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Hailing from Chicago is the talented singer/songwriter Jillian Francis. Writing since she was only eight years old, Jillian has been establishing her musical vision for a decade. Working on the business side of music during the day, Jillian uses her night off hours to build her musical prowess in the studio. Influenced by the thought-provoking substance and emotional pull of singer/songwriters of the late ’60s & ’70s, Jillian has honed her sound. Jillian debut single “Won’t Be You” aims to inspire and captivate audiences all at once. Fusing a singer/songwriter purity with a Bon Iver level of delicacy and a Passenger-inspired poetic optimism, Jillian Francis quickly manages to melt the heart and calm the soul with this single. “Won’t Be You” creates a blissfully organic and softly rhythmic soundscape around its audience. It envelops the listener, then proceeds to whisper these beautiful introspective thoughts and reflections on life and love. Imagery and emotion fuse with compelling results, and with that Jillian’s voice proves equally captivating as it moves through the stunning melody and storyline. The rise to the hook changes the mood in the room and outlines Jillian as more of a passionate and powerful singer than the quieter introduction seems to imply. An absolute powerhouse debut for this young up and comer! We can’t wait to hear more. Listen to “Won’t Be You” here and check out our exclusive interview with Jillian Francis below! Welcome to BuzzMusic Jillian! We absolutely love your debut single “Won’t Be You”. What does this song represent for you? What inspired it? Thank you – I love BuzzMusic so this is so awesome to talk with you!! It means so much to me that you enjoyed my first single. To me, “Won’t Be You” represents a few things. It represents a vulnerability that I had finally been able to reach after a long time of hiding behind this “strong” attitude. Seeing how people have responded to this song shows me that being vulnerable is actually one of the most brave things you can do. It’s opened a new door for me to explore in myself. “Won’t Be You also represents something that I believe happens a lot while growing up and moving through life. It’s that shit is complicated and almost nothing is black and white. The track is coming to terms with the fact that someone may be perfect on paper and may truly love you, but you may not love them the same way. People tell me it’s the “nicest break up song” or, as my New York family likes to say, “the nicest f*** You” song out there haha. I think that’s because the lyrics and melody portray this “seriously it’s me, you’ve literally done nothing wrong… I’m just not the person you need me to be.” The song was actually inspired by a conversation I had with my roommates a couple of years back. We were having a heart to heart about our baggage from previous relationships / life experiences that made us who we were today. One of them said something along the lines of “I’ve learned that I shouldn’t speak up about certain things because it isn’t polite and it will push people away.” A couple of weeks later, I had the privilege of showing what was then a love song to Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. He thought we should switch the meaning to be a breakup song which was brilliant. Who knew a couple of words could change the whole concept of the song?! This leads me to the 3rd thing that this song represents which is the importance of collaboration. I’m learning more and more how important it is to have people in your corner to help grow a song into the masterpiece it deserves. “Won’t Be You” wouldn’t be where it is now if it wasn’t for Kenny & my amazing producer Eric Scullin. If you could perform at any venue or event in the world, which would you choose, and why? There are so many amazing venues that I would love to play but I was able to narrow down to 2 venues: The Hollywood Bowl – I absolutely LOVE the bowl. I’ve lived in LA for 5 years and the bowl is just a fun experience every time I go there. It’s a big venue but it has the ability to still feel intimate which is so important to me. I also love that you can bring in food and sometimes wine because it makes the venue feel relaxed and fun and there’s just connection between everyone in that venue. I saw a Florence and Machine concert there earlier this year and what she did was magical – there was no bad seat in the house! Everyone in that crowd was connected and that’s what I hope my shows will be like one day. Saint Michael’s Cave Concert Hall in Gibraltar – This venue is literally in the limestone caves of Gibraltar… how much more magical can you get? I am a very big fan of crystals and stones and their healing qualities (I’m a meditation/ energy nerd). I also LOVE nature and being able to play in a cave would be so calming to me. I strive to have my shows feel intimate and safe for people. I feel like that venue would be the perfect place for a truly zen experience…. and SO COOL! What’s your personal favorite lyric from “Won’t Be You”, and why? I would have to say my personal favorite is the first line of the song, “I learned to love in pieces so my whole heart wouldn’t need to break.” For me, this is my first really vulnerable line I’d written. It’s not the easiest thing to admit that I’ve had my heart shattered and that I’ve carried that baggage into other relationships by not fully committing to them. You don’t get hurt as much if you don’t put your whole heart into it, right? Wrong… haha. It’s a line that catches people’s attention because it’s a relatable internal thought. It’s a line that connects people and starts an honest conversation. What is it about music that draws such passion from you? Music is powerful. It can connect you with people around the world, with different backgrounds, cultures, languages, literally everything. It has the power to bring you back to moments of feeling and open up the mind to new perspectives. Whether it be my own music or someone else’s, it can show me feelings I have shoved away to heal and has allowed me to connect with people I would never have thought I would relate to. I saw Bon Iver at The Hollywood Bowl and it was the first time I heard “Naeem” off his new album (if you haven’t heard it, then do yourself a favor). I found myself so deep in my feelings that I started tearing up, not because I was sad, but because I just was overwhelmed with emotion that needed to be released and for some reason that song did it for me. It still gets me every time I listen to it. I had a woman come up to me the other day after my show who was probably my mom’s age. She looked me in the eye and said “I could find a moment of my own in every one of the songs you sang tonight” and just like that I was able to connect with someone who came from a very different life than me. At the end of the day, most of us go through the same life lessons in various degrees and music makes us remember we are not alone and it allows us to have conversations with ourselves and others. What’s next for you!? We can’t wait to hear more! I can’t wait to show you guys more! I’m working hard to get the songs done for my upcoming EP, Letters, and am looking to share another single with you in the Fall. In the meantime, I will hopefully be playing shows between Chicago, LA, and maybe somewhere in between! Thank you for having me! Connect with Jillian Francis on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamjillianfrancis Website: www.jillianfrancismusic.com #BuzzMusic

Sosboitnice is an 18-year-old artist making his name known from Chicago, IL. Writing and making music since the young age of 14, Sosboitnice has been encouraged by his friends and family to truly pursue his passion for music. “I Don't Need No Help” is an infectious summer-vibe from, up and comer, Sosboitnice. What impresses about this release is not just the unique sound, but the spectacular lyricism, the smart leading voice, and the story-line and details. While that retro hip-hip vibe outline creates nostalgic energy, the verses work hard to captivate and add substance to the process. Where “I Don't Need No Help” could have been a simple repeat of bars from countless other summer hits, Sosboitnice makes sure to throw his own spin on things, to mix it up and showcase his intelligence and impressive writing skills. At the same time, the work put in results in a brilliantly energizing and even motivational bit of timeless music. Don’t sleep on Sosboitnice, stay on the lookout for what he delivers next! Listen to “I Don't Need No Help” here and check out our exclusive interview below! Welcome to BuzzMusic! We’re addicted to your single “I Don't Need No Help”! What does this song represent for you? This song represents what I can create as an artist and how I can really flow with any beat. Where is the best setting to listen to “I Don't Need No Help” and what do you hope people take away from it? I hope people can see I actually have talent and keep producing better music. What’s your favorite lyric that you feel has the most impact in “I Don't Need No Help”? Why? My favorite lyric is his ass limping like he primping we just hit his whole block it was so funny to me my homie wouldn’t stop saying that shit. If you had to pick just one song in your collection to adequately describe your sound, which song would you choose and why? Sos flow because in that song i tried my best my hardest in that song and I think it pays off. What other projects are you working on through the end of 2019? More to come 2019 are year BIG SOS SHIT. #BuzzMusic

Welcome back Black Lyon! What have you been up to since the release of your debut single “Down Down”? Barbara: It’s been a super interesting time exploring writing more together and finding new creative ways of doing it. We’ve been focusing on writing and learning about each other as a band, really. There are a lot of challenges, finding the right people to work with, finding our image and identity, but it’s been extremely fun and we enjoy spending time together as well. Alex and I just need to try to talk less as we record, ha!  Alex: I agree with Barbara! And to that, I'd like to add that it's been a lot of time of simply working a lot and not releasing much. People might think we simply stopped doing stuff but in reality, there is so much going on behind the scenes! We're currently working on the next two songs as we're releasing this one [This Way]. You have to be thinking months ahead in this game. We finished this song in April and after that, it was all about the video and the next two songs. We also had the chance to release a cover of Sucker by Jonas Brothers, which we really enjoyed working on. And yes! Barbara and I spend way too much time talking while we record, it's really fun though. We’ve heard there are much-anticipated visuals on the way! What can you tell us about the upcoming music video? Alex: We're 4 people in the band and we're used to working that way, but then you start working on a music video and you have to deal with directors, producers, makeup artist, editors, etc. It's a greater collaboration! But the main ideas of the video comes from director Santiago Fierro, he heard our song and came up with this idea of transitions, of growth. He wanted to show through visuals the different changes we can all go through in life and he used a lot of symbolism to convey the message. Masks, changes in lightning, different sets, and having us individually in different places were some of the things he used to tell the story. There is a lot of solitude, which in a way connects with what the song is about. We all have to face these changes and growth by ourselves, no one else can do it for us! Overall, being our first video, it was a challenging but fun experience. Tons of talented people involved! Even my dad was involved as a video editor! We're so happy so many talented people got to be part of this.  Barbara: For sure! Those visuals were the result of a lot of hard work from so many awesome people. It’s meant to show the process of accepting yourself, your good and bad times. There was a lot of inspiration from the song “Como Nossos Pais” or "Like Our Parents” by the Brazilian composer Belchior. It talks about a young generation fighting for change in the times of the dictatorship in Brazil. We’re in different times, and I think there’s a lot of internal fights we go through now having access to so much information at once. You’re an extremely diverse group with members ranging from Venezuela, Brazil, Turkey, and the Netherlands! How do you use your various cultural influences to benefit your sound? Barbara: We try to listen to each other’s native music and talk about our cultures sometimes. We talk a lot about language and rhythm as well. I’ve already tried learning some Turkish expressions from Ece - we’ll get there! Alex: We're slowly trying to incorporate elements from our cultures into what we do. It's not something we're constantly thinking because it has to happen naturally. This song features a bridge in Spanish, and it's something that's currently trending a lot. Who knows, maybe we'll have other languages down the line and rhythmic elements from our cultures. How have you grown and evolved as a band since your debut? What have you learned? Barbara: We’ve learned a lot about each other. Playing music creates a bond you can’t really create any other way. What has been one of your most memorable or life-changing achievements so far? Alex: Finally kickstarting this project. We planned so much last year that it feels great to go out and show our music! What other projects are you working on through the end of 2019? Barbara: We have two other songs that we’re working on production right now. It’s a darker theme and sound that we’re exploring. Alex: Yes! Besides that, we think it's time we go out and play our music. We've been spending a lot of time writing songs and producing them so we can build repertoire but we feel it's time we go out and play live! Reach out to Black Lyon & hear more of their music via their socials below! Facebook Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

Welcome back Lucy! How exciting that you're going to Australia on tour! Why did you choose Australia and how are you setting up shows over there? I am so excited to get the opportunity to go play music in Australia. This will be my third international DIY tour. Its funny how it all came about, actually! This tour is largely thanks to my mom. Last year, she and my brother went on vacation to Australia and met a woman in the airport who mentioned she was engaged to be married in about a year. Naturally, because my mom is a super-mom, she mentioned that her daughter (me!) is a professional musician and showed her some clips of my music! The bride-to-be was moved by my music and decided she wanted to hire me to come all the way across the world to play for her special wedding day. Once I realized it was actually going to happen, I figured, why not make it a longer trip and see about booking some other shows and hit a few cities while we're at it! I've never been to Australia and I absolutely cannot wait. We've got several gigs lined up other than the wedding and plan to also shoot some video content while we're there :) Your new single "Distracted" is truly moving. What emotions did you channel when writing this song? Thank you so much! The song 'Distracted' is all about a real incident that I experienced about a year ago in Hollywood. My boyfriend and I had just decided that we shouldn't be together, and I was completely heart-broken. So was he. The next day, I decided to go out to listen to live music at one of my all time favorite LA music venues, The Hotel Cafe. It happens to be a place where both he and I spend a lot of time, and I had seen earlier that night that he had been there to see another musician perform. When I arrived, I was so consumed by thoughts like "is he still here?" "what if I run into him?" "will we talk?" etc, that EVEN THOUGH one of the greatest musicians ever was playing, I couldn't focus on it at all and the whole time, I was looking around the room, in hopes of seeing him. I wrote the song first thing the next morning after waking up and feeling as though the whole thing was a sad/bad dream full of longing and heartache. All the lyrics and emotions I put into the song were very real and true to me, so there wasn't much "channelling", it was just exactly how I felt in that very moment. Are you ever worried you'll divulge too much in your songwriting? Or do you think it's better to always be raw and honest? Some of my favorite songs are the ones that are the most raw and honest. There's something so special about a song that comes from a real place and is full of emotions. I think part of why I love music so much is because it has this incredible power to evoke emotions in the listener and hopefully help them process whatever they're going through in their own lives, whether or not they're actually going through the same experience. A great song is when it's also relatable for a wide audience of people all in various situations in their lives. Though 'Distracted' is about a specific incidence in my life, I hope people are able to relate to it and that it moves people. Your voice is SO beautiful, especially for only being 21! Have you had any professional training? Thank you! I've been playing violin since I was 4 years old. Then, I picked up guitar around age 8, and ukulele around age 12. Piano also came in somewhere along the way. So, I've been around music my whole life and I think that has a big influence in my musicality and also my vocal abilities. I did a lot of musical theater growing up and took some voice lessons for a few years as well as being in choir in high school. Now, I am actually a vocal teacher myself! Though, I do think that it's important at some point to focus more on the artistic side of a voice as opposed to being super technical all the time. There's definitely a lot you can learn and it is important to know good technique, but being a great artist/singer is about so much more than that, and its up to everyone to find their unique voice What are the main values you want to bring to the music world? Appreciation for live music and more support for independent artists. Nowadays, with social media, it is so easy for anyone to share music and bring attention to upcoming artists. My hope is that people will begin to see more of a value for independent music and that our culture will be come more supportive of it. I'm working on building a community of people around me who love my music and want to support it by coming to my shows, and spreading the word about my music. Since there's no big record label behind me, it truly is all about the support I get from my community and fans. Do you have an official release date for your much-anticipated EP? We can't wait to hear more. My plan at the moment, is to be releasing the songs first as singles before the EP is out as a whole. I'm aiming to be releasing a song pretty much every month till the whole project is out! As soon as I get back from Australia, I will be getting ready to launch the third single, in October/November! Check out Lucy's new single "Distracted" here! Keep up with Lucy Clearwater through social media: www.facebook.com/lucyclearwatermusic www.instagram.com/lucyclearwater #BuzzMusic

Welcome back guys! What have you been up to since the release of your debut single "Shaken"? Since releasing "Shaken", we've been busy writing for the upcoming EP, along with playing some great venues with awesome production companies around Los Angeles. We are really excited to continue the hype that Shaken has brought us, and are lining up new content both musically and visually to continue growing as a band, and hopefully our fans will like what we have in store for them. What does the track “Shaken” represent for you? Can you dive into the lyrics and tell us the meaning behind it? Shaken is a song that has actually gone through quite a bit of lyrical revision. I great song is relatable so in order to achieve that we had to go through a discussion on what the initial idea meant to everyone in the band and try to identify where the strongest connection was. You can read this on paper and relate it not only to significant other but to other friends and family you may be incredibly close with and this highlights the lyric "We don't choose the ones we fall for, but we choose the ones who stay." We all would say that we love our friends and family, but sometimes relationships go through adversity, so this is a reflection of one that really "shook" me as a person but reminded me that belief is such a huge part of anything in life. So to "believe" that the best is yet to come is what we're really driving for in this. How does the songwriting and recording process compare to live performance for you? Writing is often a more theatrical process rather than normal. When I'm writing a song, I like to think visually about what this song is saying, almost like a movie in my head really. Once the song is more fleshed out, I think of what this should or feel like when it is performed live. I'm all about writing songs that I hope will get people excited and want to jump around at a show, and it's really cool to see what I have pictured in my mind, translate to a crowd. Where is the best setting to listen to “Shaken"? Windows down blasting in the car. This was how I vented as a teenager on a back road and this is who I write to today. If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why? I'm always inclined to give back to your roots, and not forget where you came from. So with that mind set, whenever the big break happens, I would love to do a tour of those small venues that took a chance on us and treated us well, and really just give back to them with a packed house and nothing but die-hard locals that have been there from day one. What do you hope to achieve as a group through the end of 2019? 2019 is gonna be a mad dash to the finish with getting the EP tracked and mixed, plus new video content, merch and shows. Check out "Shaken" here and keep up with Cold Weather Kids through Instagram!

Lewis Santana is a talented rapper and lyricist, he was born in South Central Los Angeles and raised in South Phoenix since the age of 2. Growing up in a household of his mother and grandmother, Lewis had an incredible support system. When he was young he pursued sports, but music was always a large part of his life. Poetry is where it all started out, it spoke to his soul and was introduced to him at a young age. Lewis Santana and his family had gone through a lot of pain and changes, so poetry was extremely therapeutic for him. He was able to segway poetry into rapping with the addition of more rhythm. Striving to create timeless music for everyone, Lewis Santana is on the way up. Lewis’ latest track is titled “Chillin’” and there’s an anthem-like quality to the song, it’s subtle but effective, and notably memorable. Fine production lets the various intricacies and the underlying energy shine as brightly as possible. To compare “Chillin’” to the bulk of indie hip-hop releases from the past year or so, is to note that there’s a definite level of professionalism and impressive talent combined. “Chillin’” is an easy hit, genuinely well-crafted and a breath of fresh air for the alternative playlist. Adding to the natural brightness of this release is the fact that there is also far more to Lewis Santana than just music. Absolutely an artist worth supporting, especially when the music is of such a high quality. Check out “Chillin’” here and read more with Lewis Santana below! Hey Lewis! Welcome to BuzzMusic! What does your newest track “Chillin’” represent for you? "Chillin" is a perfect bop for 2019!! It's live and energetic promoting positive energy making the homies jig and makes the ladies move! Inspired by West Coast roots, this is the perfect slapper for any lituation! What was the creation process for this song? This record got sparked up from the euphoric feelings that I experienced from traveling back to LA. I had been blessed with opportunity to go visit family, learn more about my roots and experience some of the life and love out there which put me in my zone overall. So when my homie Shade One introduced me to this beat, I was drawn to it immediately. The vibe matched my energy exactly, so that ultimately lead to creating something that makes me feel like we're celebrating life everytime we hit play on that record. What do you hope your listeners take away from your music? Inspiration, Motivation, Ambition. I hope my listeners take the time to really embrace the multiple layers of depth in my music, hear my authenticity and respect the caliber of artist I am. I'm all about progression, my hunger is embedded from coming from the bottom, fighting gravity to elevate towards becoming something greater and help us all win. Ultimately I want success, peace and prosperity for us all. Hopefully you can take something away from my journey that could inspire or motivate you and your ambition to go get what you deserve from life. If you had to pick just one of your tracks to adequately describe your sound, which track would you choose and why? Tough question because I don't really have a genre. I love music in its totality. But if I only have the option to pick just one of my tracks, it would have to be "100 Bandz" from my latest album, "The Santana Way". From the poetry that is the lyrics and my style of delivery, to the tempo and instrumentation within this beat. This record embodies how I love to approach music. What inspired you to write “Chillin’”? The inspiration for "Chillin" came from being impatient really. The thought process between wanting to drop all this new music I have and also making sure everything is in order before I do so was giving me anxiety. So one night I chose to let my thoughts rest and relax. The universe spoke to me and told "just smoke something and chill out, it's all about preparation so once that's all figured out, opportunity and the time to execute will present itself." I already had a blunt rolled with a cup of something to sip on, I let that instrumental run on repeat and rolled another blunt with the mindset of "don't rush, whenever we drop this music, everyone's gonna love this shit 1000%." What’s next for you through the end of 2019? More content, more performances, you'll see me on more features, and The Bruce Wave EP will be here by 4th Quarter 2019! #LaneLane Keep up with the artist through his social media! www.instagram.com/lewissantana #BuzzMusic

TaTo is a 19 year old electronic music producer from East Los Angeles, CA. A self-taught pianist and on Ableton Live, TaTo, has begun to make waves in the local East Los Angeles music scene with his ability to uniquely mix elements of indie rock with electronic sounds and samples, all while still creating a signature sound that is distinctive to his listeners. “Feel It” is TaTo’s latest release and we’re hooked. The mesmerizing female vocals add a sense a contrast with the heavy hitting bass during the hook. The song’s emotionally moving lyrics, melancholic chords, and melody were inspired following a break up the artist had earlier this year. With featured vocals from Japanese vocalist, Madoka Sora, “Feel it.”, tells the story of hopeful love between two individuals. The art of music production is often lost among gimmicks and quirks in modern playlists, but this track drives with heart. That rhythm and the various stages, somewhat dark and rightfully connected to the underlying sentiments, whatever they may be for each listener. These are the things that help make “Feel It” an easy go-to. A pleasure to have fill the room and I look forward to hearing more! Listen to “Feel It” here and check out our interview with TaTo below! Hi TaTo! We're so happy to have here at BuzzMusic! How old were you when you released your very first track? - Hey! Huge pleasure to be featured here, thank you guys so much for having me! I uploaded my first ever track to Soundcloud at the age of 16. It was a very mediocre tropical house track I made with my cousin called "Voices". I wouldn't really call this my "first track" though. The first-ever track I released officially was my debut single named "resilience.", with featured vocals from my talented friend Victoria Elise. I wrote, produced, and recorded the whole song on my own! Releasing this song was the scariest thing as it was my first ever official release. In the end, it was all worth it! I'm super proud to have had that song as my first track. How does your earlier music compare to your recent release “Feel It”? - My earlier music is what I can describe as this vibe-y, down-tempo, feel-good kind of music. My most popular release, "spend the night.", is this very summery song with live instruments, a catchy vocal melody, and a crazy amazing guitar solo played by my friend Jose Plasencia. This song was very fun to make as I made it with my best and most talented friends. "Feel it.", however, is a song that is much more personal to me, in the way in which it was written. Earlier this year, I went through a couple of personal issues that made me question my self-worth. Writing music was the only way I was able to channel these emotions in a healthily. I used what I was feeling at the time to write "Feel It.". The crazy thing is, I wrote and produced the instrumental for "Feel It." in less than a day! Something very rare and uncommon on my part. I never knew what spontaneity was until I wrote this song! Not to mention, of course that there is a whole section of this song that is written and sung in Japanese, thanks to my talented friend, Madoka Sora. All in all, "Feel It.", came from a place of pure, uncut, and raw emotion. Unlike my first two fun and melodically driven singles. Tell us what you want your listeners to take away from “Feel It”! - I want my listeners to really dig deep and think about a person they've felt an uncertain but fulfilling connection to when they hear this song. This song is about a hopeful love between two people. I want people to really visualize the great and not so great times they've had with the person they have in mind. Whether the song makes my listeners feel happy, sad, or even bittersweet, I really want the song to take you on an emotional journey. Feel something, anything really. Cry if you need to, it's okay I encourage it! Do you have diverse influences that add a unique flare to your sound? How so? - I'm really influenced by emotionally and melodically driven electronic music and Indie music for the most part! My biggest musical influences would have to be Porter Robinson, San Holo, and Skrillex. These guys really know how to create music that makes you feel a certain way with their signature sound. Porter Robinson's debut album, "Worlds", really influenced me in the way I craft my melodies and chord progressions. San Holo's debut album, "album1", opened my mind to mix organic and live instrumentation with the electronic sound I love producing. I have no words to describe Skrillex, that guy is a legend that inspires me with his humility and energy as a performer. I could talk for hours about who and what influences me, but I'll keep it concise with the talented individuals I mentioned above. What inspires you to keep making music everyday? How has it been creating music in LA? - What inspires me the most to create music are my talented friends I've made along the way in the East LA music scene. The East LA music scene is filled with too much underrated talent that deserves all kinds of recognition! Seeing the work ethic, the drive, and the hunger my friends, fellow musicians, and artists have to succeed in this industry is something very beautiful to me. We're always there to support, push, and collaborate with each other to succeed together. The feeling I have knowing I have these people by my side is inspiring and irreplaceable. Stay connected with TaTo! Instagram: www.instagram.com/tato.music Twitter: www.twitter.com/TaToMusic_ Facebook: www.facebook.com/mynamesTaTo #BuzzMusic

Mandi Crimmins is an unchained artist screaming her truth with her hyper-confessional music. Born in the Boston area, Mandi attended Berklee College of Music, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in Songwriting. She studied songwriting with top songwriters like Grammy award-winning artist Paula Cole, who become more like a mentor and friend. In 2019, Mandi was nominated in the New England Music Awards for “Pop Act of the Year” as well as a competitor in RADIO.COM’s “The Opening Act” to perform at the Hollywood Bowl. She has performed numerous shows, including Battle of the Bands in Boston, Paula Cole’s Songwriter Showcase at Berklee, and opening for country artist Randy Houser. Mandi is set to perform at the well-known Rockwood Music Hall this September 29th. Mandi's main goal has always been clear: to save people with music, just as much as music saved her in dark times. Mandi’s single “Lying to Myself” is off her upcoming new EP set for release on October 25th. The second single off that EP is “Ashes”, which is out now! Mandi creatively balances delicately soulful songwriting with contemporary sound design on this heartfelt and emotionally loaded new single. “Ashes” draws you in with those intimate and expressive, honest sounding vocals, then later evolves to seal the deal with far more of an uplifting experience. Mandi is admirably open and vulnerable in her lyrical outpourings. A certain level of intention and artistic relevance stands tall throughout “Ashes” presenting an easily relatable and likable song that seeks to connect and calm the deeper thinkers out there. Mandi Crimmins undoubtedly leaves a mark on her listeners through her powerful vocals, raw and honest delivery, and stunning music. Check out Mandi’s brand new single “Ashes” here and read more with Mandi in our interview below! Hey Mandi! Congratulations on the release of “Ashes”! What does this song represent for you? Thank you! I’m thrilled this song is finally out. This song represents the end of a really low point in my life. There was this moment when I looked at myself, what I was doing and who I had became, and realized I had lost almost every part of who I use to be. That’s when this song poured out of me. What do you hope your listeners take away from your music? I hope they realize that we all break. That it’s not about how you broke or what broke you, but about how you put the pieces back together. How you rise from your ashes. What are the main values you hope to represent as an artist? I hope to represent honesty and transparency. Someone that is relatable. There are too many people who have a platform of influence, and use it to promote a false sense of reality. What we’re lacking in our music industry right now is honesty. Real songs about real life. Do you write from a love for music first or a desire to express something meaningful in a manner that will more likely be heard by many? Music is my first love. It‘s always saved me, even before I started writing. But when I write it’s from this insatiable need to express a feeling or whatever is inside my head. It brings me so much clarity and growth, and I hope that it brings my listeners the same. What can you tell us about your much-anticipated EP coming this fall!? We can’t wait to hear more! Ahhhh I’m so excited for this EP to finally come out!!!! It finally has a title too - Metanoia. I stumbled across this word and literally fell in love. It means “the journey of changing ones mind, heart, self, or way of life” This EP is like lifting the lid of a grand piano to see inside and figure out how the instrument actually works. Each song is a truth that has been ignored and covered up, but is now being seen for all it is. Metanoia takes listeners on a journey of facing their fears, their harsh-realities, and their pain so that they may come out at the end a changed and better person for it. Connect with Mandi Crimmins on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/mandicrimminsmusic Facebook: www.facebook.com/MandiCrimminsMusic #BuzzMusic

Welcome to back to BuzzMusic! Tell us about your background in Chicago, how has this environment impacted your career for the better? Chicago is one of the premier markets for music consumption. However, it's not known as one of the go to places for independent music artists looking to "GET ON" like New York, Atlanta, or Los Angeles. With this in mind, I was taught to develop a win by all means necessary mindset. Now that the music industry is pretty much powered by streaming and social media influence, I now have more diverse ways to implement the hustle mindset that I learned in Chicago. Being from Chicago taught me how to trust my gut instincts and not fall victim to all of the scams that are prevalent in the music industry. Congratulations on your new album "Black C.O.D.E 2"! What does this release represent for you? "The Black C.O.D.E 2" which stands for The Black Commitment of Daily Empowerment is pretty much a continuation of the first project I dropped last year. I initially came with the idea of shining more awareness on Black issues in music and with part 2, I decided to offer solutions since a lot of people are constantly asking "What happens next" when it comes to Black issues. This project is very special to me. It allowed me to be extremely candid and unapologetic while still delivering music about Black Empowerment. "No Time To Wait" has a strong lyrical depth to it! Can you dive into the meaning of the lyrics? I really appreciate that feedback. To tell you the truth, one of my favorite things to do is rap over certain tracks that I'm not "supposed" to . This particular beat was marketed as a 'Trap Type Beat", and I wanted to put more of a lyrical spin on it. The lyrics are basically me reflecting on my life over the last 2 years. At that time I was at a crossroads deciding if I wanted to continue making music. I decided to re-brand myself and embark on this journey of creating Black Empowerment music. I want this record to serve as a sense of encouragement for anyone looking to achieve something big. No matter how difficult it may be. What has been one of your most memorable or life-changing achievements as an artist so far? I would have to say last year when I made my first $1,000 dollars off of music. I know that amount may not seem like a lot, but to achieve it independently based off all of the dedication I put in was very special. Talk to us about the foundation of D'Fyniz Enterprises. What was the main challenge you faced in creating this and how were you able to overcome this obstacle and build a successful business? The incorporation of my label was long overdue. Making my business legit forced me to also get more serious about my goals. Now that I track how every dollar is spent, I put much more of a concerted effort behind all of the things I do. I am more particular about who I collaborate with too because everything I do now is a representation of my brand. One obstacle that I definitely have overcome is how I prioritize all of the important tasks I complete. It can be overwhelming when there are deadlines set, but sometimes I just take a step back, breathe, and then handle things like a boss. With your new album out now, what's the next move for you? Next up I want to continue promoting this project with videos and live performances. I also want to collaborate with other dope artists and music producers. I have to keep pumping out Black Empowerment Music. Listen to Geri D'Fyniz here. Connect with Geri D'Fyniz on social media: www.instagram.com/th3melan8dgawd www.twitter.com/th3melan8dgawd www.facebook.com/th3melan8dgawd #BuzzMusic

N@ELLE is a 27-year-old artist from Asbury Park, NJ. Equipped with a multi-skill set, N@ELLE is a singer, rapper, songwriter, and dancer. Growing up in the church and attending dance classes, music was always around her. While attending college for a business she rediscovered her love of performing. N@ELLE enjoys a multitude of genres including soul, r&b, trap but also loves rock, pop, country, and alternative. In early 2019 she moved to Texas to make her mark with a new audience. Her soulful, melodic voice along with her smooth rapping makes her an artist to look out for. This year N@ELLE released her smooth and soulful track “Tendency”, which showcases her singing and rapping skills. “Tendency” has a lustrous introduction that remains consistent throughout this glossy song. With smooth-sailing vocals and a texturized instrumental, N@ELLE delivers a polished vibe that we can add to all our iconic R&B playlists. Throughout the sultry R&B delivery, N@ELLE shocks and awes with her unbelievable flow and flawless bars. Setting her apart in the music scene in a big way, N@ELLE delivers quirky lyricism with every verse and fuses it to the impressively soulful ballad. Remaining highly relatable and realistic, N@ELLE form connection with her fans through her raw and honest songwriting ability. I highly recommend you give “Tendency” a listen and stay on the lookout for N@ELLE. Check out “Tendency” here and read more below in our exclusive interview! Welcome to BuzzMusic! For those who don’t know, how would you describe your sound and overall approach to making music? Initially, I was going into a R&B sound, but as I got deeper into songwriting I realized I wanted to do something a little different. So I started to write songs with more of a rap vibe. I love singing but I know adding rap to the recipe would open more doors for me. My overall approach to making music is to get people hooked on the hooks; to give them something they can vibe to, give them something they can relate with. We’re bumping your latest track “Tendency” through the office! Can you dive into the meaning of the lyrics? The song is about being your significant other always assuming your entertaining someone else. Like you know you're not doing anything to make them insecure, but its aggravating that they always bring something up and cause drama within your relationship. In the hook it starts, I can't help it if they look my way, those phone numbers weren't meant for me babe...like if someone is looking over here let them look, we doing us, I do not want or need their info. Initially you are making light of it because you know they are in their feelings, then you begin laying down the facts like aren't we all in, aren't we committed? I'm also cocky with it too because at the same time I know I still got it. It's about letting them know that their jealousy and pettiness is hurting you too. Just because you don't like that I get approached doesn't mean look at another girls snap. I'm not into two can play that game type, I'll just leave [laughs]. What has been one of your most memorable or life-changing achievements as an artist so far? The most life changing achievement so far has been the move from a little town in NJ to living in the DFW area. All I've known is NJ, I grew up there so moving has been big for me. It's been a crazy six months, did a few shows in Arlington, Houston, Dallas. Met hella talented people. I've learned more here than I learned in NJ. I've made the move, I know I'm capable of expanding myself, not only as an artist but as an individual. What are your thoughts on mainstream R&B and hip hop at present, and your hopes for the genre going forward? It has changed so much since I was younger, you really have to work hard and be consistent. As an independent artist hitting mainstream waves would be fuegooo af. Presently, it is still evolving what the sound was 10 years ago does not apply now. And to be honest, this genre is at the forefront. Women in this genre especially in hip hop need a bigger spotlight. I know its man's man's world but we bring something just as substantial as the men, not just our bodies. I hope in the future, more artists in this genre get the awards and recognition they deserve. What are the main values you hope to represent as an artist? Authenticity. What you see today is what you see tomorrow and so forth. Humbleness. We need more of that in this world. Commitment to my projects, and the people who support me. Motivating those around me and those I don't know. Passion. This is my dream, so I better be passionate about it, right? Connect with N@ELLE on social media. #BuzzMusic