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Never failing to leave her audience with sonic breaths of fresh air through each release, singer-songwriter, and producer Aisyah does precisely this with her latest single, "Slow Down (Remix) [feat. Pisces Kid & Zalelo]." After her breakout in 2017, Aisyah found herself part-taking in various musical adventures, from composing her own original music to writing scores for films. Having been a part of projects like Walt Disney Pictures' Christopher Robin, Netflix's Daybreak, Marvel's Cloak & Dagger, and many more, Aisyah now utilizes her vast industry knowledge into her personal creations to further enhance her lyrical stories. Fast forward to the present day, Aisyah recently teamed up with artists Pisces Kid and Zalelo for the latest remix of her smash hit, "Slow Down (feat. Pisces Kid)." The remix offers an upbeat take on the original song with help from rapper/singer-songwriter Zalelo, while Pisces Kid and Aisyah bring the same heart, groove, and soul found in the initial release. Listening to "Slow Down (Remix) [feat. Pisces kid & Zalelo]," the track opens with a modern mid-tempo r&b beat that puts any listener into a deep and sensual groove. As Pisces Kid opens the track with his breathy and warm vocals, he begins setting the song's heartfelt tone through lyrics of fantasizing over someone's alluring ways. As Aisyah makes her powerful and bright vocal appearance, the two artists offer brilliant harmonies that float alongside the soothing beat. Aisyah's verse gives us heavy Ariana Grande vibes, as she rides the beat with vast confidence while her beaming background vocals flutter and soar with nothing but heart. As Zalelo joins the party, we love the textured and upbeat rap she adds to this remix, as it truly makes for a unique and toe-tapping summer bop to groove along with all season long. Catch Aisyah's latest release, "Slow Down (Remix) [feat. Pisces Kid & Zalelo]" on all digital streaming platforms, and allow the three artists to tug you deep into a tender and sultry groove. Instagram Facebook

Hailing from Middle Tennessee, the bedroom dream-pop artist and singer-songwriter Candace in Wonderland reflects on the relatable topic of social anxiety with her recent single, "Cancelled (feat. Small Words)." Known for her soulful and ethereal sound, Candace in Wonderland's natural charm and charisma are bound to entice listeners into her dreamy sonic landscapes. Living in Middle Tennessee with West Coast roots, Candace in Wonderland is able to blend a unique style represented by her truths and authentic storytelling. Expanding on her recent single, "Cancelled (feat. Small Words)," Candace in Wonderland elaborates on her inner thoughts when invited out to a social gathering, which is bound to relate to countless listeners. With help from rapper Small Words, he adds a bright and breathy verse to further emphasize the desire to stay warm and cozy at home. As "Cancelled (feat. Small Words)" begins, we're met with spacey synths and mid-tempo dream-pop sonics through a bright array of synths, a plucky bassline, and crisp drum breaks. As Candace in Wonderland begins setting the song's fun-loving yet reflective tone with her introspective lyricism, the sonics continue to push a radiant and warm vibe that invites any listeners into its deep groove. We adore the contrast between the self-examining lyricism and the vibrant sonics, as it makes for a refreshing listening experience. As Small Words meets our speakers with his breathy and warm vocal delivery, he begins spitting bars towards feeling indecisive and finding reasons to stay home while avoiding the anxiety brought on by social settings. Allow Candace in Wonderland's latest single, "Cancelled (feat. Small Words)," to be your reason to stay in for the night. Find the single on all digital streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Candace in Wonderland. We love the relatable theme you've tied into your recent single, "Cancelled (feat. Small Words)." What inspired you to create a single that touches on social anxiety and feeling canceled? I was inspired to write about social anxiety after going through quarantine. I’m fairly introverted so I honestly felt relieved to have a bit of a break from social settings for a few months. After getting burnt out on sitting at home, having hardly any social life, I started to try to be social again in safe settings (either virtual or socially distanced), and quickly realized that I was completely out of practice. I felt so awkward and nervous that I would find reasons to not be involved and just stay home. It’s a vicious cycle because the longer you avoid it, the more debilitating the anxiety gets. When I finally did work up the courage to get out, for reasons that were out of my control all of the events and commitments that I was working toward were being cancelled. That’s when my boyfriend and I wrote down the idea “cancelled”. We brought it to my good friend/producer Will McBeath and wrote the song, thinking it would be kind of chill and sad but then he added this dance beat, and it changed the tone of the song into something that was more approachable in my opinion. Why did you choose to create the sonics for "Cancelled (feat. Small Words)" to be so bright and dreamy, contrasting your reflective lyrical theme? To be honest, I really didn’t expect the song to sound as bright as it does. That is all thanks to my producer, Will McBeath. I expected it to be more of a lazy, depressed type of tone. I even was planning on using a lot of gray tones and a sort of drab color palette, but once I heard the first mix I was sold. After that, I immediately started changing my plans for the look of the visuals! To me, it's sort of a sad bop. If you read the lyrics, they’re kind of depressing haha, but when you add that beat and the bright tone, it makes it all seem less heavy and easier to wrap your mind around. What was your collaborative experience like working with Small Words for "Cancelled (feat. Small Words)?" What initially attracted you to his stylings to feature on your single? I had talked to a few different artists in Nashville about the collaboration for this song but everything was falling through. I guess that’s what I get for writing a song called “cancelled” haha Eventually my boyfriend / co-writer of this song Keyler Matthews suggested Small Words who are an alt-pop group based out of his hometown Indianapolis. It wasn’t something I had considered since I knew them as more of a rock band, but their most recent track “Spectrum” was definitely moving in a more ‘pop’ direction. After listening again, I was really able to envision the collaboration. We reached out and in a matter of minutes, Nick Long (lead singer) had sent us a voice memo of his idea for the verse. I instantly loved it and had nothing that I wanted him to change about it. Initially, I didn’t have this direction in mind but I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. sometimes a song chooses its own path, and this one, in particular, went through many hoops but honestly, it all fell into place pretty naturally. Could you elaborate on your artistic brand and what sort of authentic stories you tell within your music? How does your lyricism reflect who you are? As far as my artistic brand, I think the stories that I’m trying to tell are mostly tied to my slightly eccentric personality haha. I really value authenticity and I strive to always speak my mind. I think there’s a lot of people out there who need to know that they are not the only ones who are feeling “cancelled” or whatever it is that I’m writing about that day. I tend to think of things in extremes, so when I have something on my mind, I start to see that topic pop up everywhere until I get it out. It’s therapeutic for me and it's been cool to see my music start to resonate with some people other than myself lately. I plan to continue listening to my instinct when it comes to my artistry, knowing that sometimes it will land in a way that connects with others which is the magic of songwriting. Instagram Facebook

Inducing his audience to groove with each release, AricJones more recently highlighted the wonderful women in his life through an endearing single, "I Like." Constantly creating timeless and infectious hip-hop/rap tunes that surround his life and experiences, Aric Jones is definitely an artist to keep an eye on. With his lyrically ingenious and innovative bars, Aric Jones leaves any listener in awe of his vast creative and performance abilities. Now highlighting his most recent release, "I Like," Aric Jones takes on a more meaningful, personal, and endearing approach as he pays tribute to the women in his life. Through a downtempo beat and warm production tones, Aric Jones takes his time to emphasize his love for someone special. Jumping into "I Like," the track opens with a vibrant and mellow synth-like key that delivers the utmost pristine and daydreamy melodies. As the downtempo snares and hi-hats make their way in, Aric Jones joins the party and begins delving into passionate themes surrounding someone who's been running through his mind. Not to mention his warm and heartfelt vocal tones, Aric Jones allows any listener to find a piece of themselves in any aspect of this delicate piece. We can't help but feel that Aric Jones' sound is similar to that of a brainchild between J. Cole and 6LACK; that being said, Aric Jones brings a more authentic and versatile approach while leaving us with a lyrical breath of fresh air. While Aric Jones continues to touch on the sensations he gets when in the process of someone special, the track comes to a sweet and savory end while keeping us deep in our feels. Find yourself in a heartfelt trance with AricJones' latest endearing single, "I Like," available on all streaming platforms. Instagram

Driven by soft and smooth R&B, Dersu’s style has an intimate and personal tone. As a rising artist with diverse musical influences and tunes that are exclusively Dersu, she began writing and singing her first few records after completing an 8-year piano education at a London-based music school. Fresh with an alluring nature, she has set her goals ambitiously as she continues to work on carrying her music outside the borders. Dersu’s latest single “Trouble,” pulls us into her atmospheric vocals in a way that has us never wanting this musical arrangement to come to an end. The delicate instrumentation focuses on chiming synths to brighten the dark undertones of the pulsating drum patterns set in place. Incorporating the elusively flowing croons that Dersu orchestrates, we can’t help but gently glide into her the poignant essence as she navigates us through her universe of dreamy resonance. Driving home the unforgettable melodies that thrive in the narrative of “Trouble,” Dersu’s lyrics resonate with the dark and compelling nature laced into the indecisiveness of a love affair. Allowing her influence of the city to play into the harmonious bliss she undoubtedly creates, this particular record was written while she was in Milan and inspired by her time spent in Toronto. What we love the most about the way “Trouble,” comes across, has to be the fact that it brews in an authentic realm of relatability for her audience. Transporting them to their own spiraling affairs and temptations, or at least the curiosity aspect, Dersu is a natural at making her creations hold such a life-like stature. Delving into all aspects of herself that are intuitive, personal, and overall alluring, we’ll happily get lost in “Trouble,” as we place it on repeat. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Dersu, and congratulations on the release of “Trouble.” The narrative jumps out of the speakers and forms its own life-like reality amongst our minds. What in particular inspired the concept for this song. Thank you, great to be a part of this! Trouble is the one and only song I’ve written based on experience. Normally, my songwriting completely consists of imaginary people in imaginary situations. Trouble was based on personal experience with a toxic relationship. And, once you’re out of it and can clearly reflect on it, songwriting is like a quick summary. Being written in Milan, was it recorded there as well? Could you please share a glimpse of what the recording process looked like when bringing this song steps closer to the public? It was planned to be recorded there, but I decided to work with Adham Farid as I always feel more confident and comfortable with his guidance as a recording engineer. I had previously recorded a couple of other tracks with Adham in the same studio so I got to try out all the mics, he knew how I liked to sound and was quite patient with me. We’re both perfectionists, so we took our time on the recording. Are there subjects that you find easier to write about or does everything hold an equal playing field with your creativity? I write about pretty much anything. I do write based on experience but choose not to release those. Most of the time, I imagine a persona, could be completely different from my character, and I empathize with her. She could be anyone, anywhere and I spend time imagining who she is and write about her either in the first or third person. I feel like we could empathize with anyone if we wanted to, so I try to embody the person I’m writing about and put it to words the best I can. Because, if I always wrote about myself, it would bore me terribly. What are you hoping to send out to your listeners in terms of your messaging through your music? I would really want people to be curious in terms of what I mean in my lyrics. ‘Trouble’ in that sense, is pretty literal. But my upcoming releases, they’re not. I’d want the listeners to shape my words themselves and write sequels in their minds to the lyrics based on their interpretations. What's your favorite release of 2021, from an independent artist you admire? Oh I have so many favorites and I can’t pick one, but imma say ‘You Win’ by Dana Williams since that song’s way too underrated. Instagram Facebook

Inspiring anyone on TikTok to create challenges to his music, singer-songwriter, and pop artist Elgin does precisely that with his latest single, "Kiss and Tell." Swooning anyone with his smooth vocal stylings and groovy beats, Elgin is genuinely his own competition, as his unmatched tone and sonics truly make for a unique experience. Constantly attracting new fans by way of TikTok, Elgin is always on the move creating more songs for the competitive and creative app. Inspiring TikTok dances with his latest single, "Kiss and Tell," the track brings listeners into an upbeat sonic groove through Elgin's lively vocal portrayal and the stimulating production/arrangement. Blasting us through the heart of pop music through this energetic dance groove, Elgin leaves us in need of those picturesque summer nights once again. Hitting play on "Kiss and Tell," the song opens with warm electric guitar strums and a hefty bassline. As Elgin's vocals appear alongside the punchy and tight drum patterns, the song takes off into a bright and anthemic space for anyone to hit repeat on all summer long. Reaching the catchy hook, Elgin brings us into the iridescent and glimmering atmosphere through his playful lyrics and groovy sonics. The track continues its scorching hot groove, focusing on the energetic drum breaks and the accompanying bassline, all of which perfectly complement Elgin's sweet vocal delivery. We're more than excited to hear songs like this in the club scenes once they're back in full swing, as Elgin brings us to our feet with each and every beat. Liven your night with help from Elgin's latest single, "Kiss and Tell," available to get down with on all streaming platforms. Instagram

The London-based trio and Vedic-Afro-Futurist collective Krsnafari strives to push positivity and transformation as they release their debut 5-track EP, 'The Last of Us.' Comprised of Nitaiji, Jahraswati, and Satnav, Krsnafari joined forces in June 2020 when realizing their shared vision towards the powers of sound healing and how it can heal wounds that medicine cannot. Merging genres like hip-hop, tech, house, drill, r&b, and reggae, Krsnafari also incorporates spiritual mantras into their music to leave positive effects on the listener. Now introducing their debut 5-track EP, 'The Last of Us,' is a prime example of how Krsnafari carefully cultivates their sound to heal listeners and spread messages of mental health, wellbeing, and spirituality. "We hope that this EP will be able to show people that we can't sit back and let our inner demons win; we have the power to be the best we can be. Purity is the force," states Krsnafari. Through their genre-defying musical approach, Krsnafari fuelled this EP with versatile sounds that weave various influences while touching on topics like street crime, mental health, and economic inequality. Allow Krsnafari to make a difference in your life through their debut 5-track EP, 'The Last of Us,' now available on all digital streaming platforms. Instagram Twitter

Alternative Metal band Far From Few was formed in the winter of 2018 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The band has quickly been getting to work; releasing multiple singles, music videos, and maintaining a strong social media presence, all while being known for their high energy shows in and out of the Virginia/D.C. Quickly picking up where they left off before the COVID-19 pandemic, Far From Few comes in full force with the release of their single “Situations.” Fusing a sense of urgency with deeply rooted lyrics of passion, the entire soundscape of this single provides listeners with the intensification of heightened senses. The brilliant contrast between the lead vocals courtesy of Angela and Zach has us swimming in lyrical motifs such as ‘Same old situation. You jump, I jump, don't want to be the one to fall on my face,’ with utter emotion pouring from our outlook. With a vibrant resonance that tailors to melancholic darkness swept into the musical arrangement, we’re fully enthralled by the transitioning elements that keep us on our toes. Colossal percussion hits accompany an edgy bassline to provide us with a tempo that sets off the expressions Far From Few would like for us to channel. Swarming in the amplified guitar riffs that have us filled with anticipation, the instrumentation switches from the various tempos as each realm gives us something different to transfer our thoughts towards. Fighting to explore their creativity as they’re eager to share it with the world, Far From Few has us fully immerses in the tone they set in “Situations.” Hello Far From Few, welcome to BuzzMusic, and congratulations on the release of “Situations.” What moment or story inspired the narrative in this single? "Situations" is about an actual story that one of our vocalists, Angela, went through. The song is about her on and off-again relationship that lasted nine years. She would do anything for this guy, he didn't care/treat her right. She wanted something more and he just didn't care. Some of the lyrics were actually written during that time period. The chorus is basically them going back and forth with the same cycle for nine years. Was the exact vision of your messaging transferred into this song the way you wanted? What is it that you’re hoping your audience takes away from this piece? Yes, in the lyrics of Situations, both vocalists are stating their side of the story. That's the great thing about having two vocalists. It almost brings the story to life because both are able to tell their point of view. In the lyrics, there's a sense that you seem to both keep falling down the same path, day in and day out. There are even points in the song where it references a past tense, that some things will never be the same. There's no going back. Both vocalists feel that they were able to get their message across. We hope that those who listen to Situations hear how versatile we are as a band. From the pop-punk style riffs, heavy breakdowns, and vocals that range from clean to scream, it's a song that helps define our "Alternative Metal" sound. We think they'll also get a sense of the theme of our songs, which is overcoming the struggles that all types of people face. Having to take a step back due to the pandemic, how do you find that you’ve grown as a band from before COVID-19, to now? Not being able to play shows gave us a lot of free time to decide how we represent ourselves to the world, instead of just locally. In that time, we've released 3 singles, 2 music videos, and clothing merchandise. Taking these steps forward makes us feel like we've grown a lot and all the things we have planned show that we're still growing. With a debut album on the way, what can you tell your listeners about what to expect? With our debut album, we hope our listeners can find themselves humming to some catchy melodies and bobbing their heads along to the rhythm. We're such a versatile band, you never know what you're going to get. We've always compared our music to a rose. We're soft and beautiful to look at, but we also have thorns that can get pretty rough. With our debut album, listeners will definitely be on a musical journey, almost like a story. You may be able to catch some hints on some of our favorite influences in music, as well! What can we expect to see next from you? Things are starting to pick back up for us. We have a music video for Situations in the works. We are still finishing up our debut album. We're also sprinkling in a couple of shows mid to late summer. We're gearing up to perform at this year's Blue Ridge Rock Festival with some of the biggest names in the world of rock and metal. It should be pretty interesting! After that, who knows what could happen? Instagram Facebook

Based out of New Haven, Connecticut, The Other Realm is an alternative-pop duo formed by brothers Kenny and Billie Ward. Listeners can expect story-centric songwriting, clever rhymes, and slick, moody productions that take ‘a humorous, sometimes scathing look at current ideas.’ In 2019, the band's lead single ‘The Whole World's Melting,’ was a top-three winner at the Annual Hawaii Songwriting Festival, and was also awarded first place honors in the Coffee Attic Songwriting Competition. With their forthcoming album ‘Maladaptive Behaviors’ set to be released later this year this dynamic duo teases listeners with their latest single “Average Jeaux.” Fusing together elements of their endless creativity, the infectious grooves surfacing from the melodies dispersed in this track are surely something to write home about. Having a mid-tempo instrumentation truck along with eclectic synths and mesmerizing snaps to keep the tempo intact, we can’t help but fall into the witty lyricism founded by The Other Realm’s ability to be their quirky, authentic selves. Captivating us with a series of layered vocals more enticing than the last, we get wrapped into the warm blankets of a soothing delivery laced with the unique flair of extensive ambiance. What we admire the most about the presentation of each lyrical motif is the fact that “Average Jeaux,” is based on everything an average Joe represents. The Other Realm pokes fun at every stereotype you can think of and has your average hipster from the neighborhood on full blast. Completely allowing their well-thought-out realm of imaginative soundscapes to take precedence, “Average Jeaux,” has The Other Realm sending their fan base through a spiraling tour of how they execute their craft best. Welcome to BuzzMusic, The Other Realm. The theme of “Average Jeaux,” is so well thought out. We hear the fun that you had creating it! Could you please share the inspiration behind creating a song of this caliber? Kenny: Thanks for having us! We’re glad you like the track. In terms of writing, it’s a song that I wrote at least five years ago and it has slowly morphed over the years into what we ended up recording. Lines have changed and chord progressions were tweaked, but it was always the same concept from the start. When I’m writing a song, I like to get straight to the point and cut out the fat--I like being specific and making sure each line has some type of a twist or a joke that supports the overall point. Billie: In terms of production, we started with the percussive lead piano part, and then built out the rest of the production. We were really trying to keep the song upbeat and poppy but still wanted it to have an indie vibe. The song originally had a bridge that sampled lyrics from Carly Simon’s song “You’re So Vain,” but we knew it would be tricky to release that commercially and we decided to make it an instrumental break. I threw down a harmonica part that we thought would be a funny addition since it definitely builds out the production, while still adding a little nod towards hipster culture, too. How do you find that “Average Jeaux,” compares to other songs heard in your music catalog? Kenny: I would say that “Average Jeaux” is the most fun we’ve had recording a track so far, and I’d like to think it shows when you compare it to the rest of our catalog. A lot of our songs have some level of snarkiness and lightness to them, but with “Average Jeaux” we wanted to really have fun and be a little silly and sarcastic. It’s funny, as the band has progressed, we’ve definitely honed our sound and style a lot, and I think “Average Jeaux” is a good representation of that growth and of where our sound and style are headed. What went into the creative and recording process in order to bring this song to life? What does each of you contribute to the sounds that we hear? Kenny: We record everything in our home studio and we’re completely independent, so we have a lot of freedom when it comes to how we want things to sound. For “Average Jeaux,” the version that ended up getting released was the third attempt at recording the song! We have two other versions that weren’t really up to par, or just didn’t really have the right energy that we wanted for this particular song. Billie: We can definitely be perfectionists with our productions, but it’s nice to be independent and have the freedom to take our time and make sure what we’re releasing is exactly what we want. Kenny: I’m the primary songwriter for the band, and you’ll hear me a lot on lead vocals. I do a lot of the initial building out of the track, but my brother is more detail-oriented and really helps clean up our productions. Billie: Yeah, Kenny will usually record a scratch track and build out all of his different ideas for instrumentation. Then I’ll come in and play around with what he’s done, re-record some of the guitar parts and do percussion. On this track, I actually wrote a post-chorus refrain that has me on lead vocals, too. Kenny: It’s a lot of us bouncing the trackback and forth and sitting with it independently, and then usually the final stage is that we really sit down together and level it and add any finishing touches that we think are missing. We’re so excited to hear about your forthcoming album, ‘Maladaptive Behaviors,’ set to be released later this year! What do fans have in store and what can we expect? “Maladaptive Behaviors” is going to be a fun time. “Average Jeaux” will be on there, and so will our previous single, “Solitaire,” but then it’s a bunch of other tracks we haven’t put out before. A lot of the songs are autobiographical, and most of them take an emotion or a story and go over the top with how it’s expressed. They’re not all stories or songs that are related, but we tried to tie them together in a way that tells a little bit of a story. What's next for you? We’re putting out another single, “Antidote,” leading up to the album, but then we’re just going to keep releasing more music. The past six months have been pretty prolific for us when it comes to recording, so we have a really nice cushion of songs to pull from. Right now, we’re already looking at the next EP or album and trying to put finishing touches on tracks and decide which songs will go on there. Instagram Facebook

The Toronto-based electro-pop duo Featurette hits YouTube with a powerful music video for their latest conceptual and chilling release, "The Blame." Fresh off the release of their 2020 dark-pop EP 'Dream Riot,' Lexie and John continue to garner vast attention through their dynamic and versatile releases. More recently, Featurette has landed sync placements on popular shows like Ginny & Georgia, Working Moms, Kim's Convenience, and many more. The duo's latest single, "The Blame," and accompanying music video speak on the necessary, essential, and emotional story of Lexie's heartbreaking experience as a victim of sexual abuse. "The first step is coming to terms with what happened and letting others know that what's happened or is happening to them isn't their fault. The first step is finding their voice - my voice," states Lexie. Featurette's single, "The Blame," opens with somber piano melodies and faint background vocals that set the saddening, melancholy, and haunting tone. As Lexie's powerful and airy vocal stylings enter the piece, she later delves into the song's concept where her inner turmoil seems to seep through any escape while leaving her lost and alone with her thoughts. Reaching the magnetic and emotionally charged beat drop, the down-tempo drums by John truly make for a chilling and electrifying listening experience, especially as Lexie continues belting her painful lyricism. Elaborating on Featurette's music video for "The Blame," viewers can catch an emotionally distressed Lexie as she dances around a dimly lit room abound with visual representations of her traumatic experience. After being tangled in tapes of memories, Lexie slams her sledgehammer through a glass window tainted with the song's title while emphasizing the confrontation of these dreadful, lingering emotions. Featurette's latest music video for their single "The Blame" truly moves mountains, and we're sure that it will strike an emotional chord within any viewer who graces the conceptual experience. Find the single "The Blame" on all streaming platforms, and watch the song's music video on YouTube. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Featurette. We must start by thanking you for highlighting such an essential concept within your latest single and music video, "The Blame." When did you begin feeling an inner compulsion to create a song based on your experience with sexual abuse? Thanks so much. It’s been a difficult topic to confront, even more so when it comes to bringing it into my art. I’ve been thinking of writing this song for a long time now. I started writing it around 2018, which is wild considering the first version came out in 2020. When I started writing, I hadn’t even told my parents about the abuse yet. I had only a few people who knew, and I thought that would have been enough. But over the years the this kept coming to the surface for me, creatively and emotionally speaking. At first writing the lyrics as poetry was enough, then the song started taking shape, but I wasn’t really in a great head-space to perform those words I had written to the best of my ability. It was a lot to take in. When we recorded the first version, I didn’t have creative control of the production, and I think I was relieved to not have to go through that at the time. Knowing it was going to be on the record, I felt like I’d put it to rest. But after a year in Covid, with so much time to look inward, I decided to tear that wound open one last time, so we re-did the track as it always should have been. I finally feel at peace with myself, having told my story without hiding. It’s like therapy, through my art. Did your duo face any personal challenges when creating your single/music video, "The Blame?” Was it challenging to open up about your tragic experiences? The good part is that Jon already knew my story. Since he’s my partner in all things, life, and music, he’s one of the few people that have known for years now. He’s been really supportive through all of it, especially in this most recent rendition of the song. I remember the day we decided we were going to start from scratch on the track, and open up that wound again, Jon was holding my hands as I was really going through the gauntlet of emotions. I’m glad we made the decision to redo everything, even though we were already in pre-production for filming, and starting the track again meant that we were in the studio up until the day we started filming - we really only had a month to turn everything around before the day we were set to shoot. Somehow we poured everything we could into it, and it came out exactly as I’d imagined it. All while constructing set pieces and sourcing props in Covid in our spare time. It was a huge undertaking, but I think we’re stronger now because of it. Being that Lexie creatively directed and produced the music video for "The Blame," how did you create the scenes to remind listeners of the importance of confronting your emotions and not holding the blame? I think, ironically, the main message I’m trying to get across in the song is that I’m taking all the blame, for not having done anything sooner. Even though it’s not my fault, even though it’s not mine to take. The other party isn’t taking that role, so I have to, in order to heal and move forward. A lot of survivors are the unwilling bearers of that weight. It’s a secret we carry with us that crushes us, robs us of our power. In the music video, I tried to show the juxtaposition of childhood innocence, contrasted with over-sexualization and darkness. It’s disturbing, but it’s meant to show how ludicrous it is that someone in my position, as so many people have been, should have to take on this burden at all. But my breakthrough moment is when I shatter the invisible barrier that I’ve been hiding behind all these years. Coming into the light with my story, I’m taking back the narrative, unafraid to confront my emotions, and counting my blessings for being in a position where I feel safe and supported enough to tell my story, and not let it control me anymore. Again, we sincerely applaud you for opening up about your tragic experiences and shining a light on a victim's struggle with sexual abuse. Is "The Blame" your first time around creating something so personal and intimate? Or are emotional tracks like this a common occurrence for your duo? I wouldn’t say that tracks this personal are a common occurrence for us, certainly not to this level, but we do write from the heart. Our first record CRAVE dealt with relationships, and there were themes of abusive behavior, even touching on physical and emotional abuse, but nothing as direct as this. That record was more about toxic behavioral patterns in relationships and learning how to break free of that, by finding love for yourself, as a separate entity from your partner. Dream Riot was also very personal in that it dealt a lot with mental health and environmental issues, or by and large, societal issues. But this is another level. This is less of an abstract address and more of a direct shot at one individual. Since this happened to me, it’s not my feelings about sexual abuse, it’s my lived experience. The video and the lyrics alike intimately hold secrets personal to my story. So while we do write about topics we feel deeply connected to, that’s historically been a more abstract and artistic interpretation, rather than a straight-shot like this piece. What's your favorite release of 2021 so far from an artist you admire? Ashnikko’s mixtape which finally came out in February was amazing - I love hearing the textures in her voice. I love how out-there she is, so unapologetic and fun, full of imagination and grit. The new Billie Eilish I’ve heard so far is *phenomenal*. She’s such a force and does so much with so little in her vocals. She’s a master of drawing you into her world and holding you hostage there - although I’m a willing participant! I’m excited to hear more when the rest of the album drops. Thanks so much for chatting with me, and making space for me to tell my story. Instagram Facebook

The Los Angeles-based alt-pop artist and singer-songwriter Mandi Crimmins brings listeners into the depths of her emotions with a vulnerable single, "Anyone But Me." Using her vulnerability and insecurities to fuel the fire that blazes her music over old and new fans, Mandi Crimmins is truly a force to be reckoned with. Through her dynamic pop instrumentals and sonics, Mandi Crimmins is able to hold the weight of her emotions and deeply personal lyrics to introduce senses of drama and danger into our contemporary alt-pop scene. Recently releasing her vulnerable and emotional single, "Anyone But Me," Mandi Crimmins delves into her inner thoughts of wishing to change while soaring alongside her dynamic and powerful instrumentals. We honestly can't get enough of Mandi Crimmins' dreamy vocal tones, as she's able to sink us into reflection through her soothing tones while switching it up in an instant through her powerful belts. Listening to "Anyone But Me," the track opens with a plucky and hazy electric guitar and a deep bassline. As Mandi Crimmins makes her way in, she sets the song's emotional tone through lyrics that explain her desire to be different, less intense, and less contemplative. As the instrumentals begin to expand, we're met with the powerhouse hook that takes us back to the days where Paramore ruled our speakers. We absolutely adore Mandi Crimmins' emotion within this track, as her dynamic vocals perfectly embody this mentally broken state that any listener is sure to relate to. As the song comes to an end, Mandi Crimmins leaves us with her angelic and transcendent background vocals while letting us know that she would change, only if she could. Find a piece of yourself in Mandi Crimmins' latest emotional single, "Anyone But Me," now available on all streaming platforms. Welcome to BuzzMusic, MandiCrimmins. We'd like to start by saying how much we appreciate the relatable themes within your recent single, "Anyone But Me." What inspired you to create such a vulnerable and emotional song like this? Thanks for having me! This song is definitely one of my most personal, so I’ve been really elated to hear it’s relatable to others as well. I was inspired to write this song during quarantine last year. That was the first time in a very long time that I was alone with myself and unable to distract myself from being constantly busy, so the self-realizations that came from that quiet alone time were overwhelming at first. Was it challenging to open up and be so vulnerable when writing your lyrics for "Anyone But Me?" Did you have to do some inner-reflecting during this process? It seems like it would be a challenge to be as open and vulnerable as those lyrics are, but truthfully writing is my way of processing my feelings so it’s very therapeutic and flows out easily. What inspired the dynamic and nostalgic instrumentals for "Anyone But Me?" Did you have any artistic influences in mind when forming the sonic atmosphere? I got to create the soundscape for this song with my insanely talented producer, Bruce Wiegner. We really wanted the song to have an edgy high-energy vibe to juxtapose the lyrics a bit, so we drew inspiration from a favorite band of mine PVRIS. He’s crazy talented and we were on the same page throughout the whole process. Does your brand usually consist of deeply emotional and vulnerable songs like "Anyone But Me?" How do you want your listeners to react to singles like this? Yes, it does! I tend to feel things very intensely and it can get loud up there in my head, so I write songs to make sense of it all. I love when my listeners tell me how relatable the messages in my songs are and that it made them feel less alone. Instagram Facebook