Vancouver, Canada singer/songwriter Elijah Blond first caught the attention of his listeners with his debut 2018 single “Whispers”. The genre-bending nature of his style showcased his broad range as a vocalist. Representing Vancouver's music collective KNWMRE, Elijah Blond plans to use 2019 to create a vast portfolio of diverse music for any lover of Hip-Hop, R&B or Pop. The atmospheric and ethereal single helps you mentally place yourself in a different environment and paints a vivid image for you to enjoy the song and connect with the music in a visualization manner. It’s interesting because I have not yet seen the visuals by Elijah Blond, so I was able to fabricate how I would see the music video in my head. It would be pretty captivating regardless on the direction Elijah Blond chooses to take. “Whispers” has a unique vibe to it. I can’t necessarily categorize it into one genre but it’s equipped with the sensational vocals for you neon-pop lovers while soothing us into a placement of relaxation for you subtle pop grubbers! Elijah Blond presents a subdued energetic song, perfect for late night drives, and late night vibes. Listen to “Whispers” here and get to know Elijah Blond in our interview below! Hey Elijah, care to introduce yourself to our readers? Well, my name is Elijah Blond and I am a singer songwriter based out of Vancouver Canada. What was the most anticipating moment of releasing “Whispers”? I had sat on the track for around 5 months, really taking my time to perfect the writing and production. This was my first single to be released on all streaming platforms, moving away from Soundcloud releases. This song is also different from anything I had done before so I was excited to see how people would react, and so far its gone better than I could have ever expected. How do you manage to execute your visions and ideas into your music? Honestly, a lot of hard work. As well as a group of people I’ve surrounded myself with who believe in me and my vision. I feel blessed everyday to have their support. Every artist has their own story! What’s yours? Ever since I was young Ive been surrounded by music. Both my parents were recording artists themselves at one point. I picked up drums, bass, and guitar through the ages of 4 to 8, eventually sticking with the guitar and moving towards singing and songwriting through my teen years. I feel as though it was a good way to express my emotions through high school. Later on in my teens I slowly made the transition to the style I have today, then moved back to Vancouver where I was born from Vancouver Island to seriously pursue my lifelong dreams of music. Met a collective of very talented artists producers, photographers and creative minds called KNWMRE. We all have big plans for the future and I’m honoured to be alongside them for this. If you can describe your style in any adjective what would it be and why? Thats kind of a hard one. Im still experimenting with different sounds and what suits me best, but overall I want to be diverse in all aspects of my music. I want to blend genres and break down any walls or premonitions people may have about hip hop, while also staying true to my West Coast and Folk roots. What can we expect from you this year? In 2019 I want to make my mark on the Vancouver scene and show people what I can do. You can expect multiple singles and music videos showcasing my diversity early in the year. Later on as Fall comes upon us I want to give listeners some insight into the mind of Elijah Blond. People will also be hearing my name at clubs and venues as the year goes on. Im definitely excited for the Journey ahead of me and want to thank all my fans for getting me this far, Ive been feeling very optimistic. Connect with Elijah Blond on social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/48elijah

No newcomer in the industry, Lu Roc came into the game surrounded by Chicago talent in the urban music scene since the year 96. Back then, Lu Roc learned the ropes from Chicago music house talents Pamp and Bear Who?-- both whom are acclaimed artists in their own right. This experience laid the foundation for Lu Roc’s music, exposing him to the under-workings of the music industry. Lu Roc is now an upcoming prodigy who will pave his own path and journey for us to remember! Lu Roc released his single titled “Syllables” and it begins with a melodic introduction, later playing as the hook for the single before Lu Roc begins to lyrically spit a flow highly individually catered to his own style. “Syllables” was a hit nonetheless. A noticeable moment in “Syllables” would be around 1:54 where Lu begins to truly showcases how his singing voice can carry a tune in a different register, including them high notes we love to hear! Lu Roc is an all around versatile artist. I can see him delivering us a vibe RnB hit record or even projecting them hard-hitting lyrics in an aggressive rap banger! I listened a little bit to his other releases including “Nobody” and showed his potential to execute a pop melody as well. Lu Roc is undeniably an artist we need to be on the lookout for! Listen to “Syllables” here and get to know Lu Roc in our interview below! How did you come up with the name “Lu Roc” ? is your birth name included into this unique stage name? Lu Roc is a moniker given to me by an older B-Boy friend from the Bronx, NY during a visit a few years back. He knows I like music, and love to dance and rap or "rock out" as he calls it - so he called me "Lu Roc." It has stuck ever since. By the way, my first real name is "Lu" for short. How impacting was it for you to grow up surrounded by the Chicago music scene? RESPONSE: It was extremely impactful. I don't want to under-emphasize the massive amount of artistic talent all over the city of Chicago. Watching some of my mentors do their thing as it relates to DJ'ing, music production, dancing, rapping, performing, etc. - it all left its mark on me. I firmly believe a person is product of their surroundings, and I am Exhibit A. Have you ever considered collaborating with the artists whom you’ve stated played an important role in encouraging you to pursue music? I absolutely have considered collaborating with those artists, and I plan on it. My goal this time around was to release my first two albums on my own because I believe in learning things the hard way; that is, by doing things myself, making mistakes, and learning from them. I wrote, performed, produced and mixed these albums entirely on my own and have learned so much in the process. For my next project, I want to not only ask those people to work with me, I want to show them what I have done as a result of their inspiration. It's all about progression, hard work and "doing" - and I want to motivate them to want to work with me just as much as they have motivated me to get to where I am. How would you categorize yourself and your music style? That's a loaded question, but I would categorize myself as fluid. I love to rap and make music, but I also love to sing. I love complex and meaningful lyrics, but I also love simple catchy verses and hooks. I like to rap about love and emotions, but I also like to drop lyrics about partying, failure, successes and inspirational things. I like to rap in English, but I also like to rap in Spanish. As you can hear in Genesis, and also in my EDM album "Dos", its hard for me to stay pigeon-holed in a specific genre or sub-genre of music. The idea of "Genesis" was to showcase that I don't limit myself to one style of Rap/urban music. If it sounds good to me, I will put it out. And because "Genesis" is my first project, I assure you that as much as I love it and I know many others do and will - it is definitely not my best product. The best is yet to come and I'm sure my work will evolve in the process. Out of all your releases, which is your favorite and why? My favorite is Colossal Goals. It expresses my reality. I've been blessed to accomplish lots of wonderful things in my life, despite some significant adversities and coming from extremely humble beginnings (I'm first generation born in the states from Puerto Rican migrant farmer families). I was raised to set the bar high and keep working at whatever my objective is, no matter what. I have failed so many times, but have kept going nonetheless. Worth ethic, patience and drive - no matter the circumstances - have been my recipe for success. I live by setting goals to a colossal level and incessantly hacking at them. That's what that song means to me, and I wanted to share it with the world. I think it conveys that sentiment lucidly. Connect with Lu Roc on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/lurocmelodic Facebook: www.facebook.com/lurocmelodicmusic Twitter: www.twitter.com/lurocmelodic

Blastar was born in Paris, originating from the West Indies, Blastar began working on music at a young age, experimenting on a bontempi synthesizer in the 90’s. As the years progressed, he developed a certain versatility to his music which led to him the ability to compose R&B, Pop, and many other genres. He released his single titled “Chill Out”, a multi-faceted single with many layers. The song begins with Blastar’s intricate rap flow supported by his unique vocal articulation. “Chill Out” transforms into something more hauntingly chilling but dope and appreciated. “Chill Out” doesn’t stick to a singular surface song, it has many layers that you uncover as the song continues to progress. Blastar has a different rap style that’s highly marketable and sets him apart from most rappers out today. It has this grimy kind of flare with a sound similar to the likes of “Flatbushzombies”, a hip-hop group that was equipped with significant amount of grit and edge to their voices and style. “Chill Out” has a dark trap aesthetic to the beat however, I’m personally fan of those aggressive beats where you feel like you’re absorbed by the entire atmosphere the artist creates for you. Blastar correctly executed a manifold hit that blends the lines between rap and dubstep. Listen to "Chill Out" here. Connect with Blastar on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/BlastarMusic Instagram: instagram.com/BlastarMusic Facebook: facebook.com/blastarmusic SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/BlastarMusic

MELA also known as Megan Elise Kelly, hails from the East Coast as a indie-pop Singer and Songwriter. Megan is well known for her writing in film, advertisements and television. After releasing a few singles under Megan Elise Kelly, her team helped her decide that a new name was needed for her solo career. And from there birthed MELA. MELA’s sounds are reminiscent of Dgny, Verite, and even Lykke Li. This indie-pop singer has surely proven that her vocals and lyrics are some that will not be bypassed. When I saw the name of the song, I immediately passed judgement. This is a track stating exactly what is says, “I Tried”. And I was right! But what I was not ready for was MELA’s vocals. She sounds like an angel. Her range and tone sets her apart from others in her genre. The production of the song alone gives you an array of instruments that work simultaneously work together to enhance her already beautiful voice. I can feel and hear the pain, the growth, and finally moving on from her past. “I Tried” gave me an inspirational story with a wonderful melody to back it. 3 thumbs up! Listen to "I Tried" here and get to know MELA in our interview below! Hey MELA! Care to introduce yourself to our readers? Absolutely! First of all, thank you for taking the time to talk to me! My name is Megan, but on stage I go by MELA. I am an indie pop musician and songwriter from New York City. When did you realize you wanted to write music and why? Well, I started taking violin lessons right around my 5th birthday, and I’ve loved music ever since. Around 7th or 8th grade I realized that I wanted to sing, and I started writing songs, but I couldn’t accompany myself with just the violin, so I taught myself guitar and drums. Music has always been the best release for me. Sometimes I feel like I am better at communicating my thoughts and feelings through music. Now, I write songs for TV/Ads and Film, as well as for myself. The MELA project is personal and only for me, and anyone who wants to listen, of course! What would you say the writing difference would be in Music vs Ads/Film? When writing a song specifically for Ads/Film, you have to consider several factors. What is happening in the scene? What kind of emotion are we trying to get the audience to feel? What is the call to action? What kind of lyrics will help accentuate the visual elements? It’s an incredibly fun and rewarding challenge, but when I write music just for me….it’s less about thinking, and a lot more about feeling. “I Tried” carries a lot of past pains and even growth. What would say drives you the most in your writing? Without even consciously realizing it when it’s happening, I think my song writing is really driven by relatability. I know when I hear music that I can relate to, it has this incredible power to change my mood, and maybe even my mindset. Relatable music is the soundtrack to our lives, and it’s my ultimate goal to write songs that people can connect with; and make their own. ‘I Tried’ is about finding strength in a dark time, and then using it to empower yourself to move on. It’s about acknowledging the journey we have to go on sometimes just to be okay with exactly where we are today. What can we expect to hear or see from you in this year? This year is going to be big for the Melateam! I am working on a 5 song EP that will come out in March, and I am currently setting up a series of live shows. Can’t wait to hit the stage and play this new music live for everyone. Follow on Spotify or Instagram for updates! @itsmelamusic Connect with MELA on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsmelamusic Facebook- www.facebook.com/itsmelamusic

Tissa Rahim is a singer/songwriter from Vancouver, Canada who weaves together her effortless talent of R&B and Soul genres with a multi-generational affinity for Persian music as she debuts a rousing solo project after years of sharing the stage with her band! Tissa decided to break free and spread her wings. The release of the sultry single of hers “Lift A Finger” is a playlist adder for sure. The soulful vibe reminds me of an aesthetic singers like Sabrina Claudio, and Sinead Harnett would produce. I’m personally a fan of music like this. She elevates you into a different atmosphere and fabricates a sense of belonging within the song. Tissa's vocals are a soothing R&B temperamental soul and is delicately projected with warmth. Her voice is like silk. It’s absolutely relaxing and she knows the exact type of music that complements her sound well. Artists must know what type of music fits their vocal style and categorize themselves accordingly. Tissa knows her brand, her artistry, and has her own individual image that can carry her extremely far if she continues to produce iconic vibe songs like “Lift A Finger”. I would definitely lay down and listen to this single in my earbuds before bed when I just want to catch a vibe. I’m sure this song will translate well across many different listeners as well! Listen to “Lift A Finger” here and get to know Tissa Rahim in out interview below! Hi Tissa, care to introduce yourself to our readers? I am a singer/songwriter/producer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. My music falls into the R&B and soul genres with some indie and hip-hop influences, combined with a multi-generational affinity for Persian music. I was born and raised in Vienna, Austria to a family full of Persian musicians and grew up very musically inclined. Most of my songs can be categorized as either sad or sassy, or somewhere along the spectrum of the two. How has it been performing with the band? Any memorable moments? I was with the band from 2008-2012, and started up my solo career in 2016. With this band we were able to record an album and join a 40-city North American tour supporting the band 100 Monkeys, who's member, Jackson Rathbone (of Twilight Fame) also produced our album. During that time we got to perform at some iconic venues, including the House of Blues in New Orleans and the Gramercy Theatre in New York. Because of my work with this band I was also named one of 24 Magazine’s “Top 24 under 24". Do you have any challenges you’re worried about facing as an independent artist, separate from a band!? The main challenge as an independent artist is that you can't separate roles and responsibilities as you could for a band; you are in charge of every aspect of your artistry. This can also be seen as beneficial as you get to execute your vision for who you want to be as an artist. Of course you can eventually hire various people such as managers and publicists, but laying down the groundwork, I believe, is usually done by the artist themselves. What’s your artist meaning behind “Lift A Finger” ? Lift A Finger is about a woman realizing that she deserves more than what she has been given. Through valuing herself and gaining self-confidence, she is no longer afraid to demand what she wants. This theme is applied both at the intimate partner level and a societal level. The song embodies self-liberation and coming for what is owed to her. Do you have any musical influences? If so who and why!? I have many musical influences drawing from different genres including r&b, soul (both modern and Motown), hip-hop and indie music, I would say my main influences both for vocal performance and musical style are Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Jorja Smith and Etta James. You have some upcoming performances and single releases! Which are you most excited for? 2019 is gonna be a year filled with new original music. On January 21st I have my single, Lift a Finger, coming out, produced by Unkle Ricky and Gabe. Sx. I am also recording a music video for this single to be released a few months after the single release which I am excited about. I have finished production on four additional songs, including collaborations with Mexican artists Jam Martinezmx and Cxsinensis, Ontario producer Okee.Brand and Vancouver's own Francis Arevalo and Braden Rangno, and have started working on a four-song EP to be released later this year. I am quite excited about all of my upcoming performances which you can find on my social media page and website; one particular venue I have always wanted to perform at in Vancouver is the quintessential Fortune Sound Club; I will be performing there March 4th. Connect with Tissa Rahim on social media: tissarahim.bandzoogle.com instagram.com/iamtissarahim facebook.com/iamtissarahim

Hip hop artist Lightweight Literate was born and raised in the suburbs of a small town called Yuba City, CA. Lightweight’s music reflects a “silver spoon” upbringing contrary to the average rapper. Many artists pride themselves on the struggle, but Lightweight Literate finds pride in the support of his loving family and fans. Lightweight Literate primarily delivers melodic choruses and aggressive verses. It is evident with each new track he is constantly striving to improve his craft and expand his fan base. Lightweight appears to have a continuing trend of paying homage to his heroes with each project name. In 2018, Lightweight Literate dropped his debut mixtape BLONDJAMESBOND and only four months later he released his newest mixtape WHITEWILLSMITH. You can hear the artist’s growth in the short time between projects. There have been rumors of an upcoming mixtape LLNOTCOOLJ but this has not been confirmed! The first song on his tape, “WhiteWillSmith” was the perfect introduction to the tape. It highlighted the whole vibe for the mixtape and ironically it was titled exactly like the project. You absolutely felt his presence throughout the entire song. He was able to deliver a strong aggressive nature with witty lyrics and an addicting hook. It felt more like a “I'm coming” type of song where he’s letting us know that this project is going to create waves! After “WhiteWillSmith” the next song that transitions in is called “Squad Deep” and lightweight gives us no break from his hard-hitting lyrics and banging beat where i can envision myself listening to this single on 10 on my radio. One of my favorite noticeable qualities about the song had to be his flow. The way he was able to effortlessly deliver his bars without missing a beat and sustaining perfect breathe control was a stand out characteristic. The next single off this project, “First Label” was completely different from the two songs prior, lightweight literate showcases his singing ability a little bit more with a trap, hip-hop sounding beat. His raspiness when he sings became more clear and it was pleasant to hear because it’s one of his special unique traits. The next song, “Gazuntite” was one of my personal favorites. The dark, hazy, and melodic trap beat completely captured my attention. Of course, Lightweight Literate was still able to switch his flow and style to become fitting to the song, and create a more personable effect. Of course, he sticks to his brand and his artistry. The next song to transition in and ”Me” begins with his hook of lightweight singing in a different language. Again, he showcases a little more versatility and shows that he is a multifaceted artist and can deliver pretty much anything and twist it into his own swag. The next single “Ripped Pages” was another one of my personal favorites. His humming in the beginning with a soothing and canorous tune was relaxing and showed the more subtle and vulnerable side to him. “Ripped Pages” gave the melancholic sprinkle to the progressive and belligerent mixtape which was a good addition to brand himself as a more well-rounded rapper. You can’t really expect what’s next from him. The next song “Rmb” still keeps the laidback and chilled vibe going while his flow becomes more uptempo and enterprising. “Hatchet” was extremely deep to me. It kind of highlighted the life story of lightweight literate and felt more like he was allowing us to read his personal life diary, connecting with his listeners, and separating himself from his artistry and demonstrated the person whose behind the image. He strips away the layers of the whole “Rap Star” and you can become a little bit more understanding on his character and drive for success. It was enchantingly dope and if you weren’t a fan then, you become a fan by now. The next song “All The Way” keeps the momentum of his diversity with an old school boombox beat. The song reminded me of a time period where hip-hop was first born. While listening to this single i begin to realize that lightweight literate is an artist who can appeal to a variety of listeners, and become a digestible artist to any scene of rap lovers. Rap music seems to have became sub categorized and lightweight literate does a little bit of everything with each song in “WhiteWillSmith”. The final and closing song of the tape, “Brother” was an interesting song to me. Just like “Hatchet” it seems like there was an underlying message underneath the single and serves a personable purpose to the artist. Lightweight literate undergoes many different styles throughout the mixtape from his bold rap mannerism, intellectual lyrics, and melodic vocals. He fuses together every element he showcased in one closing song to the diverse and transcending mixtape that showed us why he’s the next rising artist on the rise. Not a rapper, not a singer, but a creator of an art form that we all share a love for. Listen to the album here and get to know Lightweight Literate in our interview below! Connect with Lightweight Literate on social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/lightweightl Instagram: www.www.instagram.com/lightweight Twitter: www.twitter.com/LightweightLit

Emerging with a positive mainstream vibe of hip-hop that draws creative energy from elements of pop, classic R&B, and dance music – and everyone from his iconic childhood influences, to his family relatives The Emotions – the multi-talented Chicago born, Minnesota based artist NoTrace came up with his sly moniker one day in a freestyle. He’s a quiet and reserved “Empath” by nature but when NoTrace gets on the mic, he’s a master storyteller; rapping, rhyming and putting together tracks that brace the heart and galvanize the spirit. After months of being in the studio with some of pop and hip hops talented producers, NoTrace has released the first single, “Layers” from his debut EP “Vibrations”. NoTrace sets himself apart from the hip-hop masses by stressing the importance of strong relationships and family. "A lot of these songs were written and tracked during the time I had just become a new father. I’m a stay at home dad, so it was my first time making music as a father, and with my son present.” NoTRace recently released “Layers” and I can ensure you that I will be adding this single to my personal playlist. The most noticeable trait of NoTrace to me was his realness and his authentic nature. But my favorite characteristic to his artistry was his gritty rap voice and raspy vocals that adds a rough texture to his single, making it more aggressive even if it wasn’t meant to be an aggressive record. NoTrace knows how to lyrically deliver bars if he wanted to show us a laidback side to him, but he also knows how to hit the hard-hitting and bold approach to rap music with a trap beat that bangs on your stereo and gets the party clubbing! His versatility shows, and it makes him a little bit more magnifying than before. Being nomadic new fan of his, I decided to listen to more of his newer releases including the bright, and delightful tune “Layers”. “Layers” absolutely proves my theory of NoTrace being an all-around, diverse artist who has the capability of presenting many different sides to his brand. The hit record has a flavorable presence that fuses a mixture of bubblegum pop and urban rap. NoTrace took this song and styled it into an idiosyncratic jam that breaks down the typical stigma and perception of the hip-hop culture! Listen to "Layers" here and get to know NoTrace in our interview below! Hi there, can you introduce yourself to our readers? My name is NoTrace and I am an independent Minnesota Hip Hop/Rap artist. How did your environment and upbringing impact your music and artistry? Music is in my family, from my dad to all my uncles and aunts. So it was something always around, but I really turned to music when I was going through a lot of issues at the time with being homeless in my teens, and my parents split, and dad becoming ill. I wanted to use music as a way to support my family and hopefully bring us back together, but it was also a way to cope with the issues I had to deal with. How did you come up with the name “NoTrace” ? It was a good friend that came up with NoTrace, I was freestyle rapping to him one day, and I came up with a dope rhyme about leaving NoTrace and he suggested I use it as a name, and the rest is history. How do you find inspiration for your songwriting? My inspiration is life and the people in my life, it’s also something that I need to do to feel balanced. I try to draw inspiration from the good and bad times, and hopefully I can create something that people feel connected to. In your own words, how would you describe the impact your music makes on others? My music, especially the music I'm putting out this year, has a positive impact on others because that is what I put into my music. Even though some songs may be sad, I still try and leave something in there they can use as inspiration to get through whatever they are going through. At the end of the day I'm a story teller, my music tells a story that people can relate to and have . It's a different sound and a different vibe than what we're hearing in Hip Hop today. What’s the legacy you hope to leave behind? I hope to leave a legacy of great music. It's important that the next generation understand the importance of strong relationships and that positivity and hard work are important in life. Music connects people from all over the world. It's connected me with some of the most important and influential people in my life and I hope my music continues to create relationships, support and opportunities for generations to come. Instagram: www.instagram.com/notrace3/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/NoTraceFanPage Twitter: www.twitter.com/NoTrace3

Mashawi, a Toronto native, is not new to the music industry by any means. He is one that always stands out from the crowd never one to be labeled by society. This celebrity stylist has always been surrounded by fashion and music. Mashawi grew up in a family full of musicians which influenced his pursuit in performing in school, for talent shows, and even him auditioning for Canadian Idol. Mashawi’s break from the music world came right after high school. During this time he discovered where he belonged through traveling, the college life, and most recently, becoming a celebrity stylist. But he is ready to make a come back like no other. Mashawi is ready to give his audience a hit with his new single “Run Up”. "Run Up" is definitely a statement song. The message behind the single is encouraging those to do things the way you want and telling your haters like hey “Run Up” but you can get it! It’s your diehard f**k your haters kind of single. It definitely has a trap/hiphop bounce giving it the flexibility of being a dance song. There’s high keys throughout this song that gives an eerie but house feel. Definitely a great production choice. It ends with a solid come down taking away the heavy trap beat and ending with the high keys only. This single is one Mashawi is telling everyone “Hey, I am here and I am not going anywhere!” and that is what I love about it. Don’t be afraid to be you and do exactly what you want to do. Listen to "Run Up" here and connect with Mashawi on social media below! Website: www.mashawimusic.com Social Media: @mashawimusic

Lichtermeer released their single titled “Water”, a song that’s about a person who has a love for the liquid and sea, however they also have a fear of it. There’s only specific part where Lichtermeer sings and that’s when he says “lalala.. discard your fear”, the rest of the piece is fully instrumental however. Instrumentalists in my opinion has an interesting challenge they must excel in and that’s captivating a listener attention without any vocals or lyrics. Which means it adds more pressure on the instrumentalist to find a way to project their song meaning, story, or message in the sounds they produced. “Water” is a detailed piece. The beginning of the song has the atmospheric approach through the fx sounds Lichtermeer delivers. It’s neither delightful nor dwell-some but more so insensible. It has a strong chilling factor to it when he does indeed sings his two lines. In my opinion, it holds as a powerful line on its own because it really allow us to explore other meanings to the song. For me, I was able to picture myself cleansing all my negative subconscious thoughts and replacing them with positivity. I was able to in-tune myself with my goals, dreams, and life itself just by allowing myself to become as a unit with “Water”. The super dope part about this single is the transition. Around 3:10, it turns into a vintage video game sounding dance record. Completely shifting your whole mood and vibe. Lichtermeer gave us diversity, self-reflections, and grooves with “Water”. Listen to "Water" here and get to know Lichtermeer in our interview below! Hi there, care to introduce yourself to our readers? Sure! I'm Valentin Mayr, 24 years old and musician from Berlin. The word musician is still the best fitting but I'm actually also a composer and producer. On stage I play mostly drums and all kinds of pianos, keyboard and synths. Drums is what I studied, but at the moment the keyboardplaying, composing and producing dominates my life as a musician haha. What’s the most challenging aspect for you as an instrumentalist? When I play together with other musicians it's definately the most challenging thing to understand each others ideas and intentions musically. Sometimes someone has a big imagination behind an idea that he or she plays, and that imagination is what you need to get as well, or at least the feeling of it. The most challenging thing when I'm producing is to get through that weird mudd of software technique you need to handle. When did you begin making music? What encouraged you to begin? I started playing drums when I was six. My father is a professionell musician as well and my mother also does music. So I grew up in a family where everyone makes music. I even had a band with my brother for some years, a metal band haha. So I guess all that influences encouraged me to begin. Later when I was twelve, I started playing piano and also got more into composing and the whole creative process. Do you have a love for nature? Oh yeah I do! I love being in the nature, I also grew up on the countryside where it was just forest and fields around. You even hear it on the album! There are moments where I worked with nature sounds. "Days In Vis" has some bird sounds and djungle vibes, "Water" comes up with some sea breeze and the "ParaDies" trilogy creates some sunny moments where you hear little rivers and the forest with its birds. How do you channel your outside influences into your music? The whole album is a reflection of some of my own experiences, memories and dreams. All outside influences that have an effect on me are connected to what I feel and what I put into the music. That's how the most songs started, with an emotion. And then I would aim to play for that mood. Do you have any other talents you’d like us to know about? Soccer. I love soccer, haha. And also other kinds of sport like ping pong, volleyball or badminton. #BuzzMusic

Airbag released their single “Start Again”, a soft melody with tons of emotional conviction. The riveting strings from both the acoustic and electric guitar, chord progressive refrains from the instrumentals create the perfect mood and setting for the song. As I was watching the music video released, it was interesting for me to interpret the sudden change in the characters emotions and face expressions when the lyrics transitioned from the depressing verse to the uplifting and positively stimulating hook that was projected with a memorable melody you won’t forget! “Waking up with fear, you might not be here. Waking up to find, I'm still behind” what I interpreted from the powerful lyrics is that someone is fighting with battles within themselves or a battle with their happiness and it’s being projected onto their loved one. Their loved one however is fed up possibly and wants to leave, but they’re making a promise to change not only for their loved one but for themselves as well. It’s highly relatable as we’ve all had low moments in our lives and sometimes our negative mindsets can transfer onto not only ourselves but other people as well. Listen to “Start Again” here and get to know Airbag in our interview below! How did airbag form? Where did you guys meet! Airbag is band formed by two brothers Petko Slavov and Nikolay Slavov. Growing up we discovered we both love the music coming out of our parents hi fi. Our dad’s guitar gave us chance to learn two chords and try to write our first original song with them. Where do you find much of your songwriting inspiration from? Just looking at people, observing theirs and our own life’s. It might be a book or even an overheard conversation. Any musical influences? If so who and why? We guess we have to start with The Beatles, Their compilation album 1962-66 was as a cassette in our family player for years. Later on with passing years we went from funk and jazzy music to now more indie and alternative. Still trying to find the formula of making music being groovy with melody and emotion. What’s your artist perspective on your single “Start Again”? We hope that the song riches more people and they get to know us as a band. Out of all the music you’ve released, which is your personal favorite and why? Out of two albums we had released I guess “Her Voice” from the first and “View Of Life” from the last one would be our preferred to play live. How is “Start Again” different from the music you've released in the past? The latest single “Start again” we think it will be a direction we are aiming for, because it has kind of real duo feel, harmonies of our two vocals, a pinch of melancholy and memorable chorus. Connect with Airbag on social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/airbagband