Search this site

Katherine Vlamis, known as Merakki, is a self-taught singer/songwriter and producer from Kansas City, Missouri. Independently making a name for herself and establishing her craft from the ground up, Merakki has been writing since she was 5 years old. Over time, Merakki has developed her sound and style into a fusion of pop and electronic music. Her catchy melodies capture a sense of youthful excitement while her meaningful lyrics tell a deeper story of the obstacles and challenges faced when growing up and stepping out into a world much larger than yourself. merak(k)i - Greek - verb: to do something with soul, creativity, or love; to put something of yourself in your work. “Golden Hour” is Merakki’s brand new album, I highly suggest you set aside an hour and listen to the whole album. Merakki’s writing throughout this project is decidedly emotional, beginning with the unmistakable “Fragile Heart” delicacy and regret intertwine as Merakki pours truth and soul into the process. The finish, production-wise, really lets the intricate nature of these songs stand as tall as they possibly can. “Warrior” follows the opener and brings through a quickly likable piano riff and a higher energy level. Great rhythm and a story-line that connects in an instant, this song showcases a really strong melody and a brilliant performance from Merakki. A definite early highlight, superb production again lets the natural strengths of the song work their magic. The drop to the hook is beautifully uplifting with powerful vocals. “Lighthouse” brings the mood back to mellow with the bare essentials – piano, a light beat, a scattering of vocal fragments. Merakki’s voice meanders impressively as this motivational and heartfelt song pours through. “Wanderlust” afterward exemplifies many of the album’s underlying sentiments and emerges with confidence. Then you get the gentle and classic tones of “Gone”, featuring a raw vulnerability and heart-wrenching lyrics. This song is a definite highlight for its beautifully manic yet simultaneously dreamlike and expressive aura. “Gray Matter” leads with a creative piano melody that takes its time to build. Further relationship realizations emerge, regret and possibility meet to see Merakki consider the past followed by the future. At the perfect moment, “Stratosphere” kicks up with a superb soundscape and an engaging verse melody with short lines and a simple, memorable tune. The heightened peaks at the end of each section all help make this an absolute personal favorite from the album. A smooth electronic pop piece, “Soak It Up” fuses contemporary pop and electronic elements to make this a hit! Merakki sings passionately about living life to the fullest and always staying grateful. The album transitions into “Key” and we’re instantly hooked, the retrospective track is hypnotizing and pure. Merakki is inspiring, confident, and extremely self-aware. “Key” is a transcendent anthem that highlights Merakki’s genre-bending abilities. Next up on the album is “Wild Card”, a lyrically deep single that focuses on the pressures of becoming successful in life. Merakki recites poetry through flawless lyricism and surprisingly emotive delivery. She fuses electro-pop with a contemporary beat to keep us hooked. Her debut album “Golden Hour” moves into a touching composition titled “Puppet on a String”. The powerhouse vocalist starts off this song with passion and fire burning through the speakers. Equipped with raw emotion and truth, Merakki is unstoppable in her endeavors. The composition of multi-layered sounds has me blown away instantly. Merakki’s strong vocals complement the piano’s soft and beautiful sound perfectly. The powerful energy is intoxicating throughout this piece but still keeps up with the vibrant pop sound that Merakki is known for. The vocals are consistently polished and timeless. Keeping true to her dramatic, electro-pop, aesthetic, the explosive “Time Capsule” comes barrelling through the speakers and we can’t get enough. The synths in this song are breathtaking, the vocals are once again flawless and the overall audio production is seamless. This song truly highlights Merakki’s versatility and emotional maturity as an artist. She wears her heart on her sleeve and turns her poetic words into spectacular songs. This debut album is sure to be an absolute success. Merakki has the fanbase, talent, ambition, and confidence to rise to the top. Her angelic vocals, emotive lyricism and polished musical arrangements make her an instant legend and the one to watch. Stay tuned! Listen to the full album here and continue reading below for our interview with Merakki! Hey Merakki! We love your debut album! Can you talk about the overall theme of “Golden Hour”? Thanks! In one word, I'd say the theme of Golden Hour is "change". With the exception of one song, all of the tracks on Golden Hour were written during my senior year of high school. This time in life is filled with new opportunities, experiences, and most importantly, changes within yourself. Some changes are welcomed, and some are more difficult to grasp. Nonetheless, change is happening around us every day. That’s actually why the album is entitled Golden Hour; in photography, it’s the prime time to capture the moment, even though the light is fading fast. Change comes quickly, like day turning into night, but sometimes it brings about something more beautiful than you could’ve imagined. I've personally struggled throughout the year here and there, but writing this album helped me embrace some of the change I was afraid of and I'm hoping it can inspire others to do the same! What was the writing process like for this project? I feel like each songwriter has their routine. For me, I usually start off sitting at the piano playing around with melodies or chord progressions until I find one that sticks. From there, I improvise vocal melodies and find what evokes the right emotion that I'm trying to convey. Oftentimes, I'll decide on a theme or main topic for a song without ever having any lyrics; I just listen to music and write the song about whatever emotion the music makes me feel. After writing the lyrics, I put the piano midi in Logic, add various instruments and beats until I like the full sound, and then the rest is just basic recording and mixing from there! What do you hope your listeners take away from your music? I want anyone listening to be able to find a lyric or song to connect to. Maybe they relate to it because they've felt the same way and appreciate knowing they're not alone, or maybe they find inspiration in the lyrics and it helps give them the extra push they need. Either way, no matter where they are in their lives at the moment, I want each listener to be able to take away a sense of hope and comfort from my music. What track on the album would you say made you channel the most emotion when creating it? When writing music, I pull largely from my observations and emotions. But if I had to pick one song, I’d probably say Warrior just because it was a major turning point in my mentality on my self-worth. At the time, I was getting over a break-up and blaming everything that went wrong on myself. When writing this song, I pulled from those emotions of shame and doubt and wrote the song as a (hopefully) self-fulfilling prophecy. I thought I wasn’t deserving of love, that I wasn’t good enough for it and never would be. However, Warrior tells the story of a girl who knows that love is something worth fighting for because she recognizes her worth. It’s a song about acknowledging that you deserve nothing but the best and never let yourself settle. Luckily, this self-fulfilling prophecy came true and I’m in a much healthier place than I was back then. I’m a firm believer that music can be the greatest therapy, whether you’re a writer or a listener. I hope anyone feeling like they deserve something less than their true worth (relationship love or anything else) feels empowered by Warrior. Do you have any upcoming events or shows you’d like to talk about? As of now, I don't have any upcoming events or shows! I'm still settling into Los Angeles for my first year at USC as a Music Industry major, but I'm hoping to start networking and playing at venues in LA soon! Any events or shows I play at will be announced on my website, www.merakkimusic.com, so you can check there for updates in the future!! www.instagram.com/merakkimusic www.twitter.com/merakkimusic www.facebook.com/merakkimusic #BuzzMusic

Consequents is an Alternative-Metal quintet from Ottawa, Canada. Since forming in July of 2016, Consequents has performed as a headlining, and support act for local/touring artists. Performing all-original music from their impressive repertoire. Their latest album “Crucible” was recorded after recruiting vocalist/guitarist Mo Sammak, and Bassist/Vocalist, Maab. Crucible takes the Consequents’ music to another wave of Alternative-Metal with notes of some experimental elements; The album cover displaying a flat grid-plane with hints of embalming fluid colors. Truthfully hinting that nothing exists in the end. “Overtkill” makes for a rather stunning introduction to the band, their sound is immediately powerful, melodic yet hard-hitting, and musically masterful in every way. The riffs meet with heavy distortion and a series of captivating performances that prove increasingly impressive as things progress. Consequents put every ounce of heart and soul into what they do, a process that delivers both refreshing creativity and superb musicianship. All of this adds a genuine level of value and emotion to the music, but what lets it connect as effectively as it does is the fact that “Overtkill” has been brilliantly, professionally written and crafted, and the music and vocals throughout it work well to immerse and entrance even the most stubborn of audiences. A powerful track, a refreshing sound, and without a doubt the start of a long and worthy journey in modern music. Check out “Overtkill” here and read more in our interview with Consequents below! Can you tell us all about your track “Overtkill”! What inspired it? "Overtkill" is the second track on our latest full-length album, "Crucible". The name was inspired by a character from Todd McFarlane's Spawn named, "OverTkill". The lyrics are about the negative places, and antagonistic people that are pessimistic, or have an ulterior motive by physically/mentally harming you. As humans, we are all brought back to good and bad memories in our heads. Whatever the memory or thought is; we have to live with that forever. Did you hone your vocal style over time or have you always had a natural ability to sing with grit? We were all born singing, making sounds, and music. Mo Sammak's style of vocals comes from educating himself, and generating his style of singing in the performing arts of Alternative Rock, and Metal music. If someone only has time to check out one song from your collection, which would you recommend and why? We would certainly choose the first track from Crucible titled, "Jaws of Life" because it's a great album opener. "Jaws of Life" was designed to be more versatile, melodic, and energetic to the listener. There are hint notes of "street culture, nightlife, and vibes" within that song. A memoir of an event in the early '90s in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada detailing a bad car accident, and the ways that the individuals involved in the wreck were retrieved. Right in the middle of the main street in a small sector that used to be known as, "Vanier, Ontario" - The smallest town in Ontario, Canada. What are your thoughts on mainstream music today? Mainstream music has certainly evolved and advanced in every way including fashion, appearance, and even subject matter. Artists still make use of topics dealing in current affairs, politics, trends, romance, and party-life as they always did since the beginning of whatever "mainstream music" really is. As artists, we appreciate all music that comes across our way. Whether the masses claim it as "mainstream", or not. What’s the best thing that could happen for you right now as a band? The best thing that could happen for us as a band would be some share in current activities including Label Recognition/Acknowledgment/Esteem, Touring/Gigging more often Music/Radio Charts, and being able to represent ourselves as artists freely as we grow older together. We wish we could walk into any venue, or tell any promoter in the business that we're going to perform our show whenever we wanted to. Unfortunately, that's not how the business works though; and we are still having to be patient. Waiting on the bars, venues, managers, and promoters to get back to us, and let us hop on a date. Hoping our fans will be there for our shows because The Consequents always, "Kill It" as we've been told numerous times from audience to audience. A treat we'd like to experience together with everyone out there. www.facebook.com/consequentsband

Stefanosis is a Los Angeles based multi-instrumentalist/producer who has been crafting his art for two decades, mostly recording underground reggae dubplates and New Age music. In more recent years, Stefanosis decided to try producing electronica and ambient beats by using cellphone apps and his multi-track recorder. Ecstatic dance and motion made perfect sense to him as a percussionist, and he realized the joy and bliss of producing Dub-techno, Minimalist House and Future-bass music genres. 2019 will see a spontaneous release of electronic, instrumental dance music singles from Stefanosis, who hardly samples, but plays, produces and masters all his tracks. The unmistakable sound of Stefanosis brings through a hit of classic escapism with this beautifully multi-layered and upbeat new release, “Spinning”. The composition appears as significantly cinematic at times. Intentional enough to connect with, yet you find yourself lost in these moments of soothing, dreamlike ambiance. There are several intricacies at work at once, and in between instances of that main melody, the track offers a near-meditative moment of depth and ultimate calm. Your mind wanders, simplicity begins to hypnotically guide you through your thoughts. The resulting experience is one that feels much bigger than a simple four and half minute release would normally allow. There’s a story-line, with equal parts professionalism and passion. There’s a clear level of the heart to the melody and the way the track progresses and evolves. There’s something blissfully effective about the finished product, it proves easily immersive, a real joy to experience at volume. Check out “Spinning” here and read more with Stefanosis below! Hi Stefanosis! For those who donʼt know, how did you first get into music, and how would you describe your current approach to writing and composing? I began with a bass guitar at age 16. This was the late 80s. I asked my dad for a Fostex reel-to-reel tape recorder and a Korg keyboard, and the rest was history. My current approach to writing and composing hasn't changed much, but technology has made it more efficient and creative. Because I'm heavily inspired by reggae-dub music, I begin with a beat and a bassline, and layer according to the desired mood and vibe. In my tracking process, if I'm not dancing while making the song, I can't expect my listeners to dance either. What does the track “Spinning” mean for you? What does it represent? The title of the track was inspired by how the sounds made me feel. The whirling feel of the keyboard pad sounds made me think of 'spinning' galaxies, energies, and dancers. Many people might think it represents a vinyl record, and that's cool too. What was the writing and recording process like for this release? Like all my tracks - especially instrumental ones - there's not so much pre-planning as there is a spontaneous inspiration. I rarely sample or use a laptop, because a lot of the joy I get in the process comes from playing the instruments. When I'm satisfied with a mix, I use my desktop computer to polish up the wav-file, and then I wrap it up with a wonderful, online subscription service for final mastering. Over the years, I've learned to make this process very simple and efficient. I consider my style somewhat minimalist because of this. Music should never be complicated. Whatʼs one of your greatest aspirations or dreams as an artist right now? To gain more Spotify playlists, but also to become an artist of choice for deejays worldwide, just as the wonderful electronica artists who inspired me: Desert Dwellers, DJ Drez, Earthrise Soundsystem, Drumspyder and Bluetech, just to name a few. I want people at music festivals and clubs to say "Holy s**t, what was that song that just took me to another level? I need to know !" What do you hope people take away from your music? I want people to feel ecstatic bliss while dancing, but I also want them to experience spiritual depth connected to sensuality, which is also known as 'Tantra'. Hopefully, my music will not only inspire dance and movement but the stillness that comes when the dancing has finished. I want the instruments and sounds to speak to their souls, without depending on words or lyrics to do that. www.instagram.com/stefanosis.hansraj #BuzzMusic

Nobi is a young up and coming artist from Ohio. Previously published as "an artist to watch out for in 2019”, he is an independent American artist who’s made an impressive name for himself. With an impressive repertoire and the ambition and drive to succeed, Nobi is unstoppable in the game. Nobi’s latest track titled “Wings” is a contagious new release. The slow deliberate backbeat and echoing synths are the perfect intro to the contemporary ballad. The melancholy and emotion in Nobi’s tone take on a striking physicality. “Wings” weaves through a vulnerable side of Nobi to show fragility as a key point for uncovering subtle textures in his sound. Nobi is able to paint a picture in our minds through his skilled lyricism and layered vibes. I love this single because it’s easy to chill to but allows you to escape into the lyrics and sound. Highly relatable and enjoyable, I recommend checking out “Wings” and Nobi’s entire repertoire available on all major streaming platforms. Stay on the lookout for this one! Check out “Wings” here and read more with Nobi in our interview below! Welcome to BuzzMusic! Can you start by telling us how you got started making music? I got into music because my best friend Brandon (who raps under the name Troy Diamond) was freestyling at a lunch table then in the middle was like "Ok, now you go!" and I just started rapping. I was ALWAYS into writing stories and poems so it was history after that. Who or what inspired you to start recording and releasing your tracks? I Loved everything about the music-making process, and I knew my passion was making music, and I was TIRED of hearing everyone in Columbus sounding the same. So I started to create my own lane! “Wings” is a very heartfelt song! What emotions did you have to channel when creating it? What was the writing process like for this one? Thank you! The writing process was completely different for this song! It was easy because 1: I connect with pop beats way more because I hear lyrics when I listen to a beat I connect with. 2: I'm kinda telling my view on relationships and me realizing that nobody knows the future and if it'll work or now. 2019 Dating is very different from dating before. What do you hope your listeners take away from “Wings”? Have you ever been with someone that gives you a high that is unexplainable? If not, I hope wings can take you through that adventure! Don't miss the moments you have now looking back or in the future. Sometimes living in the moment is OKAY! Do what you can now to enjoy peace and love because you might not be here tomorrow. Do you have any upcoming events or shows you’d like to talk about? What’s next for you through the end of 2019? Me and Jashars music video for our song, REIGN just dropped, so definitely check that out I'm so thankful he put me on that song. He's such a genuinely good guy man. I have an unreleased song with the artist BALI BABY and I'm also working on releasing more dance and music that makes people feel good. I'm also OFFICIALLY an international model, so I'm definitely gonna be in my Modeling Bag 2019. @Nobi_uw

Hey there Ear Ringers! Great to have you on BuzzMusic. Your music is contemporary and alternative in the best ways possible! Can you try to explain the overall theme of your recent music? Thank you for having us. It’s a real pleasure to be on Buzz Music. So recently we've been a year out of high school and experienced what it was like to have jobs and be on our own. It wasn't really easy and we understood there were many people our age going through the same thing. We wrote "Problems go away" about that year of life we experienced and even though it was difficult at times it doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel. You keep moving and learn as you go. Not really to be honest, we connect well as musicians and understand how we want the band to sound like. If a member is unhappy we will try our best to accommodate to something we are all happy with. Not really to be honest, we connect well as musicians and understand how we want the band to sound like. If a member is unhappy we will try our best to accommodate to something we are all happy with. Receiving rugged and heavy hitting elements, as well as a softer tempo at others, we believed that "Problems Go Away" was the type of track that encompassed many integral elements to an indie/rock track. Where does the inspiration come from in order to create your music, and overall execution for your tracks? We try to come up with something very catchy. Then I (Miguel/ vocalist) will write lyrics with a melody that hopefully people will find “catchy”. We like to be melodic and upbeat. We get inspired by what we feel during the day or the week, maybe something that goes on in our lives like our past school days, work, family issues. We get lost in our thoughts. What do you guys overall believe sets Ear Ringers apart from other indie/rock bands in the music world today? We write music for the audience not for us, we make upbeat music that connects to people’s lives and like to incorporate situations someone could have lived so that the song speaks to them. We take our time structuring and layering our songs. Recently we have been playing around with odd time signatures and bilingual lyrics. How would you say each of you have shaped your journey in the indie/rock music scene thus far? Is there a close bond between every member of Ear Ringers? We’ve all been playing music for the majority of our lives. Along came high school and we found ourselves jamming amongst ourselves and other musicians. This lead to then playing shows outside of school together as Ear Ringers. I guess we can say that was our way into the local indie/rock music scene. There is definitely a close bond between every member in the band. We play together all the time but also chill and go out all the time like close friends do. Can we expect any upcoming singles/shows in the near future? Our single “Problems Go Away’ drops Thursday, August 29th, 2019! We will also be playing at Minor League Music Festival September 21st or 22nd at the LA County fair. We have yet to hear details about which day and at what time we are playing, but we will definitely be keeping the public up to date on our Instagram: @earringers_ Listen to Ear Ringers new song on Spotify! Connect with Ear Ringers on social media: www.instagram.com/earringers_ www.twitter.com/earringers_ www.facebook.com/earringers #BuzzMusic

Lankford! Great to see you back here on BuzzMusic! We've heard about your recent release "Try"! Can you tell us where the inspiration was drawn from to curate this track? Thanks for having me. “Try” was inspired by some failed attempts at my personal goals and past relationships. I wanted to leave the listener with the feeling that trying is all part of the journey. That just because we fail doesn’t mean we give up or change direction. We just try again. We genuinely feel that rustic and trustworthy element to your music, and especially with "Try". Your sound has, and we imagine always will have that pure authenticity. What would you say are personal characteristics you hope your music is encompassing? I'm glad you feel that. Honestly, that is a very important part of the band Lankford. I try (pun intended) to be as genuine to the song as it was when it first came to me. I think recording shortly after writing the song helps to capture that. How do you feel residing in California is aiding in the full development of your artistry? I miss Alaska, it will always be home. But California sure has opened the road to traveling more and experiencing more adventures. And I think that makes for good writing. Can you try and describe how it is you feel towards music? How did you know that pursuing music was your ultimate passion? When I was a kid, listening to music helped me to deal with a lot of emotion. It was my therapy, my place to go and daydream about the future, or fully feel an emotion without judgment. I believe music has a profound way of using vibration and words to shake up our emotions and connecting them to something external. Almost drawing them out and helping us to fully experience the emotions our brain so desperately tries to push down as a survival mechanism. I didn’t know it was my passion, I guess I just started writing and singing at a young age because I loved it. When I got older, around age 20, I could never find any bands who needed a singer, so I decided to teach myself the guitar. I have never stopped writing and performing since. What would say is the main goal for Lankford down the road? 2 years from now? 7 years? The main goal for Lankford is to release a full album within 2 years and hopefully get a song featured in a film. I love the way music helps a movie invoke emotion. I also believe in leaving the door open for any opportunities that may present themselves. Who knows maybe Lankford will have a platinum-selling hit one day. How would you describe the integral elements to all of your music? When you're curating each song, what aspect needs to be included in each to make it a true "Lankford" production?! I aim to give almost an open dialogue about my struggles in life, hoping in some way it helps others to be open and honest with themselves. While delivering it with the same energy that I had in the writing process, with just a touch of production. With “Try” it was written and recorded on acoustic guitar in my home studio in just one session. Then I sent the draft to my good friend Alson, an amazing producer from the Netherlands. He put some love into the raw sounds for me and added the much-needed driving beat. I don’t care how these songs fit together during the production, as long as they are honest with my emotions at the time. Try is definitely one of my favorites. www.facebook.com/thebandlankford www.instagram.com/thebandlankford www.thebandlankford.com #BuzzMusic

Hi The City Limit! It's fantastic to have you here on BuzzMusic! Tell us about the bands musical journey with each other thus far? Scott Lewis: Thanks so much for having us! I met Anthony because we were sharing the same rehearsal studio as roommates, and our previous projects both happened to be coming to an end at the same time. We were already drinking buddies who knew we had extremely similar music tastes, so it didn't take long for us to start jamming together, which quickly led to us writing together and forming a band shortly after that. You guys have really been active with recording and releasing songs for your listeners! "Anything at All" is one of your most recent releases that we really came to appreciate, with all of the integrated instrumentals and musical elements to the track. Tell us more about the creation of the track, and how it finally came to be about! SL: Thank you! That was a tune I had written not long before meeting Anthony, but I honestly never saw much potential in it back then. Anthony and our previous drummer, Sean Meyers (who is now the frontman of the prog-metal band Gates to the Morning), really breathed new life into that song, not only with their chops as players, but with the amazing arrangement ideas that they brought to the table, as did Sean's brother, pianist Matt Meyers, who wrote that incredible keyboard solo that you hear on the track. It was such a collaborative process that transformed "Anything At All" from one of my least favorite tunes to one of the highlights of our first EP, 'Dreaming in the Backroom'. The guitar solo in "Anything at All" was phenomenal! We also noticed the heavy guitar riffs in your other track "Fading Away". Can you explain to readers how you each find the right balance of contribution and sound towards the music you put out? SL: One of the great things about this band is that everyone in the band is always working in a very copacetic way, where it's not about who gets to shred or who gets to solo on which song, but rather "What's going to best service this song and make it the best track possible?". With "Anything At All", as well as with "Fading Away", they both always had these bluesy, Eric Clapton-unfluenced vibes to them in our minds, so really melodic, wailing guitar solos just seemed like an undeniable fit in both cases. The ripping keyboard solo in "Anything At All" and the beautiful sax solo at the end of "Fading Away" were the whipped cream and cherries atop the sundaes, of course. "Collateral Damage" is another track that has caught our eye from The City Limit! It's very easygoing and calming. What's the intended atmosphere for your listeners when they're listening to "Collateral Damage"? SL: Musically, it's definitely the jazziest song on 'Dreaming in the Backroom'. When I first wrote the opening riff, I remember thinking "This is music that makes me want to cook breakfast and sip coffee.", if that makes sense! Just the kind of song that brings to mind lazy Sunday morning kind of vibes. Lyrically, that vibe is kind of juxtaposed by a narrative that has a little more turmoil and anxiety brewing beneath the surface. As a predominantly Blues/Pop band, your music is relaxing and funky all at once. We love the sound you're all about to blend together into a beautiful experience! Can we expect to see The City Limit performing anywhere in the rest of 2019? SL: Thanks so much for the kind words! We're playing several more indie festivals throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania to finish off the summer, and after that, in terms of shows, our focus is going to be on expanding more into New York City and then up the East coast into the New England area after that. People can check out our Instagram handle, @The_City_Limit, to keep up to date on all of our upcoming performances. Listen to The City Limit here! Connect with The City Limit on social media for all new music and updates: INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK #BuzzMusic

Known for his southern hip-hop style and various sounds that demonstrate his versatility, the Virginia native Domi Dow Jones has a way of painting pictures with songs like "VA Made Me", "DMV Hold Me Down", and "Merry Go Round", listeners journey into his VA state of mind. Entrepreneurial skills and artistry have been in Domi’s DNA from a young age. Writing, recording, mixing, marketing and selling his first mixtape while only a senior in high school, it comes to no surprise that Domi has paid his dues in the DMV music scene and earned his stripes as one of region's most critically acclaimed underground artists. With the release of his latest album "Born Rich", Domi Dow Jones is set to rise to the ranks of the music industry. “DMV Hold Me Down” fuses elements of soulful jazz with a hip-hop flow. Domi Dow Jones is quick to impress with soulful melodies, thoughtful rhymes, and blissfully dreamlike, seductive soundscapes. Whatever you liked about this artist is magnified on this project. Domi offers up those classic jazz-fusion vibes and an equally smooth display of lyricism and vocal delivery at every step. One by one these elements enter the soundscape of “DMV Hold Me Down” and strengthen the warmth and weight of its embrace. Throughout “DMV Hold Me Down” the soulful vocal performance is completely connected to the concept and the mood of the track. The same goes for the rap vocal and the subsequent story-line and scene-setting that emerges there. We love what we’re hearing from Domi Dow Jones and can’t wait to see what he delivers next! Check out “DMV Hold Me Down” here and read more with the artist below! Welcome to BuzzMusic! We love your sound! When did you start making music? Thanks! I started recording in 2004 when I was 15. I recorded and engineered my own music with mediocre equipment that I purchased. A year later, I began pressing up my own mixtapes and selling them around my neighborhood and high school.  Those efforts eventually led to some paid performances but more importantly, the relationships and access to essential people in my city's music scene. Can you talk more about the meaning of the lyrics in “DMV Hold Me Down”? The DMV is known for Go-Go Music most notably Chuck Brown; so, I wanted to pay homage to the great and create a name for myself throughout the region as well.  I hadn't heard many rappers going in that direction and saw it as a wide open lane.  I basically wanted to represent all corners of DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) and speak on how they hold it down for me and whoever comes to the DMV.  I wanted to create an anthem for us whether you are from the DMV or not. “DMV Hold Me Down” seems to have a diverse lyrical depth to it! What was the writing process like for this track? I told my producer KT Finesse that I had a vision for a Go-Go song for the album, so when I got the production back I just marinated in it for a while because I knew it was special.  I wanted to create something that I would want to hear that felt good to me.  I also knew I wanted to capture some of my identity in it as well so it wouldn't be too cliche or cheesy which gave it the lyrical depth that it has. If you had to pick just one song in your collection to adequately describe your sound, which song would you choose and why? I would choose "Born Rich Pt. II" because of the soulful laid-back sample that it has which represents my personality best, very reserved and mellow with ambition and wisdom all rolled up in one.  That's me in every way. What do you hope to achieve as an artist through the end of 2019? These last few months of 2019 I plan to continue my DMV Hold Me Down tour, follow the single up with a few more music videos and raise awareness to my website www.domidowjones.com Stay connected with Domi Dow Jones through his social media! www.instagram.com/domidowjones www.twitter.com/DomiDowJones www.facebook.com/Domi.Music1 #BuzzMusic

Based right here in Los Angeles, California is the talented artist, producer, and creative writer Verskotzi. Known for his diverse electro-pop sound, Verskotzi has drawn comparisons to James Blake, Bon Iver, Cherub, and Justice for his falsetto vocal styling, electro-pop melodies, and vast use of synthesizers and electronic beats. For the last two years, Verskotzi has been heavily focusing on his solo career and released his debut album “No. 90” on January 2019. The songs were solely written, recorded, and mixed by Joey in his bedroom studio while living back in Minneapolis except for a few outside collaborators. He is now actively producing and writing with artists in Los Angeles and all over the globe. Stay on the lookout for more! Verskotzi’s latest track “New Vibe” is a perfect end of summer song with a dance groove and chilled out melodies. It is a co-release with LA-based rapper/writer, ill Nicky, of the ill Music Group - an independent label and management team. Nicky’s music collective and lifestyle brand called "The I Love Life Movement" is an indie label that was formed in San Diego and has now expanded to Los Angeles. “New Vibe” brings together a notably experimental backdrop with an R&B flow that’s loaded with personality. The vocal tone and the laid-back approach to writing and the sense of adventure works as one to create an easy-going anthem with an entrancing yet fairly mellow rhythm. There are flickers of color in the soundscape, certain riffs, and samples that help give the track a definite level of identity. The same goes for the vocal, though the lyrics seem a little more carefree and well-catered to contemporary verses and topics, the voice itself has enough to make it recognizable. That ability to cross the border between the R&B/Soul and Dance genre gives the track a lot of potentials. A collected sense of confidence meets with upbeat energy and drive, and that hits well thanks to creativity and professionalism from Verskotzi and ill Nicky. Check out “New Vibe” here and keep scrolling for more with Verskotzi! Welcome to BuzzMusic!  What can you tell us about “New Vibe”? How did it come to be? ill Nicky: New Vibe is one of those cool, organic songs that came together quickly, was sorta forgotten about, and then resurfaced, lol. Verskotzi and myself had attended a writing camp put on by my pub company, Milk & Honey, alongside one of our fellow songwriter friends, Obvi. On the first day of the writing camp, the three of us sat in a small bedroom with a basic setup. Verskotzi started the production with nothing but the sound of running water. Obvi, Joey, and I freestyled one take each and we had the whole song, melodies and lyrics complete, within about 30 minutes. After a few months, Verskotzi came across the song again and we both agreed it was a perfect song for the end of this summer season. VERSKOTZI: Ha! The water sample..we called it the "water beat" at the camp, lol. I don't know what made me want to do that but I'm glad I did. A simple chord progression with ambient soundscapes and a groove.. we were off the races. The whole thing came together so quickly and naturally. And yeah, a month or so after the camp I pulled the session up at my place in LA and remembered how dope the idea was and knew we had to finish it. What does it mean to you personally? ill Nicky: To me, the song is free flowing and not overthought. One of my biggest battles has been focusing on how I'm making money, and it's caused me to be very frustrated, especially because I live on Fairfax and Melrose, where wealthy rappers wander past my house constantly, flashing a new belt buckle or an expensive car. The lyric "I need duffel bags filled up that don't zip" to me is a manifestation of wanting so much money that our bags can't close. So my new vibe, is moving on from an old, broke mindset, proving myself wrong, and reaping the rewards.  VERSKOTZI: Hear, hear! I try my best to run with a 'cup runneth over' mindset. Always. I also love the line, "You already know that I got you." To me, that means providing for my family and they never need to worry about a single thing in life ever again. What do you hope to bring to the music world with your own releases over the coming months and years? ill Nicky: I hope to bring a refreshing sound to the music world. I'm constantly challenging myself to try new things in the studio, and I'm very excited with where my sound has continued to go. My goal is to be the recording artist that is not defined by genre. I want to put out unpredictable content and I want my content to inspire those who need strength and empowerment. I just want to continue to put out consistent releases that I love and represent. As an indie label owner, my dream is to create a reputable boutique label that empowers and educates the artist to own their music rights and to make business decisions that will help create long, impactful careers.  VERSKOTZI: So far this year I've released an album, an EP, and two singles. All varying in style pretty drastically, yet tied together by my voice and production. As a producer/artist, I want to just keep pushing the envelope and seeing how many different spaces I can fit in without forcing anything. I just want to always be putting stuff out that feels new and exciting to me - if I ever get bored with something or feel like I'm in a wrong lane, I know my fans will hear it right away. Whenever a new idea challenges me and makes me uncomfortable, I know I’m onto something. How do you get started when crafting a new track? ill Nicky: For me, crafting a new track is always different. However, my favorite way to create is to start with free-styling melodies on the microphone. I need to hear myself. I prefer to have a nice pre-mix on my vocals coming thru my headphones nice and full while I toy with the most natural melodies. Generally, lyric ideas are born from that. This way, I am not trying to dictate where the songs go, but allowing the song to dictate where I go. It's much easier to finish a song that way, and I don't like spending too much time on one thing, unless it's later in the creating process. If the song doesn't come somewhat quickly, I must move on. As far as content, I always try to speak from someones perspective, not just my own. I also really love when I'm able to find a subject that I can write in 2 ways. For example, a song of mine I wrote about immigration is seemingly about a woman who left me and put up walls in our relationship. I like making songs that have double meanings, so it's open to interpretation. VERSKOTZI: I definitely start by building the instrumental, at least in the last few years that's been my move. I love trying to come up with a general concept, for the lyrics, and then build a world of sounds that I think that theme would fall into nicely. Melody is huge for me so whether I'm singing gibberish into the mic over the chords or playing lines on guitar, synth, whatever... it all falls into place at one point or another. Or it doesn't! Again, not forcing anything has been a big lesson learned over the years. Why beat yourself up over a tired idea when you know you're gonna have a thousand more at any given moment? There’s a smooth R&B vibe to the new single, alongside a contemporary electro-pop sound. Who or what would you say has influenced your approach to music the most over time? ill Nicky: Well the production side of New Vibe is completely owed to Verskotzi. He is so extremely visual as a producer, which is so rare. In my opinion, the instrumental of this song would do very well on it's own, it has it's own identity. Verskotzi's brilliant production skills inspired me to let the beat breathe as much as possible. Usually, a beat like that, I would have rapped and it would have been filled with lyrics. But, with the help of Verskotzi and Obvi, I felt confident to be a bit more vulnerable and sing the melodies that came most natural. I'm inspired by guys like Travis Scott, T Pain, Akon, Post Malone, Swae Lee etc.. so I think the combination of everything I love is starting to guide me into exciting new lanes, new vibes. VERSKOTZI: Thanks, Nick. :)  Again, everything about this track was just a "let it ride" mentality. As soon as I started overthinking something, I stopped and opened another session. The R&B groove is definitely an influence I have from coming up in the Minneapolis scene (my hometown). The 'Prince sound' finds it way into a lot of my work. The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis sound never gets old to me and I'm always tipping my hat their way when it comes to my influences. Do you have any plans to collaborate with other artists this year? ill Nicky: I definitely have plans to collaborate with other artists. I'm currently writing for a few other recording artists at major labels and I'm very excited to have those songs finally be released to the public. I plan on continuing to grow my catalog and releasing consistently throughout the year :) VERSKOTZI: For sure. I recently signed a publishing deal with Angry Mob Music in LA and they've been setting me up with amazing sessions / writers / artists. There's so much in the works right now, it's really exciting. Also, our friend Obvi that helped write this song.. he and I have a track together that we'll be releasing soon too! Collaboration makes the world go round. Connect with VERSKOTZI & ill Nicky on social media: www.instagram.com/verskotzi www.facebook.com/verskotzimusic www.instagram.com/theillnicky www.facebook.com/TheillNicky #BuzzMusic

Welcome back to BuzzMusic Jon Soul! Knowing you began writing music at such an early age. How would you say your songwriting has developed over the years since you first began? Thank you for having me back. I would say my songwriting has matured since I first start for sure, when I was younger I was into the boy bands, you know backstreet boys, n' sync so my earlier songs were very boy bandish, very pop, also I didn't know what I was talking about back then, I was speaking of love and relationships, I was 11 I didn't even kiss a girl yet haha. Let's say that my songwriting has developed with my life experiences. Do you have any specific songwriting methods? How do you seek inspiration for most of your music? I don't have a specific method for songwriting, usually as corny as it sounds, I let the music speak to me or I'll get a melody or phrase stuck in my head and build from there, but I always love telling a story I want my listener to be able to visualize themselves in the situation I'm writing about, you know really feel the pain or the warmth of love. We loved your single “Girl Like You”, how would you detail the production of this record? What are some obstacles you may have encountered during the creation of this? The production process for all my songs is usually smooth, I practice a lot before going in to record so I always come in prepared and ready to go, but having an instrumental from Nate Rhoads and my friend Jordan Lorenzo engineering my music does make the process a lot simpler for me, and I can't thank them enough I've been working with Jordan Lorenzo for a long time so he knows the sound I'm looking and how to get the best out of me, and Nate Rhoads just puts out fire every time he produces,I just have to tell the story. Are there any direct influences for “Girl Like You” if so mind sharing? There was an influence, we sadly aren't together anymore but "Girl Like You" was written for someone that I had every intention of spending my life with but as we know things don't always work out as we intended, also I really wanted to make something that anyone can dedicate to anyone, I know there's a lot of men and women who find it hard to express themselves, especially when it comes to a relationship so this song is a way to tell someone how much they mean to you, cause you've never met someone like them, never felt what you feel when you're with them. With an amazing sound and captivating talent, we’re sure you’re bound to do great things. Can you hint to us what we can expect from the future of your music? Thank you I appreciate the love and support from you guys, what you can expect is music videos, maybe another album next year? Who knows haha But for sure you can expect me sticking to the R&B roots I love and to continue making music that tries to speak to the heart. Where do you hope to see your career 5 years from now Jon Soul? In 5 years I hope I'll be fully committed to music and music only, I don't care about making millions and selling out arenas, if in 5 years I'm able to live comfortably performing out of little venues for a couple of hundred people I'd be happy, I'm not one for the glamorous life I just want people to be able to connect to my music, and if I'm able to ease or help guide people through whatever they're going through, then I've done my job as an artist. Listen to Jon Soul here! Connect with Jon Soul on social media: www.Instagram.com/JonSoulMusic www.twitter.com/Soulakajon www.facebook.com/Jon.Soullll #BuzzMusic