Search this site

Crashing the electronic/hip-hop scene by way of Atlanta, Georgia, the genre-defying recording artist, producer, and singer-songwriter JLM brings the heat in his fourth studio single, "Nuclear (feat. Taylor Barber)." If there's one thing to know about JLM, it's to expect the unexpected. The former rock/metal band member turned solo artist truly knows no bounds, as his music continues to defy cookie-cutter genres while always leaving his audience on their toes. More recently, the Atlanta-based producer/singer-songwriter released his powerhouse fourth studio single, "Nuclear (feat. Tylor Barder)," which took its toll on us to say the least. As JLM's smooth and haunting vocals cascade over the intro and into the first verse, the groundbreaking stylings of Taylor Barber swoop in to make for an unforgettable listening experience. Jumping into the single, "Nuclear (feat. Taylor Barber)," the track takes off with a pulsating kick and a hazy synth arrangement alongside a haunting piano melody and JLM's airy vocal portrayal. As the sonics begin to grow more dense and electrifying, they build into this overall feeling of anticipation that leaves us under the wing of Taylor Barber and his ferocious metal scream. What comes alongside Taylor Barber's head-turning scream is an aggressive dubstep-like beat that scorches through our speakers like a wildfire. Accompanying these hefty sonics is JLM's dominant verse that dives into the nuclear bomb that is his evolving music career and the toll it's about to take on our music industry. As Taylor Barber lets out one last wicked belt, the track comes to a sharp close that leaves us in need of more sonic thrills like this four-minute escapade. Find your next thrill in JLM's latest hit, "Nuclear (feat. Taylor Barber)," available on all digital streaming platforms. You've truly wowed us with the release of your dynamic single, "Nuclear (feat. Taylor Barber)." What inspired you to release such a heavy, unexpected, and powerful track like this? I really wanted to create a song that tapped into multiple genres and really not caring about the success. This was my song to really just say "F" it, I'm going to make a song that hits as many genres as I can throw at it and make it make sense with the listener. Why did you want to feature the ferocious screams of Taylor Barber within "Nuclear (feat. Taylor Barber)"? Why did you feel that the song needed this exhilarating aspect? I wanted it because I wanted this song to go 0-60 and have the transition being as smooth as possible. I felt Taylor Barber's screaming vocals would be perfect! I didn't want this song to be a part of the norm, so I decided the best way to do this was to throw a curveball into the equation. What was your experience working alongside Taylor Barber for "Nuclear (feat. Taylor Barber)"? Did he aid in the creation of the metal-inspired instrumentation? It was easy, he was looking for some feat. work and I hit him up. I told him what to do and that was that. How did co-producer Tyler Kimberly help sharpen and refine the tune to reach your standards and vision? What sort of listening experience were the two of you going for? Tyler is incredible with his work. I created the song and he made it sound so much thicker and more electronic. He really made this song kick off in the direction I was looking for. He also added the breakdown at the end of the song, which was a killer bonus. What's next for you? I have around 3 more original releases this year and I'm currently working on 2022 stuff. I'm extremely excited to release these originals because the music videos along with them are... interesting. Website

R&B artist EUGEE has one goal in mind when it comes to the construction of her music: helping others. She writes, refines, and crafts narratives that aim to guide her listeners through all aspects life can bring. EUGEE packs some much-needed wisdom into her songs, and many of us can benefit as a result of her generosity. With her empowering determination, EUGEE and her music will inevitably go far, and we're left in anticipation to see where her exclusive sound leads to next. In her latest song, EUGEE has a sensual, smooth, and silky vocal style that remains at the perfect equilibrium throughout the track. "Rectify/Final Conversation" has affection pouring at each and every angle. EUGEE really packed her most quality emotions into this particular single, and you can feel how meaningful each line is to her life. "Rectify/Final Conversation" travels through the thoughts involved with romantic love, passion, and specifically the hardships that can result from what one thought was love. "Rectify/Final Conversation" is EUGEE's exclamation that she needs to rectify and amend her mistaken decisions. The song is quite relatable in many regards, as EUGEE takes on a perspective that many could very possibly share with her. Overall, "Rectify/Final Conversation" had sincerity to it, as the lyricism and voice of EUGEE portrayed her heart and mind in a vulnerable way. Listen to EUGEE's words of wisdom in "Rectify/Final Conversation" on streaming platforms today. Welcome to BuzzMusic, EUGEE. How does it feel to finally release "Rectify/Final Conversation?" It's exciting and scary at the same time! I had already written "Rectify" in Fall 2019, but I've been working on "Final Conversation" for the past 1 year which is unusual for me. Usually, I'll have a song written within hours, with a maximum time of 1 whole day. But "Final Conversation" was hard because it's such a delicate situation that we've all faced in some capacity at some point in our lives. I tend to be very autobiographical with my songs, and this was one of my most soul-baring ventures yet. How do you feel that "Rectify/Final Conversation" compares to other single releases you've done? Was there a different theme being portrayed in this single compared to other themes widely used within your songs? Overall, the theme in all the songs I've released since November 2019 all fall under the same umbrella, and "Rectify/Final Conversation" is just the final piece of the puzzle, hence the "finality" of it all. Now, I will say in terms of structure, this double feature is unique in that it's two songs released together, taking it back to the days of records and cassette tapes where an artist might have an "A-side/B-side" occurring. Storywise, "Rectify" is the first part of the story, and "Final Conversation" is the second part of the story, portraying the end of a very tumultuous situation. As an artist who focuses on uplifting and encouraging other women, how do you feel "Rectify/Final Conversation" attributes to this aspect? My previous single, "On My Own," (which I released in January 2021) quite literally was a declaration of being an independent woman adamant about not settling down with just anyone in order to be taken care of. The chorus blatantly states that I got it 'on my own.' Although "Rectify/Final Conversation" leans more toward a story of a romantic relationship failing for various reasons, it also still uplifts and encourages all those who are in difficult relationships that do not bring positive benefits or promote growth--whether that relationship is romantic, familial or occupational--to get out of that position. It demonstrates that it's OK to let go of and move on from situations that no longer serve you, especially if it is affecting your mental health. Are there any elements to "Rectify/Final Conversation" that you felt allowed the songs to stand out? Both of these songs show sides of me that may not have been truly showcased in my other singles. I really like that "Rectify" is a track that musically starts off a little bare and builds gradually until the end. And I especially love the haunting feeling during the bridge where I'm chanting "Purify, sanctify, I gotta rectify"; it pays homage to my early background as a choral singer (I was a proud alto-2 throughout high school!) with the harmonies building as it goes along. The final chorus of "Rectify" is where I show some vocal prowess and it helps to convey just how emotional the whole situation is. With "Final Conversation," I'm really proud of my songwriting and storytelling ability. Again at the bridge of the song, I was able to integrate the titles of all the other songs I've released since 2019 that are related to this saga. A lot of my die-hard fans caught that--which is exactly what I wanted! What's next for you? With the release of "Rectify/Final Conversation," I feel like I can finally put the entire story to rest--I've said what I had to say regarding that situation. As much as I love to write songs that tug at the heartstring, I also love making upbeat and uplifting songs which is evidenced in my powerful anthem, "On My Own"! I'm super excited to re-tool my old hit songs from my dance-pop era of 2008/2009 and update them with a 2021 sound which I'm currently working on with my producer 'HYPXR'. And of course, I'll continue my work as an Internal Medicine physician focused on preventative health so I can continue to physically help heal people with my hands as well as heal people's souls with my music and voice. I can't wait to share all I have to give with the world! Instagram

The Los Angeles/Long Beach-based electronica/soul trio Bootleg Orchestra gets our hearts pumping with a smooth and sultry single entitled "Rock Your Body." Known for using their music to highlight communal issues through an anti-imperialist and anti-fascist lens, Bootleg Orchestra not only leaves listeners in a reflective state but in a dazed daydream with their warm and tender instrumentation. Having shared stages with acts like Ruby Ibarra, Sylan Esso, Gallant, and many more, Bootleg Orchestra is finally ready to release its debut full-length album on August 27th, 2021. Onto something more serene and chilling, Bootleg Orchestra recently released one of the more atmospheric and dreamy tunes we've heard this year with "Rock Your Body." As the lead vocalist serenades us with a passionate message, the rest of Bootleg Orchestra backs her up with the utmost graceful, sensual, and soulful sonics/instrumentation. The opening of "Rock Your Body" is a dense and soulful r&b beat that sets the song's groovy tone alongside a hazy background synth, a plucky bassline, and the lead vocalist's smooth vocals. As she begins expanding on love like no other, Bootleg Orchestra later transitions into the hook where they greet us with a celestial and transcendent approach to modern r&b/jazz, especially through their tender organic instrumentation. The last two minutes grant this beautiful tempo change that breaks the song down into a serene and chilling jazz/r&b soundscape, especially through Bootleg Orchestra's haunting electric guitar picking, the gentle background vocals, and their brilliant yet tender percussion. We're more than impressed with this dynamic and soulful ballad, especially as Bootleg Orchestra take their time to carefully transition from the first half into the last. Feed your soul with Bootleg Orchestra's latest single, "Rock Your Body," now available on all digital streaming platforms. Thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic Bootleg Orchestra, we genuinely adore the dynamic and soulful experience of your latest single, "Rock Your Body." What inspired the creation of this groovy and soothing piece? This song was inspired by a break-up. At the beginning of the songwriting process, we only had vocals and lyrics of the chorus written on top of a soft synthesizer pad that predominantly had a dream-like and forlorn quality to it. Because break-ups can be overwhelmingly sad, we wanted to create a groove that also emulated the liberation and empowerment that often comes after a break-up. Adding the punchy bassline and energetic drums that you hear in the song took it in a different direction that was much easier to ride and play with. I would say that most of the songs in our upcoming album are relatively mid-tempo, and we were deliberate about making “Rock Your Body” the track of the album that sticks out for having a bit more pop elements. Could you introduce us to your group members and how you divided the sonic creative process for "Rock Your Body? How did you go about creating your instrumentals and production? Menchie is the executive producer of the album and bassist. Vanessa is the vocalist and trumpet player (which you hear in other songs throughout the album). Andrew is also the producer and guitarist of the band. I (Menchie) wrote and composed the foundation of “Rock Your Body” with just bass, drums, synth pad, and scratch vocals before bringing it to Andrew and Vanessa for their feedback and additions. In this process, Vanessa and I stayed in Cambria for a few days to track vocals, enlisting the help of our friend and frequent collaborator, Cato. There, Cato added backup vocals and coached Vanessa through the recording process, pulling out the performance that you hear now on “Rock Your Body”. Afterward, Andrew added his signature reverberated and emotive guitar sound as well as the outro that you hear now. The first outro that we had consisted of layers and loops of vocals that we recorded in Cambria, but it just wasn’t meshing well with the song. So, we started the outro from scratch when Andrew sent me the outro that you hear now and I ended up writing something to it but without the intention of including it in the album. It was really a writing session for me and my own healing, but it ended up staying in the song to add dynamic to both the sound and storyline of the song. Afterward, it was just a matter of embellishing and arranging the song. We enlisted the help of our friend Monz (of Ruby Ibarra & The Balikbayans) on keys and bassist/producer Neon Phoenix on bass, on top of adding more layers of vocals and adlibs. Who wrote the passionate and sensual lyricism for "Rock Your Body?" How did you want the song's lyrics and scenes to make the listener feel? I would like listeners to feel seen. I think most people have gone through the experience of parting ways with someone they love, and one of the hardest things to learn and practice as we grow older is setting boundaries with some people that you love to make room for things that you do deserve and help you reach a higher level of authenticity. I think the message here is that it’s okay to lose someone you love when you deserve greater love, and there is light and joy after a break-up. You hear that in the celebratory, energetic groove of the song and you see glimpses of joy as Sierra dances throughout the music video. In essence, this song is a reminder of all the less sad things of a break-up. Should we expect to hear "Rock Your Body" on your forthcoming debut album? How will this album help listeners get to know your group better? “Rock Your Body” is certainly on our album! Our album is a combination of political songs inspired by our experience organizing in the community and sad love songs inspired by our breakthrough experiences from break-ups. The common theme being that we are constantly healing - as individuals and as a society, and these songs echo the revolutionary optimism, revolutionary struggle, and personal healing that come from our lived experiences as millennials in this era of capitalism. It acknowledges that while we are pushing to create systemic change with our community, we also need to create change within ourselves by healing parts of ourselves that need to be healed in order to serve the movement for people’s liberation. As cultural workers, we want to create music that not only reflects the times, but also reflects the new culture that we’re trying to build and one that we deserve: A culture that is just, fair, and equitable as well as a culture that truly honors mental health. What's next for you? Our first full-length album, MAKIBAKA, comes out on August 27 on all streaming platforms. MAKIBAKA comes from a popular revolutionary chant in the Philippines “Makibaka, Huwag Matakot,” which means “dare to struggle, don’t be afraid.” Hopefully, we’ll be able to play shows in the months following our album release and we’ll definitely release some singles that didn’t quite make it on the album. So, stay tuned! Instagram Facebook

Toward the Sun is a musical collaboration featuring Fort Worth-based songwriters Simone Nicole and Mike LaColla. In her solo work, Simone is well-recognized for her poetic lyrics and pure vocal tone that carries out infectious melodies. These are qualities she generously infuses into her partnership with Mike, whose earnest, understated musical style and lyrical voice are making their debuts in the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene. The two bring forth traditional folk elements in the lively essence of grippingly sincere Americana that their work is doused in. Leaning into their single “Open All Week,” we feel an ambush of lush guitar strums that emit jaunty energy full of optimism and varied perspective. Through the clear and present drum patterns that keep an impactful tempo throughout the song’s lively grooves, we can’t help but tap our fingers and toes along to the music before us. As we get lost in the whirlwind of sentiment that comes flooding in from the lyrical motifs heard in “Open All Week,” the velvety embrace of the lead vocals takes us under a blanketed wing of security. Providing a comforting sense of belonging through intricate soundscapes is no easy feat for musicians, but Nicole and Mike LaColla manage to pull this off effortlessly. Incorporating an impeccable balance that resides in the ratio of purely instrumental instants throughout this record, we’re exposed to a well-rounded display of therapy that knows exactly what we need at any given moment. Filled with anticipation for what’s to come next for Toward the Sun, the whispers that surround this dynamic duo being back in the studio in mid-August to record their follow up single, ‘A Cup of Tea,’ has us ready to embrace the reassuring sensations that Toward the Sun conveys. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Toward the Sun! We loved tuning into the striking performance that you two put on in “Open All Week.” What does this song mean to the two of you as the creators? TTS: Thanks for having us! Well, it may not come across in the song, but when writing it, we were thinking about the pandemic and the impact it would have on someone who is normally very social and outgoing, in a certain way, and how their lifestyle and profession would be scaled back by lockdowns, social distancing, travel restrictions, and the overall economic situation. If you strip away that as a backdrop, though, the song is really about loneliness, longing, and a kind of resilience and resolve in the face of a challenge — things everyone experiences at one time or another — and that was what we wanted to come through in the song. Could you please bring us into what the creative process looked like when structuring this vision? What role do you both play when it comes to music? TTS: When we first met in person at one of Simone’s shows [Note to the Editor: for more info on Simone Nicole’s solo career, see her website at simonenicole.com], we talked about making music, and Mike mentioned that he was having some problems finishing songs. Simone said, “I can help you with that!” And that’s how we began writing together and how things evolved into recording together as Toward the Sun. The song started off, really, as a writing exercise, which we do regularly. We each write our thoughts and impressions separately on a given topic or theme, and then we read them back to each other. We’ll pick and choose lines and work to structure them into the verses and chorus. For this song, we were in a coffee shop on a cold winter’s day, and we decided to brainstorm based on the last text messages we had received. One of them was… “I’m open all week”. This was during the height of the pandemic, and for us, being around a community of artists, performers, and others whose schedules and livelihoods had been hit pretty hard, that message resonated and seemed like fertile ground for a song. We got most of the lyrics down during that coffee shop session, and the melody lines and musical ideas came fairly quickly after that, so we decided we’d go into the studio with it, without even having played it much. There, we were able to capture the vibe you hear on the recording. Although we write with the idea that either one of us could conceivably sing a particular song, in practice, it’s Simone’s voice and delivery that is a big part of our music’s overall quality and feel. With a follow-up single coming to the ears of listeners soon enough, can we expect similar themes and sounds to be released? What can you tell us about ‘A Cup of Tea’? Yes, definitely. We wanted to choose a song that had a similar feel to “Open All Week”. We’ve written a lot of material together, and “A Cup of Tea”, although it’s written from the point of view of a completely different character who is in a completely different mental space, shares the same fundamental sense of longing and aspiration, and that’s what we’re aiming for. We’re pretty excited to get back in the studio this week to try and capture that. What is the main message that you aim to send out through your music? TTS: There’s not one main message, really — and although it sounds trite, it is really more about the process of exploring themes and then stripping things down to try and construct solid songs out of them. And it’s an ongoing process. We enjoy listening to one another’s ideas, and we are able to be very personal and candid with one another. That helps us individually as songwriters and as a songwriting team. A lot of the lyrics we write together will likely never make it into a finished recorded song, and the same goes for a lot of melody lines and riffs — but the time we’ve spent on those is just as valuable to us as the time we spend on the ones we do record. And really, the recorded music would never happen without putting in that time, those cycles, with one another. What's next for you? TTS: Our plan is to release 4-5 more songs by the end of the year. The clock is always ticking, so the trick will be managing the logistics of that — time, space, and, of course, money. And along with the recording, the goal is to keep writing and building up a catalog. It’s a long game. Neither of us is tied to a particular genre of music for this project, so we’re pretty free go in any direction we want. We’re lucky that the Fort Worth music scene we’re a part of is very diverse, so it really suits us. If we’re doing our job well, regardless of genre or labels, we’ll write songs that someone, somewhere needs to hear on a particular day, either the words themselves or a mood or feeling that we are able to get across. towardthesunmusic.com

What a thrilling and engaging visual experience you've captured with your latest music video, "NO ONE KNOWS." What inspired you to switch the narrative from the first part of the series and create this chilling tale of revenge? Thank you! Well to be frank I love revenge tales. I love the idea of brutal payback and we all love an underdog-type tale. It’s a music video so obviously there are limitations, but the song’s lyrics “Don’t you fight what's in your heart, you know what no one knows” had this kind of triumphant feel to it. Whereas the first video for Villain You Need was more laid back and cool. I love movies like “Killing them Softly” and films by Tarantino. Again it’s just a music video but I wanted to try and bring a little narrative than the classic Brooklyn don’t care attitude so many have. We are so stuck on being honest and candid in portraying ourselves with a video but I wanted to try and create my own world and do something larger than life. But I honestly had no background in the film world; it was just an experiment in my head. What was it like working with your team of co-directors, the cast, and stylists for "NO ONE KNOWS"? How did they help bring your vision to life? It was seriously a dream but not a cakewalk. I couldn’t have done it without the team I had. Even though I wrote it, directed it, produced it (finding locations, cars, scheduling everyone and assembled a team) and then edited it—the people I worked with helped me out so much and mostly for free. We had like a tenth of what many would say was required. Kirra Hughes did all the hair and make-up as well as acted and in the first video for Villain You Need she helped produce so much in story boarding and drawing up the characters. My stylist Alexander Thompson pulled all these looks and brought Kirra’s sketched details to life. I owe him huge. My friends Rochee and Atilla both helped me out and are both incredible musicians themselves as well. But my DP, Jason Augustine, seriously went above and beyond and I couldn’t have done it without him. He brought on Scott who basically was wearing more than one hat in executing Jason’s and my vision. Without this tiny team we accomplished more than everyone said was possible. I met with a few different DPs and everyone’s managers and they thought I was naive to think I’d pull off so many shots in 3 days. But it’s important to stick to your guns, do research and know there’s always a way. Could you expand on what inspired you to create the overall two-part cinematic series featuring "The Villain You Need" and "NO ONE KNOWS"? What sort of story did you want to tell through this series? I honestly just have bursts of ideas sometimes like in a manic way. I wrote both videos in ten min on my phone in an uber off the simple thought of just a guy going to do a deal with a briefcase. I love simple stories about people dressed well doing bad shit. That’s rock n roll. The real irony is within all the violence on tv you can’t play videos like this on a mainstream level. A music video is more about the ambiance than the story due to lack of dialogue and time and so I mostly tried to focus on the aesthetic of characters. The story isn't highly original but in connecting the videos No One Knows and The Villain You Need I could show the flawed perspective of a character. I write a lot of songs about the duality of people and how we are all flawed and imperfect trying to live in a black and white world. So In Part I “The Masked Man” is a hero for rescuing Kirra’s character but then becomes the Villain in Part II when his story of shooting “The Elusive Man” in Part I comes to light. Part I is The Villain You Need, so essentially Kirra’s character needs the Masked Man to save her making him the hero, though he’s truly bad. Perspective is everything and I basically loved making Part II a comeback for the villain’s actions and telling the other side of the story. Both characters die because in the end they just wanted to save the girl they loved and that in itself is the sacrifice of love. But hey I bet no one got any of that hahaha it’s just about looking cool in a music video. The narrative usually gets lost and that’s ok, I’m not trying to make a film. Again, it’s the overall aesthetic that tells my story as an artist. How do cinematic series' like the one you've recently released help us get to know you better? Do you often tell such conceptual tales through your visuals and music videos? I just felt like it. I don’t know if I’d go all out there on the next one without more of a team. But honestly I used to be incredibly jaded about the way entertainment in the modern age was going which led to some deep depression about my life. I broke up my last band because I was angry at how little anyone really was trying to do something meaningful. I was surrounded by successful people that were going places off just sampling the flavor of the week and they knew it too. I was bogged down by what it meant to be successful and it’s hard enough committing to an artistic life and I just wanted more. Then I started Dräger with the intent of just trying my best to do what I loved without being a slave to the industry side of it. I wanted to put myself 100% into every aspect of it all and fulfill whatever crazy idea was in my head to keep my whole aesthetic pure. I think we live in this voyeuristic century of showing rather than telling. Everything needs a visual or to be posted visually to render as “released.” And so to be a musician you’ve gotta actually be some type of director or video creator as well. It’s just the reality of where we are. That’s why I try to do more with videos and will always try to do more with videos. I just need some more money now! www.DragerMusic.com

Soaring in from Philadelphia, the genre-bending recording artist, producer, and singer-songwriter Ant d. releases a bright and exciting tune entitled "The One." Known for merging anthemic pop with hip-hop, house, and organic instrumentation, Ant d. is truly making his mark on the industry with each thrilling and conceptual release. Striving to allow anyone to relate to his honest lyricism, Ant d. is excited to wrap and release his debut EP to spread all the more love to his growing fanbase. Getting us in the groove with his latest hit, "The One," listeners are able to get to know the enthralling sounds of Ant d. through this magnetic and electrifying piece. As his dense sonics and instrumentation pierce through our speakers with the brightness of pop, Ant d. makes the experience all the more refreshing through his beaming vocals and energetic performance. Jumping into the single, "The One," the song kicks off with a groovy keyboard melody accompanied by a tight pop drum arrangement and Ant d.'s warm tenor vocals. His charismatic delivery offers this sweet country-like twang that ups the soul and heat of his thrilling performance. As we transition into the fiery hook, Ant d. belts his passionate vocals while explaining how he craves someone's touch and presence. We love the funk incorporation within the groovy instrumentals, as the swinging electric guitars, tight bass licks, and synth melodies perfectly amplify the song's exciting and passionate feel. As Ant d. continues to belt his deeply sensual and sultry lyrics, the song makes its way to the outro with nothing but desire and passion. Fuel your fire with help from Ant d.'s thrilling single, "The One," now available on all digital streaming platforms. Listen to, "The One," here. We're moving and grooving to your latest lively and passionate single, "The One." Was there a specific moment that inspired you to write such an energetic and spicy tune like this? I would not say "The One" is not a specific moment, but more of an amalgamation of a period of my life leading up to the day I proposed to my now fiancé. We have been deeply in love for 5 years now and she was upset that I had not proposed yet. I had every intention of doing so, but I constantly felt like I needed to be further along financially, and given the pandemic, I didn’t want to have a lockdown wedding. After we had talked it out, I realized it was on me. I had been dragging my feet because I have my soul mate, and all we really need is love and commitment to each other to make it work. So when writing the song I tried to fictionalize these series of moments into one coherent narrative. I tried to separate myself from it, but ultimately I am a heart on my sleeve type of guy, so the story does come out in a manner similar to how it played out. I had been wanting to create something so fiery and passionate that captures my intense feelings for my fiancé and the fierce intensity I have towards making something great… and to one day make my musical dreams come true. I like to ultimately turn all negative energy into love. In the bridge, I scream “make love to me, like ya lovin me”. Sometimes we don’t have words to express everything we need to get out, so I felt like passionate love could bring some Resolution to this situation. We can’t get rid of all this pent-up energy we have inside of us, all we can do is a channel in more positive ways. It is the foundation of all my music. Turning my anxieties and frustrations, joy and excitement, happiness and sadness into songs. I used to find myself feeling limited by the primarily biographical nature of my lyrics. But the more I learn about music and writing, I learn to let go of that and just allow myself to express what’s going on inside of me, it's more authentic and real. I realized about 5 years ago. If I’m feeling something… there’s a good chance other people have felt that too and if I put it into music people can relate! Hopefully, it connects and I can begin to build a meaningful connection with all the fine music fans out there. Did you work solo when creating the production and instrumentals for "The One"? Why did you choose to create such an exciting and funk-inspired sonic atmosphere? Yes, I wrote all the music, sang, played the guitar and bass, designed the sounds, produced the beats in Ableton, and mixed the track in Ableton as well. I got the excellent Elliot James Mulhern to master the track on soundbetter.com. I wanted to use a palate of 80s sounds. Over quarantine I was loving learning about the amazing gear and sounds coming out of the 80s… the larger-than-life kicks and snares, the D-50 synthesizer, the clean productions. But I was also very much exploring funk music. Parliament-Funkadelic, the meters, James Brown… all the way to modern electro-funk like Griz. I don’t think the funkiness was intentional at first, but once I play the guitar and bass my influences and my natural funkiness comes out. I will always incorporate real live guitar and bass into my music because I love the feeling my fingers bring to the feeling. As I layered in those parts, I change the kick patterns and swing to complement it. A long time ago I realized I will never be the best guitar player… but I can be the best me. And I can express my feelings through the feel of the playing. I have heard other musician friends call my music “feel-based” music. I am of the idea that motion drives emotion so if I can get the grooves feeling good, people will be more open to the melody and lyrics. Near the end of the writing process for the one, I was learning about future bass production… and I found a technique to get clean sine waves and filtered saw waves to bounce back and forth all around the speakers. This creates even more movement and groove to the soundscape. If you listen closely you can hear a very cool synth pushing the sound back and forth… But in a way that feels like it’s part of one of the chugging background guitars! Great question, I really put a lot of thought and effort into bringing a modern production that includes 80s sounds and funky feel-based musicality. Could you drop any hints regarding your forthcoming debut EP? What sort of sounds and styles should we expect to hear? Does the project contain a specific concept or theme? I can drop a few hints! Thematically it’s just inspired by my life and thoughts… as well as my obsession with sounds and songwriting. It’s a combination of pop songwriting, the eras and sounds I love and grew up on, juxtaposed with modern productions. I plan to continue to explore the sounds of the 80’s and ’90s as well as modern sounds. Productions that feel new and fresh but pay homage to the sounds and artists that inspired. The idea was inspired by Future Nostalgia, the outstanding Dua Lipa album. I have discovered a more brash, confident tenet voice in the one, but you will hear a little airier/strung-out and falsetto vocals on my next tunes. I have a more four-on-the-floor tune in the vein of a daft punk that features my friend Shanko who is an outstanding producer and vocalist. I do have a more bass music funky jam in the works where I feature bass sounds, a mild drop. It features even funkier guitar playing and my cousin's bass guitar playing. Do you plan on continuing with this high-energy and feel-good approach within your future tunes, similar to "The One"? Or might you explore music that's more reflective and personal? Yes, I do plan to continue these energetic groove-based tracks. I am musically feeling and blues/funk-based, but I continue to churn out this fusion of funky, house, hip hop, and disco beats in the 100-120ish bpm range. I do have a song that will likely close out the ep called Love you for Centuries. It’s a little more dreamy and atmospheric sonically and more earnest and introspective lyrically. I have a new track in the works I may include that explores the theme of working through the negative self chatter I experience from time to time. And finding that light always exists even when we experience darkness. I hope that I can continue to share my mental health experiences as I know many people suffer from the same things! instagram.com/antd_music

The Filipino-American pop artist and singer-songwriter ariadne mila releases a lush and vulnerable end-of-summer single entitled "not then." One can easily recognize the sounds of ariadne mila through her smooth and relaxed pop music that drifts through anyone's speakers like a daydream. Influenced by acts like Avril Lavigne, Lauv, Taylor Swift, FLETCHER, and many more, ariadne mila continues to hone in on her craft while preparing to release more music in the coming months. Sending us into an introspective state with her latest single, "not then," ariadne mila and her ethereal sonics bring an immense amount of heart and passion while reminding us to stay true to ourselves with every endeavor. This song truly feels similar to an evening drive into the sunset, as ariadne mila's vocals and her accompanying sonics are as lush and transcendent as these picturesque experiences. Expanding on the single, "not then," the song gently opens with a haunting vocal chop and smooth piano chords alongside a shimmering keyboard melody that sets the passionate and relaxed tone. As ariadne mila's warm and airy vocals enter the song, she begins to describe the state of being intoxicated by someone's presence. As we dive deeper into her lyricism, ariadne mila expands on an essential factor of relationships: never losing oneself in the process, where she later reflects on times where that seemed unattainable. As the calming sonics carry us to the outro, ariadne mila closes the listening experience on an empowering note that reminds listeners to live their unapologetic lives and allow themselves to be loved for being nothing but authentic and genuine. Feel your heart flutter with help from ariadne mila's meaningful single, "not then," now available on all digital streaming platforms. We truly appreciate such a relatable and empowering single like "not then." Was there a particular moment that inspired you to write a song based on your experience with losing yourself in the course of a relationship? Thanks so much! I'm glad the song resonated with you and felt empowering. I don't know that there was anyone moment in particular; I think the song kind of came to me at a time when I was thinking back on past relationships and friendships that ended, and how different I was back then during those relationships. I think for a long time, I was someone who felt like I needed to put my own needs last. I think so many girls and women are just inundated with messages from so many places--our families, the media, society--where we're kind of implicitly taught that we need to be these selfless, sacrificial people in order to be loved and accepted. We'd see women celebrated for being helpers. Or, we'd celebrate women who like, days after giving birth or something, were back on their feet, working and taking care of everyone--rather than being taken care of. It was like women weren't allowed to have any needs of their own; they had to be superheroes or or the ultimate givers. And there's nothing wrong with being supportive or with helping--but that's not the same thing as being taught that a woman's value (aside from how she looks) is in how much she gives up and how much she sacrifices on her own expense. So I internalized a lot of these messages and it reflected in the way I used to navigate relationships. I'd put my needs last. I'd apologize for things that weren't my fault; I'd take the blame for things that weren't my responsibility. I let people cross my boundaries because I was afraid that if I stuck to those boundaries, I wouldn't be liked or accepted anymore. But when you start putting yourself last and stop advocating for yourself, you lose yourself. It took me a long time to unlearn a lot of this thinking, and relearn how to put myself first, how to honor my boundaries, and how to not feel guilty for it. And so when I wrote this song, I was thinking a lot about those relationships, and by choosing to leave them--and how I wouldn't change the fact that I left, how I no longer feel bad for leaving, even if at the time, I did feel guilty for leaving. Because I realize now that I needed to leave those relationships where I was losing myself, or where I wasn't true to myself and my needs, or relationships that I wasn't ready for. And I needed to be on my own, to get to a place where I could recognize my self-worth, and honor my boundaries, and make decisions that felt authentic to myself. And getting to that place, where you know that putting yourself first is ok, where you know that setting boundaries and sticking to them is ok--is so much more important, and makes everything else worth it. Was it empowering or therapeutic to write such vulnerable lyrics for "not then"? What was your songwriting process like when reflecting on such heavy and emotional themes? It was definitely both. Songwriting, for me, has always been a form of therapy. It's been kind of an emotional outlet for me. Songwriting has always felt like a safe space for me to say whatever I'm thinking or feeling--whether I'm angry or heartbroken or happy. So it definitely felt therapeutic to put into words what I felt like I was carrying around in my head for so long. It's kind of like, you carry with you these feelings and ideas in your brain, but when you actually articulate them, you can kind of recognize why you were feeling the way you felt, and you also feel this sense of relief. You can identify the feelings you carried around; you can process them. Writing this song was also really empowering. It was like, this reminder to myself that it's ok to make decisions to protect yourself, to protect your peace. My songwriting process varies a bit each time. With "not then," I actually went through a few iterations on the lyrics before finally feeling like it was finished. I had an idea of what kind of song I wanted this to be, and the chorus came together pretty quickly, but I went through different versions of the verses--some versions were really specific, others were similar to the verses in the song now. I think a challenge with this song was like, how do I authentically capture my experience and my thoughts, while also keeping this universal? So it took a bit of time for me to find that balance, with some lyrics that were maybe more specific to my experiences, and other lyrics that felt a bit more universally relatable. Did you work with any producers when creating the sonics for "not then"? How did you want the production to make listeners feel? I did work with producers when creating the sonics. I always start each song with chords, melody, and lyrics. And when I was thinking through the production, I definitely wanted something that felt more upbeat and empowering. I love late summer-like, August is my jam. There's something cool about how it's kind of a transitional month between summer and fall--it feels like one of those months that marks some kind of growth. And this song is about personal growth, so it felt fitting for this to be a late summer song. And sonically speaking, I wanted the vibe of the song to reflect that late summer feeling--kind of chill, winding down, but still soaking up the last bits of sun. Like, we're a little upbeat, we can still dance--we're maybe not partying it up at the club, maybe we're chilling at the beach at sunset instead, but we're still celebrating our own self-growth. Do you often write such vulnerable and honest pieces like "not then"? Are reflective songs like this a staple for you? Definitely. Honest and vulnerable is the only kind of song I feel like I know how to write. Songwriting is kind of like journaling for me. I love to write about things that feel important to me, emotions that I want to let out, things that I feel need to be said. And songs I gravitate to the most as a listener are also songs that are reflective and honest and vulnerable. Songs are a way to say something that you need to say. And when I think of what I have to say, I want to talk about feelings or thoughts I have, where I'm like, "I can't possibly be the only one who feels this, or who thinks this." And so, when someone else says that they relate to a song I've written, it kind of helps both of us feel a bit more seen and a bit less alone. What's next for you? So my next project is one I'm really excited about. It's a song called "Firecracker," and it releases August 26, on Women's Equality Day. The song is under a project name called This is Fine!, and it's a collaboration with Daylen Brinkley from the band Citizen Badger. We're both big into activism, and for me personally, I'd always wanted to expand my songwriting into some more social and political commentary. So Daylen and I began writing songs that voiced our ideas around social issues. And it's so cool because we both feel like we get to use our music to help inspire positive change. And I love getting to combine music and activism into something that hopefully resonates with others and feels empowering in other ways. So I'm really excited to share Firecracker, and we've got some other cool stuff in the oven that I can't wait to share too. As far as my own solo projects, I'm always writing and I've always got a few things cooking. I'm currently working on some new songs to release in the upcoming months that I'm also really excited to share. I've been reflecting on things like mental health, resilience, moving past things, and of course, relationships (both the good and the bad!). And I can't wait to share my thoughts on these through my songs. linktr.ee/ariadne.mila

The genre-defying artist and singer-songwriter Sabrina Carmen releases a dreamy and ethereal single that allows the listener to lose themselves in a deep state of reflection entitled "Dreaming Wide Awake." Through her cinematic and moody soundscapes, Sabrina Carmen leaves any listener feeling lifted on cloud nine. With artistic influences like Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Ella Fitzgerald, Sabrina Carmen and her alluring sounds never fail to send listeners into a freight train of thought through her meaningful and conceptual themes. Now releasing her passionate and ear-pleasing single, "Dreaming Wide Awake," Sabrina Carmen allows the listener to lose themselves amid her haunting vocals and lush sonics. If there's one thing that Sabrina Carmen wants listeners to take away from this piece, it's that we must never lose sight of our reverie. Diving into "Dreaming Wide Awake," the song gently opens with Sabrina Carmen's lush vocals and a tender piano melody. As the soothing and delicate background sonics begin to develop, Sabrina Carmen makes her way to the powerful hook while reminding listeners to continue dreaming and reaching for the stars. As Sabrina Carmen's soothing vocal production haunts our speakers with her beautiful harmonies and vocal layering, she makes the experience all the more passionate through her conceptual lyricism. As she asks if someone will follow her through her many endeavors, Sabrina Carmen continues to serenade us with her brilliant soprano vocals that truly leave us in awe. As she makes her way to the tender outro, the song closes on a heavy note of reflection that lets the listener sit back and dream. Don't miss out on Sabrina Carmen's haunting single, "Dreaming Wide Awake," now available on all digital streaming platforms. We adore the tenderness and passion you've delivered within your latest single, "Dreaming Wide Awake." What inspired you to write and release this harmonious piece? The initial idea for “Dreaming Wide Awake” was birthed during a lyrical brain dump. I try to free-write every morning to keep a creative flow, and just dump whatever is floating around in my brain onto the page - the key is to do this without judgment or criticism. Just flow. Just write. Once in a while, you get lucky and your flow creates magic. The phrase “dreaming wide awake” was neatly tucked into a rather verbose brain dump about moody surrealism and when I shared it with my co-writers, (Rebecca McBride, Rebekah Wilbur, and Jamie Miller), they all said, “That’s the title. That’s the theme.” I also showed them some of the melodic ideas that were swimming around in my head, and those ended up becoming the verse and pre-chorus for the song. In a single evening zoom write, we fleshed out the rest together and the song just sort of spilled out of us. Within a few hours “Dreaming Wide Awake” was complete. I feel a very strong connection to this song. I’m not sure what it is. I don’t know if it’s because I’ll always be a dreamer and dream themes tend to be some of my favorites to explore creatively, or if it’s because of how seamlessly it came together, or how moody yet epic the song turned out to be, or if it’s a mixture of all of those things. Regardless, it is a piece I am so thrilled to share, and a song I think my fellow dream enthusiasts will enjoy. What was your collaborative process like with the songwriters on "Dreaming Wide Awake"? How was your experience writing the song over zoom? It’s so interesting the way the world works nowadays. Technology has the ability to isolate us, yet simultaneously keep us connected. The team and I actually met via an online creative songwriting course we all took during the pandemic, and that was what brought us together. We connect so seamlessly, despite the fact that we have only ever written together via zoom! To this day (with the exception of Rebecca who also lives in Cali), the rest of us are in different time zones, and we have yet to meet in person. It’s so funny to think that you can be in completely different states or even countries from collaborators, but if you have a deep connection, your creativity can be limitless. Writing with Rebecca, Bekah, and Jamie over zoom is as comfortable as writing in the same room with collaborators I’ve known for years. And ironically, it’s all due to technology. Did you face any challenges when working with the producers on "Dreaming Wide Awake" over zoom? Or was it easy to navigate the song's sonic arrangement via zoom? The fifth member of our team is our producer, Matt Richert. Matt and Jamie actually go way back, and Jamie was the one who introduced him to the rest of us. Matt is a gem of a guy to work with. He’s not only a ridiculously talented producer but also a classically trained musician. He’s also extremely hard-working and very patient. The difficult thing about working remotely is it can oftentimes lead to numerous revisions. I cut all of the vocals from my home studio in LA and would send Matt all of the raw files (he’s based in Chicago). From there, he would compile/produce send a mix back to the team, we would give notes, sometimes hop on Audiomovers to hear things in realtime and share ideas that way, and from there we would make adjustments - sometimes that involved me re-recording certain parts a different way, adding more layers of background vocals (because this song has a lot of that), and Matt tweaking sounds and the overall production soundscape. With that being said, working remotely has definitely come with its own set of challenges, but it’s worth it when you love the song you’re working on and also your team. One funny thing that happened during the production process that did set back our timeline a bit - in the middle of working on the bridge of the song (which is a pretty epic part of the piece), Matt’s computer started sparking and blew up. Literally. Apple had to send him a new MAC. I’m convinced it’s because of how fire the track is. How do songs like "Dreaming Wide Awake" represent you and your artistic brand? How can listeners get to know you better through songs like this? ”Dreaming Wide Awake” is all about escapism, transcendence, the journey of lucid dreaming, and creating magic in your own dream-like reality. These are themes and subject matters that are very important to me both personally and artistically. The dream theme combined with moody minimalistic melodies will key in listeners into what I love the most: cinematic pop vibes and atmospheric soundscapes. Listening to “Dreaming Wide Awake” will also give listeners a sneak peek into my inner-most thoughts; wishes I have for myself, and what I wish for others. May humans never lose sight of their reverie. Instagram Facebook

Coming in hot from San Diego, California, the versatile hip-hop artist, rapper, and songwriter Ace Blizzy drenches us in poise and vulnerability with his latest 6-track EP, 'CRESCENDO.' The young songwriter and recording artist prides himself on his genuine music with a universal vision, as he's always one to let his music speak for itself. Also a multi-instrumentalist, Ace Blizzy holds incredible production skills that showcase his artistic versatility and skillset. Now releasing his latest EP, 'CRESCENDO,' Ace Blizzy jumps into the project by way of the melodically-rich introductory track, "BLUNTED HEARTS." As the song opens with eerie and warm piano melodies, Ace Blizzy jumps into his verses with the utmost charisma while truly wearing his heart on his sleeve. After suffering loss and betrayal, Ace Blizzy opened his heart via music and freestyled this downtempo tune with nothing but honesty and authenticity. While letting us into his darker thoughts and feelings, Ace Blizzy offers this brilliantly relatable aspect that allows anyone to get down with his thoughtful bars. Moving into the second track, "411," this song opens with a warm and moody thunder sample and a hazy saxophone melody that sets the song's nostalgic and old-school tone. We can't help but feel this overall Joey Bada$$ approach right off the bat, especially as Ace Blizzy jumps into his old-school-inspired rap that offers a more vulnerable side to his artistic works. We love how tenacious and resilient Ace Blizzy is in this track, as he expands on incredibly personal moments in his life that evoke wildly painful emotions. As Ace Blizzy continues rapping his heart out, he leaves us in a profound state of reflection that has us evaluating who and what doesn't serve us anymore. Bouncing our way into the third track, "VINCE CARTER (feat. 98 CAPITALS)," this song takes off with an atmospheric and dreamy r&b/hip-hop feel with its melodic instrumental samples and crisp drum breaks. As Ace Blizzy opens the song on a more introspective note, he elaborates on his ever-flowing grind, which quickly transitions into 98 CAPITALS' dominant and powerful verse. We can't help but feel a similar approach to Earl Sweatshirt in this track, as it's profoundly groovy and leaves us nodding our heads to both Ace Blizzy and 98 CAPITALS' thought-provoking bars and poised performances. Onto a deeply relatable and passionate track, "ANGEL DUST," Ace Blizzy opens the track on a more reflective note while riding the soulful and punchy mid-tempo beat. As he continues drenching our speakers in nothing but passion and emotion, Ace Blizzy continues to expand on his addiction to someone's intoxicating presence. We love the melodic tones that Ace Blizzy's hooks have to offer, especially as he quickly jumps back into his dominant verse while showcasing the immense passion and desire he holds for someone close to his heart. So far, we're more than impressed with the lyrical and sonic versatility within this record. Jumping into a heavier lyrical subject with the next track, "CASKET VELVET (feat. Luphoriccc)," the song opens with a snappy drum beat and a melodic guitar melody that sets the song's intense and yet heartfelt tone. As Ace Blizzy offers an incredibly melodic vocal approach, Luphoricc takes the spotlight while serenading us with the utmost passion and emotion. Diving into Ace Blizzy's lyrical subject matter, he switches the vibe from the track prior while explaining how he wasted his time with someone who simply broke him down to his core. We truly appreciate the vulnerable approach that Ace Blizzy has taken with this deeply relatable track. Reaching the last track of the record with "COME UP (feat. Jay Isaiah)," this track wasn't supposed to be on the record during its initial release date. Yet, after enduring a few setbacks, Ace Blizzy thought his audience deserved this sonic treat. As the dark and ominous hip-hop beat opens the song on this heavily intriguing note, Ace Blizzy jumps into his first verse with dominant and alluring bars that set the song's exciting tone. As Jay Isaiah takes the spotlight, he offers a similar charismatic delivery while upping the song's energy and steering away from those who bring him down and away from his goals. We couldn't have asked for a better outro track, as it perfectly encapsulates the entire EP with nothing but groove, emotion, and passion. Don't miss out on the versatile and relatable listening experience of Ace Blizzy's latest 6-track EP, 'CRESCENDO,' now available on all digital streaming platforms. We're wildly impressed with the various approaches and relatable content you've delivered within your recent 6-track EP, 'CRESCENDO.' When did you begin writing ideas and tracks for this EP? How long did it take to finalize the project? Well, I initially started working on a few of the songs as far as 2 years ago when I was living in Brooklyn, but the idea of Crescendo didn’t fully process until a little under a year ago. But finalizing it probably only took 3 weeks out of all that time. What was it like working alongside artists like 98 CAPITALS, Luphoriccc, and Jay Isaiah for 'CRESCENDO'? What did these artists bring to the table that you felt the EP needed? Well, every collaboration on this project was special. 98 CAPITALS is the 2-person group I am in with my bro Nyfease Hassan. I knew I had to have a song with Fease on there, it’s only right the world starts to get to know 98 CAPITALS and what we bring to the table. As for Luphoriccc, he and I worked on a lot of great music during my time spent in New York. So when he came to the basement to visit and we created “Casket Velvet” I knew that song had a vibe that needed to be shown universally. With Jay Isaiah though, it was funny. Initially, I was going up to Cambridge in Canada to work on some music out there. When I heard the hook to “Come up” I hadn’t even known who he was yet, but I had fallen in love with the track before it was even made. I just kept asking my guys in the studio at the time like “who is this nigga??” I had to meet him. And eventually, I did and when he heard the final version we both knew it was exactly what we wanted. Did you produce the EP 'CRESCENDO'? How did you navigate each song's atmosphere and vibe for this record? What was your creative process like behind the scenes? As for the production, it was pretty simple. I just bought the majority of the beats, except for “Come Up” which was a gem created by Kyngs which is a group I was working with in Canada. But I never really go through a ton of beats at once. It’s more often that I really take my time to make sure the beat resonates with how I’m feeling, and where my energy is at that time. But the whole motive for ‘CRESCENDO’ was to hope people noticed the change in intensity and creative direction that I had as an artist. I had dropped three singles beforehand, and they were definitely different compared to how I approached this project. I felt like my lack of vulnerability in my catalog was fucking with my conscience, and ultimately I want people to look at this project and say “oh yeah this is a different Ace than what we got before” Was it challenging to open your heart within the more personal tracks in 'CRESCENDO'? Or was it easy for you to be so vulnerable during your songwriting process? I wouldn’t say it was necessarily challenging during the creative process, but it slightly was afterward when I was putting the tracks together. I was anxious thinking about how people would now perceive me once I released this new side of Ace. But once I listened to the project all the way through, it removed any doubt in my mind. What do you hope the listener feels and takes away after listening to 'CRESCENDO'? What sort of emotions or feelings did you want to evoke in your audience? This is actually the toughest question hahaha but I really want people to appreciate the artistry and I hope they can relate to the EP in some type of way. Because not only does the project have substance and some darker tones... it also has some bounce and some edge. So whether a listener just likes the sounds of the music or what I’m actually saying, either way, it’s a win-win because as long as they can feel something when it plays, then the music has the potential to be something special. Instagram

Straight out of Los Angeles, the ever-changing electronic artist, producer, and singer-songwriter Thou Romeo is set to release his steamy debut single, "Mother of Pearl," on August 20th, 2021. An artist who combines the sounds of T.Rex, Cockney Rebel, and New York Dolls, Thou Romeo's raw energy and resilience offer this captivating flair that's impossible to ignore. Also delivering a similar approach to Depeche Mode and The Sisters of Mercy, Thou Romeo is more than ready to take our industry by storm. After a private listen, Thou Romeo blew us out of the water with his dense and exhilarating electronic production that brings us back to prime time 80s synthpop. Not to mention his passionate lyricism and charismatic vocal performance, we're more than excited for our readers to take a listen and experience this jagged-edged single. Introduce yourself to the stimulating stylings of Thou Romeo and his debut single, "Mother of Pearl," available on August 20th, 2021, via all digital streaming platforms. www.ThouRomeoMusic.com