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Welcome to BuzzMusic, Robin Cisek! A huge congratulations to you on the release of your debut album, “Delicate Minds.” Was there a particular moment or story that brought this body of work to fruition? Thank you so much! I am so excited to finally have this project out into the world! Long story short, for a large portion of my life, I had a lot of physical health problems that created a lot of challenges for me to overcome. Now, I’m very happy to say that I am in a place where I feel healthy and happy and very positive about the future! Looking back, I can definitely see that this time in my life has had a lot of impact on my mental health, how I took care of myself and how efficiently I dealt with stress. It was a lot to go through when I was young but I feel like it pushed me to the right path and helped me to learn about myself as a person and as an artist. For me, "Delicate Minds" is a reflection of my mindset in that difficult time with a focus on my personal growth and healing. Those experiences really showed me how delicate our minds are and how they can be so affected by things in our lives. It just proves how crucial it is for people to take care of their mental health just as much as our bodily health! Throughout the six tracks, you choose to address important issues that surround the basis of mental health. Could you please delve into the importance of these themes to you, and how you hope your audience can resonate with them? Each one of my songs tackles a topic surrounding mental health. ’Siren' is about addiction, ‘Lines' is about gaslighting and unhealthy relationships, 'Into the Dark' tackles anxiety about the future, ‘Memories' reflects on trauma, 'I’m Fine' is about societal perception of mental illness, and 'Speak to Me' is about encouraging people to talk about their situations and mental health. I think of mental illness as part of the human experience, and I believe it needs to be talked about more. Everyone has good and bad days, and some have more bad days than others and some require help to deal with those bad days, and some people’s bad days look different than other people’s bad days. No matter what is happening in anyone’s life, they deserve to have access to resources for their mental health. Especially, if it will make them have fewer bad days or even less severe bad days. Mental illness is not accepted in society. Many still call people with mental illness crazy, antisocial, scary, or a disappointment to their families. In my opinion, this is why people don’t seek out the resources they need. It takes a lot of strength and support to ask for help and it takes a lot of patience to find the resources that work for each person. If more people normalize using and seeking out these resources, it will break the stigma and make these resources more accessible and readily available. It was so important to me to talk about these things in my new music to show people that they are not alone and there is hope for the future. I was in such a dark place when I was going through my health issues, it felt like things were just getting worse and worse. But eventually, when I got the help I needed, things started to get better! We can only imagine that with a concept as deep as focusing on how the human mind operates, you went through a magical creative process to put the proper attention on “Delicate Minds.” Could you please share a glimpse into what this journey looked like? Before the songwriting process began, I had a conversation with my friend about something that happened to her. She felt like she had her life figured out, then all at once, her plans drastically changed. From the outside, she seemed so strong and I didn’t think it affected her much. I saw it as just a bump in the road. But when she opened up about it with me, she talked about how traumatic it was and how she had to lean heavily on her support systems to get through it. We talked about her mental state at that moment and connected through our conversation about our experiences with mental health. It was such a deep connection about something so human that doesn’t get talked about enough and I was so grateful that she opened up with me. I knew then that I had to write some music about mental health and how it connects us. When entering the studio, my producers and I worked on the music first, and then I just felt the words flow out of me. I used experiences from my own life, things I’d heard about, and things from my loved ones. Every song was connected to this conversation or an experience with mental illness from someone close to me because it inspired me to open up in my music and be vulnerable like they were. Out of the six songs that your audience has the pleasure of listening to, do you have any personal favorite that sits with you a bit deeper than the rest? I think that my favorite from the album is 'Into the Dark’. This song is upbeat and I love how the music turned out. A big thank you to the dream team at Velveteen Audio, Brandon Unis, and Brad Simons for that! I just love how hopeful and positive this song ended up, even when coming from a dark anxious space. Currently, I connect with this song the most. As of this year, I am a university graduate with a Bachelor of Education. Although I realize my privilege, and I am extremely grateful to be afforded the opportunity to pursue further education, not many people get to do that and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But I I hope that I will never need that degree. I am attempting to pursue a career, often seen as a hobby by a lot of people, as a musician. It is a huge risk to follow a dream and that comes with a lot of anxiety. I do not know for sure if I will be successful as a musician and I don’t know what the future will be like, but this work has been so incredibly rewarding and inspiring. I have had to learn to take things as they come, focus on the present and make the challenges work for me! Could you please take us into how your Indigenous heritage inspires the music that you create? Do you take any other musical or non-musical influences into the sounds that we hear on “Delicate Minds”? I am a Métis musician and often when people think of Métis music, they think of fiddles and jigging and bluegrass style guitars. My music is quite a different genre and takes on a much more subtle influence from my Indigenous heritage. Musically, I am inspired by the sounds of Indigenous drumming and strong melodies. Non-musically, I take a lot of inspiration from the Indigenous and Métis people around me, especially the women! They inspire me with their strength, love, and resiliency, and I always hope to capture that in my lyrics. I’m sure most people have had that moment when they were younger, listening to a sad song through headphones, looking out the window, and pretending they’re in a sad music video. I’ve definitely been there, music can make you feel emotions so strongly! I want my music to make people feel strong, powerful, and able to take on the world, much like how I feel around these special Indigenous women. I am also inspired by the social conversations and situations of Indigenous people. My song ‘Memories' was written about trauma and I believe that trauma is so prevalent in the lives of Indigenous people. Indigenous people have experienced so much trauma, whether it be inter-generational and passed down or their own personal experience. To explain intergenerational trauma a bit better: Often, when people experience a life-altering trauma, it changes how they raise their children and live their lives and that has an effect on the next generation. My family members up until I was forced to suppress our culture to fit into society. They hid their culture because it welcomed racism, violent biases, and other things which affected their futures negatively. This has affected me because I no longer have access to a lot of my culture. I am currently at a place in my life where I am trying to get that back by educating myself and immersing myself in the culture. I am doing this for me, my grandparents, my mom, and my family’s future so that they can have this culture back in their lives. I hope to bring in more inspiration from my culture as I am on my journey to reconnect! robincisekmusic.com facebook.com/robincisekmusic instagram.com/robin.cisek twitter.com/Robincisek

From Auckland, New Zealand, the recording artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Cam Noble releases a passionate and chilling single entitled "Somebody Else." Having toured with international artists across Japan, Singapore, United States, China, Middle East, and New Zealand has led Cam Noble to accumulate vast industry knowledge that catapults him onto his unique path. Also partnering with various industry leaders to grow his management and PR group ACTS Agency, the media marketing brand specializes in artist management, touring, and music distribution. Teaming up with singer-songwriter Stilla for their relatable single, "Somebody Else," listeners can catch Cam Noble's mesmerizing production abilities while Stilla serenades our souls with boundless heart and emotion. The two artists genuinely leave us in a trance with this single, especially as they cover quite emotional and relatable lyricism. Listening to the single "Somebody Else," the venture begins with bright and harmonious keyboard melodies layered to the gods. As Stilla's luminous vocals appear, she instantly sweeps us off our feet and into a daydream. While Cam Noble continues pouring a sweet and ethereal soundscape over our speakers, Stilla begins to delve into a passionate and emotional lyrical theme. The song itself surrounds the inner feeling of letting someone go but having to overcome the realization that they will soon be in the hands of someone else. Stilla does a perfect job portraying such delicate emotions that surface when facing this particular challenge, and Cam Noble is there to sonically back her up along the way with his tender and soothing production. Find Cam Noble and Stilla's latest emotional single, "Somebody Else," on all digital streaming platforms. We adore the soothing and calming vibes of your recent single, "Somebody Else." What inspired you to create a single about the realization that a past lover will soon be with someone else? It's a feeling I believe most people will experience, finding and losing love to see it be shared with someone else. Whether it ended on good terms or bad, it's an aching feeling everyone is likely to experience at some point in their life. Being able to partner with Stilla to deliver this song with an effortless feel about it, has been such a great experience. What was it like working with singer-songwriter Stilla for "Somebody Else"? Is this your first time working together? I always enjoy working with new artists, especially ones as talented as Stilla. Since being locked down, we have both been in the studio as much as we can, and constantly writing and playing music. This is Stillas first release in preparation for a project she is releasing in late 2021, so the whole process around this song and upcoming songs have been a run journey. How did you create the production for "Somebody Else" to complement and enhance the song's lyrical theme? I wanted to keep it minimal and raw. Simple production allowing the listener to feel the lyrics, and understand the emotion in the song. I produced it all with live instruments and used my favorite piano - The Nord Grand as the electric keyboard sound you hear throughout the song. Did Stilla tackle the songwriting for "Somebody Else"? Or was this a shared process? Do you ever write the lyrics for your songs, or do you usually handle the production only? When I am in the studio, I always find the best process to write is to have everyone involved. Talk about what we are going through in life, any recent experiences or journeys we are currently on until we find something common. Once we have that common story we want to tell, I love jumping on the piano and playing until we find a melody to run with. Its such a fun process when you're feeling the mood of the song, not knowing how this project will end up. It could start sad and slow, but end up turning into a fast happy song - or could go the complete opposite. What's next for you? I am working on a few projects collaborating with some really great artists. My next project is with a talented LA-based artist 'NOURI' as well as working alongside Australias 'Zac Taylor' for his project in late 2021. I am very excited to share the music I have been involved with over the past 12 months. Not being able to travel and the tour has been a big game-changer, as every musician would know. So being able to deliver such strong music, is what you can expect to see next from me. instagram.com/thecamnoble facebook.com/thecamnoble

Nigerian recording artist YXL Ayo has released the intro track "G.R.A.," off his latest 6-track EP, 'IBUKUN, ' and as you'll experience, the track is quite moving. This emotional track is dedicated to his late grandmother who passed away from COVID-19. YXL Ayo pays homage to his Nigerian roots through British r&b and afro-fusion sonic hip-hop. “G.R.A.” opens up with groovy guitars and an afro drum beat as YXL Ayo begins to tell us all about his blessings. We are able to feel his love for his grandmother through his lyrics, and even draw parallels to our own lives. YXL Ayo "wanted the listeners to feel warm and feel like they are at home,” just like his grandmother. He even recalls feeling like the instrumental spoke to him so much so, it was like his grandmother was telling him exactly what to say. Safe to say, we are touched. Discover more about YXL Ayo, here. Instagram

Being raised between Denver, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia it’s only natural that this suburban kid shares the knowledge and values of the street culture. Rising star Trey Triple A. is truly one of a kind and displays this through his music in various ways. At first sight, you can’t help but notice his high level of creativity and confidence through his unique sense of fashion. Being a man of few words, in an era where social media gimmicks and clout chasing is at an all-time high, rather than following trends or doing anything for likes he seems to let it all out through his music, art, and style, by using his natural talent to express and explain what’s going on inside. From his most recent album, ‘A Picture I Painted,’ we get to focus on the melodically thriving essence of the single “Paradise.” Trey Triple A. joins forces with TheyCallHimAP in order to bring us these simmering, good vibrations that protrude through the overall concept of this record. “Paradise,” strikes our ears as the perfect summertime bop with the uplifting illumination that the instrumentation embodies. We can’t help but to transport our minds to a blissful utopia as the prominent vocalization of Trey Triple A. cascades through the wavy layers of musicality with lyrical motifs such as, ‘life is a beach where I’m from.’ There’s an instantaneous likability factor that this track encompasses. Through the numerous dimensions that the melismatic timbres carry forth, we’re open to the depth that Trey Triple A. continues to offer up to his fan base. When TheyCallHimAP hops on the track, his dominant, emcee-like delivery gives this record a taste for the old-school flair that we live for. Combining their dynamism in a way that has both the new wave and roots of Hip-hop on display, we couldn’t ask for this duo to convey a better expression of what it means to have a well-rounded song paving the way. We love the ultimate feel that “Paradise” brings to us as we take this track in. What was your inspiration behind the song’s meaning? This was my reminder to keep going because I’m in my bag and shouldn’t question it! I honestly was feeling like I’m so far from where I want to be that I was starting to have my doubts, but as I was sitting there I was listening to some of my old music and watching some of my music videos from the past and just thought back on those moments where I was still trying to figure out the simple parts of the music and the how to make things happen. It just reminded me that I’ve come so far and have so much to be proud of and though I’m not where I want to be that I still came a long way. Paradise is what and where ever you make it enjoy the journey as much as the achievement. In terms of what it means to you, and what it means to others, what are you hoping that your listeners can take away from this record? I think this plays into my first answer, just have fun with life, and when you start to feel down about what you don’t have remind yourself of what you do have. Remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Paradise isn’t always the glitter and golds the beaches or expensive vacations sometimes you just have to bring sand to the streets and see the paradise you’re already living in. No matter where you are if the vibes are right, then that sounds like paradise to me. We love the energy that’s provided throughout this entire song! What was it like working with TheyCallHimAP in order to bring this vision to life? How did the collaboration come to be? Working with TheyCallHimAP is like rapping at the lunch table back in high school, just play the beat and we will go off! we both are pretty quick when it comes to writing and recording so, to be honest, we were left with a lot of time to just enjoy the art we had created and vibe out. I had most of the song recorded by the time AP got to the studio but he literally wrote and recorded his verse in about 15 minutes max, this won’t be the last you hear from us. What can you tell us about how “Paradise” fits into the album ‘A Picture I Painted’? What can your audience expect from this project? Paradise is one of the more upbeat songs on the album it’s fun, it’s summer, it’s a vibe that couldn’t be left out. A picture I painted is just my art on display, it’s me through and through, I just wanted to make this project full of my style and the music I refrain from following trends when it comes to my art music, so this is me saying “here’s my art, I hope you see the beauty in it that I do, I may not have used your favorite colors or I may color outside of the lines at times but it is my art that I am proud of.” instagram.com/treytriplea

The Toronto-based R&B/Alternative artist and Singer-Songwriter Elyssa Plaza returns with a sweet and emotional summer single entitled "It Was Summer." Through years of choir singing and vocal lessons, Elyssa Plaza has landed herself amongst the stars with her breathtaking delivery that never fails to captivate the listener. With inspirations like Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Daniel Caesar, Elyssa Plaza is able to convey her truth while doing so in the smoothest of ways. Diving into false infatuation with her recent single, "It Was Summer," Elyssa Plaza expands on a summer fling that ended with an agreement to be friends. Co-written and composed by Ryan Patrick O'Grady, Elyssa Plaza's honest lyricism touches on the emotions she felt when blindsided by the fact that her fling ended their relationship over text before she got the chance to do it in person respectfully. Listening to "It Was Summer," the song begins with samples of birds and cicadas that warm the air alongside a tender electric guitar and a downtempo r&b drum arrangement. As Elyssa Plaza starts to serenade us with her smooth and velvety vocals, she later expands on how she would steer away from those lonely midnight blues when she landed upon someone new who could make her feel whole once again. Diving into the hook, Elyssa Plaza elaborates on how she felt taken advantage of when she would reach out for a hand to hold. This separation might have hurt her ego, but it clearly offered a needed lesson to the young singer-songwriter, as she can now reflect on those experiences through her sweet-sounding tunes. Lose yourself in the warmth and tenderness of Elyssa Plaza's latest single, "It Was Summer," now available on all digital streaming platforms. We're truly infatuated with the overall delicacy and bliss you've poured through our speakers with your latest single, "It Was Summer." When did you begin feeling inspired to release your thoughts and emotions through song? The music inspires me to express my life experiences in ways I verbally can’t. I’m able to use the sound of music to depict the kind of emotions I'm feeling. I like to write during times where I feel like I’m not heard. For this single, I wanted to incorporate the feeling of summer and failed summer flings. I wanted to write about the experiences I’ve had with the emotions of taking chances and getting hurt. What sort of sonic atmosphere and vibe were you aiming to achieve with your instrumental arrangements and production in "It Was Summer"? How did you want the sonics to make the listener feel? I was aiming for a nostalgic throwback summer vibe. I curated a playlist to inspire the sounds of the song. These included classic hits from the Bee Gees, ‘So In Love’ by Curtis Mayfield, and ‘Strawberry Swing’ by Coldplay; I wanted the soundscape to bring back memories, make you feel warm, and be an escape. From the sound of the cicada’s, birds, and vintage guitar sounds, I wanted anyone who listened to 'It was Summer' to immediately begin thinking of a nice summer's day. What was it like collaborating with Ryan Patrick O'Grady when writing and composing "It Was Summer"? How did he help the song flourish? It’s such a great process collaborating with Ryan. I feel as though he gave me a lot of helpful feedback when it came to writing the lyrics of ‘It Was Summer’. We would always go back and forth with ideas. I would send him what I have and he would critique the lyrics until the end product was good. Ryan is also open to ideas and trying new things. When collaborating on production, Ryan is able to encapsulate all my ideas while taking time with production; and adding new things allowing the song to flourish. Seeing that "It Was Summer" is your first release of the year, why did you choose to release this song as your comeback to reintroduce yourself to listeners? I started working on ‘It Was Summer’ back in 2020 while working on my last single ‘Is it Really Love’. I’ve been so eager and excited to release it since the song has been in the works for some time. I wrote the song after reflecting on failed summer flings. I was so proud of the lyrics and how the sound came together, becoming a tribute to personal growth with a good summer vibe. I thought that anyone else who is going through/went through the same thing and is trying to feel good inside could use this song. I also felt like this was something that needed to be released during the summer season. What's next for you? I plan on releasing more music for the rest of the year and hopefully get my song on a Spotify Editorial playlist! I also think a music video would be really fun, so I would love to do that next! instagram.com/elyssaplaza

Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, the genre-defying duo The Ormidales releases a hungry power-pop single in honor of soccer's excitement and energy with their latest hit, "Crawlin' On My Hands and Knees." Comprised of singer-songwriters Bill Oliver and Mark Branscombe, The Ormidales have quickly jumped into several markets with three released albums that continue to receive radio rotation throughout Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Asia. Not to mention their multi-genre approach and willingness to venture into different sounds and styles, The Ormidales are indeed leaving a significant mark on our independent music industry. Recently releasing their powerful and exhilarating single, "Crawlin' On My Hands and Knees," The Ormidales felt compelled to capture the spirit and excitement of soccer while pumping us up to sing along with this ear-worm anthem. We love the stimulating and joyous feel of this single, and we're more than excited to introduce it to our readers. "Crawlin' On My Hands and Knees" opens with a warm acoustic guitar that quickly drops into a whole-hearted rock groove through a thumping rhythm guitar, sweet bass licks, an upbeat drum arrangement, and The Ormidales' exciting vocal portrayal. As Mark Branscombe takes the spotlight, he begins to passionately sing of someone who's caught his undivided attention and has him crawling for their touch. As The Ormidales jump into their lively hook, they bring us all the excitement and adrenaline we feel during a beloved sports game, a unique adventure, or simply falling in love with someone new. As their melodic and rhythmic instrumentals continue to gleam through our speakers, The Ormidales lead us towards the outro with nothing but energy and life. Feel the rhythm and excitement of The Ormidales' latest upbeat single, "Crawlin' On My Hands and Knees," now available on all digital streaming platforms. What a lively and exciting listening experience you've delivered with your latest single, "Crawlin' On My Hands and Knees." Was this song solely inspired by the game of European football? Where did the song's inspiration come from? Mark: I had initially written the song as a love song. I had just met a wonderful woman and was in a courtship. The song developed as the relationship did, the wild feeling of letting oneself succumb to the joy of falling in love, and the willingness to go all-in on something that you felt was right for you. What was it like working alongside the various session players for "Crawlin' On My Hands and Knees"? How did they help bring your thrilling instrumentals to life? Mark: We didn't hire session players, actually. One of the people that played on the track, the drummer Murphy Farrell, is a really good friend and a long-time musical associate, we have played in bands together for quite a while and so had a pretty good time cranking out a rock tune. Murphy has an instinctual sense of where the pushes, ebbs, and flows happen in a song. PD Wohl was a new friend when we initially recorded the tune. Paul engineered, mixed, played keys and guitar. He's a New Jersey fellow and brought the East Coast to feel to a lot of our first record. The re-mix was done with Scott Young this year. I had recorded with Scott at his studio, Alchemy Studios; he played drums on our last single "Strangers After All". Communication was really easy and our pre2K musical references are similar so it didn't take too long to get the track sounding the way we wanted. Bill: Indeed we are fortunate to have some very talented musicians as pals who we have welcomed to our songs. Crawlin’ really raises the energy bar and our pals delivered to the max. A much more personal session and fun when it's friends. All with a vast library of influences we often use artists as a reference of sound, feelings, and spirit we want. How did you want to make listeners feel with "Crawlin' On My Hands and Knees"? What sort of emotions or feelings did you want to evoke? Mark: Excitement, desire, passion, and...anticipation! Bill mentioned that he had been watching football videos and listening to the song on the headphones. The crowd looked to be bouncing in time to the chorus. With that in mind, we wanted the listener to feel like they were at a big event, getting revved up and releasing some energy that had been kept under wraps during 2020 when stadium concerts and sports events were not available. Bill: It’s a heart beatin’ song with energy over the top that we think will move whoever hears it. The chanting and cheering seemed to meld well! Could you tell us more about your duo's brand and what themes or concepts you usually bring to the table? What should your audience associate you with? Mark: Songs 'R Us. We enjoy how songs are composed, performed, recorded and the components that make up a great song and aspire to come up with a little pop classic, particularly with the recent string of singles we've released. With the Ormidales, you also get a night at the movies; we have always been writing in a visual way and the songs, even without an accompanying video, will let you close your eyes and see the images as they play through your mind. We have been tuning into the social stream a lot lately too, and what might be on the mind or in the hearts of people these days. The song always comes first, and a theme or concept will emerge for us on the fly, as the idea of using Crawling on My Hands and Knees in a European Football context did. Bill: Yes, I have always written or listened to our songs with a visual presentation to match. As a visual artist, I know the importance of ‘what meets the eye” I like to think of us as storytellers with some sweet melodies for dessert. As we pondered a theme for our video for Crawlin’ and tried it with some dynamic football action and crowd reactions we knew we had a match. It truly felt that it was the answer, certainly perhaps different than most videos we created but another story that most importantly captures the spirit and fervor of the world's most popular sport. instagram.com/ormidales

Comprised of Gabrielle Bryant (vocals/keys), Kris Keller (guitar/vocals), Kurt Keller (drums), Ricardo Ortiz (vocals/guitar), and Adam Nine (bass), Black Note Graffiti is running at full speed with the release of their latest single, "Alone.” With an amplified accentuation placed on the instrumentation’s dark undertones, “Alone” resides on the latest body of work, ‘Volume lll Rise/Fall.’ With the production handled by musical architect Chuck Alkazian, the exhilarating essence of this record makes itself known through the intricate progressions that surface from the speakers. As the chugging guitar riffs bring a multi-dimensional pull to the integrity of this song, we admire how the percussion patterns evolve from sparse to plentiful as the arrangement carries forth powerfully. The smoldering vocalization of Gabrielle Bryant collides with the ever-changing elements weaved into the prevailing atmosphere that “Alone” carves out. Encouraging listeners to get lost in the music as they take this piece in, it comes as no surprise that intensified soundscape is bolstered with themes of urgency and heightened emotion. Black Note Graffiti does an exceptional job at allowing their tracks to leap from the speakers and take form in the mind of whoever chooses to tune into that unraveling depths they venture. With “Alone” marking the release of their album, ‘Volume III Rise/Fall,’ we’re chalked full of anticipation when it comes to hearing the sequence of brilliance that will be placed into our ears. We love the intensity that strikes through the musical elements of “Alone.” Could you please share the meaning that’s meshed into the empowering lyrics we hear? Gabrielle Bryant ⁃ The lyrics for Alone were written mostly directly so the listening can empathize with the meaning immediately, which is not alone. The song is speaking to those who feel isolated in their struggles. Alone Reassures that everything one wants to accomplish can truly come to pass if they just took a minute to realize they aren’t alone. We all have our struggles, but by even meditation and rational thinking, the goals we set are attainable. With this being the first song that Black Note Graffiti has created in the studio, what was the experience like for you all? How was Chuck Alkazian able to flourish the vision that you had in mind? Kris Keller- It was like being a kid again. Kurt our drummer walked into the studio never hearing the track before. Chuck being a drummer they were ready to party down with a blank slate of beats. The same goes for Ricardo and Adam writing parts on the fly creates pressure to produce and it worked out excellently! It was exciting and one of my favorite tracks on this album. In terms of the contrast “Alone” holds on your album, ‘Volume III Rise/Fall,’ how does this song speak into the project's concept? Gabrielle Bryant - The Rise and Fall EPs are the direct inverse in meaning to each other. Meaning all songs of Rise are about uplifting or self-awareness and all songs on Fall relate to the downfall of a society of one’s self. Alone fits perfectly in the Rise category. If your audience could take away one thing from the music that you create, what would you want it to be? Gabrielle Bryant - Everything we write about always has a relative message, and hopefully some will be able to feel a seen a relatable with our music. The goal is the influence ideas and opinions. Why did you choose to put this album on vinyl vs. the proverbial way of releasing music? Kris Keller-l, I think vinyl has become essential for a band's merchandise because it connects you with your fans in a different way. To actually hold the record, read the liner notes, and have art connected to the music is an amazing experience." instagram.com/blacknotegraffiti

Deer Pilot is a no-frills alt-rock band from Los Angeles, CA. Founded in 2019 by Bobby Danzi, the transplant musician has been around the country, playing in bands and working as a recording engineer and producer in New York, Boston, and Nashville. In early 2020 he moved to California and expanded the project, recording a full EP, and solidified Deer Pilot’s place in Southern California rock music. The dark and somber sounds that hail from their latest single, “All Is Fair (In Love and Warfare),” provide us with a myriad of influences that can be heard on the spectrum of indie to heavy rock. Commencing with a protruding sense of foreboding tenors as the edginess of this record seeps into your speakers, we get taken into the unraveling of powerhouse emotions that shape the entire quintessence of “All Is Fair (In Love and Warfare).” Presenting us with a musical formula that strikes our very being with anticipation and curiosity, we love how the yearning vocalization mirrors the same appetite that comes from grunge-esque bands in the nostalgic eras of music. Deer Pilot manages to add a modern flair to the slow tempo energy that reflects on familiar notes in the invitation that’s “All Is Fair (In Love and Warfare).” With lyrical motifs such as, ‘there’s an echo in my head. It’s ringing in the end of times,’ taking an abstract turn in the delivery, you can’t help but to be intrigued by what’s performed before you. Making this track an easy addition to your favorite playlist, Deer Pilot knows what it takes to charm the ears off of their flourishing fan base. We love the musical inspiration that allows “All Is Fair (In Love and Warfare),” to curlicue the way that it does. Could you please share what this song's meaning is to you as the creators? Thank you! This song was written as a breakup letter, of sorts, to Nashville. I spent the end of 2018 and all of 2019 living in Nashville. During that time, there were a few things in my life that were crushing me a bit, really bringing me down. I vividly remember sitting at this coffee shop in Hillsboro Village and having the words just pour out of me. While the verses are a bit more personal, the broader concept of the song is that life has the tendency to knock you down. You’ve just got to pick yourself back up and keep going. Do the themes addressed in this song reflect what listeners can normally hear in your music catalog? What does “All Is Fair (In Love and Warfare),” say about you as a band? I think so. I tend to write a lot from a more personal point of view, so there are definitely times when other songs have been born out of similar emotions. I think that, aside from its lyrical content, this song is a great indicator of where the band is heading musically. I think that there is a “sound” beginning to form and that as a whole, the identity of the band is starting to shape and mature. I think this song will serve as a great stepping stone, sonically, from our first EP to our next set of releases. Could you please share a glimpse into what the creative process looked like when bringing this song to life? Did anyone help to enhance your vision and make it come out the way you saw it destined? This song started its life with that big hooky riff at the top of the song. I’ll oftentimes come up with something I find catchy on the guitar, and then build a song around that. In this particular case, I probably came up with some version of that riff around July of 2019. Like I mentioned earlier, those lyrics really just kind of fell out of me. I probably wrote about 90% of the lyrics in about 15 minutes, sans a few changes and revisions during the recording process. The recording process for this song actually began with the recording of the first EP, back in late May of 2020. I tracked the entire song with Grant (drums) and Jake (bass), and began recording vocals , only to find that the key was way too high for me to sing! My girlfriend, Hope, who is an amazing engineer/producer, is actually the one who suggested I bring it down a few steps. So, striking everything but the drum tracks, I went and re-recorded everything else, including bass, all guitars, keys, and vocals. That newer version is the one that you hear today! From 2019 to now, how have you grown as a band? What has been the proudest moment in your career thus far? The growth has been amazing, really. This project really started as a solo endeavor under the guise of a band name. It’s still very much that way, but I’m grateful to have found the really stellar cast of collaborators that I’ve been working with for the last year and a half. This project really went from an idea to a reality over the course of 2020, which was a rough time for everyone. The inability to play any shows was definitely crazy, so releasing the first set of music as Deer Pilot, under those circumstances, was a bit of a leap of faith. Very gratefully, the first few songs have been well received, with the EP now pulling in over 127,000 streams. That was definitely a huge accomplishment, I’m really proud of that. I’m so thankful now for the ability to take these songs out and play them for people and see how people respond firsthand. It’s been really great, and I’m looking forward to doing that a whole lot more in the years to come. deerpilot.com instagram.com/deerpilot facebook.com/deerpilot

Singer, Songwriter, and Instrumentalist Ayoka is here to express her alternative sound in a new way. Intending to celebrate the time that the majority of individuals look forward to, the weekend, Ayoka is providing creative relief for her listeners with a desire to excite them with an exclusive musical style. Such style is sparked from her love of making others have a great time with music, but ultimately through the means of an elaborate experience. Ayoka is providing a new creative experience for her listeners with her latest track, "Weekend." Using a deep and sensual tone to her advantage, the vocalism of "Weekend" produces an illustrious atmosphere for listeners. Ayoka blends modern elements from the hip/hop scene with more underground stylings from late '90's rap culture. Together, the result is unique and disparate from what one may be used to, giving all the more reason to experience the song for yourself. The melody is predominantly fast-paced with a repetitive and catchy underlying tone. There are many colorful layers to the rhythm of "Weekend," which makes the content of the song all the more fitting. Ayoka's lyricism in "Weekend" is intended to be fetching, fun, and inspirative, aiming to energize listeners. It's without a doubt that "Weekend" will garner attention for its original elements, leaving us in anticipation for what Ayoka will put together creatively next. Your latest release, "Weekend", was one full of unique, sensual energy. Can you delve deeper into the strategy behind your vocal tone in the song? I wanted to maintain a laid-back tone to display my personality even with the fun going on in the background vocals and production. I’m a very “resting bitch face” kind of girl until it’s time to turn up. As an artist who strives to create a specific experience for their listeners, how would you say "Weekend" will differ from future song releases of yours in terms of the given experience? How did it differ from songs in your LP, 'Venus?' "Weekend" is the “hype” song on my upcoming project. We’re definitely getting into some deep belts and sexy ballads when the rest of the project releases. It’s a little more bold and experimental than the songs on Venus. I was so nervous to release it because it could’ve gone either way but I love that people love it! Having a passion for jazz, do you see yourself heavily incorporating more jazz-like elements into your future music? I do have some jazzy elements coming up in future music but get ready for some more genre surprises that will definitely be unexpected. With your release of "Weekend" and your LP debut in 2020, what type of plans do you have in mind for yourself personally and musically? I plan to really step out of my comfort zone and put myself out there more. I’ve been working on allowing my music to speak for itself, now it’s time to let people become more familiar with the person behind the voice. What's your favorite release of this year, from an independent artist you admire? Hovvdy - I'm Sorry. Instagram Twitter

Heavy-hitting alt-rock band, GreenblacK, is led by lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Yohai Portal. Hailing all the way from Israel, but currently based in Los Angeles, Yohai Portal is best known for his work in the Israeli rock band The Genders. Quickly becoming a well-known name in the music scene, this led him to create his own project, GreenblacK. Releasing the highly anticipated single, “Consumption Overkill,” we get to fixate ourselves upon the amplified essence of what Yohai Portal does so well. Through chugging riffs, there’s a particular fury that comes hailing from the upbeat tempo that douses us in the vibrant wrath of GreenblacK. Immediately we succumb to the gleaming energy that seems to be intensified through each note carefully shedding its own poetic zest through the speakers. Once Yohai Portal’s smoldering vocals make themselves present, there’s a foreboding atmosphere that dwells over us as we take in this emotionally charged offering. With lyrical motifs such as, ‘Self-righteous phase. Soup of the day. Shi*t you do just to get laid,’ putting us in a spellbinding trance, there’s a cognizant reflection of pent-up aggression that unleashes itself in “Consumption Overkill.” Co-written and produced by Daniel Jakubovic, you hear the top quality essence of the musicality form an interlaced universe when authenticity meets total release. Using this song as a vessel for the thoughts that keep Yohai Portal up at night, he has mastered his mission in allowing listeners to relate to a song that is equally as powerful with the abstract lyricism conveyed and prominence of tightly knit drum patterns that cast out an undeniable vigor. Welcome to BuzzMusic GreenblacK, and congratulations on the release of "Consumption Overkill." We love how the environment that you create practically jumps out of the speakers. What inspired the narrative heard in this song? Musically, it started with the main riff that opens the song, which I had been playing with for a few years, and when we started exploring and developing the idea, it was clear where this song was heading. Lyrically, the inspiration came from our everyday life endured in the last few years. The overconsumption of news, everyone having something to say about everything, no one listening or wanting to listen to another point of view while standing behind their agendas without actually checking if their information is reliable or not. As a direct result, too many social media "influencers" with millions of followers end up spreading misinformation that one way or another affects others in ways they're not even aware of. The collaboration between yourself and Daniel Jakubovic is remarkable! How did you two end up working together? What was this process like? Daniel and I met for the first time when he was the opening act for a Dream Theater show. Since then, I have been a fan of his work. During 2015 we both ended up moving to LA, got together, and became close friends. It took me a minute to take this step to be a frontman, but I knew all along that Daniel was the guy that could help turn my ideas into Consumption Overkill. It feels great, and I think we have a good creative mindset when we are working together at the studio. What are you hoping that your audience takes away from the messaging? Does it line up with what this song means to you as the artist? I hope that people would not be quick to judge… anything. There're two sides to every coin on pretty much any subject on earth. I personally wish that everyone would stop taking every conversation to the extreme and instead do their best to listen and respect each other. Since branching out into a solo project, have you noticed any changes in your creative process? Do you prefer working on your own for the most part, or would you rather bandmates? I would prefer bandmates 100%. I'm aiming for GreenblacK to become a band eventually. A group of friends that would be my ride or die kind of a thing, and then tour the world with my favorite bands. In the meantime, this process has been an entirely different POV. It's a different focus in terms of the creative process. It allows me to pay more attention to the bigger picture and how I want to impact the listeners. What's next for you? Continue working on the next releases. I first want to establish a few solid releases before attempting to play live. I'm aiming for a live show sometime in 2022. Instagram Artist Website