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Ranwin Le-roy van der Hoogen, better known by his stage name Ranwin Le-Roy, is a South African pop singer and songwriter. Best known for live performances on The Voice (China). Born March 10 1994, this young star on the rise has always had a passion for music. Showcasing his talents worldwide and being a rising Social Media Influencer, Ranwin is capturing the hearts and ears of all those he touches. Ranwin Le-Roy is recognized for an unconventional musical and performance style that mixes soul vocals with contemporary R&B, pop, electropop, and hip-hop beats. Blessing us with his latest single “I Am Enough”. This is the self-love anthem of all self-love anthems. Taking pain and hurt and turning it into love and acceptance for self is exactly what Ranwin is giving us here. Being okay with being perfectly perfect! He has so many different blended sounds here that come together and makes a song that anyone can relate to. I can hear the R&B, the soulful pop within the lyrics, and the hip-hop in the beat! Using powerful words with a powerful lyrical vocalist is a recipe for greatness. This song gives us the strength to know that you are enough. Take a listen for yourself to see what a truly powerful song this is! Listen to "I Am Enough" here, and learn more about Ranwin in our interview below! Hi Ranwin. Can introduce yourself to our readers? I’m Ranwin Le-Roy, 24 years of age. I’m a South African singer-songwriter in love with music and driven by every single person, issue and all the beauty surrounding me. I believe that to be educated and to have an education is extremely important regardless of your goals, I’d say go for it. I attended Nelson Mandela University where I obtained a degree in Psychology and in Sociology (Honors). I consider myself a pop-soul singer but I don’t like to limit myself. I love to travel and I’ve performed in several countries where I've shared my music. I love countries enriched with culture, tradition, good food, spectacular scenery and warm people. What was your experience like performing on The Voice (China)? My experience on The Voice (China) was incredible. I got to work with some really talented people on the show. It’s the people you don’t see on screen who did the most for me. I got to be on a different stage and in a different light to share my music, and that made my journey exciting. How do you use your Social Media platform as a voice? I love art and that includes music, fashion, makeup and so much more, and that is exactly what my social media consist of. It’s beautiful to share my journey with my followers. I’ve had fans, followers and friends reach out to me with personal issues. Some people go through so much and all they need to do is to speak to someone. It’s good to know that I can actually use that power I’ve been given to make a positive impact in the lives of these people. What inspired the cover art for “I Am Enough”? “I am Enough” Feat. Jody Steel is about being okay in your own skin. Knowing that you are enough; not less, not more. I told Jody about it and she said, “sketch something and I’ll take care of it.” I did my little sketch and she transformed into the masterpiece it is. I absolutely love the cover artwork. It spoke to me immediately and in that moment I knew it’ll speak to many people in this world. Can you tell us about the creation process of I Am Enough I wrote “ I Am Enough” in Shanghai, China. Whereas Jody wrote her part in Los Angeles, US. We agreed immediately with one another’s writing as it spoke to us and sat well with us. There was a lot of emotion involved. You need to know that the words we wrote came from our experiences. The nastiest things have been said to me and I know I Jody has had it tough too. This is what makes “I Am Enough” our Anthem because of the strength and power those three words hold. The song was recorded in both Los Angeles, US and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. If you could share one thing with our readers what would it be? A message: “Never think for one second that you are not worthy. You have proven it over and over again that you are.” What can we expect from you through 2019? You can expect an album this year, with some music videos, some performances in China and hopefully another collaboration with Jody Steel and a few other musicians. Connect with Ranwin Le-Roy: Instagram Twitter Facebook #BuzzMusic

Turrentine reminds you to appreciate what you have before the page turns. Nashville based Beau Turrentine knows how to put passion into play without battering you over the head with it. On "Already Gone," that’s in evidence with the the snare that’s soft and subdued. The guitar enjoys the essence of every strum, right to the last string. Not surprising, since this is a Nashville-based dude who composed his first song on a single string back in his single-digit years. It’s folk/country without laying into the slide guitar too hard. It might as well be a background effect, which is nice. The song almost slips in and out of a bleary-eyed consciousness, but has a strength of purpose that is effervescent. That’s definitely thanks to the fortified Gospel foundation. Listening to this song it’s impossible to avoid thinking about golden sunsets on a ranch you visited in another life. It’s contemporary, thanks to piano playing the Band would be proud of. I’d expect to hear this in an unpretentious coffee shop run by a local fixture in a calico dress. It’s music for evenings that go on forever and good times that never seem to end — until they, of course, do. Here’s a reminder that there are still good people who go to bed early and own something called Sunday’s Best. It’s a solid two minutes 15 seconds. And like its message, you only truly realize the merits of the song by the time it’s already over. Luckily for us we can skip backwards and hear it again. Listen to "Already Gone" here, and Learn more about Beau in our interview below! What was it like growing up in Oklahoma? Oklahoma was a great place to grow up. I spent a lot of my time kicking it with friends, fishing, and playing music. People often ask me what I did back home as if there wasn't much to do, but I had a real good time. Most of my family lives in Oklahoma so there was always a lot of love. I couldn't be happier about where I was raised. It was lovely. What would you say the difference is between the music scene in your hometown versus Nashville? The music scene in Oklahoma is rad. It's pretty low key. I only played out a handful of times when I lived there. One or two of them were at my high school, the rest were at a pizza joint in the Paseo District that's called Sauced. The biggest difference between the two is that in Oklahoma the scene is far less developed than in Nashville. Shout out to my buddies Jules Henley and Kristo Blanc. They are two great artists based in OKC, my home town. Y'all should check out their work. Where did the imputes for this song come from? I wrote "Already Gone" about love. What was the essence you were trying to capture with it? The song is all about feel. There are no gimmicks or tricks. I wanted to create a vibe. How has it been received so far? Have you had a chance to play it out? I think people dig it. Personally, I love it. That's what matters to me. I've played it live before. Feels good. What's next for you through 2019? For 2019 I plan on getting better sleep than I did in 2018. I'm only twenty years old, but it's becoming more important for me to stay in good health. As for music, I'll be writing, recording, and playing shows. I have another single coming out on March 29. Stoked on it. Stay tuned if you want! Much love. Connect with Beau Turrentine: Instagram Twitter Facebook Website #BuzzMusic

Upcoming unsigned Atlanta based Artist named Bahama$ hails from The Islands Of The Bahamas. This young artist is bringing a new flare to music independently. He has been collaborating with other artist and releasing music on various music platforms over a year now. Keeping his family first, this island boy is stopping at nothing to release music in his own way. Bahma$ hopes through this music game he remains humble. Sharing with us one of many singles, “Who Knew”. This song has a really nice flow. The song starts off with a vocal layer and you can’t quite make out what it’s saying but it adds such a lovely tempo to this hit. And it is throughout not overpowering the lyrics just another complementary sound. Then in comes Bahama$ with the vocals. A lyrical rapper is what I would call it and not everyone can pull that auto-tune sound off. Allowing the beat to flow in and out with the lyrics, you catch small drums and 808 beats in the background. This gives the track a hip-hop/r&b sound. There’s a smooth bouncy vibe within the production as well as the lyrics that was done exceptionally well. There’s some Atlanta influences with a Bahma$ twist! Listen to "Who Knew" here, and learn more about Bahama$ in out interview below! Hey there! Could you introduce yourself and tell our readers a little bit about you? I’m just a humble kid from The Bahamas, Grand Bahama to be specific. I moved to the United States when I was 14 in pursuit of the American Dream and what a fulfilling journey it has been this far. Love your stage name! How did you choose it? Well, the first place I lived when I initially   Moved over here was Kathleen, Georgia and I went to Perry High School, my Bahamian accent was super strong out the gate at the time and a couple of my peers and my 10th grade English teacher Ms. Williams gave me the name Bahama Breeze and after bout a day or two of my boy Knor introducing me to everybody it turned into “Bahamas”. When I started making music I felt it was only right I stick with something authentic, that I didn’t give to myself and people actually called me while simultaneously representing for the place I call home. How has being from the islands influenced your music? Being from The Bahamas gave me an extremely diverse outlook on the way I approach making music simply because I grew up listening to such a wide variety of styles and genre’s such as hip/hop ,rap, reggae, dancehall, r&b, pop, even a local genre known as rake n scrape. So I feel like it all meshes together when I create, sometimes it’s hard for me to place myself in any category. My father and my Aunty Laurie probably gave me the most sauce tho as far as the different ranges I listened to while I was living in The Bahamas, one minute I could be listening to Jeezy , the next I got Hugh Mundel or Damian Marley playing or you could even catch me with The Fray coming out of my headphones Being in Atlanta where there’s tons of competition in the music industry, what has helped you get through and stand out? I feel like being authentic and being yourself helps you stand out in any setting or arena because there's no one on this earth exactly like you point blank period. Any where I’ve been I’ve always been me and I think that’s all I need really that’s the most important factor. Tell us more about “Who Knew”? I had the voice note on my phone for who knew for like a month before I went to the studio and recorded and that whole month, MarleyB and Dolla two of brothers by journey was like yeah bro you gotta go record that one ASAP lol but yeah I was just sitting in my room one day playing some beats and heard that one did a freestyle on a voice note and that’s what came out. What can listeners expect from you in the near future? Well right now I got a lot of heat in the bag and we working everyday so just tune in for the ride ya know this just the beginning of it all, bouta’ drop a lot of gems sooner than later. Connect with Bahama$: Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

SHELBYY, also known as Shelby Strickfaden, is an independent American singer, songwriter, and musician. She was born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California. As she got older, she moved to Nashville Tennessee to study songwriting at Belmont University. Balancing life and career, splits her time between LA and Nashville working to develop her debut album. She is also working on passion projects outside of her university. This girl is ready to be heard. Let’s tune in to her latest song, “Childish”. What a unique sound! She has that cross genre sound that gives her a universal clout. To be able to relate to so many different sounds in one is difficult and she has got IT! The production of the track is reminiscent of something you would hear from Alina Baraz. The introduction snaps you in. A smooth sensual jolt with some pop hues. Vocal layers and a lyrical story to add gives this single everything it needs. Easily a top 50 Hit with room to go so far! This artist is here to show us how talented she really is and clearly has done that and more. Hey! Would you mind giving our readers an introduction to SHELBYY? Hey! I'm SHELBYY! I'm an independent singer-songwriter and recording artist from Manhattan Beach (Los Angeles, CA). Raised by the ocean and a painter, I was heavily influenced by the salt water, the laid back beach culture lifestyle, and watching my mother paint since I was born. Seeing her create sparked my love for the arts and is what naturally lead my transition from art projects to creative writing to songwriting and musical composition. Today, I am currently enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville, TN to professionally study songwriting and pursue a lifelong career in the music industry. What influenced you to become a singer/songwriter? I’ve been singing and playing instruments ever since I could walk and talk. It wasn’t until mid elementary school when I started combining my love for words with my love for music. I taught myself how to song write just by listening to different artists and analyzing their music, listening to how they structured their songs and what sounds/instruments they used. I remember when I got my first iPod, I was maybe 7 or 8 years old at the time. I was so excited when I could record voice memos of my early songs and remember the melodies I wrote for my lyrics on paper. I always loved writing music and the creative process. It was how I could really express myself in a way that just words alone couldn’t quite reach. None of the other kids growing up made or liked music the way I did. But I was okay with that, I liked doing my own thing anyways. I was very independent and curious from a young age. Writing music has always felt and came natural to me, like I already knew how to do it as if it was always a part of me. Can you give us a look into “Childish” from your perspective? “Childish” is a song originally inspired by Billie Eilish’s song “Bellyache”. I discovered her through a friend early freshman year of college and fell in love with her sound and style. “Childish” is about the inner child we all have inside of us that never really leaves, even when we’re grown adults. All the verses point to/ describe child-like behaviors or actions, for example bubblegum, temper tantrums, and not listening to what you’re told. In the chorus, I talk about how all these childish behaviors are like the reaction to how the love interest makes the singer feel; childish. I comparing love to feeling like a kid in elementary school, how immaturity is heightened when we have a crush on someone, and what silly things we did as kids when we had crushes…like kissing on the playground at recess. What musical artists have been an influence on you or your music? The list is endless. Most importantly, however, is Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas. They are the major influence to my writing. Those two are absolute lyrical geniuses and I love everything about their music. I also love Call Me Karizma. He is an incredible writer as well and talks a lot about mental health issues which I think is so important since music can really help people get through darker times. I’m constantly inspired by Post Malone, Blackbear, Bazzi, Khalid, Frank Ocean, Shawn Mendes, Rosalía, Miguel, Lennon Stella, Olivia O’Brien, MAX, Lauv, Chelsea Cutler, Jessie Reyez, SZA, etc. Lyrically they are all so strong in their own unique ways and I learn so much from their music. I listen to a ton of EDM as well. Artists like San Holo, Louis the Child, Whethan, Illenium, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Ekali, Flume, Diplo, etc are essentials to any in-the-car playlists of mine. As a musician, I personally feel like its necessary to be a critical listener and have various stylistic perspectives on songwriting. It helps my understanding of music and to better train my musical ear. I'll listen to bands from every decade starting from around the 1920s to today, seeing how society and the times influenced musicians and their writing. I believe there is always something I can learn from any artist in every genre that I can take away and apply to my own music. Hopefully my original songs can inspire other artists and writers, similarly to how they've inspired me and helped me grow as an individual and as a musician. When can we expect a release of your debut album? My debut album is still in its infancy right now. For months I've been writing with various artists and songwriters, collaborating with them as well as musical mentors of mine to create a unique sound, style, and structure for the album. I’ll most likely release a 4-7 song EP before the album drops, acting as like a little teaser to test the waters and see how listeners respond. There’s still so much work to do, but the process has been incredible so far. I cannot wait to share my new music with the world. It’s different, but in the best of ways. I feel like it’s going to take a lot of people by surprise, and I’m so excited for that. I’ll be releasing a few singles around summertime and in the fall before the EP drops. But as of right now, there is no definite release date for the album. Where can our readers and fans find you? Follow me on Instagram Visit my website for exclusive news and contact info! Follow me on Spotify My genius page link for more info about “Childish”, my lyrics, and all new music I release. Stream my debut single “Childish” on all platforms! You can also find me on Twitter Facebook SoundCloud YouTube #BuzzMusic

Don’t get confused. This careful songbird is not the enigmatic Toronto Maple Leaf that comes up when you try to search for her. The spelling is different — hers bucks the language arts rule of “I before E except after C” rule. Because once you land on her creativity, you won’t want to depart. Last year this hometown Allentown, Pennsylvania girl treated us to “Arizona,” a sad number so chilling we almost thought we could brave the heat of that desert state. In a way it sounded like the acoustic version of a pop trance anthem. You knew she was turning a page, but you didn’t know what was coming next. In that release David Mason was behind the controls and did an excellent job. With “8” we heard less lamenting and more of a light-hearted come-up. We were headed into the electronic pop territory they love to play on tech industry-focused Bay Area radio stations. But we enjoy how Reilly keeps her vocals front and centre. Essentially, the trio of synths and the bouncy bass of the chorus (again, kudos Mason) are in service of the lyrics. I can only hope the folks over at Spinnin’ Records discover this gem, but don’t push her into the world of over-production. Here we have “Instead,” and she’s back in the game. This is like Beyonce on a blues tip. She learned her life lessons last time and now she’s ready to play — on her terms. This has echoes of Motown, but is drenched in a beautiful nu-soul ethos, complete with exciting background harmony. The delay effects are used sparingly and provide a solid bed for Reilly to lose control — but only when she wants to. This is success on her terms and she’s hitting the nail on the head. No one likes to get shut out, but if you were and then heard this song, you’d probably forgive her like three times over. Listen to "Instead" here, and learn more about Morgan Reilly in our interview below! Your songs seem to run the gamut of pop, acoustic, soul and electronic pop, without sounding all over the place. What is it you like about producing a wide range of music? I’ve always been incredibly indecisive, to a fault in many instances. I did musical theatre professionally for most of my childhood, and I loved getting to explore such a wide variety of roles and vocal styles. That exploration translated into my writing, and when I find a style I like (whether it’s pop, R&B, soul, hip-hop, etc) I latch onto it and write it to death until I get bored, then move onto the next. It keeps me on my toes and keeps my career exciting and fresh. There’s such a thrill in having my listeners wonder “What is she going to do next?” What role did David Mason play in your evolution as an artist? David Mason completely changed the game for me production-wise. In the beginning of my music career I was self producing, and it wasn’t cute. Guy Jr., an incredible producer, writer, and a dear friend of mine, guided me through my first few projects, but when I connected with David everything just clicked. Half the time we work via emails and phone calls and he’s so easy to work with, he just gets my vision and makes it happen no matter what. You don’t shy away from the personal in your music. Why is that? I spent so many years pretending to be someone and something I wasn’t to fit in. Growing up I had severe anxiety and was ostracized for it (being “that singer” didn’t help things all that much). To survive school and make friends I conditioned myself through the years to conceal my personality, quiet my loud and brash voice, and be the person my peers wanted me to be. During that time I threw all of my anxiety and turbulent emotions into my writing. It wasn’t until I turned 23 and ended a toxic long-term relationship that I realized that I have a voice. I have a story to tell. And yeah, a lot of that story is painful to talk about. But it’s about damn time the world learned who I am, and what I can really do. And being so vulnerable in my writing will hopefully encourage the next generation of singer/songwriters that it’s okay to be unapologetically you, because we all have our own baggage. It’s how we choose to unpack it that affects how bright we shine. What was the production process like for “Instead”? “Instead” was the smoothest production process I’ve ever experienced. Stuart “Mookie” Sanders and his partner Scott “Radio” Berger-Felder has this magical beat they played for me that they didn’t have anything written to. Within 5 minutes I had “Instead” scribbled in my notebook and we laid down the scratch vocals immediately. We wanted to go for an Amy Winehouse/vintage vibe in the sound, and when I did the final vocal tracking I knew we had something really special on our hands. It’s the first record I’ve released in years that’s felt like I’m listening to my own voice, if that makes sense. I’m so thankful to Mookie and Radio for taking my writing and my music to the next level. The original take you have on tried and true themes is an incredible gift. Are you worried it will be hard to maintain your authenticity and independence as you become more popular? Thank you so much!  That’s the fun part of the business. Music is my heart and soul. It’s in my veins, it’s the rhythm that makes my heart beat, it’s the soul that keeps my pen flowing with lyric after lyric. It can be so easy to get swept away in the superficial glitz and glamour once my career continues to grow. But the only reason I’m doing this is that music is the one thing that makes me feel like my authentic self, 110% of the time. If I can’t  maintain that then what’s the point of writing my truth? Connect with Morgan Reilly on social media: Instagram Twitter Youtube #BuzzMusic

Attic Light has become known for their vigorous and eccentric live performances which have made the band a distinct presence in the Midwest since the release and tour of their debut EP, Different Shades of Black. The Kansas City based band recorded their most recent album, The EXILE EP. This album features the single "Whiskey Love" in Nashville with producer Dohse of AGD Entertainment. After the release of EP, the band spent months touring the Midwest, performing and appearing at many prominent venues, regional radio stations, television programs, and publications. Attic Light is currently working on their third EP, beginning with the release of the single "Wasted" in 2019. Continuing Attic Light's journey of fusing elements of both dance and rock, "Wasted" depicts thinking of someone so obsessively that it becomes debilitating, as if being wasted on intoxicating thoughts. This midwest band is putting Kansas City on the map! A country rock sound with strong lyricism and amazing instruments. “Wasted” has a really dance rock feel. I hear some old school 80s rock tones with some electronic pianos and other choice sounds. You can feel the wasted thoughts through the production of the song. It is really eclectic and one that you can catch yourself singing in your head later. The lead vocals give a nice blend of heavy, rock, and electronic dance bridging an old sound with a new sound that creates their epic sound! Listen to "Wasted" here, and learn more about Attic Light in our interview below! Hey guys! Please, introduce yourself to our readers! Hi there! We’re Attic Light, a dance-rock band based out of Kansas City, MO. The band is led by singer/songwriter Nathan Bowman with Patrick Rippeto on bass, Mike Pittman on guitar, and Joseph Dillman on drums. After our debut EP Different Shades of Black, and months of touring, we recorded our second album, The EXILE EP in Nashville with producer Dohse of AGD Entertainment. Our most popular single,the hometown inspired dance track “Hot in Kansas City," was recorded during a break we had on The EXILE Tour. A lot of bands say this, but we are all about giving audiences a great live show. To quote a review "The band is barrels of fun with endless energy, and...onstage flair. It’s rare for us to sexually scrutinize a musician, but Christ Almighty, Bowman is one hell of a guitarist, with a fiery and passionate rock and roll persona to match." (I Heart Local Music) What’s the story behind your band name? I wish I could say it had some deep meaning behind it, but I can’t. We sat around a table brainstorming names, picking ideas we liked, tossing around synonyms. I think in a car ride someone said “what about Anchors and Balloons” and I thought “balloons float high, what else is up high? Attics, those are up above things too. How about that?” And it sort of spiraled from there…yeah, great story right? How would you describe your sound? Do you have any music inspirations that help you channel your music? We like to call ourselves “dance-rock.” Some of the more significant influences on my writing are Prince, Depeche Mode, and Nine Inch Nails. I love music with a driving beat, something you can really move to. Prince is a great example of blurring genres. Most of his music is pop, and rock, and dance, and jazz, and so on. I like that. While Attic Light is definitely a rock band, I like integrating elements of dance and pop. The same with Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. Most of their songs have really dark content, but it’s all driven by a club-style dance beat. That’s what I aim for when I’m writing Attic Light songs. I think our songs “Hot in Kansas City” and “Help Me Darlin” are good examples of that. How was the creation process behind your new single "Wasted"? For all of our previous work, we worked with outside producers, a production team, and recorded in the traditional studio. “Hot in Kansas City” was different as it was the first time I took over the reins of producing. For “Wasted” we went the opposite direction and took a DIY approach. I wrote the song on acoustic guitar, and played it around open mic's to see what worked and what didn’t. The lyrics changed almost night-to-night. Once I thought we had something, we gathered our equipment, soundproofed my basement, and went from there. I wanted “Wasted” to have a more lo-fi quality to it (something about the idea of being wasted made me think lo-fi don’t ask me why). There was a lot less stress recording when we weren’t confined by the amount of time we paid a studio for. Patrick, our bass player, could come over and record his parts one day, Mike on guitar another. Can you tell us personally the meaning behind "Wasted"? “Wasted” is about an unhealthy obsession with someone. The song depicts thinking of someone so much that it becomes debilitating, as if being wasted on intoxicating thoughts. I think the metaphor of being wasted is pretty apt for describing how people get caught up in their feeling for another person, without considering why it might be a bad thing. You keep consuming it, even though you shouldn’t. How has Kansas City influenced your band? Historically, Kansas City is known for jazz. There are a ton of jazz clubs here. Attic Light is definitely not a jazz band. But I think the mentality behind jazz permeates the culture here, and certainly our approach to music. Jazz developed as a response to classical and big band music that working-class people, particularly people of color, were left out of. It’s music for the people, not elites, the opposite of pretentiousness and highly produced music. For me, I just want to write music people can move to. People like to move. I’m not trying to write the super-produced artistic masterpiece. I don’t want people to think about our music, I want them to feel it. I think that is the heart of jazz, and I think that’s Kansas City at its finest. What are your goals for this year? 2019 is going to be a busy year. After a year off, we have a lot of new music we will be releasing. “Wasted” is the first in a series of singles we will be releasing throughout the year which will culminate in our third EP release. On top of that, we’ll be releasing acoustic versions of some songs as well. The upcoming EP will be followed by a tour in 2020, but until then, we’ll be playing a lot of shows in the KC area to hype the new music and build a good set list for the tour. Connect with Attic Light on social media: Facebook Instagram Spotify #BuzzMusic

A rising star in his own significant lane, we touched base with upcoming music prodigy Hearts<3 to get a more in-depth view on his California upbringing, the inspiration and artistic vision behind the exciting release of his new single "Germs", and a more clear understanding on his shared project "The Factoury"! Hey Hearts <3, care to tell our readers a bit about yourself? I’m a 20 year old artist out of Los Angeles, originally born in OC. I started out making clothes in LA and somehow found my way into making music. Music has been a part of my life from the jump though, as I've always enjoyed performing, playing the guitar, and singing. It felt natural to make the move. Did your OC upbringing influence you to pursue music? In my case, quite the opposite. I found myself in a band at a young age, but later got some negative reactions from some of the kids at school when I would play guitar and sing. That always stuck around in the back of my head, but I’m glad I ended up making it work. You fuse together Hip Hop and Rock to create your own personal sound that we know and love. Who are some of your musical influences? Rock was always more natural for me to feel a part of. The suburban lifestyle of OC made me feel more of the emotions and stories behind a lot rock music. Paramore, Pierce The Veil, and a bunch of other emo bands were really influential. Growing up skateboarding though, a lot of the older homies put me on to hip hop. Ironically being a west coast kid, the first artist that really caught my attention was Biggie. My homies mom once bought me a Biggie CD collection for my birthday, and I listened to those most nights. Lil Wayne was another huge influence for me, and when he introduced rock to his already insane style, it really opened my eyes to what I could create. Tell us more about the inspiration behind your new single, "GERMS"? To start off, a “germ” is another way of calling someone a lame. So, you know, I don't fuck with germs. From there, it's self explanatory. During production, did your lyrics come first or the guitar additions? Which one comes to you easier? My producer Luke Wild came through with a piano loop, and it instantly caught my ear. I had him throw some guitar over it to fit my sound. I hopped on the mic, free-styled the hook, and that first take became what you hear on the track. Can you give us a little insight to The Factoury? The Factoury is where I make music every day. It originally started off as Jesse’s (Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood) personal brand, and he developed a studio for us to come together and have therapy sessions, whether thats making music or just talking things through. What are some of the contributions from the people on the team at The Factoury? What role do you play? Jesse (@jesserutherford) is the bossman. He’s the superstar dad at the Factoury. He gave me a chance with this music thing and i’ll always be thankful for that. Beef (@viabeef) is a legend. He is the best DJ in LA and knows how to write a damn good song. Danny Parlay (@dannyparlay) is our engineer. He’s incredible. He’s also a great producer and songwriter. Alex Mcdonell (@alexandergmcdonell) is our in house photographer. He’s the one who takes all the photos you see. As for me, I’m the young gun making hits, writing songs, and working every day. Trying to help in any which way I can and make the team proud What keeps you going in this music industry? My love for music will always come first. The bags I'm chasing will come if I just keep doing what i’m doing. What can we expect from you this year with your music? Do you have any upcoming releases or performances? I have a song coming out on Valentine’s Day called “I Wish That You Were Coming Home” that will have a visual attached. A bunch of more music after that. There’s a lot of exciting things in the works right now. You’ll just have to wait and see. Connect with Hearts<3 on social media: Instagram #BuzzMusic

Have you ever had that situation come up where your lover disappears and there’s a blood red stain on the carpet next to your bed? Well Ryan Rahhal (or at least the character he portrays in “Sutures”) has. And he’s going to tell you about it in an extremely radio-friendly love ballad about repairing a relationship. Rahhal has a wealth of experience from days living in Philly and Nashville to draw on, and he’ll often turn to alt-folk or head to the 20th-century US poetry well for inspiration. Certainly Maroon Five comparisons are unescapable for this musician who returned home to Oklahoma City to follow his passion. And there are certainly some stand-out elements in “Sutures”. We're thinking of the starkness of the acoustic guitar, the blurry fret slides and, of course, the bloody imagery. This includes one that caused us to think about how we just learned there are giant, terrifying snakes in the Los Angeles canyons — something we only learned yesterday. Basically, what we're saying is, given the careful structure, the Adam Levine-esque vocals and the killer use of strings, there’s something for everyone in this track. Paint within the lines and you might just succeed. It’s a pretty song for a pretty person, no doubt. Listen to "Sutures" here, and learn more about Ryan Rahhal in our interview below! Was it hard leaving the worlds of Philly and Nashville behind for your old stomping grounds? Or was there a joy in it? Yes, to both. There was certainly some angst in having to uproot and move again, as I’ve been doing a lot of that over the past four or five years. The decision to get off one path and onto another one is a difficult one to make, and it’s come with its tough moments.  But overall it has been really positive. I had been wanting to come home for a while. Pouring into old friendships and new ones, spending time with my family, and engaging with the local art and music scene in my own community has been really rewarding. How long have you been singing for? I’ve been writing songs since I started playing guitar as a teenager. I was never in choir or anything. I’m not a trained singer. My musical interests were mostly instrumental when I was growing up. I didn’t start feeling really confident in my voice till I started playing in a band in college, when I started to embrace the more unique and unorthodox elements of my singing voice. So it was nice that when I started seriously writing again some years after that, I felt like I knew who I was as a singer. "Sutures" is a pretty universal song, but it seems like it's based on some pretty heart-wrenching experiences. What were you going for with this number? Yeah I guess it would be pretty obvious to say that it is a song about grief and loss, huh?  But yeah, that’s what it is. It’s a song about not feeling like you know who you are, and looking back on all the painful and unhealthy ways you’ve tried to figure it out. There was a lot of physical and emotional movement going on when I wrote that song, and there is a kind of displacement and disorientation that comes with that. I think that’s what’s going on in Sutures. Do you have to do vocal exercises to prepare before gigs? Eh, not really. I just yell into the mic and hope for the best. How do you make sure your songs stand out in the pop music world where there is so much competition? I like sharing my music and hope people will hear and enjoy my songs, but I don’t really have one trick or method that I follow to make that happen. It’s taken me a while to get to this place, but I really try not to think about music and songwriting in terms of competition. If I start thinking about it that way, I start to feel a little crippled. I want to be able to take joy in good songs that other independent artists write, rather than feel threatened by them every time they play a better show than me or get more streams, or whatever else it may be. I’m at the point now where I really just want to be supportive of other artists, and to be in a position to write songs for the inherent reward that comes in doing that. How important is it to write songs for yourself versus keeping your fans in mind? When I first started writing songs, there really wasn’t a thought in the world as to who might hear it. It was just something I liked doing that I thought I was decently good at. Obviously once you start toying with the idea of making a record, you start to make allowances based on the (imaginary at that juncture) people who might hear it. So yeah, there were definitely times in the studio when those thoughts or discussions would come up. Really though, as I continue to write, I feel more and more convinced that the more you write based on your perception of what this or that demographic wants or needs to hear, the more often you’re going to miss it. I think the more authentic you are in your writing, the more people are going to resonate with it anyway. So I tend to err on that side of things, both in this particular song and on the rest of Color My Bones. Connect with Ryan Rahhal: Instagram #BuzzMusic

Cory Stone's latest, "Follow Me," is a delicious fantasy from the Letters From My Soul album, that lulls you through a cold evening and warms your interior with plenty of polish. It's his favorite creation off his sixth album, one that reminds you to keep it real and never stop reaching out to those you care about. When he sat down to pen these tracks, he knew it was time to "let everything out." The music is alive with crisp, understated, hi-hats. The sub bass is like a drone that is more classy than guttural. We've got some reverbed cymbals that act as contained shimmering. It all serves to remind you about that shorty you need to stop taking for granted, reach out to and, ultimately, protect.Because the real world is heavy, and y'all be playin' some dangerous games. Emotions are no joke. "Follow Me" is utterly pop, in the post-90s RnB sense of the term. It's music the boys blowing smoke from their butterfly door Lamborgini along the canyons, as they roll through downtown during a blazed out night of longing, not partying. It's a milky nearly-half-moon, ever rising, matchy-matchy with the sleek condo appointments for sale along the route. This is a hit for people who take chances, fall down, have a late night coffee, then pick themselves up again -- enjoying the rhythm and flow of the beats along the way. Listen to "Follow Me" here, and learn more about Cory Stone in our interview below! How do you maintain consistency when writing songs? I would say one of my main ways of keeping consistency through my work would be the elements that I surround myself by and within. As an artist, vibes are EVERYTHING so full immersion into the world that inspires me would be my one variable that never changes , and in turn comes out in  the music. Was there a particular energy you were hoping to capture when in the studio this time? With the "Letters From My Soul" album I really didn't go into it with the intention of capturing any kind of vibe in particular, aside from the usual. Throughout the process though it evolved into something much bigger, (hence the album name ). I can say that I am very proud of this album and it is the truest piece of art that i have to present as a reflection of myself, to date. What do you picture when listening back to "Follow Me"? When I listen back to "Follow Me" I always hear the same things and it has always taken me to the same place every time I hear it. Palm Trees and coastline baby!! Your music reminds me a lot of the Weeknd, which I'd imagine is a comparison you wouldn't mind too much. But what other artists do you like to consider your music to be in the same vein as? Thank you for that!! I will defiantly consider that a compliment, although I can't say The Weeknd has been one of my main influences. He is amazing I just recently caught on to his wave so I cant really attribute much of my sound to the hearings of his. But it IS crazy how music translates from person to person so differently, varying only in 3 different ways. The loudness they were played at . The location/ ambiance they were  listened to in The listeners emotional state at the time of listening. It's always been fascinating to me as a music producer and artist. What was the hardest part about putting this record together? Honestly, I think the hardest part of putting this record together was the order and making it flow correctly. The battle every artist has in the mastering stages, of course, but then also making sure I had added nuances  and textures from the studio and places as well as the people that I find stir an energy in me and enhance the artist that i am becoming and have already become. What's next for you in 2019? 2019 is the takeover year for Cory Stone and the AWDIMH crew.. Hold me  to it. Connect with Cory Stone: Instagram #BuzzMusic

You know that pulsing, side-chained repetition you hear walking along LA's Santa Monica Boulevard around San Vicente Boulevard? That’s the fluid coursing through Deney Adam’s “Blue.” Welcome to a world filled with bodies recalling the dudes you see dancing in those clubs along the way. And, of course, they have a great roster of preening attire to match, you have to admit. It’s so electric. So in your face.But not in a way that’s threatening. At this point we’re peacocking to the max. Everything is so smooth. Raw. It’s a track of throbbing synthetics; constantly superficial; sensuality at a heightened level. But the meaning has been stripped away, and all that’s left is a blur. The sound of the song is way past the point of a buzz. You feel the alcohol burning your stomach and the drugs numbing the gnawing thoughts of reality into oblivion. This is what you came for, and you definitely don’t regret it. But you’re not quite sure it was the smartest choice either. It’s all so fast and furious: booty shorts, advertising adulation, desire. You’ve consciously descended into this dark hunky paradise, and now you have that familiar pounding headache. But you wouldn’t give it up for the world. It doesn’t stop: electro at club level that’s four on the floor critical. There was a message of hope and acceptance at the door, but we’re way past that now. This is emotionally dark and dirty. Just how you like it. Learn more about Deney Adam in our interview below! Hi Deney! Can you tell us a bit about yourself! I was born in Saint Martin move to NY and never left, I was always passionate about music and had no other option but to be a musician. But life takes its own course, which is why it took me this long to finally release something. What was the journey you went through to come up with the track "Blue?" It took me a year to produce Blue. The song is very personal and I wanted it to sound exactly how I envisioned it as for the vibe an feels, and represent who I am and what I would like to bring to the lgbtq+ culture, I wanted it to be unique. If you could have your choice, where would you hope to hear the song played? Obviously, I would like my song to be played on the radio and every club. I grew up going to clubs and circuit parties. Needless to say, I love house music and pop music is what I grew up singing to, so why not to mix the two. When you listen back to "Blue" now, what does it make you think of? It wasn’t easy but I loved it. Were you conscious of trying to make this into a pop song? And if so, what was the key to doing it successfully? If you listen to Blue you’ll see that the vocals are treated like a pop song with a house beat. I find that you need to really love what you do and know where you want to be, and success will follow. Connect with Deney Adam: Instagram #BuzzMusic