vocals. The whole band had to approve of everything, of course. So everyone still had a say as to what they wanted out of the song. What are some of your ultimate goals as artists? Are any of these goals currently being put into place/ being worked on? We’d love to reach as many people as we can with our songs. Music is an unparalleled form of expression and we want to share ours with the world. We’re always trying to find new fans by playing shows and planning new tours. For many that are not familiar with the name Pretoria, can you explain how the band chose this to be your name! Pretoria is one of the three capital cities of South Africa. We’re not from there. We’re not affiliated with the country in any way. Josh’s friend told us to name our band that, and we did. It’s really kind of a lame story, but the name stuck and we love it. What's next for Pretoria as 2019 comes to an end? New year, new shows, new music. We’re always up to something ;) instagram.com/pretoriamusic facebook.com/PretoriaMusic #BuzzMusic