Search this site

High and Dry is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California. Comprised of Kai (Lyrics, Vocals) and Dustin Stonebrook (Music, Production), the duo has been performing original songs and covers for the past 12 years. Their sound has undeniable Classic Rock, Jazz, and Country influences while nesting comfortably between progressive rock and early emo. The pandemic kept High and Dry hard at work with the diligent creating process of bringing forth their music to the ears of the public. Honing in on the introductory single of their latest three-track EP, ‘Better Late Than Never,’ we come to the sustaining sounds of “Flames.” Encapsulating us within the opulent sounds of this slow tempo power ballad, the reverberated vessel of “Flames,” has us sinking into the intently prevailing manner in which it’s conveyed. Transporting our minds to the dark undertones of the top-tier mix, we find that every instrument, courtesy of Dustin Stonebrook, has its place in the way the musical foundation caters to a sublime flow that effortlessly passes through our thoughts. Laying down a prominent rapture of lyrical motifs, the smoldering timbres of Kai pull us into the infectious grooves exposed through heartfelt passion. Structuring together abstract, yet direct wording that tugs at our cognizant headspace, we can’t help but to have lyrics like, ‘I guess we’ll never know. Feed the flame. Your breath when you call my name, just feeds the flame,’ shape the curiosity within ourselves. High and Dry has a knack for fusing together your favorite attributes from the repertoire of their inspirations and fashioning a bolstered soundscape that draws you into their gravitational pull. Prepare for the ultimate medley of familiar sounds that feel refreshing. Welcome to BuzzMusic, High and Dry. We found “Flames,” to be the perfect introduction to your latest EP ‘Better Late Than Never.’ What prompted you to place this as the first track heard on the project? This was a song that came very easily to us. We had a writing session and it just poured out over the course of about an hour. We loved it so much and felt like it stretched our style a little while still being very much ours. Placing it as the first track, we thought it would give people something new from us while still being somehow familiar. Could you please dive a little deeper into what this song means to you and what you’re hoping your audience takes away from it? We’ve always had very emotional lyrics that speak to relationships of all kinds. This one is about that cyclical feeling when you’re in a relationship you know isn’t good for you or, really, toxic, but there’s something that keeps drawing you in. Whether it’s familiarity or comfort or lust… whatever, you just can’t seem to break away. We know it’s a feeling most people can identify with and music is such an amazing way of coping with those feelings; knowing you’re not the only one who’s felt that way and that someone else has made it through it all. In terms of the three songs heard on ‘Better Late Than Never,’ what is the overall concept that forms this body of work? This EP, in particular, is the moving-on piece. The last couple of EPs have had songs about lingering in feelings or situations- recognizing that something is wrong or stagnant and trying to see the way out. This one ties that feeling in with Flames and moves into Wish You Knew, which is the breaking away or break up piece. That one, you know, it’s done and you’re sort of saying your peace. Washed Away is the aftermath of pushing past all those hard feelings you’ve had to recognize and square with. What is your mission statement as a band? We’ve always been about honesty in who we are and how we feel. We’re big supporters of mental health and solidarity so being able to write songs that people can relate to and point at and say, “I know this feeling. I need to live in it for three minutes…”; it can be so therapeutic. We wanna be that band for those people who really need those three minutes. What can listeners anticipate hearing next from you? The next EP is still going to be very emotional but we wanna start breaking into the healing and moving on and moving up. We want those driving songs, those beach songs, the ones that are about being comfortable with yourself and speaking up about what you need. It’s the growth of mind and spirit, as cliche as that sounds. But it’s the natural progression of what we have to give. We’re really excited for this next one which, hopefully, will be out at the end of the summer. Instagram

Dominic Thompson is a local musician from Fall River, Massachusetts. His love for music came at a very early age when he was the tender age of 4. He began playing guitar at 17 when he dropped out of high school. Dominic Thompson took it upon himself to finish the rest of his high school schooling online, due to the result of bullying and unfair school narratives. Through these trials and tribulations, he finally found his strength when he took on lessons at School Of Rock Seekonk and TJ's Music in Fall River, and then began to put all of his pain, anger, and emotion into writing music. Dominic's dream and passion are to spread awareness to anyone who is going through something and make music that people can relate to and possibly help them. The edgy sound of his most recent single, “I’ve Had It Up to Here With You,” sends amplified chills down our spine as we pick up on a nostalgic Pop-Punk era that forever lives on in our hearts. Coming at the track with his fierce persona locked and loaded, he uses the carefully crafted lyrical motifs heard, as ammunition to pack a punch in this heated banger. What we love about the vocal delivery of Dominic Thompson, is the unalloyed passion disbursed into each word he dramatically spells out for us. The verses take on a blatant and distinct tone, as he conveys his narrative with a sense of mystery and anticipation. Navigating us towards the hook that is filled to the brim with charisma, the lyrics of ‘I’ve had it up to here with you. You broke my heart in two,’ have Dominic Thompson leaving it all on the table. Through an episode of pent-up angst, we see Dominic Thompson in a new light as the boisterous unveiling of “I’ve Had It Up to Here With You,” fits into the exact scheme your mind immediately transports you to. Dripping through the speakers at full blast, be prepared to tap into a gateway for any unresolved issues eating you alive. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Dominic Thompson, and congratulations on the release of “I’ve Had It Up to Here With You.” The energy you pour into this track is so authentic. Was there a particular moment or story that inspired the creation of this track? The song is basically just about life pretty much and what people go through when there going through a break-up. Did you find it fairly easy, or a bit more difficult to tap into this state of mind when creating this record? Yeah I mean it was fairly easy from my own experiences but it is also difficult to put yourself in that place to write a song lyrically like that. Could you please share a glimpse of the creative process you embark on when you typically structure your musical creations? Did “I’ve Had It Up to Here With You,” fit into this scope? Yes when I was going through that part of my life the pain made me become insanely creative it was pretty fun. What has been the best piece of advice you’ve received that you have taken into your artistic career with you? Just be yourself and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do anything, you can do anything if you put your mind to it. What can fans expect next from you? I can’t say too much but I will say they can expect a lot more new music this year and next year to come. Instagram Facebook

Known for his authentic and winning musical formula, the singer-songwriter and recording artist Andreww channels the depths of grunge merged with trap/pop for his latest single, "Crossroads." Andreww's vehement refusal to narrow himself down to one genre is what gets his music to vast audiences, as he's inclined to take his experienced past and use it as fuel towards his versatile creative endeavors. Also an international runway model, Andreww walked for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Dior before turning to music to fulfill his creative needs. Now releasing his pop anthem suited for the new generation, "Crossroads" brings listeners into a unique and powerful soundscape that blurs the lines of grunge, pop, and trap. With help from the song's high-energy hook, Andreww is left basking in the track's heat and vibrance while never leaving listeners with a dull moment. Diving into "Crossroads," the track opens with a tight and distorted electric guitar that brings us back to the prime era of grunge. Once the muffled drum breaks appear, we can feel sonic similarities to the punk-approached drums within Blink 182. However, once Andreww makes his broader vocal appearance, the drums thicken with crisp snares and heavy 808s, jumping into the tenacity of modern trap music. Reaching the song's hook, Andreww belts his melodic vocals and reminds us of an inner desire to be alongside someone when times get tough. We can also hear hints of modern pop music through the melodic use of synths and the contemporary electric guitar arrangements that blast the song to the outro. Let Andreww remind you to steer away from the "Crossroads" with his latest versatile tingle, now available on all streaming platforms. Instagram Facebook

DJ and producer Will Wallace has teamed up with singer-songwriter Laurel Smith to unleash a dark-pop club anthem and music video for their latest single, “Girls, Money, Cars.” Will Wallace never allows himself to be pinned down to one genre, as the sounds he continues to deliver keep his fan base on the edge of their seats. This collaboration between the dynamic duo offers a refreshing taste to avid music listeners, as the seemingly perfect concoction of “Girls, Money, Cars,” is balanced out with two unique artists, putting their best foot forward. Honing in on the indulgent soundscape that is “Girls, Money, Cars,” the intriguing Pop-Electronic base of this record allows the mesmerizing peaks and valleys of the sonic arrangement to remain etched into your mind long after the composition comes to an end. With a weighty Trap essence through the enticing drum progression heard, you’re hypnotically drawn into the single as this genre hybrid speaks for itself. Looking forward to each breathtaking drop that Will Wallace offers in this heated banger, we can’t wait to hear this playing in the club scene as the soundtrack for an unforgettable night out. Laurel Smith’s ethereal vocal delivery alludes to the dark and ominous hues that are captured in the realm of, “Girls, Money, Cars.” However, the perceptive lyrical motifs present an unapologetic persona wrapped up in an atmospheric environment that shares light on the narrative of the music industry’s subjugation of women that keeps them trapped in a male-gaze public image. With an elusive and spacious delicacy to the delivery of her foreboding timbres, the manner in which her talents cascade with Will Wallace’s anthemic essence in the production of, “Girls. Money, Cars,” is truly outstanding. Sharing a brilliant dynamism between their respective crafts allows each creative to shine effervescently on their own and in a team setting with the energy they deliver to their devoted fan base. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Will Wallace, and Laurel Smith. Congratulations on the release of “Girls, Money, Cars.” The entire soundscape grasps everything you look for in a certified hit. What inspired the meaning behind this track? Will: I can’t speak lyrically as Laurel wrote everything, but for me, the song is an ode to all the music I listened to and inspirations I had growing up, listening to underground electronic music and seeing it grow. The first time I met with Laurel in the studio, we discussed all our inspirations and love for heavy electronic music, so we did our best to combine a dark pop/trap vibe with a heavy bass-infused sound. Laurel: “Girls Money Cars” is about putting females center stage and in the position of power. The narrative of the lyrics follows a girl hunting down the boys in her school one by one, exacting her revenge. Since everything around Sarah Everard this anger has been building inside me, a need for girls to just fight back and take control, which had a big influence over the song. Both you and Laurel Smith work together in such a syncopated fashion; we love this collaboration. How did you two come to link up? What was it like working with one another? Will: We actually met through some mutual friends of ours - they introduced us and we spoke about doing a collaboration together, something totally different that neither of us had done before. It was really easy working from home, Laurel and I only had two sessions in the studio together, the rest of the song was finished remotely (Laurel recorded everything from her home set up and the entire production was created start to finish from my bedroom). Laurel: It was definitely a good match! You mention that there’s also a music video for “Girls, Money, Cars.” How was the filming process? What can listeners expect when tuning into it? Will: The filming process was super easy for me personally, it was all shot in one day at a film studio in London with my team (shout out to Alpha Bravo Studios) who made the entire process really smooth and it was a tonne of fun. People can expect a very dark and moody atmosphere, as well as lots of crazy shots and edits to go along with the structure of the song (and obviously girls, money, and cars are involved). Laurel: Honestly, the GMC video was the most fun I’ve ever had on a shoot, I met so many amazing women and girls and we just danced about and had a sick time. What are your mission statements as an artist? How do they line up with one another and the message that you two hope to get out? Laurel: Empower girls, get more girls into music and making music. We taking over the scene starting now! Will: For me, I just want to create music I enjoy with talented artists, sometimes pushing boundaries and breaking molds. As the producer, I often let the songwriter take over the mission statement for each track, and I help give them the setting in which to do so. Laurel Smith Instagram Will Wallace Instagram

Emerging straight from her South African chrysalis, Michèle Ducray had a great affinity for music, even from a very young age. She was heavily inspired by her surroundings growing up, with early musical influences, including Pavarotti, Prince, Elvis, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Now residing in Christchurch, New Zealand, she is currently working on recording, producing, and releasing multiple singles that are sure to draw attention from an eager audience. Enlisting producers extraordinaire Devin Abrams and Simon Gooding on her debut single, "Midnight,” this evocative, grand masterpiece dips into a narrative of tragedy and awareness on how those isolated can feel in times of uncertainty. Creating a mysterious atmosphere that is chalked full of multidimensional textures, the ominous hues fuse together with a propelled liberation that captures the radical essence of the electronic elements weaved into this production. The instrumentation flourishes in a gallant setting as the bolstered foundation of the musicality sweeps up Michèle Ducray’s striking timbres in order to project the vision's ultimate reality throughout this dreamscape. For a debut single, you hear a matured product that has been revisited by the finer details as you fixate yourself upon the minuscule details that make this artistic canvas a memorable one. Michèle Ducray has a knack for bringing forth vivid imagery that shapes our headspace in a way reflective of her thoughts when creating “Midnight.” Tapping into a sector of our lives that is not only retable but relevant to the world’s current state, the connection that we build towards Michèle Ducray peaks at an all-time high. Through the thick of the resonance that speaks for itself, we can’t wait to be absorbed by the earworm creations that Michèle Ducray has in store for us next. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Michèle Ducray. Your debut single, “Midnight,” has us wanting to dive deeper into who you are as an artist. With this song being written during Covid-19 did you find that the songwriting process was different in terms of how this inspiration sparked? Thank you so much! I'm so grateful to be featured. What an awesome question! Generally, I get ideas for my songs in the shower, on car rides, in moments where I'm feeling most at ease. Words + lyrics + melodies, just randomly creep up on me. This time, was no different, except the all-around vibe had a more haunting feel placed within. When Covid first hit, I think everyone's vibe on a mass-scale was a bit lower than usual, so I was inspired through that, hence, my chords took a more "minor" turn when creating the hooks + verses. When writing it, I was visualizing driving alone at night through an empty city and how that usually makes me feel. What you hear in "Midnight", is a product of that. What does this song say about you as an artist and individual? What are you hoping that your listeners can take away from it? I feel like it shows my darker side. As someone, who continuously struggles with the ups and downs of life, it really expresses who I am. A "true-to-the-form", Gemini, I like to say! I was feeling extra low at that point in my life and sometimes it helps to get that feeling out by "writing it away". I hope that it gives people who can relate a renewed sense of purpose, after listening to it. To show that there's always light in the darkest of times. Working with Devin Abrams and Simon Gooding truly brought out an amazing product for you. How did this collaboration come to be? Ooh yes, thank you! As a great admirer of Devin's past production's I contacted him to jump on board, after recording the initial version with Simon. I felt like his past experience in DnB would give it that delicious, liquid vibe I'd been wanting as a kind of "cherry on top". I reached out to both of them after looking for producers I feel would really be able to capture my different kind of "dark pop" vision - and they agreed to work with me! I was super stoked to see that come to fruition. They make one helluva team! Does “Midnight” foreshadow what’s to come in your music catalog? What does your audience have in store for future releases? I feel "Midnight" was such an amazing starting point for me. It will always hold the most special place in my heart. I love that it was certainly a chill, dark, alternative start for me but one that I feel truly captures my voice, as an artist. I will definitely be traveling the more "pop-prone" route, however, I'm gonna add my own series of twists onto this. The next songs will be a bit faster and more "pumping", to lift your spirits from that, haha! I can't wait to show everyone what I've got coming up next, you're in for a bit of a treat! What's next for you? A few singles coming your way for sure! I'm in the process of looking into further production for them but once that's sorted, by following all of my social channels you'll be the first to hear of any new releases/upcoming projects! Hopefully, a music video to go with the next single, as well. I've also just landed a huge NYE festival slot, run by Sub180, called "Rolling Meadows", based in New Zealand, so that's super exciting! And of course, a lot more live original shows! My guitarist, Jesse Bruce, who I refer to as a "tech-whizz", and myself, are putting together this "down-to-the-wire" digitally-infused based show to make our future live shows extra amazing! You've all gotta come check it out, one day! Instagram

Los Angeles' evolving dark pop duo RAINNE returns with a haunting and mysterious single bound to shake your speakers entitled "Spiders." Comprised of Annie Dingwall and Justin Klunk, the two classically-trained artists are well known for their sonic emotional catharsis and weighted darkness. Operating as a reflection of their home city, RAINNE has become a must-see act around Los Angeles through performances like the We Can Survive benefit at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring staple artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Marshmello, and more. The acclaimed duo is eager to bring listeners into yet another hazy and dark pop tune with their recent single, "Spiders." The single offers a cinematic blend of contemporary dark pop sonics merged with dreamy saxophone elements and eerie string sections. Annie Dingwall expands on an ominous lyrical theme while Justin Klunk feeds the production with the utmost power and pain, delivering sonic sweets to our ears. Without further ado, "Spiders" opens with Annie Dingwall's filtered vocals alongside a haunting electric guitar melody that drops into a modern dark-pop beat. With help from Nico Collins' intense and complex production, he sweetens our speakers with heavy bass-like synths and accompanying sub-bass that vibrates our speakers with incredible power and heat. Taking a listen to Annie Dingwall's lyricism, she expands on a story where she's surrounded by metaphoric spiders that haunt her days and spin her into webs that induce deep states of reflection regarding the wrongs that linger in her mind. We adore this song's contemporary dark pop feel; it's more than evident that RAINNE has mastered said sound. Welcome back to BuzzMusic, RAINNE. We're always excited to chat with you about your recent endeavors. What inspired the creation of your dark and mysterious single, "Spiders?" Annie: Thanks for having us back! “Spiders” is actually the culmination of a few different ideas. When I got in the room to write with Nico, I told him “I have this crazy idea for a creepy lullaby about spiders – want to work on it with me?” and he did! So we took that idea and ran with it. We also had previously discussed creating a song that would strongly feature Justin’s saxophone (like “Talk Dirty” or “Thrift Shop”) since, on most of our other songs, the sax is used in more unconventional ways. We ended up combining these ideas and creating this dynamic sax hook to balance out the more subdued vocal melody. When writing lyrics for "Spiders," how did you come up with the metaphor of spiders haunting your every move? Why did you choose the theme of spiders to reflect your inner turmoil? Annie: The metaphor hit me one day when I was trying to find a way to explain what it was like to have thoughts in your head that you just can’t turn off. I would lie awake for hours trying to clear my mind to fall asleep, and the harder I tried to stop the thoughts, the more they invaded my mind. I felt that was pretty similar to when people notice a spider (or another bug) crawling in their house and find it hard to just ignore - the more you don’t want to think about it, the more you do. These uncontrollable ideas have a way of spinning a web of thoughts upon thoughts, and before you know it you’re stuck in this spiral and can’t get out. Writing this song helped me come to terms with this kind of anxious thoughts, so I thought it only fitting to pair it to a creepy, lullaby-like melody so I could finally put them to bed. Regarding Nico Collins’s profoundly intriguing production within “Spiders,” how did you all achieve such a powerful and stimulating sound? What sort of feel or atmosphere were you aiming for with this single? Justin: Working with Nico is always such a treat. He has an incredible talent for finding the right textures to convey very specific emotions within a song. We were looking for something that not only presented the song in the best way possible, but a song that would also fit sonically with what we’ve already accomplished with “Psycho Killer”, “Monster”, and “Nosebleeds”. Having worked together before on “Nosebleeds,” Nico knew exactly the type of drum and bass sounds needed to create the groundwork for this. He also picked a lot of big strings hits and drum impacts so that the song would not only be creepy and infectious but also incredibly danceable. We've noticed that you haven't released an EP since your acoustic project in 2020. Are there any talks of a forthcoming EP or album in the works? Or do you plan to continue releasing singles throughout the year? Justin: Right now, we’re continuing down the path of singles. As we’re an independent band, we want to make sure we give every song the proper care and strongest platform we can, so dedicating our energy towards one song works best for us right now. When we created the “bitch.” EP, we had a very strong conceptual idea for the collection that coincided with wanting an outlet for our acoustic arrangements and the inability to perform due to the pandemic. Recording “bitch.” was an amazing creative outlet for us and we are glad that the pandemic provided us with the time to record it. And we definitely want to do it again! Instagram Artist Website

Jay Korner played the drums in several bands before breaking through the crowd as a solo artist. With his music being inspired by the funk scene of the early 70s, and the inspirational pull from artists such as Buddy Miles, Ohio Players, The Meters, Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone, James Brown, Commodores, and many more, this is a sound that Jay Korner emits so very well. As we take a deep dive into his most recent single, “Will You Save Me,” we pick up on the substantial mastery that the likes of these musicians have on Jay Korner’s artistic endeavors. Recording the upbeat essence of this soundscape in Gothenburg, Sweden, we hear Jay Korner putting his multifaceted skill set to the test, as he excels in his drum, percussion, and vocal performance. Immediately being pulled into this buoyant offering of musicality, we’re swept into the top-tier production quality that sits in a vibrant, and balanced mix. Enlisting the production nature of co-producer Alexander Asp, heard on the guitars, bass, and keyboard, we’re witness to the thriving grooves that sprinkle a soul-infused twist on the remarkable funk-fueled origins of “Will You Save Me.” Tapping into a narrative that is reflective of finding the right person, who holds a special place in your heart, the intricately scripted lyrics flow with passion as Jay Korner’s smoldering croons reiterate the effect that this love has on him. It’s easy to get lost in the spellbinding capacity of the zealous framework that holds up the song’s memorable structure. Taking us into an illuminating soundscape of heartfelt tenors that we can relate to first hand, Jay Korner outdoes himself on “Will You Save Me.” Welcome to BuzzMusic, Jay Korner, and congratulations on the release of “Will You Save me.” There’s such effervescent energy that stems from this single. We love it! Could you please take us into the inspirations behind this track? Thanks so much, great to be here! Really stoked that you like the song. Well, musically I am very much influenced by the funk and soul from the ’70s. For this song in particular I’m inspired by songs like Mandrill “Git It All”, The Meters “It Ain’t No Use”, Aretha Franklyn “Rock Steady”, Buddy Miles “United Nations Stomp”, Etta James “Woman” and Neal Francis “She’s a Winner”. The lyrics are based on experiences from my own life. This a song about finding the “right one”, the special person to spend the rest of your life with. What was it like joining forces with Alexander Asp in order to take your vision to the next level? How did this collaboration come to be? Alex is a brilliant musician, artist, and producer educated at The Music Institute in L.A. I was recommended to work with him by an A&R at a local record label since I wanted to record organically. I play drums, percussion and do the vocals, and Alex helps me out with other instruments. It’s been a great creative partnership and I hope we can continue working together. The work process is quite simple: A few weeks before going into the studio I had the chords, the bass, the riff, the structure, the melody, and lyrics ready, plus ideas around the arrangement. I then sent Alex my recordings on the keyboard, my notes, and playlists with songs that capture the sound I was after. That way we were both on the same page when the recording started. But it was still a long way to go and it’s in the studio the magic happens! Alex's realization of my ideas is often spot on, and we agree more often than disagree on ideas relating to arrangements, sound, and mixing. We spent long, intense hours working on this track, but it was a very creative and rewarding experience. How would you compare “Will You Save Me,” to the single ‘We’re Back Again?' Since they were both recordings in Gothenburg, Sweden at the same time, did the creative process for both fall into a similar realm? “We’re Back Again” was actually recorded 9 months earlier than “Will You Save Me”, but the work process was basically identical. This last single was a bit more complicated than the first, mainly because we needed to put in some extra work to get the break right. I wanted it to be really soulful with a gospel feel and build it up towards the guitar solo. I also added the short line “You got superpowers” in the studio. Very glad we brought in a background singer! Alex did a brilliant job putting it all together. What is your mission statement as an artist? I am a passionate drummer and singer/songwriter who makes funky soul/rock with an old-school 70’s feel. I want people to get into the groove and hope to convey a message of hope, freedom, and self-empowerment. Do you have any other releases planned for the summer season? Sorry, no releases for this summer. Instead, I will be focusing on writing songs. I’m planning to record four new songs this autumn and then release an EP at the beginning of next year (both digitally and on vinyl). I will start raising finance for that production very soon. It will be the same team in the studio, i.e. me and Alex, but perhaps with some friends sitting on some of the songs. It will definitely be the same genre and sound, funk and soul rooted in the 70s, but with a bit more variation in tempo. Instagram Facebook

The East Coast-based rock band Andre Pettipas and the Giants pair up with acclaimed guitarist Christopher Thorn for their fan-favorite single, "Homesick." Known as a rarity, Andre Pettipas and the Giants captivate listeners with their broad sounds that stem from genres like rock, hip-hop, pop, and progressive. Never afraid of stepping outside of the box, Andre Pettipas and the Giants always ensure to get their message across while never letting anything take the fun out of their creative process. Said to be a nod to the late eighties and early nineties rock sound, Andre Pettipas and the Giants' latest single, "Homesick," not only strikes a nostalgic chord but an emotional one too. When asked about the single, Pettipas stated, "We were touring through Alberta, and we did this gig where only four people showed up. It was just one of those nights where I was like, 'what am I doing with my life?' The feeling passed, but the song stuck." Listening to "Homesick," we're met with a beaming electric guitar entrance from none other than Christopher Thorn, accompanied by Pettipas' fierce vocal portrayal, truly paying tribute to the prime era of classic rock. As Andre Pettipas and the Giants make their way through the wavy single with their mid-tempo drum breaks, soaring electric guitars, and Pettipas' melodic vocal stylings, they genuinely fuel us with this emotional yet exhilarating sensation. We must also mention the relatable lyricism that Andre Pettipas and the Giants deliver to listeners as they take us through the exhausting ventures that everyone is bound to encounter along their journey. Taking us through the hook one last time, Pettipas belts his vocals while closing the song with vast energy and passion. Find Andre Pettipas and the Giants' latest emotionally rich single, "Homesick," on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Andre Pettipas, and the Giants. We're enamored by the emotional depth and passion within your recent single, "Homesick." Why do you think this single has grown to be a favorite? Thank you so much for the kind words. “Homesick” is a song that connected instantly when we began playing it live. With the dark, almost Alice In Chains style versus breaking into the high energy, power ballad emotional chorus I think musically, its simple structure and wide sonic range are what caught listeners from the get-go. Pair that with relatable lyrical matter and you’ve got a song that speaks to the masses. So many people have felt this kind of “Homesick” before. It may not necessarily be for your home but it could be missing the people you love, being overworked in a job you hate, missing who YOU want to be as a person. What was it like working with Christopher Thorn when creating the instrumentals for "Homesick?” What drew you to his guitar stylings to feature on this single? Having CT play on the track is nothing short of amazing. I grew up listening to Blind Melon on repeat as they’re my favorite band. He tracked his part at his studio in California (Fireside Sound) which we hope to someday visit. I’ve always admired his versatility and the way he is able to craft his parts into something melodic but never overplaying. We had finished up the core of the track in the studio and our producer, Brian Moncarz (Alice Cooper, Our Lady Peace, The Tea Party) and I were discussing how cool a slide part would be in the chorus. He knew how big of a Melon fan I was and mentioned he would reach out to Christopher to see if he was interested in playing on the track. A few weeks later we got his part back and Moncarz put it in the mix and sent it to me. I had my in-ear monitor buds pacing around my house when I heard him enter in the chorus. My eyes teared up and I had a mile-wide smile. The tone and part he created were phenomenal. His involvement took the track to another level and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board. Could you break down the members within your group and how you tackled the creative and songwriting process for "Homesick?” Did your group share the lyric writing and instrumental arrangements? It started out as a song I had written that I had left in our demo folder in Dropbox. I hadn’t told the band about it because it was a “dumb sad song” and I initially didn’t think it would fit our style. Our drummer, Mark Cosh was browsing through the tracks one day and said, “Man, what is this song? It’s great.” I never thought it would be a song that would be brought to the Giants. It was an emotional release for me getting the lyrical matter out and I figured it was another one of the hundred sitting in song purgatory. At our next rehearsal, we began giving it the full band effect. One of the most important factors we were trying to look at in this song is to not overplay. It was a simple song that we wanted to focus on the emotional energy. Mark was adamant that we work on the track because he felt the potential (super glad that he pushed for this one.) He had a good chunk of his parts already written by the first rehearsal. He’s very quick to catch onto a song and even if it’s something brand new we link up on certain stops and fill together so well. We then went on to work on syncing up with the full band on powerful stops and letting that chorus fly. After playing through a handful of times, guitarist John MacDonald began to add a tremolo effect on the chorus which I loved instantly. He is a fantastic player who adds spacey elements to our songs. He actually dug into playing slide guitar heavily after hearing Christopher’s part and has been incorporating it into a lot of our new material. We wanted to give it that late 90’s early 2000s feel that bands like Our Lady Peace and Green Day (in particular Boulevard Of Broken Dreams) would do. Our bassist, Travis Pettipas is a big melodic leader in the band. He is the one that helps the transitions with his clever fills and his ability to dance around the notes helps bring a unique element to our songwriting. The core of the song came together rather quickly with the order of the song staying very similar to the demo. There’s a big stop after the small solo section later in the song that comes to mind that helped the song with another minor but huge lift. Moncarz had told us to try another big stop there to let it come back in like a bat out of hell. How does "Homesick" reflect your group's brand and what you strive to represent? “Homesick” is a song that we hope speaks to new listeners. We strive to bring entertainment and realness to our songs. I want every word I sing to feel honest and GENUINE. To feel the heartache in a vocal is something you want to capture and I feel like that is a huge part of our band. Our biggest goal with the band is connection. We want to connect with our audience and fans; make them feel alive while they’re listening to our music or at a show. The pandemic has shown us how much we need our fans as much as they need us. We can’t wait to get back on stage and see what the rest of the world has to offer. How do singles like this help listeners get to know you better? I believe this song really captures our emotional side which is great to bring in new listeners (the connection thing again.) It also shows the ability to be able to craft a simple song with emotion that has mainstream playability which I’m always looking for in the music I listen to. I want something I can scream at the top of my lungs and this chorus is one of those songs. I generally scrap any song I write that doesn’t keep my interest for the duration. If I’m iffy on it, so will the other listeners. Another layer shows perseverance; being able to have one of your heroes playing on a song you wrote shows you how sticking with your dreams and working hard on your craft can pay off. The music industry is a tough game. In order to be successful you have to work hard, take chances, and sometimes you might just get lucky if you’re doing those things. We’re a band that takes pride in our live show and want our songs to feel that way as they are recorded. It’s hard to capture the energy of a live show onto an album but we feel like our upcoming record, “No Fools No Fun” did just that. What's next for you? We will be touring the East Coast of Canada for summer 2021. In mid-September, we’ll finally be hitting the road again touring across Canada to continue the support of the release. The fall will see us playing universities and heading to Newfoundland to tour. Early plans for 2022 see an Australian tour and preparation to record a live album before releasing our 3rd album in the summer of 2022. Instagram Artist Website

Rapper, producer, and singer-songwriter AJ La Joya has been surrounded by music his entire life. As a child, he spent hours rummaging through his parent’s vast record collection; a musical gumbo of sounds ranging from Jazz, R&B, and his personal favorite, 90’s Hip-hop. He would often find himself recreating his favorite songs on the piano by ear and freestyling over video game theme songs. Drawing inspiration from a range of artists like Kendrick Lamar to Tracy Chapman, and Doja Cat to Stevie Wonder, AJ La Joya unapologetically does what feels right for him no matter the genre. The eclectic instrumentation on AJ La Joya’s latest soundscape allows us to delve into a gritty, bass-forward arrangement that sits with you deep to your core. “Make It Happen,” carries a mysterious, yet buoyant vigor that immediately pulls you into its embrace the moment you press play. AJ La Joya has a way with his alluring delivery that makes you feel as if he’s extending a personal invitation for you to listen to the carefully crafted words he expressively performs. He does so with an animated sense of confidence that effortlessly drips from the speakers with an amalgamation of ease and urgency. Giving off a West Coast meets the South type of energy in “Make It Happen,” we have to admit, we are absolutely obsessed with this showcase of melodies. The character that is held within this record makes you want to match the inimitable swagger of AJ La Joya as he smoothly transitions between his well-executed verses and spellbinding hook. It’s hard not to want to learn all of the words to “Make It Happen,” when you hear lyrics such as, ‘If you don’t know me then check the pedigree.’ Reminding us to never underestimate the underdog, this track inspired by AJ La Joya’s California upbringing has us spiraling into infectious energy displayed. Welcome to BuzzMusic, AJ La Joya! Big congratulations on the release of “Make It Happen;” we love how the energy of this track comes just in time to match the summer weather! What inspired you to write about this narrative heard? Thank you! Make It Happen was inspired by my Californian upbringing. I pretty much lived everywhere in Cali but I was born in the LA area (Inglewood) and have roots there. When I came across this beat, I instantly fell in love with it and it reminded me of that swaggy west coast vibe I’m familiar with. From a lyrical standpoint, I wanted to write something that was a reflection of who I am and where I come from. My family instantly came to mind as I was writing the first verse. My family tree is filled with business owners, educators, and leaders who defied the odds and accomplished some pretty cool things in life. That same tenacity and drive are what fuels me in my own endeavors. The second verse calls out all the people that doubt my abilities. It’s loosely based on an experience I had with a nay-sayer. I really didn’t let it bother me too much. Instead of allowing that situation to tear me down, I flipped it and created art. How do you manage to rise above it all and stay motivated when perceived as an underdog? It’s a combination of two things. My faith and my love for music. I grew up in a spiritual household and several lessons stuck close to my heart. Firstly, it’s important to have the faith of a mustard seed and secondly, your words have power. Mustard seeds start as these tiny little things but end up growing into these massive trees! If you just keep the faith, put in the work, and be disciplined about it, you can succeed in whatever you want. It all starts with speaking things into existence and being positive! Sometimes it can get tough, but I always kept these teachings in mind to accomplish my goals. It’s crazy how I can look back at some of the things I wrote down years ago and I ended up manifesting it. When it came to music, I’ve always been passionate about it. I did things that naturally pushed me closer to it but I doubted myself. At the time, I thought I could never make a career out of it. That self-doubt was something that took time for me to grow out of, but 2020 was the thing that gave me the kick in the ass to reevaluate some things. I’m on this Earth once so I need to make the most of it. I eat, breathe, and dream about music 24/7. It’s something that I love and it’s what I’m meant to do. I’m gonna make this sh*t happen no matter what! Could you please share a glimpse of what the creative process looked like when structuring this song together? So the lyrics to Make It Happen were fairly quick to write. It took me an afternoon to finish writing the song. I spent more time on it during the recording process in my home studio (aka living room). I really wanted to perfect my delivery on this one because the song felt like a new era for me. I got more familiar with my voice and how to record it. Once I got it to the level where I wanted it, I collaborated with my audio engineer whom I found on social media a month or so before working on this song. We collaborated and he was able to take the song to new levels. How does the upbeat essence of “Make It Happen,” compare to other songs heard in your music catalog? In my opinion, Make It Happen is a more polished effort from me. It was my first time collaborating with an audio engineer to take my sound to the next level. The song still follows the basic formula I have for my music and it's to have no formula. I’m all about doing what comes naturally and giving my audience a variety. I grew up with various genres and that really influences how I operate. I’m always going to give you raps or singing but I like to keep my listeners on their toes. For example, the vibe of my next release is very much pop/synth-wave. I’m so stoked about that one! It reveals another side of me that I haven't revealed before. Instagram Twitter

American producer, musician, drummer and composer, Nondoh enlists the undeniable talents of Colombian American artist Julie Zorilla for their latest single, “Cruise.” Nondoh was performing with a number of different artists and bands ranging from Jazz and Salsa groups to Rock, and cover bands, before he took it upon himself to create original music that resonates with his listeners today. Julie Zorilla is finally stepping into the musical limelight after a long hiatus following her appearance on American Idol. For the last 10 years, she has dedicated herself wholeheartedly to songwriting and self-production and is now ready to put forth a Pop heavy catalog full of hundreds of songs. As the hauntingly beautiful resonance of “Cruise” opens up our sound palette, there’s a distinct redefinition that is happening as numerous genres fuse together for the remarkable outcome of this single. The formidable avenues of mystery weave through our minds as the striking timbres of Julie Zorilla allow us to visit a chamber of reverberated hues. Taking note of how her inimitable croons cascade over the expansive production development, we admire the way that Nondoh opens up the soundscape to simultaneously shape both a dark and buoyant realm in the instrumentation. When the effervescent vitality of the hook comes in to completely throw you off your game and sweep you into lyrical motifs such as, ‘I’d much rather cruise. Cut myself loose. If you think you’re happier without me,’ you can’t help but feel an overwhelming rush of liberation take charge of your existence. Through a dynamism that is not to be messed with, we’re over the moon with how Nondoh and Julie Zorilla work together. For this being the debut of Julie Zorilla’s songwriting talents hitting the world as we know it, her mature sound fuses together with Nondoh's creative expertise in a way that has “Cruise” radiating a seasoned flair, bound to get stuck in your head. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Nondoh, and Julie Zorilla! This masterpiece brings out the best in both of you. We loved listening to the playful and cemented essence of “Cruise.” How did this collaboration come to life? Nondoh sent over a simple, catchy guitar riff that we used as the framework for the tune. We played with the structure until we had something solid that Julie could write over. From there the tune really took on a life of its own and we did our best to honor the song’s fullest potential. What was it like working with one another to bring this vision to the front and center? Could you please share how you two managed to create and record “Cruise”? Working together was very easy. We have similar standards for the quality we want our work to live up to and we aren’t quick to move on from something if we think it needs more polishing. We both push and challenge each other to be better musicians and have grown together a lot through this process. We don’t live in the same city and we both teach music during the day so getting this done took a lot of late-night sessions over zoom. It was very exciting to create this and we can’t wait to create more music! What are you hoping that your audience takes away from this record? How does it relate to the two of you as individuals? Honestly, we wanted our first collaboration to be something fun that people could dance to. We both kind of have this vision of Cruise being blasted down the PCH on a summer day with the windows down. We hope our audience gets to enjoy it in this way that’s carefree, just leaving all their worries behind so they can cruise in the good times. I think we all need that after the year we’ve had. Does “Cruise” fit the scheme of what’s to come from both of you in your artistic careers? We come from two very different worlds. Nondoh is a jazz drummer and producer and Julie’s training is deeply rooted in classical music. We are both Latin American so we have a unique cultural understanding of music and somehow all of that knowledge and training has culminated in our die-hard love for pop. I’d say this song is a great representation of the sonic quality we can deliver. We are currently working on some other tunes that showcase a wider scope of Nondoh’s production abilities as well as Julie’s capacity for emotional depth and storytelling through her lyrics. We can’t wait to share more. Nondoh Instagram Julie's Instagram