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Successful entrepreneur Antonio Johnz, “A.Johnz,” is taking on the music industry with a big storm using his own unique soulful sound. Owning multiple businesses: restaurants, and gyms, along with being the co-founder of Sip Soul Entertainment, he knew his life needed more. Mississippi-raised A.Johnz developed a passion for music at a very young age. He would sing in the church choir, which allowed him to perfect his skills and continue on impressing the ladies in his school hallway. Making himself stand out while building a name, A.Johnz participated in local and regional talent shows while building relationships with local DJs and producers. His first album “Bringing Love Back” gave him a well-known name as the artist “Big Mook,” selling over 10,000 copies (streams and downloads). A man of many talents evolved into an artist whose life experiences are portrayed beautifully and emotionally in his music. Studying the sounds and melodies of well-known artists before him, such as Luther Vandross, Dave Hollister, Smokie Robison, Guy, Avant, Darnell Jones, and Sam Cooke, A.Johnz wanted to recreate himself as an artist and chase his dreams by getting beyond the Casio keyboard and karaoke cassette player. A.Johnz had a very strong love for baseball and football. For those of you that don’t know. He was the only MSU football player to be selected in the 2007 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. Not only did he have a successful career in the NFL, but he also carried on with his music career while being an active football player. He retired from professional sports while putting a full-time focus on professionally being a successful music artist. Sports and music definitely helped overcome many life challenges and obstacles he had faced. Released in 2019, A.Johnz's EP "Dreams of Paradise" will keep your ears glued to each song. In his first track, “Walking High With a Love,” you immediately become introduced to his R&B/Soul vibe, which is the common theme throughout the EP. Throughout tracks ”Right Moves” & “On and On,” you hear lyrics such as “need to make the right moves, playing for keeps, it's not a game, go on and on, won't stop till I hit the spot” which shadows his path of never giving up and taking every step along the way wholeheartedly. "Paradise" captures the tone of the EP set on an island with the woman he wants to be with. You get to hear a different side to his vocal range as he demonstrates a wavering of tones. In contrast to wanting to be with a female partner, A.Johnz tells us how he's sick of all the games she plays with him in track 7, titled “Love Games.” Building on this, track 9, “I Cannot Be Your Friend,” shows his frustration and disinterest in hearing about another man relating to a common theme of being friend-zoned. One that many may be familiar with. Ending the EP on a lighter and more positive note with “Positive Spirit,” Antonio expresses how we need to rely on each other and then “that's all that we need” to be happy. Hey Antonio, welcome to BuzzMusic! Given that you're a successful entrepreneur, what inspired you to become a musician? Music has been a part of my life from the beginning; I started doing music at an early age, and from then on, I’ve been passionate about music. I love the Soul, and R&B feel that goes into your music. Do you think you will work with or blend other types of genres in the future? I’m open to working in any genre of music because to me music is medicine and medicine doesn’t discriminate who or what it heals it just does. So I really love all types of music, and it all comes from a creative place which I love. Can you discuss a little bit about the common theme throughout this EP and/ or the message being portrayed? The common theme of this album is meant for the audience to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of life and Dream of Paradise to relax and feel great while relaxing consuming the great sounds of A.Johnz on this body of work(“Dreams of Paradise”) The ability to play in the NFL along with continuing as a music artist is very impressive. Was it difficult to be successful in both, and how did you manage to do it? Well, while playing ball full time, I can assure you that it wasn’t an easy task, but I always seem to make time for the music if it wasn’t anything but jotting down ideas as they come along. I also managed to do most of my recordings during the offseason while being an active ballplayer, but now that I’m no longer an active NFL’er I can focus more on my music full time. Thanks a lot for your time. As a man with many talents, what can we expect to see or hear from you next? Well I plan just to continue to try and make strives in the music game, I have a lot goals set so there will be plans to continue marketing my brand and just connecting with the people through my music. I will be dropping a project at the top of the year, like in Feb of 2020 not sure of the name yet, but new music will be coming soon!!! THANKS. God Bless you all and your beautiful families. Instagram

The LA-based iridescent Pop artist and Singer/Songwriter KC begins a new creative venture with the release of his enigmatic single, "Just Desserts." We've heard various singles from KC over time, but nothing like this. KC channels the utmost strength, poise, confidence, and power within this dark Electro-Pop anthem, and we're remarkably impressed with the new creative/musical era that he's eagerly executing. Starting an independently-recorded journey with his single "Just Desserts," KC expresses lighthearted and cynical lyricism while dark and atmospheric Electro-Pop production powers through and heightens the vibes. Evening the playing field by infusing the song with the old saying 'what goes around comes around,' the supporting instrumentation deepens the track with whopping electronic elements delivering melodies that linger around the listener's mind. "Just Desserts" begins with melodic sub-bass that sets the darkly lit atmosphere while distant synths rain down from above. Swiftly transitioning into pulsating sub-bass accompanied by staccato piano chords, we're genuinely blown away by the song's meticulous production only seconds into the piece. At the hook, KC's sole vocals chant karmic lyricism while his layered and down-pitched vocals perfectly support the intense and raw delivery. Incredibly melodic electronic instrumentation graces our ears while KC continues to sing with an intriguingly mysterious tone, not to mention allowing listeners to bask in his honest, playful, and cynical lyrics. We sincerely can't get enough of the song's overall vibe, as the deftly-produced instrumentals bring listeners deep into the darkest nights through surreal sonics. KC's latest single, "Just Desserts," not only introduces listeners to the new and improved KC but allows them to fall head over heels for his new sultry, atmospheric, and genuine sound. We can't express how grateful we are for artists like you, who take time to make music that reflects real-life struggles while making self-discoveries along the way. Why did you want to make this artistic/creative switch within your music? My artistic/creative switch was personally inspired by my own self-development and maturity. While I'm really proud of myself for the work I have curated thus far in my career, I felt like my work wasn't a complete reflection of the feelings I had inside. I noticed a trend in my old writing that seemed to revolve around writing about what I wish my life could/would be versus what struggles I was actually enduring in the present moment. I took a long pause from writing and pretty much anything that was creative in order to really reflect on my thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. After a few months, I began really addressing the feelings I was avoiding and took the time to understand them and what they meant for my life. Conclusively, I dug very deeply and came to the understanding that these hardships were a way to help remove the layers I had conditionally grown to have placed over me that filtered out a lot of my actual authenticity. During the beginning of quarantine, I sat down and just started writing out what my feelings were and then began this new chapter of writing by channelling the persona that I thought these hardships created out of me. Speaking on the recent change within your music, how does your single "Just Desserts" act as a helpful introduction for listeners getting to know the new and improved KC? Originally, I had planned to release some work before "Just Desserts!" However, after a lot of internal debate, I dropped the focus I had on some more emotional songs I had previously written because I knew "Just Desserts" was the primal track that expressed really where my head is at in life. The song makes for a really great ice-breaker since it's a very new and mainstream sound for me mixed with very authentic and well-crafted lyrics. "Just Desserts" is really the most primal example of where my music is going: great sound, relatability, meaningful lyrics, and viable energy. What inspired the deep and honest concept within your single "Just Desserts" that surrounds themes of karma and getting what one deserves? Where to begin with this answer....!?!? To be super upfront, I pulled the inspiration from feelings I had toward a relationship that was just so unbelievably toxic that it made me feel jaded toward love. I am a firm believer in karma; you get what you give. The song came from a place of pretty intense heartbreak after being in an extremely one-sided and abusive relationship where I was not appreciated or treated with any value. You've mentioned that you tend to feel gothic on the inside but preppy on the outside, which is flawlessly reflected in "Just Desserts." How do you infuse your music with elements that match this statement? I fuse elements with this statement by just being myself, honestly. I tend to feel like the goth on the inside and preppy on the outside life is a complete paradox... which really sums up my entirety as an individual!!! I never really quite feel like I fit in with any crowd, so my angle is to always just approach a song or idea as myself and I try to be as entirely authentic as I can. I believe if you just do you, then the message will get across. I want people to hear/consume my art and feel like they can relate... and if they can't, then that's okay too! What has been keeping you inspired in one of the most challenging years, 2020? Finding/keeping inspiration has been hard in 2020. The world is so upside-down... However, as an artist, I feel like it's my duty to just create art that's contingent on whatever it is I am feeling/going through. 2020 has been a rollercoaster of obstacles for all of us, but I feel like authentic pop music serves a great duty to the world in times like this because the genre can be a reflection of what's happening in society. There's power in being able to create something that will hopefully resonate with others. If we can connect to one another in times like these, then we have a better chance of creating positive change. It really inspires me to know that I can create art/music for people that helps them feel like they're not alone- especially in such a chaotic time. Instagram

Hey KC! Welcome to BuzzMusic! We’re head over heels for your music and love your themes of empowerment and self-love. Could you tell us a little more about what inspired your single “Zero Gravity”? The single "Zero Gravity" was inspired by the internal revelation I had about the path I am going down to become who I truly aspire to be. The song features a futuristic version of myself that I am presently working toward. Through balancing both sides- dark and light- and self-empowerment, I gained inspiration to really project this vision of "Zero Gravity." The track title implies that I have reached a "weightless state" where everything around me is aligned, and the path for my future is clear. You’ve mentioned that you’re releasing an album later this year! What do you want your debut album to say to your audience? The EP I have in store for fans will definitely be a little bit of a shift for me artistically. My songs prior to what I will be releasing have been a bit more light-hearted and uplifting. My next line of work will have a darker, more vulnerable element with a dash of commercial pop elements (don't worry, there will still be some signature KC elements, though!) I have grown and changed a lot in the past 6-8 months, and these songs will completely reflect that and what I have gone through personally. My hope is to expand my reach with them to a wider audience and help others who have similar experiences. We’ve noticed that you’ve gained quite the following on Instagram, yet at the moment, you have no pictures up! Is there some kind of re-work going on before the big album drop? Hahahaha Instagram! Yes, there is some reworking... I have archived all of last year's content- don't get me wrong, I loved everything I created, and I worked really hard on the content, but with the new EP coming and a different sound and genre of music on the way, I want to start completely fresh with my branding... the space vibes aren't gone forever though! Just prepping for the release of new content. Your songs seem to capture similar themes of the future and outer space; what inspired your artistic brand to take this route? The outer-space vibes are a complete reflection of me personally. In my earliest stages of songwriting and creating, they came naturally. I am a big fan of the cosmos and everything in between! The universe is my guiding force, so I like to bring it with me. The vibe also resonates with me because I love the concept of space- to me, I have always felt like I never completely belonged here- like an alien to the world... so space has always been my comfort zone! What can we expect to see from KC throughout 2020? Expect to see a lot of music. TONS. I have been working really hard on so many collaborations and tracks to bring to my audience, and am so excited to share them. Also shows- lots and lots of SHOWS!!! I have some really great things in store for everybody and cannot wait to be performing live again. I've been in a state of rest, but all of my content is about to roll out, and then it won't stop! Read our full song review here. Instagram Twitter

Denver native KC has been LA’s recent shining star. There is considerable anticipation for his debut EP to be released later this year. Portraying imagery of iridescent neon colors, futuristic fashion, and mysterious and intriguing pop vocals, KC is not an artist to forget. Taking inspiration from legends like David Bowie and Lady Gaga, KC has made waves on social media and across all streaming platforms. With songs like “Zero Gravity,” “Celestial Bodies,” and “Hyperion,” his vibe translates flawlessly through his unique and empowering hits. With over 27,000 Instagram followers and no pictures, fans are patiently waiting for what comes next. KC's new single “Zero Gravity” includes space and futuristic symbolism. KC augments the song’s instrumentation by displaying his matching style and fashion sense. With light spacey synths drifting through the introduction, and while incorporating a lively pop beat and intricate vocal melodies, “Zero Gravity” is an empowering single. It is full of strength, self-love, and excitement for the future. The song also features complex production. The lyrics provide a compelling story of loving where you stand in life, not fearing the future, but embracing it with who you are. Read our exclusive interview with KC, where he opens up about the creation of "Zero Gravity." Instagram

Independent recording artist KC currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, where he curates the very eccentric stylings he prides himself to release to his world of listeners. KC has always been an artist who wants to blossom individuality within every listener he manages to captivate. He's always been an expressive artist who says his truth, an incredibly honest and authentic part of him. Creating music with the intention of it being a safe space for listeners, KC has a clear goal in mind of what he wants to use his platform for. Every track he releases not only displays his abilities of KC artistically but also displays personal and vulnerable pieces of him to the music world. One of his most recent exposing works: is "Hyperion." "Hyperion" opens itself up with a very soft and humble sound. Soon after, KC's voice penetrates through the underlying beat, unfolding itself in its full grace right away. There's an inner level of harmony to KC's voice that is easily noticeable once listening to "Hyperion." He ensures a smooth and collective execution regarding vocal delivery and embeds some notable dark and mystic features into the track. One aspect we have to note about the way KC vocally performs is the assorted melody present within his voice. He's able to accentuate listeners' experiences with a performance that offers more than one predominant expression throughout the song. "Hyperion" didn't just make us feel one way--we felt a multitude of ways while appreciating the experience alongside KC. Hopefully, 2020 sees more eccentric elements from KC. Instagram

There is a symbiosis between you all and your music that must have developed over time. How long have guys been playing together? Thank you so much for having us! I am glad you liked our music. We started the band about 9 years ago. Rock is a way of life. When it’s real, you can hear it in the music and in a band, you feed off of each other's grooves and energy. It’s important to capture this warmth, We're curious to know what the recording process was like We went out to Brooklyn to record with Grammy-nominated producer, Joel Hamilton, and it was a raw and creative experience. Overall we really focused on texture. To preserve the old-school rock sound, we recorded all the drums analog, which added a warmth to the sound not heard often in today's age. We put down crazy amounts of guitar and bass tracks per song to add subtle nuances and make the sound fuller. Working with Joel was an amazing experience because he pushed us to go further with our writing, restructuring a lot of our songs. Also, there is something about being out of your element in a rugged city like Brooklyn, and with your bandmates 24/7 that added a new dimension to the music and our performance on the record. In a time of recycled computer-generated beats, Melted Vinyl is showcasing what music used to be. Raw, Powerful and always unique. Who were some of your influences when you started writing the EP? Most of us grew up listening to classic rock, so Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Allman Brothers Band shaped a lot of our sound. You can definitely hear this on our riffier songs like “Dionysus,” “Queen of My Soul,” and “Can’t Love A Man.” As far as more modern bands go, Kings of Leon and the Foo Fighters were a huge influence, especially on “Beyond.” You’ve played some of the greatest rock clubs in arguably the world. How does it feel to step on stage at those legendary venues? I think we all feel pretty lucky. Most bands don’t have the opportunities that we have had. It’s a pretty humbling moment to step on stage at the Whiskey A Go Go, where so many of the greats have played or opened up for artists like Jefferson Starship and Vince Neil. I also think we learn something new every time: we all have a growth mindset and want to keep on getting better no matter where we play. What can we expect to see from Melted Vinyl throughout the rest of 2020? So far, we are expected to open up for Blue Öyster Cult, Jefferson Starship, and Blood Sweat And Tears. We are also in the works of putting together a west coast tour over the summer, so we’ll let y’all know on social media when the dates are released. Read our full review of 'Lights We Chase' here. Instagram

'Lights We Chase' is the name of the new EP released by Californian powerhouse Melted Vinyl. This EP is a throwback to the days of classic rock, featuring incredible vocal performances, a big attitude, and phenomenal instrumentation. This 6 track project begins with the song "Beyond," and I gotta tell you, it’s as smooth as melted butter. This band has mastered the art of song forms and showcases a level of musicality that was almost forgotten in the past. With its catchy melody, perfectly placed drums and vocals likened to Sting, "Beyond" sets the tone for the entire project. Even as the song draws to a close, you are struck by the thought, ‘I’m in for something very special.’ As "Who Am I" begins, you are not at all disappointed. This track begins with a melodious guitar riff and emotional vocals. Its tempo builds into the chorus, and the energy brings you straight into an epic guitar solo before ending on a chorus. By the time the next song, "Dionysus," rolls around, your blood is hot with rock and roll, and you're salivating for more. Dionysus’s sexy and aggressive guitar, paired with busy drum patterns and attitude-filled vocals, is the perfect recipe to satiate you. With the clever use of gods of myth and their stories, the song takes on a fabled air. Transporting its listeners into a land of ambrosia before "Synthetic Love" begins. "Synthetic Love" drives from the very start, with guitar and drums hitting their chords in perfect time. The powerful verse and catchy chorus are emphasized by sexy bass and guitar riffs. "Synthetic Love" builds and falls in the perfect moments to emphasize its lyrics and story. When "Queen of My Heart" begins, the vocals are surrounded by a melodious bass line. When the chorus begins, the guitar comes in to bring power. Wolfgang’s lyrics about a woman becoming the queen of his soul mark the point of the band playing in perfect unison. The power is palpable and transports you into "Can’t Love a Man." This song grabs your attention immediately with roaring guitar chords and quickly changes the vibe to a catchy, melody-driven tune. The dynamics of this song are incredible, and being the last song on the EP, it ends it off on a high note. Melting Vinyl is a band that you absolutely need to know. The band is fronted by Wolfgang King, a phenomenal lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, accompanied by Sam Kritzer on drums, Juan T. Lopez on bass and Michael Carpenter on guitar. It’s clear to see that these musicians are talented and knowledgeable in what they do, but this calibre of work can only be achieved through impeccable composition and production. In the case of Lights We Chase, the band worked with a 6x Grammy-nominated producer, Joel Hamilton. You can hear the quality of work drip from the songs each time a perfectly placed guitar riff or drum fill plays on a track. In Melting Vinyl’s music, you hear their journey: from a small rock band in Hollywood, making their name by playing the most legendary rock clubs, to a powerhouse of their own, opening for bands like Vince Neil, Jefferson Starship, and Slash. This band’s greatness is undeniable. Read our exclusive interview with Melted Vinyl here. Instagram

Brother/ Sister power duo Sarah Jordan and Matt Von are talented vocalists and songwriters from Toronto, Canada, who strive to spread their passion for music in a positive way. Just this year, they decided to pair up and fuse their talents into a duo. They want to inspire and share their story with the world through the one thing that has always made them truly happy, the gift of music. Sarah Jordan and Matt Von are excited to finally begin propelling their music together. Their groundbreaking and awakening pop sound is going to have them skyrocketing to the top of the charts. Their chemistry is undeniable in their debut single, “Great Escape,” released in March 2019. Not only is the production incredible but the melody and ups and downs of this song are so empowering and so fun to vibe with. This song stays true to its name, allowing the listener to relate every lyric to their own situation and give them hope for an escape to a more positive outcome. I love the fusion of vocals. Matt’s voice and range are flawless and intoxicating. Sarah’s vocals are completely mesmerizing and beautiful. When they harmonize together, it’s absolutely explosive. The surprising drop in the song to a dance/ pop beat was so refreshing and catchy. The uplifting anthem and transcendent track “Great Escape” is an emotionally-rich song that gives hope to listeners looking for their own great escape, but it’s also just a fun song to blast on your speakers. “Let me fall into your arms, keep me close away from harm” is a very powerful lyric; their blood connection and what they have been through together have created a strong chemistry. Sarah and Matt have a story to tell through their music, and I think this track, “Great Escape,” is just a peek into what’s to come from these two. Hey guys! Can you tell us a bit more about yourselves? At first, we both started out as individual artists, but this year, we made a choice to come together as we think our sound is very strong and it stands out as a duo. We have a very special sibling relationship, one that you don’t see too often. But it is our music, inspiring love for each other, and the shared passion that keeps us so close together. Because we both started music lessons at a young age, we appreciate the hard work that goes into making ourselves the best musicians we can be. Matt showed an interest in playing guitar early on. He took lessons at a very young age, and now he is an accomplished acoustic, classical, and electric guitar player. Matt is a self-taught vocalist and has not taken one vocal lesson in his life. When he started to song write, he sensed a natural ease when singing and playing guitar simultaneously. Matt started performing across Toronto at a young age, and his experience over the past ten years has truly made him a professional performer. Matthew is currently studying music at York University and is working towards earning his bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Matt performs as an individual artist, with his cover band as a lead singer, and of course, his most recent venture, alongside his sister in their duo. In 2017, Matthew released his first original album entitled “New Day.” Being so young, this experience shaped Matthew’s artistry and helped him decide what kind of artist he wants to be. When Matthew is not performing, he spends his time at home songwriting, collaborating with other musicians, recording in the studio, playing hockey, and spending time with family/friends. Sarah began taking piano lessons, and shortly after, she realized her true passion for singing. So, she enrolled in vocal lessons too. Sarah wrote her first song shortly after, and that year was when she finally got a chance to record her original song in the studio. This memorable experience allowed her to collaborate with many musicians, which helped Sarah see what the music business was all about. Sarah continued to focus on perfecting her presence on stage by auditioning for various Canadian talent shows in her early teens. Even though multiple doors closed in Sarah’s face, she never gave up because she knew that being a singer would always be her dream, and no one would come in the way of making her achieve it. Sarah has been performing across Toronto for the past seventeen years as a solo artist, a sub-in vocalist, a lead singer of two cover bands, and of course, with her multi-talented brother Matt. Sarah’s song-writing skills have really improved over the years, and she takes all of her life experiences and translates them into emotional story-telling lyrics. Sarah released her first original album five years ago entitled, “What Happened to The Love.” Recently, her focus and priority lie with her brother in creating new and fresh radio-ready music, and they both have been spending a lot of their time in the studio and under the direction of their management Tina Cole and Global Music Entertainment. Sarah is an elementary school teacher and has been doing so for the past five years. She finds her job truly rewarding and is so blessed to pass on the love of music to the younger generation. Sarah makes music a part of her life every day by teaching during the week and singing on weekends. She absolutely loves that music is central to her. Sarah also has an incredible love for travelling, seeing new places and exploring, adventure, songwriting, performing, and spending quality time with her favorite person, her brother. What’s the writing process like for a brother/sister duo? Do you two collab with anyone else? We just started working with management this year, and so we are really working on promoting our band and getting quality music recorded and released. Increasing our fan base is something we are really trying to increase! The songwriting process for us is ongoing. We don’t really know when a song or melody will come to us, but we do know that when we go through certain experiences, we are inspired to write, as songwriting is a means for us to truly express our emotions and what we are feeling. Heartbreak, love, loss and pain are usually subjects that we find naturally easy to write about, and our past experiences truly define us as the humble and grateful artists we are. Usually, if we get ideas and we are not together, we will record our thoughts on voice notes! When we finally get together, our ideas slowly blend, and the story will start to unfold. It’s like writing a chapter in a book. Sarah’s strength lies in writing lyrics, and Matthew’s strength lies in writing the music and chords. This combination is the perfect equation for writing a hit song. We feel so blessed when we feel this connection that we have that is so strong. It is so rare to find that between brother and sister. We can’t explain and put into words the raw emotion that pours out of us when we are in the midst of writing a song. Our family connection enables us to know what the other is thinking, and the process then becomes so easy---it’s like finishing off each other’s sentences! We haven’t written to many people because we admire what we have. But since signing under new management, we have had the incredible opportunity of working with one of the best producers, Jovan Jovanov. He has produced our first two big hits, with the first one being “Great Escape,” which was released three weeks ago under the artist's names SARAH JORDAN AND MATT VON. We also just completed a songwriting workshop with Toronto Latin pop artist Alx Veliz, and from this workshop, we met some new contacts and found some more opportunities for collaborations. We are looking forward to working with teams of songwriters to improve upon the strength of our songwriting skills. What makes you both so passionate about music? How did you get into the music industry? We have been in the music industry since we decided that music is the thing that we are most passionate about! Taking lessons at an early age propelled our interest, and our constant support from our parents is what made us believe in ourselves from day 1. My dad really pushed both of us to take music lessons early on because he always thought that learning an instrument was the best hobby to take on. And he was right! We owe it to him for seeing something in us. And without the help of our music teachers along the way and our parents to support us financially and emotionally, we wouldn’t be at the level of our professional careers’ that we are at today. We are both so passionate about how we feel when we perform. The feeling is indescribable. To have audience members be captivated by the story we’re telling is literally the best feeling in the world! The feeling and adrenaline that pumps through our veins when we’re on stage is magical. We want to inspire others with our story, and we want to communicate our own musical language to the world. One day, we hope that our voices and our music can be heard everywhere. We hope to be on the big stage one day worldwide, and we only hope that we can write timeless songs that people can relate to. We want to be the soundtrack to people’s lives. Music lives within us, and performing is the air we breathe. Often, it’s difficult to describe in words the level of love we have for our gift of music. Music and we are one. Music is what feelings sound like, and to have emotions wrapped up in the melody of a song is such a beautiful thing. We want to be the singers that carry out that emotion. Who are your biggest inspirations musically that have helped shape your careers? First and foremost, I learned how to sing from my grandmother. When I was little, we would sing in the church together. My uncle Elio was a songwriter and music composer. He passed away 8 years ago sadly from Cancer. I really do owe my childhood love of music to him. We were such an amazing team, and he really helped me understand how to compose a song and what elements went into becoming a strong songwriter. We also spent a lot of time in the studio in my teenage years. Listening to some of my favorite artists and watching them perform on live awards shows and in concert was such a mind-blowing experience for me! My idols, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, and Lady Gaga, are three of the powerhouse women in music that I gauge my career around. Their fearlessness and humble characters are something I look up to; more so, the longevity of their careers is something that I aspire to work towards. They stayed true to themselves, even while being surrounded by the pressures of the spotlight. Not to mention, their voices are timeless and classic, and every lyric they sing moves me to tears. Finally, my BROTHER, Matty. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today!!! Our partnership is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. When I hear his voice and the talent and skill level he has, I am blown away. I feel like a proud mother. He is the most talented person in the world, and watching him get better and better each day is a blessing. I love my musical partner in crime with ALL MY HEART. Personally, I’ve had so many musical icons that have inspired me from the start of my career to where I am today. I listen to many different musical genres that have led to my love of music. Just to name a few, I look up to Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, James Bay, Ed Sheeran, James Arthur and Dean Lewis. Justin has been a key role model for me ever since I began music. Seeing him in the spotlight at such a young age, it made me have a belief that anything is possible in the music industry. He created music at such a young age and developed into an amazing figure to all audiences across the world. Even though he went through hardships throughout the several years building up to where he is today, he came out on the brighter side. Every other artist that I mentioned above has the same style of sound and performance type as me. These artists capture the attention of an audience through the simplicity of their voices and the emotion in the music they are playing. My sister Sarah has been the driving force for me and the biggest inspiration in my career. I truly never knew that I could sing until I heard my sister perform at many events and constantly practice at home for her vocal lessons. Music in the household played a big part for me in beginning to start developing my voice. I began to sing and play the guitar at many gigs across the city after watching my sister for so many years. Now I am so glad that we have merged together to bring our talents to the world and showcase “Sarah Jordan and Matt Von.” “Great Escape” is an awesome track! Can you tell the readers more about the meaning behind it? Great Escape is an empowering anthem, one that makes you feel alive and encouraged when you hear it. When the song is over, we want the listeners of our track to feel fearless, with no chance of being held back to accomplish anything they set their minds to. As songwriters and human beings, we feel that we let these lyrics speak for themselves. The song takes you through a story, and depending on what your personal story is, the song is relatable, and you can visualize the magic of the lyric in this song unfolding while you listen. The lyrics don’t necessarily describe what we’ve been through, but because the lyrics are hopeful and looking towards a positive future, we are hoping that we can lift you up if you are feeling defeated. We are not breakable, but there are things we have experienced in our childhood that have broken us, but only parts of us. By choosing to put our pieces back together one by one, we wrote a powerful lyric that describes how we have moved on from the heartache and the past and how we are shaping our future---by doing it OUR way and making sure that the world is ready for us. We are no more being held back by the restraints of those who held us down or continue to get satisfaction through feeding us their misery. We have overcome these trying times, and we see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are the light at the end of the tunnel. The world is too beautiful to miss even a second of the adventure it has out there, and it’s waiting for us. And for you. This is a GREAT ESCAPE. What's next for you through 2019? With the help and mentorship of our manager, Tina Cole, we are working on getting new music recorded, building our fanbase and getting our social media numbers up. We are working on getting a dedicated following. We also just released our first song as a duo, GREAT ESCAPE. It’s available on all streaming platforms. We also just filmed our first music video, and it’s going to be released very soon! Our goal is to record a new single every few months and work on a very strong release plan. We are trusting the process and continue to listen to our manager. Her advice has really geared us in the right direction. We will also be looking for more performance opportunities and making strong contacts that will hopefully lead us to where we need to be! We are also hoping to become stronger songwriters, and we are excited to collaborate with other new artists. Collaboration is key because you’ll never know what those relationships will lead to. Instagram

Your recent Neo-Soul ballad was released for all listeners not too long ago! The song captures very light, delicate and airy components that make for a soothing listening experience. What was the main way you intended for your listeners to feel while listening along to "Pray"? Well, I definitely wanted to heal through the listening of this song. A healing prayer that embodies peacefulness. I intended for people to be moved by the tone as well. I think there's a lot of power even in the peacefulness I hope this song brings. What kind of emotional significance did "Pray" have for you personally? Was there a specific individual you were thinking of when constructing this emotionally compelling song? 'PRAY' came about after a producer I had been working with for several months decided he owned my songs. This man had agreed to let me use his studio to record 3 of my originals. We didn't even get around to harmonies because he would put it off and put it off. Finally, after 7 months I kindly asked for my songs to which he screamed at me through the phone, "I own your songs! You're just a little girl. What are you going to do about it?" For me, this was my worst nightmare coming true - a man telling me I didn't own the songs I completely wrote myself simply because I'm a 20-something-year-old female in the industry. I had been frustrated with this man for months on end and finally after the hatred he spat at me, I had no more rage left inside me. I was simply as sad as hell. 'PRAY' is what came out. It soothed me and that's what I needed. As an artist who has studied Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music, as well as directing at the Frenchwoods Festival of Arts, how do you feel your musical experience thus far contributes to the quality and richness of your overall sound? Thank you! I really do strive for quality in my music. I'm blessed to have had incredible experiences amongst talented communities throughout my life. Every artist I've met has inspired me and there have been quite a few along this journey. Berklee definitely allowed me to explore all genres as well as tighten up my songwriting. And Frenchwoods (being a musical-theater camp) definitely inspired many of my songs that are story-based, fast-paced lyrics and catchy melodies. There is something magical about that music and it's super captivating. You're undoubtedly an artist who likes to focus on speaking up for what is right and just. Would you say you're the type of artist that feels inclined to use their music as not only a base for entertainment but also as a platform to bring various issues to light? ABSOLUTELY! One of the main reasons I will never give up on my music career is because of the many different projects I have in mind to build. I love animals deeply and wish to open rescue centers all over the US before I die. I also think live music festivals are a church most people need. That community, that family-vibe, and happiness that lingers for weeks after an experience like that. I wish to create a music festival with my favorite artists one day. These ideas have been years in the making. But something I continue to stand for (being a woman) is female representation in any music room, studio, and or record. Having gone to Berklee and being one of two girls in every single class, it was extremely difficult to connect to my femininity amongst so much testosterone. Men always seem to have the confidence and respect of the room to be able to sit in on a jam session like it's their right whereas I rarely see women confidently join jam sessions. Take, for example, JAMMCard, which is a jam of top musicians in the industry. I've seen a woman in the group maybe twice. Things still have not changed and it's deeply upsetting hence why I feel so passionate about it. Music is a feminine art. Art is feminine. It simply doesn't make sense. What can we expect to see from you next? I have three songs in the vault ready for final touches, however, since the spread of Coronavirus, I've switched directions and have decided to release music that feels deeply relevant to me. What you can expect next is a LIVE version of 'PRAY'. Far more personal and intimate, straight from my living room. The world needs prayer and this song is too appropriate for the times. Instagram

Vocalist and pianist Ivy Alex is bringing her mixed style of jazz, R&B, neo-soul, classical and pop to a new meaning. Her style is similar to artists like; Alicia Keys, Lana Del Rey, and Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote. Ivy’s compelling storytelling abilities, perfectly matched with her serene melodies, provide a listening experience like no other. Backing up her talent by studying film scoring at Berklee College of Music and being a director at Frenchwoods Festival for the Arts, all while putting on an extremely impressive three shows/night, six nights/week. It’s clear that Ivy Alex has established her spot in the music industry and worked exceptionally hard for it. Ivy’s lyrical storytelling in her single “Pray,” alongside the music video’s moving imagery, perfectly enhances the meaning of her harmonious messages of love and loss. There’s no questioning what her lyrics are trying to say, as her clear and angelic vocals create an incredibly precise image that unmistakably reflects her music video. All the beauty that nature offers is captured within the music video and impeccably supports the emotional messages the song portrays. While being shot on a dreary day with a low-hanging cloud, each scene is precisely placed to support “Pray” ’s heavy-hearted theme. Read our interview with Ivy Alex as she opens up about creating "PRAY." Instagram Twitter