Piper Madison is a 16 year old multi instrumentalist as well as singer who knows how to produce quality sounding music such as the release of her single “Hard Feelings”. Best known for her work previously on Nickelodeon's 100 things to do before high school, she knows how to cultivate a unique and detailed sound that many people can become engrossed by. “Hard Feelings” begins with a slight sultry aura with a dazzling rock pop tune that can become widely popular and a mainstream success across many radio stations. “Love is just a feeling, I don’t like this feeling” “No hard feelings, just quit reeling me back in”. The romantically melancholic lyrics are perfect for this valentine season where people are more prone to listen to music that helps them reflect on their significant others. Besides the relatable lyrics, the whole melody of the single was just really addicting for us. It’s so memorable where we will find ourselves randomly singing the hook in the office. It’s nonetheless a hit that will spark chemistry between you and that special person on your mind. Listen to "Hard Feelings" here, and learn more about Piper in our interview below! Hey Piper, mind telling us a little bit about yourself? I'm a singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actress, born in Louisville, KY. I moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting about seven years ago. You can catch me in a national Domino's commercial right now, and I have a short film coming out called "Afterthoughts." Aside from acting and music, I love dogs, nature, food, and fashion. What inspired you to write “Hard Feelings”? "Hard Feelings" was inspired by an on-again off-again relationship that was super annoying and wouldn't end. I wrote the song out of anger, but it turned into my form of closure. Does it become challenging for you to connect with your songwriting or is it something you’re natural at? Songwriting is something I just connect with. I use songwriting as an outlet for my emotions because it has always been easier for me to write and sing what I'm feeling than say how I"m feeling. All in all songwriting comes pretty naturally to me. How does “Hard Feelings” differentiate from your other releases? "Hard Feelings" is more upbeat and has a faster-tempo than my two previous releases! My vision for this track was to make you want to dance and sing along. What’s next for you through 2019? I'll be releasing more singles over the next month or two, leading up to the release of my debut album! I also have some performances coming up: You can catch me at SXSW on March 15 with colourscouture.com/sxswand listen for me on Good Morning La La Land on February 25th. Connect with Piper Madison: Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

Do you like to swing with a partner at the dance after a community potluck? Are you someone who appreciates a good “I have no regrets” ballad? Do you wish the radio still sounded like it did when Marcy Playground and Third Eye Blind ruled the airwaves? If so, you might be a candidate for falling in love with Black Creek Reign’s track “Now I’m Free.” These Torontonians play music that has an appreciation of the blues while keepin’ it 100 as a straight pop-rock band. BTW that’s guitarist Darren Armoogam (also on lead vox), drummer Shane “Sixbuttons” Schlesinger, and bassist Lex Stultz. They’ve released a single independent EP titled “Excommunicado,” and profess influences for funk and reggae. Mostly this reminds me of the inoffensive and middle-of-the-road tuneage from my regular AM station in the 90s, before they turned into a Disney-fied FM station. This is music that doesn’t fit distinctively into any niche category and therefore can be consumed by anyone, as long as it hits you at the right time. There’s something to be said for music that can be potentially embraced by the masses. The guitar solo ends before you realize you’ve been gifted one. There’s a basic verse-chorus structure and even a tiny bridge! The best part of the song is the final line, where the singer digs in pretty deep and you feel like he’s letting it all out. But even then, it’s not over the top or anything. Listen to "Now I'm Free" here, and learn more about Black Creek Reign in our interview below! In your humble opinion, what’s the key to sticking together as a band? Darren - I think it boils down to having everyone in the band being on the same page about the overall vision. Where are we going, and what do we want to accomplish? If you can’t agree on that as a band, you aren’t likely to go every far. We’ve been lucky to have everyone demonstrate how passionate they are about the project, and it’s translated into the little success we’ve found. We all want to take Black Creek Reign as far as possible, and all 3 members are on board for the long haul! Lex - Yeah, we’ve been very lucky that we get along as friends first and bandmates second. Naturally, between writing and rehearsing we have to spend a lot of time together, being able to be relaxed around each other goes a long way, especially at the end of a long night or writing session. We can always step back and we know that we’re there to support each other no matter how dumb our ideas get. Shane - I have to agree with what Lex says about being friends first. A successful band isn’t always about finding the best musicians - it’s about finding that personal chemistry, which we’re fortunate enough to have. The fact that I’m working with guys that I would hang out with anyway is a huge part of why I wanted to stay on as the drummer after we recorded Excommunicado. It also helps when the guys are already solid musicians and songwriters, but I believe that the camaraderie needs to be there for a band to thrive. Who drives the songwriting. And who is your secret weapon that takes the songs to the next level? Darren - The songs on this EP were written by Lex and myself mostly, Lex is a rhythmic and lyrical mastermind, and I think I’ve been growing as a harmony/melody constructor. Shane joined all of this after the EP was already written, but his ideas on pushing a catchy beat or steady percussive foundation can’t be understated. In terms of secret weapons, it’s actually Lex & Shane. They’ve done a GREAT job of taking the mish mash of ideas I’ll come to rehearsal with, and steering it in the right direction. Like cutting down on pointless chord extensions and pinpointing hooks that drive songs. Goodness it makes life easier having great bandmates. Lex - It sounds cliche, but it’s truly a team effort. Darren and I were the lead on this album, but Shane has put his own drumlines in and really made those parts his own. We like to write together for the most part, and what we’ll do is prepare a bunch of ideas that we think are good individually and show them to the other guys. We know we’re going to get a completely honest opinion from each other, so if an idea is terrible, and there can be lots of terrible ideas, we know it’s going to be called out right away and dealt with. I think the secret weapon lies in our different strengths. Darren is great at harmony, I’m good at writing the lyrics, and Shane is good with shaping the dynamics of the song, either through arrangement or rhythm. We just got really lucky that our skills are in different areas, and no one’s ego is too big to defer to a guy who has another idea or perspective on the problem. Shane - I don’t think we have a secret weapon to be honest - at least not a specific person. Each band member brings a unique skill set to the project and when we put it all together, it just works perfectly. Between Darren’s solid vocals and guitar chops, Lex’s great sense of rhythm and riff-writing, and my ability to just lay down the groove and focus on feel instead of flare, we’ve created what we believe will be a signature sound. If anything, I’d say that our secret weapon is our ability to walk into a rehearsal room, pick up our instruments, and feed off each others’ ideas effortlessly until we have a song. We’ve written new songs so quickly as a result of that chemistry and it’s sometimes almost hard to believe how easy it is with these guys. What do you like about playing music that can connect with people? Darren - It’s a high that can’t be put into words. There aren’t too many feelings better than having a song truly resonate with an audience. Digging deep into feelings that sometimes can’t be put into words is a cathartic experience, and we’re happy to make memorable music for an appreciative audience, it’s a literal dream job and we’re hoping to make it full time. Lex - If I (or we) as a songwriter, is feeling something that I need to share, it’s a very vulnerable place to be. It’s hard to put yourself out there like that, but the amazing part is, sharing that feeling you find that a lot of other people are feeling it too. If we can connect in a visceral way to people and have them share those feelings with us, it’s a very powerful thing, and we really strive to form that connection with people, where they can feel that song speaks right to them personally. Shane - When you put your heart and soul into writing a song and then later you see other people dancing or singing along to it at a show, it’s a huge compliment. When you write songs, you’re essentially putting a piece of yourself out there and it can make us songwriters feel very vulnerable, so when a person connects with that, it feels like you truly share something special with them. How do you feel about where the music scene is at these days? Darren - Incredibly excited. You don’t have to wait around to have a big label sign you if you’re a band who wants to go out and perform. Literally anyone can do it these days with the power of social media and marketing, so it’s a great time to be a musician if this is really want you want to do. That being said, it’s definitely hard to kick up a fuss, but sticking to your guns and making sure that the music comes first is always the key to any type of musical success. Lex - Ditto. It seems intimidating at first, because there are a lot of talented people out there trying to do the same thing, but at the same time they’re equally driven to succeed and, especially in Toronto, where we play, we’ve fostered a group of other musicians who are always willing to play shows and get their voices out there for people to hear. Shane - I have mixed feelings about the current music scene. It’s a very different era now that everything is so driven by social media and streaming services. It’s so easy to keep people in the loop about what your band is up to and it’s definitely easier to access the music compared to 20 years ago. At the same time, I feel like less people these days are willing to go out and actually see an indie band play on a Wednesday night at some random small venue when they could just watch someone’s live stream on Facebook. In Toronto, we’ve seen several venues close down and be replaced with coffee shops and condos, which is pretty sad. I remember playing places like The Reverb and Third Floor Reilly’s for some of my first shows out of high school. I feel like the Toronto scene is constantly fighting to stay alive, but fortunately, we have some great people (and musicians) in our scene that are fighting hard to promote live music. We also have an awesome growing music scene up in York Region, which is beginning to become a hot spot for independent musicians to play gigs. Hopefully, we see some of that spill back into the Toronto scene in the near future. >Any crazy stories about recording this song or your album Excommunicado? Darren - I take a lot of time to think of names for albums, songs, and all that. I think it’s SO important to make sure every detail is something you’re happy with. I was watching John Wick, an action movie, and that’s where I got the album name from. At the end of the 2nd movie, John is pretty much exiled from his underworld connections, and Ian McShane looks dead into the camera and says “John Wick….Excommunicado”. A light bulb went off in my head and I loved how the word sounded. I had been trying for ages to come up with a title that didn’t sound like it was trying too hard to be edgy, but was still unique...and THAT was it. Excommunicado for me is cutting all ties with my past, and moving forward as a brand new man and musician. A direction for the band, new possibilities, and new members, we’ve successfully placed our past in exile, and couldn’t be more excited for the future. Lex - The idea of excommunication obviously carries religious connotations, and the denial of sacraments in the church. I’m not religious, and I wasn’t fully on board when Darren brought the name to me. But I took some time to process it, and thought about the idea behind it more metaphorically than literally, and that idea of being rejected by the majority, or whatever is recognized as the institutional norm is one I could absolutely get behind. Pursuing a career in the arts is definitely outside the what would be considered a normal career, and personally I’ve always felt a bit like an outsider around other people, so it’s an idea I think is meaningful to me, and hopefully will be to anyone else who doesn’t feel like they quite belong in the majority. As far as crazy stories, I think it’s crazy we did 90% of the EP in basically 2 takes live off the floor! Shane - Yeah, we basically recorded the whole foundation of the EP in 5 hours. I joined the band three weeks prior, learned the songs, rehearsed a few times, and went straight into the studio with Darren and Lex. I think all 5 drum tracks were done in about 90 minutes. Lex nailed virtually every bass track in one take. Then, just when I think I’ve seen it all, Darren walks into the booth with his guitar and starts tracking vocals and rhythm guitar simultaneously! That was probably the craziest part to me - how quickly everything came together and how much we accomplished in those first 5 hours. Connect with Black Creek Reign: Instargam Facebook #BuzzMusic

Hot off the back of 'Yesterday' which lit up globally - This time, it's the turn of his new single 'Take My Hand'. Encompassing much of what's becoming Saint Müsik's trademark production sound, 'Take My Hand' is an uplifting & feel good slice of electronica, with deep, melancholic vocals that warm the soul. A record that continues to set out the musical agenda, for the New York based artist. Positioned for a host of radio & dance floor love in the coming weeks - Stay tuned. Listen to Take My Hand here. Connect with Saint Müsik on social media: www.saintmusik.com www.twitter.com/saint_musik www.facebook.com/saintmusikmusic www.soundcloud.com/saintmusikmusic www.instagram.com/saint.musik

With his musical career starting at age 14, Ryan Reddy saw commercial success with “Take Me To The Clouds” by Black Moss which was playlisted across South African radio. This single charted on YFM along with other stations and even appeared on Black Moss’s Mind Trip EP. Since Ryan has reached the Hip Hop charts on iTunes in South Africa before, he intends to take his career in music to new levels with his latest debut project. In his latest single “Dream Life", Ryan Reddy brings us a cool modern hip hop track reminiscent of his predecessors such as Usher. Ryan has a nice flow and knows how to easily transition to his catch chorus of “Dream Life”. The song itself is uplifting and has many ornamental values to it vocally and musically. The backing vocals by Devonte really pull it together giving it an extra layer of excitement. This is a new taste for the genre of hip hop and this can easily be played on the radio in the States. Reddy’s production is great with added musicality from Devonte's harmonies and inserted drum beat. Devonte's vocals are strong almost taking after Khalid with his soulfulness and sound. Overall this is a breath of fresh air for the hip hop genre and hip hop lovers alike. Listen to "Dream Life" here. Connect with Ryan Reddy on social media: Twitter: www.twitter.com/ryanreddy Instagram: www.instagram.com/ryanreddy1 #BuzzMusic

Petite Celine is a Franco-American indie singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist based out of Brooklyn, NY. Celine rebelled into the arts, excelling first in acting for film & TV, working with directors such as Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood by the age of 10, and picking up a handful of instruments along the way. It wasn't until college, when Celine found herself homeless with only a small suitcase and the guitar on her back, that she started performing her own compositions for complete strangers. Busking on the streets of Lower Manhattan, she discovered the power music has to bring people together from all walks of life. Today, Petite Celine plays regularly across the Tristate area, where her LED paintings have also become accompaniment to the act. Her mission is to celebrate cultures from around the globe and build bridges not borders. Tuning in to Petite Celine’s latest “Man Made Fire”. This single is one unique composition! I have never really heard a sound like this but to describe it, it is like a blend of electronic, soul, alternative, and just all around sound! There are so many different sounds that melt together into one perfect sound that is really one of a kind. This could easily fall into some lounge or relax music vibes maybe even under a blacklight. This song truly just gives you all the feels. Sultry, lucid, seductive, layered, I mean the list goes on and on. I would be curious to see a visual paint session to this song! Listen to "Man Made Fire" here, and learn more about Celine in our interview below! Hey! If you could would you please introduce yourself to our readers? Hola, je m'appelle Petite Celine, and I am a Franco-American Indie Pop artist based out of Brooklyn, NY. Growing up between two countries as a kid really fostered an ear for fusion, and it also cemented my love for international pop. I thought it was really cool that I didn't need to know what a singer was saying in order to feel what the song was about. My aim is to explore that universality of music in my own compositions. It's precisely in these "mad-scientist moments," when I decide to fuse polka and reggae in the same song, or write a song that incorporates both koto and trumpet, or that is as much in Spanish as it is in English, that I am assured that beauty is everywhere, and it is interconnected and harmonious. Inspired by artists such as Sting, Brazilian Girls, and Sia, I believe in the power that music has to build bridges. My favorite thing to witness is how the right song can bring people together from all walks of life. My album releasing March 15th, featuring 5 languages and instruments from around the world, is tailored to that experience. What was the first instrument that you learned to play? My first instrument was the piano (then it was percussion/drums (I was in the drum line in his marching band), then voice, then guitar, then trumpet, then ukulele, then mandolin, and now I am trying to learn the cello!) While you were homeless what really motivated you to keep composing and performing? Necessity. At the time, all I had was my guitar and a carry-on suitcase. Arguably, that's was encouraged me to perform in the first place. I had performed as an actress before, in TV & film, and I had sung in choirs and school musicals, but my compositions had been a private therapy up until that point. It was that experience that really pushed me to share them with others. And when I saw the positive response, not only did it make me feel seen and heard, and no longer so alone, but I could see I had an effect on others too, and I wanted to continue pursuing that heartfelt exchange. Can you give us some insight to “Man Made Fire”? Written on the harmonium, "Man Made Fire" is a song that came to me from a deep meditation. I began sobbing out of no where for Mother Earth and humanity's relationship to her. I began thinking about how we have abused and used her and how much we have disrespected ourselves in doing so as well. I had always been more or less conscious of this stuff, but I had reached a new level of awareness and sense of responsibility. The song is an attempt to act upon that. To speak a message but also profess being a part of the collective problem, and the beginnings of healing that. Sonically, I wanted the track to reflect this relationship between the organic and the industrial with harmony and dissonance. I combined Portishead-esque electronic and glitchy percussion with the acoustic qualities of the harmonium, shakers, and and a choir of voices. The song, written mainly in English, also features a passage in German, "Engel tanzen auf einer blauen Flamme; Es gibt keine Rückkehr von diesem Drama," which translates to "Angels dance on a blue flame; there is no return from this drama." What we can expect to see or hear from you throughout this year? So this track, "Man Made Fire," is the title track off my new 10-track album releasing March 15th. I'll be at SXSW playing a show the same day at The Infinite Monkey Theorem in Austin, TX at 7pm. Then, kicking off with a show at Pianos in NYC on April 20th at 8p, my incredible live band and I will tour the album this spring & summer on the East Coast and hopefully play some festivals in the fall. Possibly trying to plan a little Euro-tour soon as well. Connect with Petite Celine: Instagram Facebook Website Youtube #BuzzMusic

Perry & Danielle is a two-piece pop group from Honolulu, Hawaii. Lead vocals/keyboarding coming from Danielle Oda and vocalist/drumming from Perry Sekigawa and together they make a dynamic duo in the music they create. Drawing from personal experiences and turning them into a song which giving a sound that contains smooth piano based instrumentals and soulful melodies. Creating their own twist on pop-alternative-soul! After receiving so much support and encouragement in August 2013, they decided to take a leap of faith and move to Los Angeles in May 2014. Since moving, Perry & Danielle have performed at numerous venues and were also finalists in the Kollaboration Los Angeles. Sharing with us today a song off of their latest EP, “Young Days”. We immediately get the Hawaii island vibes from this song. There is something so ‘fun in the sun coasting along the beach’ about this song. It really is a carefree song and Danielle’s vocals are so sweet and innocent and she has really nice vocal runs. There is a natural pure sound within this song. And both vocalists work so well together. There is a beautiful balance with this duo. And a sound that is created all their own. I cannot help but to keep this track on repeat because it is so catchy. Listen to "Young Days" here, and learn more about Perry & Danielle in our interview below! Hey there! Would you two mind introducing yourselves? My name is Danielle Oda - lead vocalist/keyboardist and I'm Perry Sekigawa - vocalist/drummer, and we are Perry & Danielle. How was the transition from creating music in Hawaii to Los Angeles? The writing process for us is not that much different. The only difference is what we write about - living in Los Angeles in contrast to Hawaii life. - Danielle What influenced your song “Young Days”? “Young Days” was influenced by one of my favorite memories I had from Hawaii. My friends and I were driving back home from the north shore during sunset on a windy road through the mountains. As the song “Boston” by Augustana came on, we all sang along loudly - the setting was perfect. This memory contrasted against the Los Angeles lifestyle I was experiencing from the move. This made me feel nostalgic. - Danielle Can you tell us a bit about your writing style and process? We are inspired by artists such as Sara Bareilles, Tori Kelly, Paramore, and Imagine Dragons. We pair strong, but smooth vocal melodies with percussive elements. Our writing process begins with Danielle coming up with the lyrics and vocal melodies. I help with the arrangements and we both come up with the instrumentation. - Perry What are some goals that you two plan to accomplish musically within the next few years? Our goal right now is to get our album All The Stars out to as many people as possible. - Perry Where can our listeners keep up with your music? They can check out our website: perryanddanielle.com, or use the links below! Connect with Perry & Danielle: Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube #BuzzMusic

Originally from a small suburb near Philadelphia, PA, Guy Jr. is currently an LA based artist. Guy Jr. paves a path for a new sound with his use of unique use of instrumentation and electronic sampling. With a strong background in vocals, Guy Jr. possesses a dynamic range of sound in his range, song construction, and production. Telling his wide variety of stories through song from sociopathic tendencies to the classic ballads of love and loss, there will be something for everyone. A new age kind of groove is heard in Guy Jr.’s track “INTRO(MY EARS HURT). From the very beginning of the song we delve into this intriguing kind of sound that is reminiscent of something otherworldly. Guy Jr. begins to rap with a heavy octavator on his voice fully emphasizing this otherworldly vibe. He later explains why he made this mixtape in a blunt way of how he finds himself and self validation. Guy Jr. then proceeds to say his “ears hurt” while a crunchy kind of deafening sound is followed simulating as to why someone’s ears would hurt. Artistically as well as musically, this stands out taking a baroque approach to it giving the music industry a little taste of spoken word which dances around rap at times. Straight and to the point with his raw lyrics are what gives this artist his own sound and artistic vision. Listen to "INTRO (MY EARS HURT)" here, and learn more about Guy Jr. in our interview below! Can you describe the vision you had when writing , “INTRO (My ears hurt)”? This songs is the introduction to the entire mood of the album. I wrote this song with one thing in mind—individuality. So many of us have spent years trying to conform with societal trends, adapt to new cultural norms and go beyond their true selves to make them seem special. My purpose for releasing this album is to spread the message that everyone has their own identity and the way to feel normal is by embracing your inner persona and allowing your perks and flaws to flourish. What is the connection between the topic of you writing this song at one of your darkest times and the phrase “your ears hurt”? There are an inexplicable amount of influencers in todays world—mainstream media, instagram, Tumblr, youtube, etc. When we get wrapped up in this new technological and superficial world the we call ’social media’ our sense of hearing becomes hyper sensitive. I’ve dealt with brutal issues in my short life and I figured listening to everyone else would make me feel like I’m keeping up with others around me—I was wrong. “MY EARS HURT” simply describes the overwhelming feeling of taking on too many masks from society and finally realizing that by disguising myself is only disguising my talent and artistry. How do you see yourself progressing as an artist within the next five years? I’ve never been the type to ‘look to the future’ but my honest answer would be that I see myself continuing to promote individuality and experimentation with yourself. Our generation is so young and we are just starting to create our utopia. I see myself as a pioneer and a voice for the future. Can you name two musical influences that have influenced you as a person and artist? My two biggest influences are Jon Bellion and John Mayer. I admire both of their outlooks on the broad idea of ‘life’ and their methods and strategies for creating music. How do you think the music industry will change within the next ten years? We’re already starting to hear new sounds, new voices, new structures—I see this trend continuing. Also, it’s obvious that emerging artists have the ability to create their own platform for fans and listeners to follow. I see the music industry as a G-rated gang war. Many listeners strictly support artists under one specific genre and even though others may not enjoy as much as the other, there’s still an understanding that music is music and it does the same thing for all of us—it makes us feel something. What can we expect next from you? I’m wrapping up an acoustic EP covering some of my favorite originals from the past. After that, I’ll be gathering bandmates and playing some venues around town! Connect with Guy Jr.: Instagram #BuzzMusic

Creating music in Portland, Oregon, Latino rapper Toño has gained momentum in the music scene since releasing his first original track on Soundcloud. His first EP was released in early 2018 which would be a high point for him as an artist. Toño can be found performing throughout Portland and taking interviews by various sources. A sort of dance and hype instrumental starts Toño’s track , “R U Ready?”. A feisty and ready to perform Toño drops his bars with a build up leading to the next verse. Explicit lyrics explain Toño’s view and self confidence in himself and his craft. His rap flow/form is not like the stereotypical rap tracks that most people think of especially due to its structure and choice of instrumentation used. The sound is a mix of LMFAO reverb and beats with an anthem of not making music for the masses. Toño acknowledges that he doesn’t need anyone’s validation besides his own. The song is kind of an ode to those who have criticized him and his music and Toño brings this together with the chorus of “I don’t think their ready”. Toño brings a new perspective and sound of rap music infusing with ready to dance party music. Listen to "R U Ready?" here, and connect with Toño using the links below! Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

Shannon Sanders is what one would describe as a “super-producer”.  He already has achieved successes such as Grammys, Emmys and a Dove award. His discography is full of names like India.Arie, Jonny Lang, John Legend, and Robert Randolph, just to name a few. Not only a talented musician but Sanders is a powerhouse vocalist. He is the founder and program director of Nashville Scene’s “2018 Best Soul Radio Station” 102.1 FM THE VILLE, a National Trustee of the Recording Academy, and much, much more! As of lately, Sanders is partnering with Blue Rose Music, an artist collective, to release a series of anthemic singles in 2019. And here with his latest “Fight On”. Talk about powerhouse! Everything about this single screams power, faith and the good old fight. There really is a rhythmic anthem feel in this song. The heavy clap beats and strong piano gives it all the necessary keys to a motivational single. What really pulls this together is the choir. Their presence seems like it’s only few and far between but if you really listen in they have a hum in the background throughout the entire song. AMAZING! This guy really embodies this powerful song and the passion to truly fight on! Listen to "Fight On" here, and learn more about Shannon in our interview below! Could you please tell us a little about yourself? If you were to ask people to describe Shannon Sanders, words like “super-producer” are mentioned. He already has GRAMMYs (2), Emmys (2) and Dove (1) award under his belt. His discography is full of names like India.Arie, Jonny Lang, John Legend, Robert Randolph, just to name a few. A gifted musician, he serves as musical director of India.Arie. On top of all of that, SANDERS is a powerhouse vocalist. Sanders is he the founder and program director of Nashville Scene’s “2018 Best Soul Radio Station” 102.1 FM THE VILLE, a National Trustee of the Recording Academy, a city commissioner for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, a board member of the Nashville Ballet, and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Inc. He was one of the music industry leaders selected for the Leadership Music Class of 2017. Sanders is partnering with Blue Rose Music to release a series of anthemic singles in 2019. Blue Rose Music is an artist collective founded by tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, Joe Poletto, that assists in the business and creative development of select musicians and projects. What inspired you to become apart of music? Music became a part of me. Music is my first language. As far back as i can remember, music has always made sense to me. I was 15 when the first record I produced was commercially released. It was a local phenomenon. I was immediately hooked on the process of creating music and delivering it to the listeners. Who has been one of your favorite artists to work with and why? I’ve had the honor of working with so many talented artists. But I would have to say India.Arie. She is so creative-from her pen to her perspectives on mixes. I always walk away receiving as much as I give to her projects. I noticed you really live by this single and hashtag “Fight On”. What is the backstory behind it? Fight On is a call to action. It does not suggest that you start a fight, it inspires us to continue a fight. There are times that we become discouraged. Even while working on things we are truly passionate about. Fight On is a reminder to stick to your guns and continue to fight for what you believe is right or real. If you could share some encouraging words for others hoping to fight on? For those who need encouragement to Fight On, first, be clear about what you’re fighting for. It is important to research the paths of those who have fallen before us there’s a lot that we can learn from people who have done or attempted to do what we’re doing. Build a solid support system. Surround yourself with people who support you in your fight. Who don’t mind locking arms and fighting with you. Find two sources of inspiration, and hold on to them for dear life. What is next for you? There are still lots of things I want to accomplish in my life and career. The great drummer of the universe knows my heart. I will continue to follow the drum, wherever it lead me. Connect With Shannon Sanders: Instagram Facebook #BuzzMusic

On Cody Jay's acoustic rework of his "Love Game," which came out a year ago, we get a similar tale, but presented from a different standpoint. This is music that makes me wish I could wake up early in the morning and be one of those people who eat cereal and yogurt with the dawn. But morning mists aside, the song is pretty explicit about the focus on forward-looking positive thinking. The song is balanced with killer on-point harmonies. It stands in contrast to the original, which focused more on the chase, the play, the adventure. But once you strip off the clothes, I mean musical layers, things change. So here we have a song for a morning after that isn’t so dark and full of shame. I feel like musicians, and just dudes in general, could probably learn a lot from Mr. Cody Jay. We’ll just have to wait for more of this valuable knowledge. Listen to "Love Game (Acoustic)" here, and learn more about Cody Jay in our interview below! Hello Cody, could you please introduce yourself to our readers? Hey! My name is Cody Jay, and I am a self-produced independent artist. I’ve been making my own music for over 5 years and I’m proud to say that I’m working on my 4th album as an independent artist. Why did you decide to go back in and put a different, more organic, spin on your songs? As I’m growing as a person, not just an artist, I find myself wanting to connect with things on a deeper level. I love the material I’ve written, but having grown in many ways I wanted to revisit them and strip them down to their most bare form. I think they speak differently and say different things when there’s less going on. What have you learned since you released the more “electric” version of Love Game that changed your approach to the creation process? Great question! I’ve learned that sometimes less is more. I’m still going to produce full tracks, but for the time being I’m enjoying the simplicity that goes along with acoustic material - whether they be recreations of older songs, or new ones that I’m creating now. Do you prefer writing songs or performing them? I don’t think I can pick one! They’re SO different. If I had to choose however, I would currently choose performing because once I’ve reached that level with the material, I know the songs so well that I can truly perform them in the moment. The process of writing a new song, although it’s very rewarding, can be very long & tedious at times. Performing involves an energy that sometimes feels unmatched. Any notable fan interactions you care to share? Lately I am SO happy to find that people are enjoying the acoustic material, and they are voluntarily sharing it on their pages. I can’t explain how much that means to me. What are you most proud of so far? I am proud to say that I have produced and written 99% of my material thus far. Although I am very much hoping to collaborate more this year, when I look at my catalog I am proud to say that it’s something I created from the ground up. Something I can stand behind. Connect with Cody Jay: Instagram Twitter Facebook #BuzzMusic