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Post-punk band Local Bylaws have been busy in the studio and have just released their newest single, "Salty." Local Bylaws is made up of union workers Ginger Pennington, Matthew Hash, Alex Rocheleau, and Tyler Cull, who met in an online forum for musicians during the pandemic. They were a match made in heaven as the creative juices just kept flowing and have been making music ever since. Local Bylaws' newest release is "Salty," their edgy and hardcore new single that will transport you to the early 2000s. "Salty" kicks off with beautiful and haunting guitar, along with gritty and expressive vocals. It starts with a more mellow feel but quickly picks up speed and energy as the listener is slammed with more electric guitar and a killer beat. Local Bylaws sing of being submerged but not "lost at sea" – the feeling of being so overwhelmed by someone but not in a way that feels like you're drowning. These piercing and impassioned lyrics flow beautifully with the vocalist. When you think the song is about to end, the lyrics come back for one last powerful and enchanting hit to your soul. "Salty" ends the same way it starts, lessening up on instrumentation to highlight the backbone of the song. The alternative track is full of mesmerizing guitar and hard-hitting lyrics until the very end. "Salty" is a must-hear for all fans of 2000s pop-punk. Local Bylaws really went all out with this one. Available on all streaming services now. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Local Bylaws! What sparked the inspiration for this new song, "Salty"? What was the songwriting process like? Thank you! The songwriting process is different for each song. Most of the time, we start with a riff from Alex, an idea from Matt, or a fully-realized structure from Tyler, which gets sent to Ginger, who writes the lyrics and vocal melody. In the case of "Salty," Ginger had written this song on acoustic guitar about two of the great loves of her life: a guy whose name means "ocean" and the city of LA (specifically Santa Monica). We weren't sure it could fit in with our punk aesthetic (the guys call it our "Disney princess" song), but Alex came up with these sweet guitar octaves, which launched it into "banger" territory. What is something you want listeners to take away from "Salty"? What was your intent behind this? There's a lot of insanity in our world right now. If we can give people three minutes of feeling good, we've done what we came to do. This song is a lot about following your own intuition rather than the noise outside you. Listening to your gut and moving toward what feels good leads to personal power and strength, especially after you make it to the other side of some rough terrain. And if everyone walked around feeling powerful and strong, we would have far fewer conflicts on this planet and a lot more love. Did you come across any challenges in the process of writing and creating "Salty"? Honestly, no! There's a vein of gold that, once tapped, the song just flows without effort. If we're working on a song and it's not flowing, we put it away and come back to it when it calls to us. How do you feel that "Salty" compares to the songs/artists that inspire the members of Local Bylaws? What is something you would say is unique about your sound? People often tell us that our songs take them back to more carefree days, and I think that's because our music reminds them of stuff they listened to in high school. Some may say it's sophomoric to create from a place of 90s and 2000s nostalgia, but to us, music should be about immersing oneself in a feeling or mood, and this is one of the genres that scratches that itch. We'd like to think that we are taking those old pop-punk tropes and building on them, with more technical instrumentality and more multi-faceted lyrics. Pop-punk for grownups, so to speak. What's next for you? In the next few months, we have a new single, a really cute music video for our song "Lead Vampire," an acoustic show in Sacramento, a full-band show in San Francisco with Jeremy Korkki on drums, and then it will be back to the studio to record our full-length album! Instagram Facebook

From Seattle, Washington, the Americana two-piece turned five-piece band The Hipocrats ask some needed questions in their newest single, "Reflections (I Wish I Was)." The Hipocrats started as Tyler McGinnis and Sarah Brunner. With the addition of Ruth Navarre on fiddle, TJ Watson on drums, and Chris DeFalco on electric bass, the band is finally complete. They've become a force to be reckoned with and are quickly becoming one of the biggest Americana bands to sweep the modern industry. The band recently released their debut six-track EP, 'Road to Joy,' which includes the stunning and powerful single, "Reflections (I Wish I Was)." The song calls on the listener to reflect on what's important to them, why they're always running, and to take a moment to think about where they want to end up. It's a melodic, easy-listening tune that speaks to the soul. Hitting play on "Reflections (I Wish I Was)," we're met with sweet and lush Americana-folk instrumentals that kick the tune into gear. As Brunner and McGinnis begin serenading us with their unison and harmonious vocals, they ask different individuals why they're sleeping through alarms, missing payments, and not able to support themselves. As we make our way to the powerful and anthemic hook, The Hipocrats join together and flood our speakers with passionate energy and lyrics that remind us of life's hard points, encouraging us to move onward and upward. It's an incredibly cathartic and heartfelt track, and we perfectly understand why it made the outro position on The Hipocrats' debut EP, 'Road to Joy.' Take a moment to check in with yourself through The Hipocrats' latest introspective single, "Reflections (I Wish I Was)," off their debut EP, 'Road to Joy,' now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, The Hipocrats. We love the introspective yet empowering feel in your recent single, "Reflections (I Wish I Was)." What inspired this conceptual and relatable song? In the case of Reflections (I Wish I Was), the concept was posed - How cool would it be for us to have the capacity to go back in time and speak with our past selves? Imagine the insight we would be able to share, the bad decisions we would be able to prevent, and the self-doubt that we could dispel. We got to thinking about different scenarios and then quickly realized this was potentially our next song concept. What was your brand's creative process like between the five of you for "Reflections (I Wish I Was)?" How did you begin laying the foundation and working your way up? It's important to know that all of the songs on this EP were written in their entirety last October (2021) by the both of us (Sarah & Tyler) over the course of about 14 days. We both had day jobs at the time, Sarah as a working musician and Tyler as a manager in the service industry. From the get-go, we knew we wanted to fast-track The Hipocrats to the point of being a substantive band to build the songs up. Naturally, as solo musicians in our own right, we understood that just having songs (and co-written songs at that) was going to be the foundation that we knew we needed before anything else. However, neither of us had ever written together previously, and as any songwriter who's ever tried co-writing before knows, it usually goes one of two ways. Either you get stuck in a revolving door of clashing ideas and/or simply lack the natural complementary styles that it takes to create a good product with less effort that it would have taken had you decided to write stag. Or, if you're lucky, you find a writing partner that compliments your every move and turns the writing process into a uniquely fun, collaborative, and efficient experience - and that's exactly how we view our partnership. Once we had written the first few songs, we realized we had a warmed-up and well-oiled machine. And we could ride the momentum that we generated to create the remainder of the songs we knew we needed to have for an EP. On Tuesday nights, we would meet at Sarah's apartment. We'd brainstorm ideas and record various progressions and little licks. When we had something promising, we would loop the progression until one of us would blurt out some spontaneous lyric to the wide eyes of the other person. We'd repeat this process for a few hours, record a single take of everything we had up to that point and call it a night. Over the next few days, we'd listen to the recording and stew over ideas. Then, come Thursday evening, we would get back to work at the apartment, and by the end of the night - wallah! We had a song. This is how we wrote practically every song on this EP, Reflections (I Wish I Was) included. Who wrote the conceptual lyrics for "Reflections (I Wish I Was)?" What was the main point you wanted listeners to pick up on and take away? As previously mentioned, it was always a primary intention of ours to equally contribute to these songs as co-writers. Every lyric, melody, and song concept was a product of joint collaboration. Our writing process is fully and entirely tandem, and we both feel we would not be where we are had that not been the case. For "Reflections (I Wish I Was)" specifically, It's actually an odd structure for a song. It really doesn't fit the mold of your traditional song formats. Essentially, it's composed of two individual songs glued together with a melodic breakdown that transitions both prose and perspective along the way. We feel it's a playful and exciting proposition to yearn for the chance to speak to one's past self, but we balance that with the reality and honest expectations in the second half of the song that is simply reflecting on one's past is enough to make a positive change in the way you go about your day to day life. Main points aside, we also felt like it was important for both of us to speak to the divergence in emotions that we all experience in life. How much better off would we be if we all learned to laugh through life's embarrassing moments rather than dwell in self-consciousness. Wouldn't it be great to be able to be your own personal cheerleader to motivate you through the hard times, no matter how difficult or dark your life may seem at the time? It was a fun exercise in self-awareness, and we both found lines in the song that helped us get through our struggles today. Why did you choose to place "Reflections (I Wish I Was)" as the final track on your debut EP 'Road to Joy'? Would you say the single is a solid representation of the theme and concept within EP? Musically alone, we feel like this song was one of our favorites prior to releasing the EP. It was a song that we frequently ended our live performances with, and we thought it would be a natural fit to wrap up the album. Diving a little deeper into our reasoning, we both felt that the song's overall message would be a fun and purposeful way to wrap Road to Joy with. If we can get our listeners to have their own self-reflection after listening to the EP, then they might experience some of the same feelings we continue to have since finishing the song. Plus, there's something intentionally unfinished with the story there that we think leaves the listener wanting more. What's next for you? We're currently on our debut "Road to Joy" National tour promoting the EP. The tour spans nearly five months with over 80 shows. Along the way, we are working on new songs daily and have plans to record a single in the next few months remotely before returning to Seattle, WA, in late October. After which, we plan to keep playing locally in the Seattle music circuit to fund our first full-length album that we intend on releasing next year. Most, if not all, of its tracks. We hope to write over the next few months while we are on tour. Instagram Facebook

Born and raised in Southern California, singer-songwriter and alternative-pop recording artist Cassandra Salas holds nothing back in her autobiographical 3-track EP, PINS AND NEEDLES. The dedicated recording artist creates music that could be described as alternative-pop but with harmonic sophistication. Having graduated from the Herb Alpert Music Scholarship Program at LACC, Salas is now continuing her education at CSU Northridge for music for film. During her time at LACC, Cassandra Salas wrote her recent 3-track EP, PINS AND NEEDLES. The project comprises original pieces that help us understand Salas' creative abilities and her outlook on relatable situations. The EP opens with the vibrant introductory track, "THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL," bursting open with bright electric guitars, cinematic piano melodies, and lively drum arrangements that leap into the first verse. Listening to Cassandra Salas's exciting vocal stylings, she sings of making it out of past relationships with scrapes and scars, only to land upon someone who makes her feel alive. This groovy and anthemic introductory track was a stellar way to open the project and grab our attention. Moving onto track two, "TEXTBOOK," Cassandra Salas ramps up the mood and anticipation in this soulful and country-esque introduction. It doesn't take long for the percussion and bright brass to shift the song into this sweltering and vibrant atmosphere that's impossible to resist. She takes this track to share a hefty serving a reality to someone who's an "egocentric maniac," all while letting us get down to the dynamic and empowering instrumentals. Landing on the EP's title and final track, "PINS AND NEEDLES," we're struck with a blistering electric guitar and Cassandra Salas's angsty vocals, sharing similarities to an early Avril Lavigne. This song is a scorcher; Cassandra Salas and her accompanying instrumentals blast through our speakers, commanding our attention and keeping us hooked with relatable lyrics, striking instrumentals, and an undeniably gripping atmosphere that has us locked in from beginning to end. This empowering song closes the album on such a thrilling and cathartic note, packed with energy, stamina, and perseverance. When you're ready to cure those aching PINS AND NEEDLES, hit play on Cassandra Salas's powerful 3-track EP, now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Cassandra Salas. We admire the tenacity and energy you've brought to your recent EP, PINS AND NEEDLES. What inspired you to create this autobiographical EP? When deciding which songs to choose for the EP, I went with the three songs that best represented my growth as a songwriter and as an artist. During the time I was writing these songs, I was struggling heavily with mental health. Before I sought out therapy, I poured my heart out into these pieces, perfecting them to their fullest potential. I was so inspired by the growth I made not only with my mental health but as an artist. I wanted to magnify what anxiety and depression looked like. For me, it was sometimes joyous, sometimes weak, other times indifferent. This album describes the rise and pitfalls of a specific and difficult time in my life. What was your favorite part about creating the EP, PINS AND NEEDLES? What experiences did you appreciate most? I loved the relationships that were cultivated throughout this process. The musicians on the record were people I played with at school formerly, and I'm so thankful for their contributions to this album. I'm grateful for how many people were brought into my life solely from this experience. I had the best time working with everyone and getting to know them well over this past year and a half. It's been a long journey, and I'm just so honored and humbled to have worked with such talented people. Which song from PINS AND NEEDLES are you most proud of and why? What makes that song so special to you? Such a hard question! I feel like the one I'm most proud of is Pins and Needles. Although it's one of the simplest songs on the EP sonically, it was the most challenging vocally. I remember being so scared to record the vocals for the choruses and the add libs near the end of the song. It's my favorite because it shows off my vocal athleticism, but it was difficult to get out of my own criticism. Being a singer can be tricky sometimes because of the psychological element behind a performance. It takes a minute to let go and just sing freely like no one is listening. Did any other producers or musicians lend a helping hand when creating PINS AND NEEDLES? Who did you bounce your ideas off of? I called on my colleague, Bryan Stage, to help me produce this album. He mixed my first single back in 2020, and I enjoyed working with him so much that I knew I wanted him to produce this EP. It's difficult to find a producer who is able to engineer while simultaneously relating to the artist on a personal level. He was always gracious and had a way of making me feel at home whenever we worked together. We worked on the arrangements for each song together, bouncing ideas to each other and seeing how they worked. It's always a pleasure working with him. I knew I needed a cinematographer for the film idea that I had in mind for all three songs, which led me to my friend, Alex Zamora. A talented cinematographer and photographer who I found through a mutual friend of mine. I had never written a script before or acted. He was so patient with me on set, always giving the best direction and helping me write the ideas for the film. I was so nervous about diving into the cinema since that was something I'd never done, and Alex made me feel confident through it all. How do you hope the listener reacts to PINS AND NEEDLES? What impact do you want the EP to leave on your audience? The goal for this album was to speak on my struggles with mental health. The film portrays that experience in more depth and connects each song together. Although the songs are very different, I wanted the listener to think about how we look at individuals who struggle with mental health. What that could look like. It can feel elated like, The Way You Make Me Feel. It can feel marginalized and misunderstood, like a textbook. It can feel hopeless and isolating like Pins and Needles. I hope the audience can resonate with each song and relate it to their own experience. Instagram Facebook

Jaclyn is a phoenix rising from the ashes, and her previous singles have roared through listeners' speakers with themes of pain, and finding love within that pain. She's always used music to find the common theme between her and the world that surrounds her. And of course, love was the answer. Jaclyn is constantly redefining what it means to be a rockstar; it's not about sex, drugs, and cash, but about change and rebellion. She praises the need for change in our current society with her latest single, "American Dream." It's a spunky, witty, and hard-hitting anthem that leaves us rethinking the definition of success. Listening to the new single, Jaclyn sends a somber and soulful vocal melody through our speakers alongside a smooth piano. Before we know it, she throws us into a bouncy, well-rounded alternative rock instrumental while expressing lyrics like "The American dream? More like a panic attack." She emphasizes the endless cycle of fulfilling someone else's needs, working ourselves into the graves, and making up for our parents' broken dreams. The song carries so much soul and realness; it's a bold middle finger to the society we've created that keeps us from truly living. Overall, the spunky and rich instrumentals keep the groove alive while Jaclyn's warm vocals pounce through our speakers with a sense of urgency. It's a thrilling, cathartic, and relatable experience that anyone can appreciate. When you're ready to rethink what the "American Dream" really is, take a listen to Jaclyn's fiery new single, now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Jaclyn. We love the ferocity and soul you've brought to your new single, "American Dream." What inspired you to create this brutally honest song about the modern American dream? The song was written out of frustration. Coming to the conclusion that everything we were taught to believe was a lie. Go to college, get a job, work hard, do all these things and you will achieve “Happiness”. The idea of the American Dream is a flawed and dated concept. This is not the reality. Working hard only gets you so far. The odds are stacked against us. We are just pawns in a rich man’s game, and I don’t want to play. What was your experience writing such a cathartic and anthemic song like "American Dream?" How long did it take you? My fiancé was at a breaking point in his career, and I was watching his mental health decline. Working so hard and having nothing to show for it. Being who I am, I asked him to write what he was feeling. A couple of minutes later he sent me a short text reading “up at 4, out the door by 5, need to kill yourself just to stay alive”. When I read that I immediately heard the beginning of a song, and quickly started to write. We all work hard, but at what cost? We are constantly being divided in this country; to the point where it is now a competition…who is right, who is wrong? Who is good, who is evil? When in reality I believe we all want the same thing. We talk about equality a lot in this country but rarely talk about equity. Giving the people what we need to survive. It's not red verse blue, it's the 99 percent vs the 1 percent. What sort of vibe or feel did you want the instrumentals to carry in "American Dream?" Did any producers or musicians help you out during this process? I wanted "American Dream" to be the song you bump into your car to and from work. I want it to empower people and have them question if they are truly happy with their chosen path. Too often we get lost in the routine of life and forget to look inward. I wanted a heavy hip-hop drum, the kind of sound you can just bop your head to. I wanted to combine both pop sounds as well as elements of funk. When looking for a producer; I came across Alexander Almgren, Alex took the time to really digest the lyrics. He understood the assignment right from the start. When recording it he added elements that I couldn’t have come up with alone. It was awesome to collaborate with someone who was just as excited as I was about the song. What do you hope listeners feel or realize when hearing "American Dream?" What impact do you want the song to leave? I hope "American Dream" allows people the space to really dig deep and find their true purpose. We don’t all live in same America, there are people that have more privileges than others, and benefit more from the systems put in place. It is crucial to acknowledge this because it allows us to move forward and fill in the gaps of injustice. Our parents and the people that came before us had a blueprint of the “right” way to do things. It’s time for us to not just continue this cycle but to evolve and question the reality around us. The "American Dream" is dead, it's time we create our own future. Instagram

The soulful singer-songwriter and recording artist with a southern flair, Emily Curtis, teams up with Surrey, Canada-based DJ and engineer Carson Hoy for their feel-good single, "The Background." Emily Curtis first stormed the music scene in Charleston, SC, making waves with her bright guitar melodies and smooth vocals. She's performed everywhere from local bars and amphitheaters to concert halls and showcases, not to mention supporting national acts like Parmalee, Sister Hazel, and hometown favorites Hootie & The Blowfish. More recently, Emily Curtis teamed up with Kool Keith's recording engineer Carson Hoy for their collaborative single, "The Background." They felt inspired to write the song at the height of the lockdown in 2020, where they would hop on Zoom calls and imagine summer parties and gatherings with friends. Now that we're starting to live socially again, the song has become the perfect summer tune for any jam. Diving headfirst into "The Background," the song peacefully opens with soft whistles, bright acoustic guitar melodies, and light percussion. As Emily Curtis makes her warm and heartfelt vocal appearance, she begins to playfully poke us with lyrics about playing in the background of someone's mind. Before we know it, Carson Hoy joins the party to add a brilliant back and forth to this harmonious and uplifting duet. It's truly one of the most refreshing singles we've heard this year, and the timing of its release is impeccable. As they reach the outro, Curtis and Hoy let us sway in the wind to their soothing instrumentals and head into summer without a care in the world. Allow Emily Curtis and Carson Hoy to keep you company in "The Background" of your mind with their latest lush single, now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Emily Curtis. What an uplifting experience you've provided with your latest single with Carson Hoy, "The Background." At what moments during the lockdown did you feel most compelled to write this feel-good piece? Initially, we didn't know what we wanted to write. We both just wanted to stay creative and make the most of the time we were spending at home. Most good co-writing sessions come from easy natural conversations. That's when someone hears a standout phrase, and the concept starts to take shape. We started talking about how we were feeling emotionally, which led to discussions about relationships and exes that we wished we could forget about. I think we were laughing about it when one of us actually said, "It's like they're that annoying song playing in the background." I started playing some laid-back chords on the guitar, and Carson created a beat track, and we just wrote. How did the collaboration with Surrey-based DJ and engineer Carson Hoy take place for "The Background?" Was this your first time working together? We met in 2018 at a songwriting retreat called Neverland Retreats in Nosara, Costa Rica, literally in the middle of the jungle. There were about 40 attendees from all over the world and six music industry panelists. We all became friends really quickly. There's something about sharing that kind of unique experience on top of sharing similar career aspirations. Musicians are weird, and it always feels comforting to meet other weirdos, and I think that's why Carson and I clicked. A few months later, a group of us got an AirBnb in LA to attend the 2019 ASCAP Expo and heard some of Carson's tracks when we had some down time. I loved his style and knew I wanted to collaborate at some point. We had no idea the hurdles we were about to face in a few short months. Did you face any challenges when creating "The Background" with Carson Hoy over Zoom? Or was this process easier than expected? It was daunting, but we were doing this for us, so the pressure was off. Personally, it was a little tricky at first learning how to get the guitar, and vocal stems tracked and sent over to him quickly, but that pushed me to learn skills that are serving me now as I track vocals for other remote projects. There's obviously nothing like being in a room with people and making music, but only a few short years ago, this alternative would not have existed. I was excited to be co-producing, tracking my own vocals and guitar, and just overall challenging myself to become more efficient as a musician. What was your favorite part about creating "The Background?" What did you appreciate most? The fact that a pandemic didn't stop us from making an upbeat, fun song is pretty wild when I think about it. I'm so grateful that technology allows us to make music like this. Co-writing with Carson was just so much fun. We laughed a lot and enjoyed the process at a time when the world felt like it was falling apart. What's next for you? I'm continuing to collaborate and write authentic songs that are sync licensing friendly so that I can pitch them for placements in tv and film while also playing them live and releasing them as an artist. Thanks to all the skills I learned through projects like this one, I'm now also working for hire as a remote vocalist for other writers and producers that may need background vocals or a demo vocalist to bring their songs to life. As long as I keep challenging myself, I think music will be something I am able to do for the rest of my life. Emily Curtis Instagram Carson Hoy Instagram

From Israel to Toronto, Platinum-certified producer, and songwriter YASH teams up with Canadian electro-pop artist Dragonette for their new vibe-heavy single, "Unicorn." YASH has an impressive number of accolades under his belt. He's been nominated for a Juno for Shaun Frank and Ashe's single, "Let You Get Away," not to mention being platinum certified with over 500k EP sales. Perhaps what's most impressive is his list of collaborations, including heavy-hitters like Tiesto, Steve Aoki, and Red Velvet. Here's a name you might not have heard in a while. For YASH's latest single, "Unicorn," he teams up with the one and only Dragonette, who's set our speakers on fire for the last decade. Together, they create a fun, light-hearted track that's arrived just in time to bump all summer long. Hitting play on the new summer anthem, "Unicorn," we're met with gentle keyboard melodies that float into the verse alongside airy drums and Dragonette's classic, femme, and bright vocals. As she continues riding the beat with confidence and charisma, YASH ups the vibe to shower us with beaming melodies, squeaky synths, unique arrangements, and a killer bassline. This song is so easy-going, and believe us when we say it's perfect for your summer playlist. Both YASH and Dragonette bring us into an uplifting, passionate atmosphere that discusses being floored by someone's authentic, charming presence. As they maintain the same lush, groovy, and relaxed vibe, both artists leave us ready to hit the beach with a drink in hand and speakers on deck. Ramp up your summer vibes with YASH and Dragonette's earworm of a single, "Unicorn," now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, YASH. We’re so impressed with the relaxed, groovy, and summery vibe of your new single with Dragonette, “Unicorn”. What inspired you to create such a fun song like this? Thanks, that’s great to be here! Creating this song was a lot of fun. It has such an infectious bass line and vibe, both chill and urgent, which I love. I think Dragonette and myself were in a very quirky mood that day, and sometimes you just don’t want to deal with any heavy subject matter. The minute we came up with this baseline and beat we knew it was going to be a fun one. And the music basically dictated all the melodies and lyrics. It was very easy to write and those are always the best songs! What was it like working with Canadian electro-pop veteran Dragonette for “Unicorn?” How did that collaboration come about? First and foremost, I love co-writers and collaborators. Dragonette is an amazing vocalist and so fun to write with. We wrote this song together with Jenson Vaughn in a session, and we both fell in love with it. We were supposed to pitch it to some Netflix show, and I was kind of hoping it won’t happen. Luckily in the end we got to release it! What was your goal with “Unicorn?” What did you want listeners to experience and feel when hearing the new track? Unicorn is about love and finding a good connection with someone. We wanted to convey the feeling of meeting someone you just ‘click’ with. The song talks about how other people can have all the ‘correct’ attributes and check off the boxes, but that there is a vibe and feeling you get with that special someone, that can’t be replaced with looks or money or anything. It’s the feeling of finding your soulmate. On a more personal note, how would you describe your music to new listeners? Do you feel most comfortable creating music under a certain genre or subgenre? Because my background is classical and jazz and I play piano, all of my music always has a lot of melodic elements in it. But I would categorize my music as being in the electronic genre. I love dance music in all its formats, especially house and tech-house. My goal is to try to infuse melodies, vocals, and lyrics into all of my songs and pair them with infectious beats that people can dance to. YASH Instagram Dragonette Facebook

Hailing from small towns in central Pennsylvania is Americana folk-pop duo The Neighborly with their new self-titled 5-track EP, 'The Neighborly.' The smalltown duo comprises skilled recording artists Arissa May and Brock Lawley. They formed The Neighborly in 2017 after noticing their palpable creative chemistry reminiscent of folk-pop acts like The Civil Wars, Over the Rhine, and JohnnySwim. Now, they're ready to connect and encourage listeners with their latest 5-track EP, 'The Neighborly.' The project kicks off with the soulful and mysterious introductory track, "Lights Go Down," which quickly sets the moody tone with tender r&b keys, smooth acoustic guitars, and light percussion. Both Arissa and Brock's vocals are stunning in this heated piece, especially as they discuss the things that roam and the temptations that lie when the "Lights Go Down." There's so much emotion in this track, and it's truly a refreshing and thrilling listening experience. Taking a spin on track number two, "Real Love," The Neighborly slows things down with a moody and introspective instrumental that oozes darker-toned folk and alternative rock. We love the heavy instrumentals in this piece, from the dark drums to the bright electric guitars; The Neighborly knows their way around chilling the listener. This track discusses the unbridled and aching passion in real, authentic love and noticing the obsession it can take on both parties. Moving into the EP's halfway track, "Lift You Up," The Neighborly takes their time and shifts into a more emotional, downtempo piece. The soothing instrumentals take us into a sonic daydream as Arissa and Brock vocalize those weary-headed moments of inner turmoil and chaos. This song is honestly a treat for the ears, and The Neighborly wants to lend a helping hand to help "Lift You Up," something we all deserve. Jumping into the fourth track, "How It Goes," The Neighborly offers another moody, introspective, and heavy-hearted anthem for confusion. This track melts the speakers with ominous and mysterious folk instrumentals that feed the listener with intense emotions regarding the trials and tribulations of love. This is another anthemic piece that will leave you chanting The Neighborly's lyrics from beginning to end. Landing on the EP's fifth and final track, "Hold Me Down (Rise Up)," The Neighborly packs our speakers with a true foot-stomper. They use this song to punch listeners with reflective and empowering themes of never being held down and going after your dreams, no matter the obstacles. We adore this powerful outro track; it perfectly closes the project with intense energy and drives us to rise up and go after whatever our heart desires. Be ready to experience the soul and power of The Neighborly in their latest self-titled 5-track EP, 'The Neighborly,' now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, The Neighborly. You've truly left your mark on us with your recent EP, 'The Neighborly.' What experiences or moments led you to create this powerful project? In many ways, the album is the kind of record we always wanted to make but our previous musical projects and jobs wouldn't allow it. It was the first time we could be honest about who we were and where we were in life. We wrote about what we were experiencing and our worldviews and we wrote the music based on what *we* would want to listen to as we were both heavily influenced by similar bands in our early lives with the same sound. What core themes or concepts did you want listeners to take away from 'The Neighborly?' The core concepts we explore are real, time-weathered love, faith, family, and our authentic worldview. For example, the song Real Love is an attempt at writing a love song making a case for love that we don't hear much. It's based on the concept that love isn't cheap but it's three-dimensional, there's sacrifice, and there are things that aren't all flowers, passion, and romance. Hold Me Down is a power anthem to sing when you are faced with any enemy that might be trying to hold you back. How it Goes encourages the listener to be a light of hope in a dark place and Lift You Up is a reminder that no matter what difficulty you face, you are not alone. Everything we sing about on this album is likely something we would end up discussing in conversation if we were to talk to you in person. Did your duo work with any producers or musicians to help from 'The Neighborly' EP to life? What was that experience like? We worked with Tony Guyer with Forgotten Genre Productions and our studio musicians and co-producer were Ty Godfrey and Jake Ritchey. Our style is very simple, stripped-down acoustic with two vocals so taking these songs into the studio with other musicians allowed the songs to take on a new life and sound. Tony specializes in an authentic, minimally produced sound and we thought that would fit well with our style and love of Americana music. Ty and Jake created the perfect mood for each song with their instrumentation and sick talent. We really loved the collaboration with them as they really captured the feel of the songs the way we imagined they should sound. How does 'The Neighborly' EP represent your duo? How can new listeners learn about who you are and the music you tend to create through this project? The EP represents our stage of life. We are raising families, we love our spouses, we love our community and we have chosen to make music to encourage others in this same phase of life. We notice that there isn't a lot of popular music written for this stage of life so we call our music "music for the middle." Does your duo have a shared favorite song from the EP 'The Neighborly?' Why does that song stand out most to you? It was really hard to agree on a favorite song, they all have something unique we love but Lights Go Down wins out for the musical bed that our studio musicians created, it has such a cool vibe and almost haunting feel. Brock wrote the song after a conversation with a larger-than-life elderly woman who had serious words of warning for those not staying on the straight and narrow. When he presented the song to me (Arissa) I had to laugh because my Dad had a similar saying for me when I was a teen, "Nothing good happens after midnight" to which I always rolled my eyes, being a night owl. It was just a fun concept to play with and we loved how it turned out musically. What's next for you? We are currently working on a new summer single, in between a bunch of local summer shows. We have wanted to host a show in our actual neighborhood since we first formed, being actual neighbors ourselves and writing a lot of material based on the lives of those we live beside, so we are doing that in July and are going to film it. Our next plan is to record our originals and cover mashups in a more acoustic style, similar to how you would hear us live, and release them as singles in the fall. The Neighborly Facebook The Neighborly Instagram

Buenos Aires-born and Edmonton-based indie-tronic project Johnny Johnny & the Johnny's releases their highly anticipated debut album, 'Johnny.' Johnny Johnny & the Johnny's is the musical project of Edmonton-based Luis Lamela, with help from friends Joel Cain (Beach Towels) and Brad Gibbons (Sir Quilt). Together, they create impeccable psychedelic synthwave with influences like Genesis, George Harrison, The Strokes, ELO, and many more. Now, Johnny Johnny & the Johnny's are ready to create their own lane in the music scene with their debut 11-track album, Johnny. It carries a vintage sound below the modern synth-heavy vibe, sending waves of sensations and stimulation throughout the body. The experience begins with the second lead single and introductory track, "Fishes To Sing," which opens with a heavy and chilling Mac DeMarco vibe alongside Luis Lamela's smooth and melodic vocals. He wastes no time painting such a lush and vibrant psychedelic atmosphere with the help of Brad Gibbons's heavy guitar riffs and Joel Cain's rich drum breaks. This moody and reflective track was a stellar way to grab our attention and kick off an album. Moving into the second track, "Johnny V Good," Johnny ramps up the energy and brings more of an upbeat, playful alternative vibe. As Lamela jumps into his witty words and rhythmic lyrics, he serenades us by channeling his alter ego, Johnny, who helps him release, believe, and live through life's chaotic moments. We love the beachy and bright vibe this single carries, keeping us locked in for the entire ride. Onto track number three and the album's third lead single, "Like A Neighbour," Johnny unleashes these ominous and growing synths through our speakers while transitioning into this wavy and dreamy alternative space. The instrumentals and production in this track are unique, to say the least, and Lamela's lyrics stand in the background while letting the dynamic instrumentals shine in the spotlight. There are subtle Beatles vibes through the soft woodwind instrumentals and hazy, reverbed electric guitars to maintain the dizzying atmosphere. The album's fourth track, "We Can't Be Him," pumps through our speakers with a bright 80s vibe through string-like synths, a dreamy electric guitar melody, and hi-fi drum breaks. Listening to Lamela's punchy and exciting vocals, he expresses how life's mental and physical clutter keeps him from living in the moment. It's a groovy, dynamic, and explorative song that keeps our toes tapping and our minds occupied with Lamela's relatable lyrics. Landing on the fifth track, "I Believe In Johnny," Johnny blasts us into this eerie and stimulating sonic atmosphere through unconventional vocal melodies, heavy bass licks, thumping drums, and dizzying guitars. It's definitely not your usual alternative/electronic sound, but that makes it all the more interesting. We can hear some early Tame Impala influence in the psychedelic synths that roam the background, pushing us to the outro with a heavy groove. Reaching the album's halfway mark at track number six, "Johnny Needs a Window," we're met with nostalgic and eerie keyboard melodies that later bounce into a plucky synth arrangement with airy drums and the smoothest guitars. The soft, pulsating synths keep the anticipation high and mighty while Lamela floats through the verse with his echoed vocals to add this expansive and broad feel. Lamela's gentle and breathy vocals in this song help us see a softer side of his sound, one that we truly can't resist. Upping the energy is the seventh track, "Latex Latex," which kicks off with short and tight percussion, claps, and dark background keys. As the ominous and heavy bassline begins flooding our speakers in vibes, Lamela adds a hint of relaxation by reminding us how this piece is the intermission; it's time to recollect ourselves and prepare for the album's radiant second half. This unique interlude leads us into our final four tracks. Onto the eighth piece, "The Feature Magazine," Johnny blasts through our speakers with a mysterious and metallic percussion beat alongside his airy and dark vocals. As the tender electric guitar begins raining down from above, Johnny takes us on a harmonious and psychedelic ride that doesn't feature a hook, verse, or bridge, just a smooth and groovy trip that chills the mind and body. It's another unique piece that's left us impressed with Johnny's versatile stylings. Slowing things down with the ninth track, "Slow Melting Johnny," Johnny turns down the energy and turns up the vibe with downtempo percussion, wailing guitars, soothing background synths, and his expressive vocals. This song is like a sonic slice of heaven, absolutely melting our speakers with this meditation-like atmosphere that's impossible to resist. The production offers such an authentic and transcendent sound, and Lamela's rich vocals are the cherry on top. Pumping up the party is the album's lead single and Johnny's debut single, "Draft Punks," coming in at track number 10. It kicks off with nostalgic and exciting Daft Punk-like synths that continue bouncing through our speakers with this refreshing summer vibe. Lamela takes a more sensual and soothing vocal approach, swooning our ears with a raspy, breathy sound that chills the spine. This slow-burn and complex tune offers all the individuality we've come to love about Johnny. Landing on the album's eleventh and outro track, "House Up Side," Johnny floods our speakers in radiant synths alongside upbeat drums and a sparkling synth arrangement. We can totally hear the indie-tronic sound Johnny has created for himself, and he gathers all the energy and positivity to close this album on a bright note. This song feels like the end of a coming-of-age movie, and we wouldn't have it any other way; it offers the perfect balance of reflection, passion, and optimism. Experience a sound and style you've never heard before with Johnny Johnny & the Johnny's debut 11-track album, Johnny, now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Johnny Johnny & the Johnny's. We love everything about the unique sound and style within your debut album, Johnny. When did you begin creating songs and executing ideas for the album? How long did it take to create? The songwriting process started in early 2020 for about 1 year; then the recording, editing, and mixing part took another year (until the end of 2021). Most of the songs came to life right away, but I spent a lot of time working on the right sound for each instrument. For example on ‘We Can’t be Him’ I had created the drum parts with a drum machine and then sent it over to Joel for ‘real drums’ recording - but we liked the vibe of the drum machine so much that we ended up using both. The album has lots of that with many instruments, the best of the ‘machine’ and ‘analog’ world. What was your favorite part about creating the album, Johnny? What experiences did you appreciate most? I think the album was just an excuse to get to hang out and make music with Joel and Brad really. You can’t show up at your friend's house empty-handed, so I’d bring a track or two and some wine each time. It wasn't the plan to do an album, but I started having all these songs, and eventually with time they became ‘Johnny’. You can definitely hear the ‘having a great time feeling. I’m very meticulous about the sound so I loved playing mini-tributes to artists that influenced me most. To name some: Julian Casablancas, Mac Demarco, Jeff Lynne, Phil Collins, George Harrison, Gustavo Cerati… Was there a particular song from Johnny that was the most difficult to create in terms of emotion? Which song is the most personal to you? I believe in Johnny. It wasn't difficult per se but there was a lot of emotion going on in the phrases. It was a self-realization moment- everybody has their inner Johnny, you just have to believe in yourself. No one can’t tell you where Johnny is, you've got to find it on your own. Hopefully, this song helps you to do so. What was it like working alongside Joel Cain and Brad Gibbons for Johnny? What did they bring to the table? The vibe and that is everything. I could never do a song if I don't feel a vibe. They make me want to do my best, which is pretty awesome for growing up as an artist. Joel did a great job on the whole record, not only recording but co-producing, mixing, and mastering. He is a natural talent that people should know more about (projects like Beach Towels, Shade Shelter, Feel Estate, and more). Brad (alias Sir Quilt) did a great job on the guitar parts for ‘Fishes to Sing’, who is also Joel’s friend (and partner in crime on their own projects). He’s got this natural encouraging mystic aura which is great to be influenced by. What experience did you want to give listeners with the album, Johnny? What was your goal with the album? To transfer sensation and stimulation is what it is about. I think there is a simple positive message behind it. Johnny himself had the most epic time doing this record, which I think shows. I’d recommend for listeners let it play until the end, for better results. Instagram

If R&B recording and singer-songwriter Teenear has proved anything, it's that she hasn't got time to waste. The captivating artist brings us into another chapter of her story with her latest music video for "Ain't Mine." When Teenear isn't getting cat-called going about her everyday life, she's in the studio making sleek, gorgeous, and modern r&b records with her impeccable vocals, sharp production, and witty lyricism. She's always one to tell it how it is, never beating around the bush with each conceptual and gripping tune. Her recent single, "Ain't Mine," is a perfect example. She firmly asserts that someone else's boyfriend with an eye that wanders her way isn't her fault. She portrays this fiercely independent and empowering persona that's truly infectious, but perhaps what's even more captivating is watching her in action in her latest music video for "Ain't Mine." The music video is another installment in a four-part video series. It kicks off with Teenear sitting in an interrogation room getting questioned about her relationship with the missing person. As Teenear jumps into her lush verse, we see her strolling through scenes in different eye-candy outfits alongside someone who was taken, but hey, it's not her fault that he took his shot. The video is jam-packed with sensual and sultry scenes of Teenear and the man in question cozying up with each other. But don't get it twisted; Teenear reminds us that he "Ain't Mine," especially towards the video's end when she comes across polaroids of another woman. If Teenear has enlightened us on anything, it's that dogs will be dogs, and beautiful women shouldn't be the ones to blame for their sleazy behavior. Allow the stunning r&b singer to take you into her busy world with her conceptual music video for "Ain't Mine," now available on YouTube. Find the single on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Teenear. We adore the relatable, witty, and powerful feel of your recent single, "Ain't Mine." What experiences led you to create a song about being blamed for a man's behavior? My many life experiences of dating and watching the issues that many of my peers dealt with helped influence this record. Who helped create the music video for "Ain't Mine?" Did you have the same team on deck for your four-part video series? My creative team and I all worked diligently together to bring together the “Ain’t Mine” Music Video. The scripts, scenes, and overall direction were influenced by some of my favorite movies. Could you tell us more about the four-part video series, which includes the video for "Ain't Mine?" Do these four videos tell a cohesive story? In the “Ain’t Mine” Music Video the detective is investigating the disappearance of local Miami athlete Dion Carter. Dion Carter mysteriously went missing after his date with one of the 3 women suspects in his disappearance. Thorough out the video, we see critical clues to his disappearance tied back to carters interactions with the 3 women in question. Love, Jane, Amanda. The plot takes a turn when the detective comes across a series of polaroids that outline the many different dates Mr. Carter embarked on the week of his disappearance. Each photo gives a distinctive storyline that later implicates Amanda, Jane, and love as prime suspects of the crime. Which viewers see revealed in the final video. What do you want viewers and listeners to pick up on after watching the "Ain't Mine" music video? What do you hope they realize or think over? I would want listeners to pick up the difference between the original song. “Boy Is Mine” by Brandy & Monica and My version. My new “Ain’t Mine” explores the idea of female empowerment through subtle nuances and ways of thinking for Women of the 21st century. The song depicts a woman who is not interested in fighting with another woman about a man that she didn’t know had other women. She encourages the idea that this man is responsible for his own misleading actions. What's next for you? My team and I are continuing to work behind the scenes to gear up for my next single and my first EP that everyone can anticipate coming next year. Instagram Facebook

Los Angeles-based award-winning singer-songwriter Kacey Fifield throws us into the nightclub scene with her adventurous new single, "Toxic." The 17-year-old recording artist has left her mark on the Los Angeles music scene long before she's reached the age to enter a bar. She's a humanitarian at heart and always makes time to participate in campaigns for cancer, youth, and more. Regarding her music, Kacey Fifield has already amassed a whopping 2.8 million streams across platforms. And her success has only begun. With each release, we learn something new about the young Kacey Fifield, who decided to halt her previous tender ballads and pump up the party with a deep house anthem entitled "Toxic." The song was produced by Bangalore-born producer and DJ, Nippandab, who's amassed 35 million streams himself. Written in collaboration with Fifield's mentor and former American Idol contestant Robbie Rosen, "Toxic" kicks off with an invigorating array of sweaty synths that heat up the foreground. As Fifield makes her sultry vocal appearance, we instantly hear how she's growing as an artist and broadening her horizons into angsty, empowering electro-pop/house tunes. She hits the beat drop like a freight train, unleashing a chilling raspy vocal that reminds someone of their toxic ways. Fifield is supported by the captivating electronic stylings of Nippandab, who keeps the groove alive with punchy drums, heavy bass-like synths, and squeaky melodies that linger in the background. We're head over heels for Fifield's honest and attitude-filled performance; she's truly showcased how she's evolving as an artist and, more importantly, a woman. When you're ready to get rid of that "Toxic" person, hit play and celebrate with Kacey Fifield's exciting new single, now available on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome back to BuzzMusic, Kacey Fifield. We are so impressed with the artistic growth you've showcased in your new single, "Toxic." What inspired you to branch out and dive into an exciting deep house tune like this? Thank you so much! It's certainly different from the songs I've put out in the past, and I feel like I've grown a lot as an artist since my last release. "Toxic" has some pretty dark lyrics, so I wanted the production of the song to match that energy, which it definitely did! What was it like working with popular producer Nippandab and songwriter Robbie Rosen for "Toxic?" How did they make the process easier and more enjoyable for you? I always love working with Robbie; we work together very often, and we are always able to build off of each other's ideas in a super creative and effective way to create truly unique songs. This was my first time working with Nippandab, and it was absolutely incredible! He's such a talented producer, and we were able to collaborate so well to make the vision of "Toxic" come to life. Do you think your listeners will be surprised to hear your artistic shift in sound in style on "Toxic?" How do you hope they react to this change in sound? I think a lot of my listeners will be surprised, hopefully in a good way! I'm older than I was at the time of my previous releases, and I think "Toxic" showcases a step towards a newer, more mature sound for me. I also think that a lot of people will be able to relate to it, as was the case with my older songs! Might you venture into more electronic tunes in the future, similar to "Toxic?" Are you interested in dabbling in any other genres? Absolutely! I completely adore the final production of "Toxic" and would love to create more songs using similar sounds and styles. I love slap house songs, so definitely expect more music with influences from that genre. On the complete opposite end, I love singing songs that are pure pop, so I definitely expect some of that coming soon. What's next for you? "Toxic" was just the first single to be released from a massive project that I've been working on for a year now... Stay tuned on social media for updates! Instagram Facebook