Deify is a rock band based in Seattle, WA comprised of two brothers, Duncan (vocals/guitar) and Jared (drums/percussion) Byargeon. Inspired by AC/DC, Deify delivers a fresh take on rock n roll with a Seattle flare that’s sure to keep you dancing. In the years to come, the band’s live performances have been the driving force behind their success. Playing for some of the most renowned bars and clubs in Seattle, drawing comparisons to Velvet Revolver, Queens of the Stone Age, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Operating out of their parents’ basement, the band has spent the past decade performing around the greater Pacific Northwest. The band spent the better half of 2018 in the studio to bring their most popular songs to life. Let rock! This track, which is track 5 on their EP So Far Away - by the way, is a classic rocker! We love everything about this one. The drums banging in heavy, the electric guitars raspy blare, Then you hear those vocals WHOA! Can we say jam session. You can tell they know what they are doing and are seasoned artists in the rock game. And the fact that they both bring something unique being from the same bloodline. They stand out together and individually which is tough with smaller bands. These brothers are the real deal and such a cool cleancut rock band. Listen to "Missed My Shot" here, and learn more about Deify in our interview below! Hey Deify. Care to tell our readers a little about yourselves? Duncan - We grew up on classic rock and a wild mix of other stuff – from Pointer Sisters and ABBA to Tom Petty and Lyle Lovett. My mom put us in piano lessons at an early age, but it was our piano teacher Ken Roberts – and later my guitar teacher Mark Oslund – that really established how fun music could be. Ever since I started performing at piano recitals, I knew I wanted to write songs and perform. My folks got me a guitar when I was 12 and I haven’t looked back. Once guitar lessons started, I dived head first into old school rock n roll and hard rock (AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Guns n Roses, etc.). We’ve been a band for a decade now, which is insane to think about. When we first started this band, it was actually all three Byargeon brothers. We wrangled our brilliant, introverted middle-brother to play bass for us. That lasted about six or seven years before he pursued computer science. He’s doing quite well for himself. Jared - I’m the younger, better looking, and more dapper brother of the band. He knows I’m joking when I say that (even though I’m not). Although, I am jealous that he has such a nice beard. It’s like it’s dipped in finesse or something. Anyways, when it comes to my relationship with music, I have been drumming for as long as I can remember. I know I started when I was about 3 years old. My mom bought my dad an electric drum set for Christmas, but he barely touched it and I cautiously started tampering on it. Duncan already had a guitar (which he still uses today) and we began jamming in our family’s upstairs bonus room. That soon blossomed into writing our own songs and evolved into what we are today. There was a time where we had piano lessons once a week, but I bailed on that around 6th grade. I can still read music though! I played in my high school jazz band. While jazz is fun to play, it wasn’t where my heart was. My heart was with Deify by that point. What would you say defines you as a band? Duncan - I think there are a few things. Number one – the sibling connection. There’s truly something different when we jam together that I haven’t been able to find with any of the other amazing musicians I’ve worked with. We can truly create on the fly and rock out an entire song once we truly get into it. Number two – it’s that we love a lot of the same artists and were raised on the same music growing up, but have since branched out into very different styles. I think it’s fair to say I’ve explored a lot more rock and blues music, where Jared listens to a lot of R&B and Top-40. He’s also the biggest fan of The Weeknd out of anyone I know. Jared - That’s tough. I have a hard time answering what specific genre we are because we pull from so many. When it comes down to it, I’d say brotherhood. Like Duncan said, we used to be brotherly-trio. That tightness and emotional connection has remained – if not grown – ever since we started. We’re really close as a group – within our music and our personal relationships. This can be tough though, as even the slightest mistakes we make during jam sessions get to us because we’ve become so good at what we do – we want to make everything picture perfect. On a separate note, I feel our musical preferences are intertwined like a double-helix. We do branch out into some other genres, yet we come back together and love to jam to a lot of the same bands in the car. This includes AC/DC, Tom Petty, Green Day, Greta Van Fleet, Guns N’ Roses, and many more. Like I said, we definitely have some of our own preferences. Duncan explores a lot of blues-rock, while I will listen to R&B. I’m a huge fan of the deep subgenre labelled “Storm Ambiance R&B” with artists with a darker vibe like The Weeknd. It’s like angelic voices delivering lyrics from hell. I think our eclectic taste in music, and acceptance of the others’ preferences, gives us the advantage when writing together. Duncan - I’d literally never heard of that genre until this interview. Could you tell us a little more about your single “Missed My Shot”? Duncan - It’s a long story, but I’ll try to be brief. At the end of my senior year, my best friend had one of her best friends visiting the University of Oregon. We hit it off that weekend and I knew there was something special about her. It seemed silly to try and make anything of it, as we lived in different states and she was about to travel Europe for a month. After she left for the weekend we stayed in touch. Post-graduation, I went on a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco to hang out with my friends in Portland, Eugene, Sacramento, and SF. The two of us hung out while I was staying with my friend Emily in San Francisco. After hanging out all day, I got back to Em’s house and couldn’t stop thinking about her. Lying in bed, I literally wrote out all the lyrics in my Notes app and air guitared the chord progression. I stayed up all night writing the song. When I got back to Seattle I showed Jared and we jammed on it for a bit. It’s been one of our most popular live songs ever since. Now, three years later, it’s finally out to the public! Oh! And the gal that swept me off my feet now lives in Seattle and we’ve been dating nearly three-and-a-half years! Jared - Duncan would be of better help answering this since he wrote the lyrics, but to me this song has different meanings on how you look at it. It can have a bit of a comedic twist woven within it depending on how you view the main character in the story. If the main character views this missed opportunity as a short-term relationship, it’s quite comical. On the other hand, if it truly resonates with you it can be too real and quite sad because instead of being a romance, it’s about the girl or guy who missed their shot of being with someone who was really good for them. I can’t relate to the sad version because I took my shot and I’ve been with the same girl since my senior year of high school. Break the song down for us, who contributed what to the song? Do you usually write together or separately? Duncan - I wrote all the lyrics, melody, and guitar work. The intro is interesting, as we accidentally threw a 9-bar measure into the intro during pre-production – which made it difficult to execute in the studio. The guitar parts flew together when I was trying to create the chord progression for the lyrics/melody. Most songs begin with me and an acoustic guitar. I write a majority of the guitars, lyrics, and melody and bring them to Jared to arrange. Other times, I have a cool riff and we’ll just jam on it and see where the song takes us. In these cases, I take the structure and progressions we’ve laid out and write lyrics/melody to them, before bringing them back to Jared. It’s a fairly iterative process. Jared has an amazing sense of rhythm and is able to spice up ANYTHING I bring to him. It’s truly uncanny. Even if I’m on the fence about something, I’ll see what he adds in. 9 times out of 10 he’ll do something that breathes new life into the song and inspires changes in music/melody. Jared - For this song Duncan did most of the writing. He came to me with the melody, partial riffs, and the lyrics. Once he has the bare bones and structure, I’ll start adding the spice. Duncan doesn’t give himself enough credit. I’ve worked with some people on music at school and it’s painful. Not only do we not click but writing just doesn’t come naturally to them, which makes it hard to collaborate. Songwriting isn’t for everyone and you have to start somehow. I even look back at some of our early works and say, “holy shit that’s awful,” but that is only because of the progress we’ve made since then – especially when it came to evolving our sound in the studio. Luckily Duncan is fantastic at not only writing, but singing and guitar playing. He’s got the whole package which is rarer than a Statavarius. Typically, the first quarter of a song’s production is done separately. After that we will jam out to the riff and create verses, choruses, etc. If not in that order, a song will be completely molded from something we jam out of scratch together later to be composed separately. Who are a few of your musical influences who have helped shaped your band to where you are today in the music industry? Duncan - Geez this is so tough. Early on – about 10 years ago – it was Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains, and darker/angsty rock. Now, I’m much more into blues and blues rock. ZZ Ward has been my favorite artist for years now – though that may not come through in our band material. It’s a lot of AC/DC, Guns n Roses, Led Zeppelin, and Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Tom Petty has been the biggest influence on me the entire time. I just love his story telling. What surprised me – upon the release of the EP – was people saying they hear a lot of Queens of the Stone Age and Velvet Revolver. The former surprises me a bit, as it’s not a band I’ve listened to very much. Jared - Tough question honestly. I wish I could just blurt out an answer. The first full song I ever learned on drums was “Welcome Home” by Coheed and Cambria, but I wouldn’t label them as an influence. For drumming, I’d put Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold (RIP to The Rev), Three Days Grace (for all them open-handed drummers out there), Bon Jovi (before he went country). For vocals, The Weeknd. He’s helped me be more comfortable singing in front of others. Could you ever swap band positions? Why or why not? Duncan - No way. Jared is the best drummer around. He’s been at it since he was three years old. I would love to play drums, but I can’t get my hands and my feet to work together outside of a standard 4/4 rock beat. Jared - Could we? Yes. Would I want to? HELL NAH! I can’t play guitar to save my life. Let’s keep Duncan on that please. What can we hope to see in 2019 for Deify? Duncan - We have a ton of content coming, which I’m really excited about. We’re going to be releasing our debut full-length album later this year, and we’re in the process of booking a tour. It’s early stages, but it’ll likely be happening late summer. Jared - I am amped to show you all what’s to come. We are releasing our first full-length and professionally recorded album later this year. Right now, other than our album release, we’re prepping for a tour this summer. No specifics yet, but hopefully mid to late summer. It’s pretty cool to say you’ve been on tour, so I’m hoping check that off my bucket list. Connect with Deify: Instagram Facebook Twitter Youtube #BuzzMusic

Candace Devine releases her electrifying, vocally dynamic and explosive EP called “Here We Are.” It begins with the jazzy pop single “Over Getting Over You”. “Getting Over You” begins with the sensational jazz like sounds of the piano keys and guitar. We became immensely impressed by Candace Devine’s solid vocal presence, she proves to be a singing powerhouse with the belt of the addictive hook. We interpreted from this record that it’s the empowering “Get him back” anthem. Candace continues the empowering female anthems with a more sultry and sensual record, “Treat Me Like A Lady”. With a hint of edge and grit, Candace showcases her delinquency in this electric rock hit. The feminine energy projected with a tough deliverance was a fascinating mix we thoroughly enjoyed. Next, “One More Night”, our personal favorite transitions in. It begins with a soulful serenaded melody, however the soul she produced becomes more apparent around the hook. It just felt like an orchestrated choir production yet it was just the exuberant vocals of Candace Devine. Her skills as a vocalist makes soulful records like this more sensational for the listener. You feel every note and become emotionally attached to the single. Next up, “Givin It Up” has this classic vibe while sticking to her soul pop aesthetic she has. I love how timeless Candace Devine voice is. With the right kind of backtrack instrumental, she can no doubt about it deliver memorable hits we will be singing along too, 10 years from now. “Givin It Up” is a representation of that. The next song to transition is called “Here We Are” the title of the actual EP project. The riveting record propels the entire meaning of the album forward. I believe it’s the feminine and powerful sound that makes the song pop alongside the already vibrant collective. The finishing record “Won’t Back Down” closes off the journey of freedom and liberation within oneself. Overall, Candace Devine delivered a well-rounded album with many moments of inversive lyricism and powerful vocals. The amount of soul contained in this made us huge fans. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to the melody of the different records, and “Here We Are” is a huge success. Pre-save Canace Devine's new EP "Here We Are" (releasing on February 22) here, and learn more about Candace Devine in our interview below! Mind introducing yourself to our readers Candace Devine? Hi Everyone, I’m Candace Devine. I’m here to sing songs for your listening pleasure! What has been the most prominent moment of your career thus far? Well, I look at my career thus far and feel like I’ve had a career chalked full of beginnings, starting points, prominent moments, dots that have been connected waiting for the next dot to line up… I was a backup singer for Christina Aguilera and that felt HUGE to me. I was in a successful Duo called “David & Devine,” we were signed to ICM and opened for incredible super stars and THAT felt grand and prominent to me. I had the absolute GREAT fortune to co-write a tune with Mindi Abair and have it make it onto her Grammy Nominated Album, “Wild Heart” and that felt MASSIVE and prominent to me. I have had placements with my songs which has helped me be able to keep making music (so that's amazing) and yet, here I am. “Here We Are.” I don’t want to sound ungrateful and I certainly don’t want to downplay the landmarks I have reached, but my guess is many of your listeners have never heard a note come out of my mouth or even know what my musical stylings sound like. Success, prominence, high notes…it’s all relative. I feel my WHOLE journey has been a wonderful one and one I wouldn’t trade. I continue working for my own heart happiness, the hope that what I have done has touched someone somewhere, and with the idea that my MOST PROMINENT moment is always yet to come. Tell us a little bit about “Here We Are” the EP in your own short summary? “Here We Are” is a compilation of groovy heart felt songs that have threads of 70’s singer songwriter, pop soul, r&b. As I was recording I kept calling it my “kitchen cleaning music.” The kind of EP you put on to feel comfortable in your home, in your own skin, sitting in traffic trying not to dislike every car around you. It is a whole piece. Something to take in and enjoy from top to bottom. Growing up I loved FULL albums. A journey from start to finish. That’s what my goal was for this EP. It’s an EP you can relax and be yourself to. Has there been any moments of distress during the production of this EP? I must be honest and say, no. I am aware that people instinctively like drama. The underdog, the triumph. This EP was quite the opposite. The whole project was positive, exciting, and FUN! This is my first SOLO project in a decade, and it took 3 years off just being a mommy to be ready to make it. Once I was ready, I was READY. All the stars lined up and the experience of recording at The Sound Emporium Studio (THEE LEGENDARY SOUND EMPORIUM) with my dear friend and mega bad ass, Slim Gambill (Lead Guitarist of Lady Antebellum) was beyond thrilling, it was SPECIAL! Everyone involved with this EP is an incredible human being from top to bottom and went out of their way to keep the energy vibrating at the highest possible level. I felt so loved, cared for, and in the best hands during the whole process. Which has been your favorite song to write so far and why? For me the title track is my favorite because of how and why it was written. I wrote it for my parents on their 30th wedding anniversary. I wrote it on my piano my grandmother gave me that was originally my Great Grandmothers piano (who I was named after). Now that I am married with a family of my own, it has taken on its own meaning to me in my own life. It's a picture of long lasting love. Love that isn’t perfect. Love that grows . Love that is challenged and love that wins. Out of all the releases on “Here We Are”, which in your opinion do you feel holds the most impactful meaning? I think my cover of “Won’t Back Down.” I believe my version of the song brings a new and different layer to its weight and fight. The original is flawless and I certainly never set out to in anyway improve it. There’s no doing that. However, bringing a female voice to such powerful words in my opinion just adds a different spice to it. We are in a time where we are all fighting for something. We are fighting to keep it together, to keep families together, to keep marriages together, to keep the earth together, to keep children safe at school, to keep people fed, racial equality, gender equality, religious equality, LGBTQ, #metoo, #timesup, fighting cancer - (sidenote - #f*ckcancer), healthcare, our debt, our mental health, our global position, our national divisiveness, our system, pharmaceuticals, what’s in our food, our own personal demons…and the list goes on and on. This song speaks to all of it for all of us. I hope my version of this song gives everyone a voice to keep their chin up, shake off the punches and bruises and keep fighting their fight. What’s next for you? Oh, who knows?! As I said in the beginning of these questions so many times I thought prominent moments would be “the thing” to get me to a place where I could do music solely and forever…and Here We Are. I don’t think that’s how life works. Connecting the dots. That’s all there is. But, if I’m gonna put something out there, lets just say I’d LOVE to be up for “Best New Artist” at the Grammys 2020 or 2021…why not? Stranger things have happened, I suppose. So let’s go with that. That’s what’s next. :) But there is one thing I can certainly tell you, the journey has been a BLAST and I am thankful…and you can find me playing shows and singing my butt off all over the place in the meantime. Connect with Candace Devine: Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube #BuzzMusic

We touch down on “Earth” gently, in a mysterious fog. Stephanie Ward’s vocals are wistful as black luftballons, as the song opens. You can’t help but think the intro line would work well as an Anjunadeep trance sample. It’s chilling, probing, reflective. A great introduction to their Supernova album, which comes out May 4. But it isn’t long before you realize you’re headed down more of a classic rock route. That’s thanks to Thom Beckman (Lead Guitar), Jim Freeman (Bass) and Rodd Karp (Drums). Ward also comes through with some of the guitar work and the viola on the album. Sam Cobra is alternative in the best meaning of the term. Basically, the Seattle outfit puts their own spin on rocking out.If you play it at the right volume, you can almost hear tiny dogs howling of loneliness in unison somewhere off in the distance. But it’s all washed through with the crunch of powerful chords and a solid guitar solo. It’s what we’re in short supply of for quality live shows. Think the kind of rock hippies feared would die, but thankfully never did. Supernova releases May 4th, so keep your eyes out for the release! In the meantime, learn more about Sam Cobra in our interview below! Care to introduce yourself to our readers? Hi, we're Sam Cobra. We're a 4-piece band from Seattle that started in 2016. You're speaking with Stephanie (Vocals) and Thom (Lead Guitar) How would you say “Earth” fits into the overall astronomical phenomenon of “Supernova”? Stephanie: 'Earth' is part of a storyline behind the album. It describes what has happened to the planet and why it's in a state of uproar. People have neglected the planet for so long that Mother Nature has called upon the oceans, trees, winds to go nuts and destroy humankind. It's a happy song. Thom: For me, it's really funny because the original demo I wrote had a much different feel. It's now a respectable part of a storyline. The original music I wrote sounded more like a gorilla trying to parallel park a garbage truck. What is the typical songwriting process for you guys? Stephanie: Thom and I collaborate on the writing. One of us will bring a song to the table, they're usually pretty well thought out before we present them. And then from there we'll make adjustments to the arrangements as a band. Thom excels in coming up with big sexy hooks and I handle the lyrics. Thom: Fortunately, we are both pretty open about making changes if it makes the song better. I tend to throw a lot of stuff at the wall to see what sticks. Are there any musical sacred cows (in your approach to rock or otherwise) you will not touch? Or are you guys up to try anything musically? Stephanie: In general I think we're pretty open. But as we've grown as a band, our sound has evolved from what we affectionately call butt rock to a more psychedelic space sound. It happened really naturally and we were all on the same page. After completing this album, we realized we would probably love having some keys on our songs, so that may happen in the near future. Thom: I feel like this band will always be a work in progress, working towards the next musical "thing". So all options are on the table, from my perspective. It’s kind of crazy how radio has gone from playing a lot of pop-rock in the 90s to a lot of commercial hip-hop nowadays. Does it feel like you’re part of a scene that’s dying? Or does rock have more of an edge now that, in a way, it’s less mainstream? Stephanie: It probably depends a lot on where you live. Seattle still has a huge rock scene. And our local radio stations play all sorts of stuff, but we're lucky that way I guess. I personally try to avoid mainstream music because it's terrible. I think as musicians, we're just trying to make stuff that we like and are less concerned about what scene it fits into. Thom: I have always been part of a dying scene in one way or another so I don't really notice anymore. I just stick to my own misguided ideas of what music should sound like. Do you have a favorite moment on the song “Earth”? Stephanie: I love the beginning. Not because it's me singing alone I swear. Our producer, Don Farwell added some amazing effects to our album and that section for me nails the spacey vibe that we were going for. Thom: The whole intro was Stephanie's idea and it completely altered the song for the better. Brilliant move on her part. What's next for you? Stephanie: We took a long nap after we finished recording and are now gearing back up again. We'll continue to play shows in Seattle and beyond while we work on writing songs for our next album. Connect with Sam Cobra: Instagram Facebook Website #BuzzMusic

Connor Snow grew up in Maui, but moved to LA to follow his musical calling. He’s arrived with “Going Down,” a song that mines days with simple storylines for their sweetness. If sung with a twang you could imagine this as a pop-country song. But instead it's like cream cheese on your everything bagel. Snow learned how to play the ukulele by watching videos of legend Jake Shimabukuro, before graduating to the guitar and piano. Now he’s producing music that could find a home on the radio while you eat Applebee’s or shop with your girlfriend at Forever 21. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if it showed up while I was waiting for my burger at Shake Shack. There’s no M. Night Shyamalan twist, and you probably never wanted it. The words tell the story you hope is around the corner. And there’s just a tad of harmony exactly where you’d suspect. It make me think of cute couple taking selfies on Hermosa Beach — she in a simple floral print dress, he in Hollister jeans and a branded T-shirt. This is music you let distract yourself from your high school math homework. You won’t be surprised to learn Snow is influenced by Usher, Neyo, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake. If pop is your thing then you will consider this a great foray into that universe. Listen to "Going Down" here, and learn more about Connor in our interview below! When did you know you wanted to pursue music seriously? I guess had my first inkling at the end of high school. I was gigging quite a bit around Maui at restaurants, hotels, local events, anywhere that would give me a shot. I remember thinking “Man, how awesome would it be to have this be my job”. But I was still set on the idea that school was what I was supposed to be doing. So then a few frustrating years went by, during which I became so stressed out and depressed about my own apathy towards the path that school seemed to be taking me down. I realized that the only thing I consistently loved doing was making music in my dorm room at the end of every day. I distinctly remember watching the video of Jim Carrey giving that commencement speech at Maharishi University in which he said “You can always fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” That concept resonated SO clearly with me, it was like he’d given life to the exact feeling I was wrestling with inside. Within the year, I left college and moved to California. How do you come up with relevant themes for your songs? Obviously, events in my life or emotions that I’m feeling personally are often a starting point. But honestly, I’ve found that some of my best writing comes from talking to other people and writing about what they’re going through (with their permission, of course). I’ve always found it to be so fulfilling to give voice to what someone else is thinking or experiencing, to find words that perfectly encapsulates their experience. It makes me feel like I’m using music to do good instead of just using it for success, because I know that music has the power to heal and provide closure or validation to someone who’s going through some rough shit. Is there a difference between the musical worlds of Hawaii and Los Angeles? Sure! I’d say that because music itself is intrinsically tied to culture in Hawaii, it feels more wholesome, more like a tradition that carries weight. In LA, the attitude is decidedly more polished and business-like because it’s such an industry. Seems like the music you play is quite a crowded field. What will you do to stand out? Truthfully, I don’t worry about standing out anymore. I’ve learned that trying to stand out is an easy way to either be manipulated or simply become something you never wanted to be in the first place. I think when you just focus on being genuine, when you allow your art (and by extension your character) to speak for itself, you find your little patch of sunlight. So my goal as an artist is to just be authentic, to treat people with respect and love as often as I can and to speak my truth as best as I can. At the end of the day, it comes down to the music. Imagine a crazy plot twist to your career trajectory that none of your peers would expect. What happens? Hmmm plot twist...I discover a previously dormant but enduring love for opera, move to Italy, and after a lengthy and arduous apprenticeship become a world famous tenor What's next for you through 2019? Shows, shows and more shows! This year I just want to get out and play everywhere I can. I’ve also started working on some new music that I’m really excited about, so I’m preparing to release some of that while we’re out on the grind. I think It’s going to be a really fun year! Connect With Connor Snow on social media: Instagram Youtube #BuzzMusic

Pale Blue Dot, a band based in Charlottesville, Virginia, was founded by musician Tony LaRocco who wanted to bring together fellow musicians while exploring the realm of songwriting. The band’s sound is inspired by multiple genres that range from pop, alternative, progressive rock, folk and bepop jazz. Their single, “Only Love” is an upbeat song that has a very different sound that combines a somewhat folky guitar and rhythm section while accompanied by a lively trumpet most likely inspired by jazz.The beginning of the track starts with a simple yet effective walking bass line that gets the listener into the groove of things. The first voice that starts the first verse and chorus is very raw and real. The second voice brings a raw and real feeling as well but in a different timbre. Then when the two voices come together, they compliment each other well and it brings a sense of unity to the song and is pleasing to listen to. The arrangement and composition of the song itself is very impressive since they are able to make a slightly folky/alternative sound while tip toeing over the genre of indie music. If you are looking to widen your genres and playlist, this band will be on there for sure. Overall, there smooth and upbeat sound will have you playing this on repeat! Connect with Pale Blue Dot on social media: Website: www.palebluedotband.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/PalebluedotbandVA Twitter: www.twitter.com/palebluedotband Instagram: www.instagram.com/pbdband #BuzzMusic

R&B/pop singer Nikia has been making strides in the music industry since the age of 16 when releasing her first single, “wanna get with you”. Eventually should would take her musical endeavours overseas becoming a big hit. By the time she was 18, Nikia took her music to the states and would release 3 albums, 2 EPs and 5 singles. Nikia’s newest album titled, “No Fairytale” is due for a release later this year accompanied by her new reality TV series called, “Sister Sister”. In Nikia’s song, “Truth Syrum” ft. Wo-Bbillz we see the story of a relationship taking a turn for the worse. It is a soft but brutal R&B track that odes to classic early 2000s R&B artists. Wo-Bbillz adds a verse as well and solidifies the song itself. The song starts off with a phone call relating to the title of “Truth Syrum” as Nikia and the listener finds out that there is a baby on the way presumably not Nikia’s. As the song progresses we see that Nikia’s relationship has become increasingly rocky with accusations of cheating and being left alone repeatedly. As the song closes Nikia seems to find the contentment with her decision of living her lover and knows that she deserves better. This is something that a lot of people can relate to which will continually build Nokia’s fanbase for sure. www.soundsofnikia.com #BuzzMusic

Twenty-two year old Boston native Vinny Dee is a folk artist. Music has been around for him since the age of 10 and his name is one that many San Diego residents recognize. Vinny Dee released his first E.P under his band name Friends of Fortune and is expecting to drop a compilation of songs early February. His music can be described as acoustic songs filled with both real world pain and descriptive emotions. His goal is to write songs about topics that most people are unable to talk about regularly with hope of providing a voice for those who suffer from any emotional distress. This song really does evoke emotion! It’s one of those songs that if you close your eyes you can see the story being played out. A story being told by campfire; a story full of thoughts and real emotion. There is a feeling of home within the melody of this song. Guitar strings and harmonic lyrics are all this single needs and that alone says a lot. About midway through there’s some horns that become more prominent. And they are treated almost like the choir in this song. Such a warm and open hearted song. Listen to "Forbidden Love" here, and learn more about Vinny Dee in our interview below Hey Vinny! Can you introduce yourself to our readers! Hello peeps! My Name is Vincent but I go by Vinny Dee! I am a folk artist and singersongwriter from Massachusetts. I drove here on my own about 2 years ago for a new life and have been making music since then. I'm a 22 year old dude who likes cats and eggnog and write a lot of my songs based off of emotions that people usually dont want to talk about. I've written a lot of songs but have only published 3 so far but plan on releasing a 5/6 song E.P in 2019. How did you know music would be your passion? I used to play trumpet and I would participate in every single music related activity I could. Jazz band. Concert band. I was even the drum major for my high school. It has always been a part of my life but it took me going through some real dark times to find out that I love performing and love sharing emotions with people. What emotions are the easiest for you to sing and write about? Why? Depression and anxiety are the easiest. I know a lot of artists especially these days talk about it and a lot of people are in a bad situation where they deal with it but it is so easy for me to write a song about the hardship I've gone through and the fear and demons that haunt me as opposed to a song about happiness. Literally today I was writing a song about looking forward to the future and though it was kind of genuine, it wasnt real and it sounded cliche because I'm not used to that. I'm not used to looking forward to a future. I've written songs that talk about how I have trust issues with every human being on this planet. I've written songs that "dance" around the idea of self harm and I've written songs that dive into the depths of my mind and the thing about those is that everytime I perform them I have someone come up, practically in tears, saying that they connected. That's what I want out of all of this I want to share my emotions in hopes that people with the same emotions can speak up and we can discuss it. I want to be able to talk about depression. I want to be able to talk about being too anxious to want to do literally anything. I want to talk about heartbreak. And that being said "Forbidden Love" was directed towards music. Yes its Romeo and Juliet based but when I wrote it I was thinking about music. 4/5 years ago I tried making music my life and my parents/society said no. Now I'm on my own and I'm trying to make music my life and I'm begging for it to say "yes". I'm begging for music to make it's way back into my life. I want music to come home to me and I want music to run away with me to various places (tour) and I want it to be the adventure that fulfils my heart. I talk a lot when it comes to music so I apologize! Can you tell us more about Forbidden Love? "Forbidden love" is the idea of dealing with a love that you can't have. Originally the song was about being away from your lover for whatever reason. Almost immediately though I started thinking about Romeo and Juliet and I thought about how it literally took death to allow them to be together. So I wanted to build upon that because I thought that was something very sacred. Very special. And since it's such a sacred thing, I wanted to focus on making the song as stripped back yet fulfilling as possible. It only has guitar, organ, harmonies, and trumpet but yet it is still able to capture this pure moment. The constant bass drum in the back represents the heartbeat that drives lovers together and since I'm sick of writing depressing ass songs I wanted it to be a love song not a "We can't love each other so let's kill ourselves" song. Did you face any challenges in the creation process of the song? How did you overcome them? My biggest challenge was making it too cliche. A love song revolving around romeo and Juliet? Cmon that's cliche. Coming up with lyrics that were more specific than "I Love You" but weren't corny or a rip off of Shakespeare was tough. It took a lot of trial and error. I probably wrote 2-3 other verses for this song and asked people what they thought before deciding that 2 verses, specifically these 2, was all that it needed. What message do you hope for people to take from the single? Everyone has a little bit of blue in them. Some more than others. And love is a mix of a fiery passionate red that seems to burn through whatever barriers life throws at us and a weird dark blue that engulfs us and makes us go crazy. I guess you could say love is purple...but that's kind of a reach and a half soooo I'm gonna avoid that. But back to the point love also has its negatives too. It doesnt have to be heartbreak it can be insecurity, infidelity, lack of communication, or inability to be with the person you yearn for. So we have to respect love for what it is and treasure it because sometimes people arent as fortunate like you and/or I to just fall in love and be with that person. This song should also help us realize that if you love someone then you gotta go out and get them!! Go out and slay their parents and swoop in on the white horse and take love by the hand and ride off with in in a fiery sunset. If the main character was willing to propose at a young age and then deal with the heartache of being rejected by the lovers parents for 4 years only to decide to try and get the love of their life again then what's stopping us from finding our love? It doesnt have to be romantic love too it can be everything and anything. Just go out and get it. What's next for you through 2019? I'm working on some full band songs with covers and originals and I plan on finishing up my 5/6 song E.P that talks about different aspects of Love. Ideally that should be done before the summertime. Connect with Vinny Dee: Instagram Facebook Youtube #BuzzMusic

The Baltimore group Outcalls has prepped a gently beseeching creation which was released on Valentines Day! It’s called “Stay” and it seeps into your brain with unassuming steps. But it gets its hooks in, making you want to remain… on repeat. The Valentine’s Day complaint is laden with genuine concern and puts to work a wide range of tools in service of their message. That includes the 80s ballad-style pre-chorus build-up, hints of Chaka Khan female empowerment and even reminders of the b-sides on Daft Punk’s latest album, informed by post-disco reveries. Here Britt Olsen-Ecker and Melissa Wimbish, with Peabody Conservatory cred under their belt, drop an almost-infectious “Are You Gonna Stay” chorus that is simple, mellow and pleasant. And the fact I get it reminds me I’m getting older. There’s no raucous edge to it. It’s just honest and pleading. I love how the keyboard sounds are varied. You have the Rhodes-style warmth mixed with almost chime-tinged indie-friendly arpeggios towards the end. We receive this gift into the universe hot on the heels of the group snagging the top spot in 89.7 WTMD’s year-end listeners’ poll for their last track, “Keep Falling Over.” WTMD is an “adult album alternative” station, which does seem like the appropriate spot for the genre sung into by Olsen-Ecker and Wimbish. “Keep Falling Over” will also be featured on Maryland Public Television, the day after Valentine’s Day. “Stay” by Outcalls is a song that makes you wonder about a parallel existence of dandelion Saturdays, picnics among blades of the greenest grass and efforts to convince a not-totally-disapproving-but-still-reticent father figure of your intentions with his offspring. This is a song I feel could fit on a walkman cassette mixtape of one of Napoleon Dynamite’s classmates. I guess that's just what happens when you put the Super City guitarist Dan Ryan, Soul Cannon drummer Charles Wilson and bassist Kevin Powe Jr. together under the guidance of mixer Steve Wright (Wrightway Studios). “Stay” doesn’t attack with precision chemical effectiveness, but manages to maintain interest with steady progressions, right until the final bars. Listen to "Stay" here and learn more about Outcalls in our interview below. What’s the significance of releasing your song “Stay” on February 14th, Valentine's Day? You mean why release a song on the "Hallmark holiday" that people love to hate? February the 14th holds a special place in our otherwise barren, cold hearts because the first business we started together was a singing valentine troupe: The Valentonez. "Chocolates melt, flowers die, but The Valentonez will get you laid" was our motto. We delivered singing Valentines all over Baltimore to unsuspecting victims of love ... embarrassing them at work, on their doorstep, or at their local pub. The Valentonez were such a hit that we had to extend to three days! We shared in so many people's special moments and only saw one person get dumped, but that was totally NOT our fault. Essentially, Valentine's Day is where it all started for us as business partners. It will always be a day that reminds us of how far we have come in the industry as musicians, and how much we have been through as friends. Releasing our new single "Stay" is symbolic for us. It sweetens an already special day and increases the likelihood for tears by about 70 percent. Why was it important for you to write about this topic? Didn't seem like a choice. It was motivated by bitter tears. Do you see the song more as an ultimatum or a petition? A little bit of both, but probably neither. The song is triggered by a memory of a relationship that is already over. The question being asked over and over, "Are you gonna stay?" has already been answered. This moment is just the pathetic hope that only goes away with lots of time and crying. Also, when your pillow is soaked in tears, sometimes the only way to dry it is with the breath of a repeated question. What was the recording process like for "Stay"? Like that scene in "Bohemian Rhapsody" when they're recording "Bohemian Rhapsody" except with us instead of Queen. And with bagels. Have you had a chance to perform it yet? If so, what has the response been like? Audiences love "Stay" and often refer to it as "The Birthday Song." It's always fun to listen for reactions after we deliver the first line of text: "Remember when you forgot my birthday? That should have been the end of our story." There are always noticeable guffaws or one of those really long "daaaaaaaaaammmmn"s like you used to hear in middle school. We can't tell if people are more impressed with the fact that "story" can rhyme with "birthday" when you try hard enough, or if perhaps someone forgot their birthday once too and they've been waiting their whole lives for this moment to hear a song that makes them feel seen. It makes us feel great because we know we're not the only forgettable people in the room. Connect with Outcalls on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

AY has always felt at home writing music at her piano. This singer and songwriter from greater Boston composes and performs with passionate and powerful vocals. She really geared her fans up for her release of her latest “Mayberry Heart” with previews, strong visuals, and lyric snippets via Instagram. Thrilled to release this single as an original and right before the sacred National Love Day. Let’s tune into this new release from AY! Introduction was beyond striking. We assume it is AY with the piano but regardless the melody pulls you deep into the song even before her voice takes you away. There is a gentle power in her voice that mesmerizes you and has you floating on cloud 9. The notes she hits and runs this girl is giving sounds so effortless. The soul and heart within the lyrics and tone and just the piano accompaniment is such a ear pleasing gift. A tune for the likes of all and a sound all her own. There isn’t a particular artist that we could even compare her sound to and that is what makes it special. We cannot help but really love this song and everything it’s made of. Listen to "Mayberry Heart" here, and learn more about AY in our interview below! Hello. If you could, introduce yourself to our readers? My name is Ay and music is my purpose. I grew up on a tiny island near Boston MA and have chased my dream of pursing a music career since I was a child. When did you begin composing music? I began singing at age 2 and began to play piano at 4. When I learned to sing and play together around 8 years old, I began composing immediately and never stopped. What piano key is your favorite and why? When I write music I am listening to my soul. Sometimes expressing feelings I recognized through experience or observation. The key of the piece always chooses itself, although I do enjoy working with minor keys and dark tones. What is the story behind “Mayberry Heart” and why did you choose to release it when you did? Mayberry Heart came to me through a significant relationship experience.  The kind of situation where two people who love each other dearly, cannot seem to surmount obstacles in their way. And yet, they refuse to give up the fight for that love. I chose to release this single during February when all kinds of love are in focus and many who feel heartbreak, hope, and longing deeply enjoy music that reflects those feelings. What is your favorite lyric in this single? My favorite line of the song is the very first lyric “stumbled in with my heart in my throat”.  This sets up that feeling of frenzy and mishap for the entire song and love story. What can we expect from you this year? I have recently completed producing more original work in LA with producer Anthony Resta.  You can expect to hear a mix of neo-soul and alternative pop from me in coming productions.  I love to experiment with different styles that complement my powerful vocals.   I am going to be releasing and performing these pieces throughout the year.  To stay tuned on events and releases follow my social pages! Connect with AY: Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube #BuzzMusic

“How long has it been since you made a genuine connection…?” Greeted by this sentiment you might wonder if you’re about to launch into to tech-evangelist’s YouTube rant about Tinder. You would be forgiven for thinking we were headed in the shitty-tea motivation Instagrammer direction. But there’s something about the delivery in this recent video post from independent record label By Proxy that has me buying what they’re selling. This isn’t highbrow by any means. But it’s neatly packaged and seems genuinely in touch with vibrant cultural undercurrents. Like a CBD beverage, Your body is relaxed. Your pupils dilate. You inhale. When we’re introduced to this collective “created by artists for artists,” you can’t help but want to know more. We’re promised a philosophical experience through sights and sounds. Anyone who dares combine the #supportthearts, #psychedelic and #unsignedartist hashtags, with a dose of #prettypotheads on the side, has my attention. The slightly-discordant, though mostly pristine, ambient music in the promo vid strikes a chord. You’re left paradoxically wanting quiet contemplation and joyous dancing at the same time. The video for Matt Ali’s “Locust,” with its mountain imagery and John Clark’s “Grantchester Meadows” with sketched triangles and techno-DNA, seem to confirm their ideals. There’s a powerful conception in here that I can’t help but hope, from the bottom of my heart, takes root. Listen to "Vacant" here, and connect with By Proxy using the link below! Instagram Facebook Youtube