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New Age Americans strive to provide the masses with new, exciting, and intellectual music from the Chicago suburbs. A Post-Alt powerhouse consisting of rock-hard drummer RJ McGaw, silky smooth bassist Jake Smith, wizard-like guitarist Tyler Hodgett and maestro vocalist Jack Romero, these charming young adolescents task themselves with taking the reins of the funky soul train some people call Rock n’ Roll and have one goal on their minds: to rock your socks off. Bringing forth a larger than life soundscape ruled by the edge that fills their exclusive lane of musicality, New Age Americans latest single, “Fall Back,” is a fusion of bassist/vocalist Jake Smith of NAA, Alex “Pi” Piemonte of Pilot the Helm, and featuring Danya Thompson on drums (former touring drummer for Destiny’s Child, Common, etc.) The sound radiated is polished with a hint of grit as the buoyant resonance surfaces in a prevailing manner. Dipping into a vast array of tenors, the marriage between the immense drums hits, rhythmic grooves of the bass, and the opulent guitar riffs strummed with a purpose, form a solidified foundation for the boisterous rasp of the lead vocals to surge through the speakers as they pull you into the undertow of “Fall Back.” With the ambivalent tempo transitioning as we tour the verses and chorus, we allow ourselves to shift focus as we feel the heart of New Age Americans seep into the numerous emotions stirred up from this track. Showcasing their ability to switch between traditional Folk styled spirit as they tackle the energy-fueled sounds of Alternative Rock, one thing remains the same; they will have you up and moving out of your seat in mere moments. Flaunting their talents in a nonchalant way that captures the breezy grace molded into their spirit, they make it seem like they can do this in their sleep. New Age Americans have most certainly turned us into die-hard fans with “Fall Back.” Welcome to BuzzMusic. We love your latest release “Fall Back.” Could you please take us into the overall meaning of this song in your own words? Jake: I just gotta keep my train rolling, don’t dwell, but embrace; and keep growing. Pi: When you keep falling back into a toxic relationship/situation. Only to find out (in this case) that the person you keep falling back to is “gone” beyond reason. “Fallback” also doubles as an allude to the perpetually cyclical nature of the mind of the one you keep falling back to. They are as much fucked as you are in this situation and it’s almost out of their control. This “ghost” you’re chasing is suffering from themselves just as they cause suffering in you. With such a stacked lineup of musicians in this record, how did each member emphasize the sound that we hear in “Fall Back?" Pi: Jake came to me with the original idea and asked me to develop it. The “sound” is the natural course the track took from that point on. Jake: This idea/song started from just me and my acoustic guitar in my bedroom, which happens just about every night; so I usually don’t expect much from these ideas I write. But every so often a good idea comes around and I share it with my musician friends. My mindset on songwriting is I understand it's not easy to write a good song often, but if your writing songs more than often the odds are more in your favor, so I write as much as I physically can knowing not all of it will be great. The musicianship that was brought to the table for this particular track was beyond awesome. Working with Danya was phenomenal, this man sneezes on the beat so to have his sauce on the track was so exciting. Could you please take us into what the creative process looked like when you were bringing this song to life? We can only imagine what the energy was like when recording!· Jake: Well, Pi and I each have our own cave (studio) that we tend not to leave often. With us each having our own studio we were able to both record our parts ourselves and bounce them back and forth remotely. I personally never even sang before until just a couple of months prior to this. For me having no experience with vocals, Pi really helped by coaching/guiding me in finding my voice and how to use it. Pi: My role in the song was to take the little idea/demo jake came to me with and turn it into an actual track so I’m sure Jake will have a different answer to this question. For me, I like that role because it takes “me” out of it. For music, I make that is my own, as much as I want it to or not(most of the time not), the ego slips in and says what do I wanna say? What do I wanna sound like? Whereas in this case, whether it was writing lyrics, the vibe of the production, the tone of an instrument, or the feel and energy of the mix, it was more of ‘what is the track saying’? What does it require? Where does it want to go? So in that regard creatively, it’s different and much more of an exploration of the craft. How do you find that “Fall Back” holds up to other songs in your music catalog? What makes it stand apart from the rest? Jake: My overall mission from a musicians standpoint with this track was to really display and showcase our musicianship while still balancing/maintaining that euphoric feeling. As lyricists for this track, I don’t normally write lyrics for any projects I’m a part of but these ones came so naturally. It’s a lot easier to express how I’m feeling about a situation through my instrument as opposed to words; but for this track, both came to me. Speaking for NAA’s songwriting future, I really hope this track exemplifies our passion to truly create the best possible music for music lovers everywhere to enjoy; and I am beyond excited to continue unleashing what we have been saving in the vault for all these years. We have an awesome team and an even more awesome crew backing us, I’m beyond grateful to be a part of this. Pi: I don’t really give a f*ck how it “holds up to other songs in my music catalog” or any song I make for that matter. What I will say is, personally, it’ll probably hold a special place because I’ll remember this track as one of the first things I did when music for me as a whole started to take a turn as I started to understand how if you have a craft, everything is pretty much meaningless beside the craft. Doing your craft is what matters not the potential money, fame, or notoriety. Nor is it the potential failures, hardships, and lack of money for that matter. Instagram

The Manchester-based alternative duo Villanelle & The Northern Wonder highlight their 70s fuzz-rock appeal through their recent groovy single, "Clever Girl." After the project debuted in 2019 with solo member Kieran Greville, Villanelle & The Northern Wonder later grew into a duo with help from the stylings of Dan Shaw. After reworking their sound all 2020, Villanelle & The Northern Wonder are now releasing their latest EP, 'Dark Days at the Grand,' to introduce their audience to new and improved sounds. Highlighting their recent EP, 'Dark Days at the Grand,' Villanelle & The Northern Wonder take us by surprise with the project's intro track, "Clever Girl." While the entire EP is said to combine vivid lyricism, catchy hooks, crooning vocals, and a warm sonic landscape, the project's intro track is no exception. Jumping into the piece "Clever Girl," the track opens with nostalgic electric guitar melodies, crisp drum arrangements, a thumping bassline, and a haunting background organ. What we adore about this track is right off the bat, Villanelle & The Northern Wonder blast through with incredible grit and groove through the song's savory western feel and their crisp delivery. Through the song's vintage tones and production, Villanelle & The Northern Wonder transport us back to the 70s with each heated element. While lead vocalist Kieran Greville soaks us in his crooning vocals, we must note the brilliance of the dark and heavy chorus, as he serves all the introspection and lust for us to lose ourselves amid the song's dreamy and soulful atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the versatile stylings of Villanelle & The Northern Wonder and their recent hit, "Clever Girl," and find the duo's latest EP, 'Dark Days at the Grand,' on all streaming platforms. We truly admire the groove and 70s appeal of your recent hit, "Clever Girl." Why did you want this track to open your EP 'Dark Days at the Grand?' How does the intro track set the tone for the entire EP? Thank you, we’re glad you like it. I think it's a great introduction to the sonic world that we created on Dark Days at the Grand as a whole. There’s a very definite retro vibe and groove to the track that’s mixed with a touch of old spaghetti western and Americana aspects that get carried through the rest of the EP. It really gets you in the right mindset to appreciate the vivid imagery we've used throughout. Could you break down how your duo handled the songwriting process for "Clever Girl?" Did you co-write this piece together? What did you want to get across to your listeners lyrically? Some lines from Clever Girl have been around for a while as a collection of thoughts and experiences over several years. We were trying to find an overall vibe for the band whilst writing some tracks that would blend together well live. The riff started it all and some lines started jumping out that ended up forming the chorus and which set up the feel of the lyrics as an abstract set of fantasies or memories. From there everything just fell into place. Our songwriting process does differ depending on the song, but most often one of us writes the majority of a track, sometimes swapping old unused lyrics with each other, and then we finish it together, adding parts and layers, sharing ideas, so all of the songs end up a combination of the two of us - and all the better for it. Did you work alongside any producers or engineers when formulating the sonics and instrumentals for "Clever Girl," or was this a solo process? The main vision for the track as a dark spaghetti western was already well established through its time played live and during pre-production in our home studios, so once it came time to head down to the studio in East London with Dave and Oscar from Sunglasses For Jaws, the tracks were all well fleshed out and had a clear direction. Kieran’s known the Sunglasses For Jaws guys for years now and we really admire their musicianship and vibe. They are fantastic at nudging parts in the right direction to get everything to fit even better together, and they knew exactly what finishing touches were needed. What sort of themes and messages should we expect to hear within the entirety of your EP 'Dark Days at the Grand?' We wanted Dark Days at the Grand to be an exploration of fantasy, memory, will, and suggestion, and the hand each plays in love and lust - unrequited or not. Several of the tracks deal with the uncertainty surrounding subjective experience and that’s something we play with a lot - whether through imagination, intoxication, memory, or bewitchment for each of the tracks respectively. What's next for you? Firstly we want as many people to listen to the EP as possible, and we’d love to hear what everyone thinks about it. After that we’ve written a lot of music that we are working into our next releases, we’re probably sat on around 20 tracks and are constantly writing so there will almost certainly be more releases over the next year. So hopefully 2021 is filled with new music and new fans Instagram

Modern rocker Jacob’s Brother has a diverse set of musical inclinations that each member heeds in the process. Provocative and arresting lyrics, sweeping melodies, catchy hooks, vibe-filled grooves, and scandalous breakdowns. Hailing from the mitten state, Jacob’s Brother is comprised of four blood brothers; Michael, Joshua, Jeremiah, and Jason Cooley, plus Joel Mathews. The band was formed during the pandemic of 2020 when an executive of Sony/SM1 Entertainment was promoting a pro boxing bout and chanced upon the brother’s 2008 EP ‘Obscenery,’ under the name HERD in a dusty old CD player. Consequently, the band was reborn inside of a barn on an animal farm in Northern Michigan. Redefining the essence of melodic Rock n Roll, an ominous soundscape is brought to the surface, complete with the fiery passion that is found from within Jacob’s Brother’s latest single, “Indecision.” The evocative vocal presentation croons with a sense of desire as we fully take in the captivating universe fueled by the rush of chugging guitar riffs and colossal drum hits. A surge of the infectious rhythm that we feel leaves us inquisitive in regards to the cavernous realm that Jacob’s Brother performs from. There is a sense of enigmatic tenors as the mind-altering composition stirs your thoughts, leaving an evocative quintessence buried in the depth of “Indecision.” With a lyrical motif of “The weight on my shoulders is oh so heavy - I can feel my bones cracking,” you hear the songwriting nature that is intricate with the details placed into the lyrics formed. Hence, the vivacity has you feasting upon imagery broader than the scope of your imagination. Jacob’s Brother has a way of taking melismatic pieces and adding the perfect amount of edginess to the entirety, leaving the masterpiece chalked full of amplified charisma. Showcasing their talents from a place of dedication, the grippingly raw skillset they encompass allows “Indecision” to be strikingly transcendent and cutting edge simultaneously. Congratulations on your rebrand, and the release of “Indecision.” We love the theatrics that simmers in this composition as a whole. What is the inspiration behind the lyrics heard in “Indecision?" Well, firstly, thank you. Very much appreciated. The song reflects the idea of processing decisions (or the lack thereof) and dealing with the resulting trauma. Most times we aim to have the listener find their own interpretation and we just sort of make hints. Other times they can be very personal. As far as inspiration for the lyrics-Jeremiah and Jason had gone through an eerily similar, very difficult time, and unfortunately, it was at the exact same time as well. Jeremiah felt that he wrote this for both of them. As creators who have undergone a rebrand, what does this song mean to you as your debut as Jacob’s Brother? Good question. Hopefully, the song exemplifies maturation. Putting away the old to let the new take its place. We have such diverse tastes that we will always flirt with different styles but as time passes more experience is gained. Maybe it’s more of a minimalist mindset, but overall we are always seeking better musicianship with each other. Could you please take us into the creative process that brought “Indecision” to life? Did you find this process differed from the usual writing and recording style? So, this is something that Jeremiah and Joel cooked up after an unordinary “trip” to Mackinac Island with our Associate Producer on Halloween. Those boys stayed on that island riding their tandem bike through all of the creepy sights after dark and came home inspired. The recording process was very much different than the way we have written and recorded songs prior. Before-We didn’t have the technology to write music spanning other states in real-time. We have our own studio now to hammer out preproduction and that really helps to control the chaos. Most of it anyway. Do you find that being from Michigan has played into defining your sound at all? We would be foolish to say that it hasn’t. In Michigan, you have to deal with Mother Nature. If you aren’t prepared-it will chew you up and spit you out or kill you. And then you have the most beautiful summers. So you go back and forth from being hardened and “weathered” to being thankful and hopeful. It seems like people are just made of different stuff in places where they don’t have to fight against the weather. All of this will affect your soul and the way you express it. On top of that, there are so many incredible musicians that have come out of the mitten. From Motown and hip hop to some of the best metal bands. We are inspired and influenced by untold amounts of Pure Michigan art. Instagram Facebook

Steven Montes is a singer, songwriter, producer from Adelanto, California, looking to showcase his multi-faceted artistry. Steven Montes has recently released his new single, “people pleaser,” which brings a throwback vibe to his classic hip-hop and pop-punk style. He introduces the song with an airy and lively string plucking melody that sucks you in and lays a foundation for the song. The laid-back melody and structured lyrics give “people pleaser” its catchy qualities, and vocal layering adds an element to the dynamic and stimulating song. The stellar beat adds structure and rhythm to the song, and Steven Montes skillfully keeps the listener on their toes. A major theme running through “people pleaser” is the setbacks and internal dilemmas that come with putting others before yourself and how you can lose yourself along the way when everything you do is centered around someone else. Thoughtful lyrics such as “And it’s not easy trying to drown my emotions/Bury me deep in the ocean” truly showcase the pitfalls of not being seen as who you are. The instrumentation slows down as “people pleaser” comes to a close, imitating the light intro melody we first heard. After hearing “people pleaser,” make sure to stay tuned for more from Steven Montes, a force to be reckoned with. Can you walk us through the production process for “people pleaser?" How did “people pleaser” become what it is now? I had just released an album that took months to work on and usually after dropping something big I’m left with a creative block, this time it was bad. I couldn’t form a single idea and my laptop was filled with incomplete tracks. Shout out to Splashgvng, cause as soon as I heard that beat it was over. I freestyled the song on the drive home. When writing “people pleaser," what were some things you had in mind about the direction of the song? What do you hope listeners take from “people pleaser?" I guess I’ve never really taken anything seriously. I’m always making jokes at the worst times and doing things just to get a reaction out of people, whether it be good or bad I don’t care, it just has to be funny. The problem is now I’ve established myself as this character, so when I actually need help nobody takes me seriously. I could literally call a friend saying I want to kill myself and they’ll just sit there waiting for the punchline. It sucks. What are some musicians that inspire you when creating your own music? How do you feel they influence your creative process? Machine Gun Kelly is my biggest inspiration, I’m going to work with him one day I just haven’t figured out when. Nobody really influences my sound at this point now that I’ve established it as my own, but I guess video games have helped more than anything. GTA Vice City has one of the hardest soundtracks and that’s what inspires most of my instrumentals, other games like Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater are big inspo's too. Where do you see yourself going over the next year as an artist? Do you plan to have any new releases in the near future? Over the next year, I’d hope to be working with more artists and hopefully playing shows. I drop new tracks almost weekly and I also have a podcast called, “The Low Quality Podcast”. You can expect new episodes and new music all the time, I’m also working on making music videos more consistently too. What's next for you? I hope good things are waiting for me until then I’m not too sure what’s next. All I know is I’m going to keep singing these little songs until I can’t anymore. I don’t really have a choice at this point, it’s the only thing I like to do and I’ve come too far to stop. Instagram

From Chicago to Southern California, the alternative artist and singer-songwriter Jon Flynn releases a blast from the past with his latest 12-track album, 'Citrus.' Jon Flynn has always carried a profound passion for the sounds of the 60s and 70s, which is more than evident in his music today. After years of collaborating and taking part in various bands, Jon Flynn accumulated enough independent material to create and release his first solo album, leaving us with the nostalgia-infused project entitled 'Citrus.' Opening the album is the wavy intro track, "Somewhere to Run," setting the project's nostalgic tone with heavily intriguing alternative instrumentals. While Jon Flynn sings of a troubled relationship coming to an end, the same theme continues with the following track, "Go On." While Jon Flynn offers more of a Tame Impala instrumental atmosphere through crashing percussion arrangements and 70s synth bursts, Flynn continues singing of moving on for the better. Jumping into the energetic third track, "Wishing Well," the instrumentals kick through our speakers with punchy snares and incredible electric guitar melodies. Listening to Jon Flynn's savory vocals, he serenades us with another hopeful scenario of wishing for something sweeter. Landing on the album's fourth track, "Back to You," we should mention the instrumental and vocal similarities to the sweet sounds of The Beatles. While fueling his lyricism with more personal and hopeful themes of finding something better, Jon Flynn pushes an incredibly passionate atmosphere to accentuate his devotion for optimism. Sinking into reflection with the next piece, "Be With You," the tender song lets us into a vulnerable theme with help from soft piano melodies, down-tempo drums, a saddening string section, and wavy electric guitars. While Jon Flynn sings of wanting nothing but to be in someone's arms, we drift into the next piece, "Prayin' Man." Reaching the album's halfway point, Jon Flynn punches our speakers with the utmost power and passion through his Sean Lennon-like vocals and the soulful instrumentation, touching on savory hints of blues-rock. Hitting play on the project's seventh track, "Wonderful," we must note the brilliantly nostalgic instrumental atmosphere with help from multi-instrumentalist Jake Smith, as he and Jon Flynn push through this engaging and lighthearted track with incredible poise and heart. Livening our spirits with the next spicy tune, "Doin' What You Do," Jon Flynn opens the song with his flavorful vocals alongside his swinging instrumentals while singing of seizing each opportunity that's granted his way. Through the next piece, "Empty," Jon Flynn offers more of a personal and introspective lyrical atmosphere while touching on the validation of his emotions and continuing down life's jagged path. While the instrumentals drift through our speakers at a down-tempo and relaxed pace, we move towards the next piece, "I Won't Try." A bright acoustic ballad that pays tribute to his individuality, Jon Flynn touches on deeply relatable and inspirational words like "-I won't try to be what the world wants me to be" while floating alongside the delicate instrumentals. Drenching us in passion and heart with the next track, "Waste of Time," Jon Flynn pushes yet another incredibly dense instrumental atmosphere through the wavy and luminous arrangements while lyrically mentioning his motivating optimism for something greater. Landing on the album's reflective outro track, "So Sincere," Jon Flynn pours his fragile emotions over the soothing instrumentals while closing the album on an honest note. Through his lyrics that question someone's motives during a relationship, Jon Flynn attempts to place its shattered pieces together one last time. Find clarity and nostalgia in Jon Flynn's debut solo album, 'Citrus,' and allow yourself to feel refreshed by each sweet and savory tone. Now available on all digital streaming platforms. Congratulations on your debut solo album 'Citrus.' We adore the sincerity, genuineness, and nostalgia within your debut solo album, 'Citrus.' What inspired you to gather your solo pieces to create your first independent album? I'd been writing songs with my band the last 6 years and a lot of ideas for songs were left unfinished and put on the shelf. I noticed the pile of unfinished songs was getting bigger and that a couple of them dated back to 2012 - 2014. Determined to finish these fragments and flesh them out into an album, I recorded demos and sent them to my old collaborator Jake Smith to see if he'd help me with the drums and finish the arrangements. Were all the songs within 'Citrus' created before the idea of the album, or did you write/create any new pieces to add to the project? Most of the songs were created prior to realizing they'd be on my solo album. some of them were intended for the band I play in Diamond Hands and a couple of them were written as the album was being recorded. The title was the last piece, it was chosen once the recording was finished. What was it like working with multi-instrumentalist Jake Smith when creating the instrumentals for your album 'Citrus?' Is this your first time working together? I'm glad you asked that because it was AMAZING! Jake and I grew up together in a small town outside Chicago and our first time playing together was our 8th grade graduation dance. after that, we played and recorded regularly through high school and college. once the bands broke up and I moved to LA we didn't work together for a number of years. Because of the decade playing and touring together though our chemistry remained intact and we picked up right where we had left off years before. Where did the album title, 'Citrus,' originate from, and how does it relate to the 12 tracks within the project? Citrus Ave. It's the street I lived on when I moved to LA from Chicago. I wanted something simple that anyone could recognize and I think the title and the orange on the album cover achieve that. Throughout the entirety of your album 'Citrus,' what was the central concept or theme that you wanted to convey to your audience? It's all about moving on and not being stuck in the past. Live in the moment and keep pushing forward, that's the message. Instagram Facebook

Nik Dandelion's world is a kaleidoscope of decades, destinations, and postmodern dreams. Primarily drawing from retro sounds and aesthetics, he breaks the nostalgia offered up into digital fragments to create his unique DIY sound. Do-It-Yourself or Undo-It-Yourself. His audiovisual universe is no shrine to nostalgia but rather an irreverent and irresistible response to heavy times. Each song is as bright, flighty, and contagious as a dandelion seed. Imagine a cerebral universe filled with wit, wisdom, and of course, the crooning talents of Nik Dandelion's reverberated vocals. That's precisely what we're picking up on with his most recent single, "Circles." The enticing instrumentation resides in a mid-tempo atmosphere rich in luxuriant guitar riffs and a spellbinding rhythm. Swaying you into the transparency of Nik Dandelion's lyrical techniques, the funk-driven bass line peaks in at the chorus just long enough for us to be absorbed in the repetitious hook that has us sinking deeper into his wistful display. The manner in which his comforting essence sprawls through the integrity of each word emitted is genuinely remarkable. Cascading upon the longing spirit of the musical arrangement, Nik Dandelion's vocalization wraps you in belonging and security as your mind wanders into the depths of "Circles" alluring soundscape. Textured distortion gently stews in the entire composition at hand, letting the veracity of this record feast on various auditory dimensions. Continuing to ease listeners into the buoyant embrace of his artistic flairs, we thrive in the sky-high stratosphere that Nik Dandelion has us floating towards. Flawlessly raising the bar as he places his best foot forward, the striking appeal of Nik Dandelion becomes more and more apparent. The comforting soundscape showcased in “Circles,” has us fully invested in your art! Where does the inspiration for “Circles” stem from? Initially, the inspiration for "Circles" came from a task in university. We had to compose a song with this drum loop that we got in class. The melody and chord progression existed long before that in a different tempo and time signature and I just put the pieces together. I made a phone recording of the song and picked it up again in quarantine last year to produce it on my laptop. I experimented with delays and a weird technique where I would play my guitar percussively without playing any notes but rather rhythms. This is how the psychedelic soundscape came about. We noticed that it was easy to paint our own picture to the words you fashioned together in the lyrical structure of this track. In your own words, what does “Circles” mean to you? My idea was to put this rather negative expression 'going in circles' in a positive context where you would enjoy all the ups AND downs of being with someone. It stems from this state of mind I was in last summer where I didn't see bad as bad and good as good but rather one being dependent on the other. Without good there's no bad, without light there is no darkness, and so on. I was meditating a lot haha Could you please take us into the recording process for this track? How long did it take you to create and release this masterpiece? My roommate went on a road trip with his girlfriend last summer and I stayed in his room because he had the bigger one with all the recording equipment and so on. So I used the chance and got my amp in and just played around with a condenser microphone. I don't have a lot of experience in recording music so I just did what sounded good to me. Drum Loop, guitar, vocals, the delayed guitar wobbles, and a synth bass for the chorus, that's it. Took me about two days to produce. Are there any memorable moments from the creation process that make the release of “Circles,” that much more rewarding? Just being alone during the recording process gave me such freedom in a creative way that I didn't feel there was anything wrong or right in what I did, kind of like the lyrical idea of there being nothing set in stone really. What can listeners anticipate to hear next from you? I have produced six songs in total that I will release as singles this year. I worked on videos for all of them too. Stay tuned and stay happy. Nik xoxo Instagram

Lawd P gives fans and critics a lyrical sample of what his authenticity can bring to an industry in need of more fearless originality. The pre-gentrified, tough streets of Brooklyn have molded Lawd P into a prolific and socially aware rapper, songwriter, and composer. Drawing on New York's finest influences such as Nas, Jay-Z, and Biggie Smalls, to the classic Soul artists they've sampled, including Ron Ayers, Curtis Mayfield, and Al Green, Lawd P taps into the elements of these music legends to create his unique sound. Ushering his audience into the therapeutic framework that solidifies his most recent sonic and visual release, Lawd P executes an exhilarating hunger in the way he approaches the entirety of the "Blood Water" composition. You hear the fervently vulnerable tenors that power the energy inside of his spirit as the untouchable verses he takes us through have him elevated to a high standard. Lawd P is the definition of a true emcee as he finesses his lyrical dexterity in a way that stands apart from the modern Pop Rap that many of us are familiar with in the portrayal of this generation's Hip-hop. With the cinematic component taking place inside a church, we become fixated on the imagery of pews, stained glass, and the altar, which Lawd P uses as his canvas to reiterate the truthful message that overflows from "Blood Water." The minimalistic approach to the special effects that is utilized is brilliant as it allows the intricately crafted words that adopt buttery cadences to jump out at you in a manner that heightens your senses as the imagery and soundwaves hit you. The authenticity that is dripped throughout this piece has us buoyantly meshing with the enticing drums steering the tempo of this intimate arrangement. Allowing the main focus of the video to be on Lawd P's various angles captured by the camera, the intricate soundscape seamlessly fuses together the witty quips and familiar setting created by Lawd P. Levelling up in this grand display of Lawd P's artistic talents, as not only a lyricist but a storyteller as well, has us shook to our core in yet another theatrical performance establishing his name. Thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic Lawd P. “Blood Water,” has us sinking into our seats as we’ve been repeatedly taking it in. Where did the inspiration for this song stem from? Good Question, The Inspo came from the environment I grew up in. Being a product of it, I was forced to learn about the concept of mental slavery and how our traumatic experiences play a huge role in our growth. So Blood Water is a concept of Trauma. Experiences I was involved in that were out of my control due to the environment I was living in. With one setting for the video to take place in, you managed to keep us fully attentive to the sonic and visual elements of the masterpiece. Could you please take us into what it was like filming this music video? Was that always your vision? Filming "Blood water" was a great experience because I was able to place myself in scenery that allowed me to connect with what I wrote for the song. The church concept was a vision of mine because I felt that the song was a form of confession through my traumatic experiences living in Brooklyn. With the help of the director JV Original, The vision to shoot at the church was a concept I thought of a week before we shot the video. Do you have any memorable moments on set or during recording that have made the release of “Blood Water,” that much more rewarding? What's funny is that I had to control myself from cursing in the church hahaha. I made sure my engineer created a clear version...Also what made the process so rewarding is that this is the same church I was baptized in when I was 1 year old. How real is that? What are you hoping that your listeners take away from the messaging portrayed in the music video and song for “Blood Water?" In this song and video, I want the listeners and viewers to understand that in order for us to tap into our traumatic experiences we must be able to confront them and take accountability so we can find a way to improve ourselves for the greater good. Instagram

Rap duo RiotSquadGang is comprised of Lil Swiss and RSG Yoppa. Hailing from the Northside of Calgary, Canada, both members have had their struggles throughout the years until meeting one another and enduring the life-changing essence that creating music brings. Lil Swiss and RSG Yoppa are fresh off the release of their latest single, “XCountry.” Deriving from the authenticity and realism that Lil Swiss has encountered growing up, he showcases this single through a retrospective lens into his world and what it means to feel trapped in the chaos of the world yet continue to remain calm. The anticipation residing in the instrumentation has us eagerly awaiting the approach that will be taken through the charismatic performances tackled by RiotSquadGang. Bringing forth a balanced appeal of hard-hitting meets melismatic. The hunger that sits in the tonal distinction of the two emcees is prevalent. Lil Swiss and RSG Yoppa sweep us under the rug with the buttery cadences utilized and the irrefutable wit that exists in the wordplay they exude. Dynamic and fully thriving in a world of genuine tenors, “XCountry,” has taken RiotSquadGang’s artistry to the next level as we sip on the melodic flairs that come overflowing from the undeniable swagger showcased. Shining as individuals and as a duo, the versatility that Lil Swiss and RSG Yoppa have continued to offer us through each release in not only consistent with their journey but consistently surpassing their previous projects as they emphasize the growth within. Bask in “XCountry,” and don’t be afraid to turn up the volume. Always a pleasure when we chat Lil Swiss and RSG Yoppa, welcome back to BuzzMusic, and congratulations on the release of, “XCountry.” Dabbling into such intimate lyrics and pairing them with witty quips is no easy feat. Job extremely well done! How did this songwriting process compare to the creation of other tracks you have previously released? Thank yall for the opportunity and the love, love being back! Writing "XCountry" originally started as just running through beats and seeing what we felt, but this specific beat ending up vividly bringing us back to the old days when we were mobbing around late nights at Yoppa's old crib. This was during the rowdiest time that we had experienced together and the vibes of the track felt like we were writing back then. Writing "XCountry" and the creative process behind it stood out on this track due to the feelings and memories that we were experiencing when we would hear the beat. For many reasons this was a time of our lives that could have been make or break had things gone differently so to be able to use that energy to create a song together was a very unique process. With RSG Yoppa being more methodical and Lil Swiss being more of a wild card, do you find that this makes the creative process easier or more difficult at times? Depends on who you ask and when haha. The creative process is always changing due to having two members who are quite different in their approach. Sometimes it is more difficult as Swiss is very fast to get a feeling and roll out some fire on the spot, Yoppa on the other hand takes his time to work out how he wants to approach and write to each track specifically and focuses on every aspect. There are definitely positives to having two different mindsets. I won't lie sometimes being as different as we are in some aspects we get at each other's neck and piss each other off for real, but at the end of the day the experiences we have been through and the respect we have for each other it's always love. Both members are super happy with the roles they play, so sometimes it's just spending hours on hours working on tracks that can get tensions high. Maturing and growing as individuals has allowed us to refine our methods more and more, and a key part of making everything work is just communication. With this method, the music always remains consistent and versatile, and together we are the perfect team to make things happen, and honestly, when we put our two styles together we have written some of our hardest lines and songs. What are you hoping that your listeners take away from the themes and messaging in “XCountry?" The theme and message in "XCountry" are heavily related to us at our lowest point a few years back and reminds us of where we have been able to get since then. With lines like "don't tell my mama about what I'm doing I'm getting them racks, I had to pop me a xan to relax" delivered by swiss, for him brings back the feelings of always being on edge and using drugs to cope with having to hustle to get by and make sure our people are straight. As well as the lyrics "I lost my dad to the dope, mama stay worried that's all that I know" from yoppa, at this point in our lives it was all or nothing which put a lot of concern on our families, and even though they understood it, it was a definitely rough patch in the bigger picture that allowed us to live differently. This song for us just paints a picture of how those days felt as well as a reminder of what we do this for. We love you both as a duo and as individuals. So we have to know if RiotSquadGang could collaborate with any artist of any genre, who would it be and why? Riotsquadgang - Young Thug: This gonna be another throwback but definitely has to be Thugger. One of the G.O.A.T's without a doubt, I swear half of our memories from boxing in the trap till 5 am, to late nights making moves in the subie had Young Thug going off in the back. But for real he is one of the most consistent and versatile artists of our generation, alot of our mindset has changed from back in the day with getting smarter and growing up but we always fuck with thug and feel like he could murder any RSG track. Lil Swiss: For me, it'd have to be Drake, a true Canda legend, and mogle in the industry, I look up to a lot of his business practices and of course his music. Love his versatility, love his consistency, and just been a straight-up fan for years. That's not something I can say about alot of artists, so for me doing a sort of smooth rnb type jaunt with drake would be a hit. RSG Yoppa: Right now it's gonna be 049 Gus, been on his music for a minute now, and he's got something unique. I have been centered around this genre of rap mainly forever but it just got a different vibe with his jaunts. It's also the style I most like to write in so there's that too, but yeah regardless if Gus hits some crazy autotune shit or just some hard shit it's always a hitter so I know that would be wild. What's next for you? Swiss has undertaken a ton of solo projects with his abundance of free time and will be releasing those onto his new solo Instagram and Spotify accounts, so we're both really excited about these upcoming drops for him, including a music video on April 23rd. Riotsquadgang has a ton of music stockpiled and is going to be releasing constant hits all year, so if you're a fan now we're just getting started. If you want the most out of RiotSquadGang content, make sure to follow Swiss on his solo accounts! Instagram Facebook

Lunarcode was formed during the pandemic when Ronny Minuche (guitars) and Vincenzo Carubia (vocals) began constructing melodies in Los Angeles. Jason Booth (drums), later joined, and Lunarcode was born by blending a variety of styles together in the name of art. The most recent release from Lunarcode will have fans submerged in heightened senses as they launch their latest single and video for “Heartbreak.” Dissecting the lyrical content at hand, Lunarcode can be heard dancing around topics such as the act of dating in the age of social media and their reflection on how it occasionally appears that we may not be doing enough. With the tantalizing narrative of “Heartbreak,” dousing their cinematic component in a chronicle that tells a tale indicating the struggles exposed through their subject matter, we find ourselves relating to the cinematic appeal as they dive into the despondency that the protagonist in this video is handling. Hues of blue and gold administer an enigmatic essence as we fixate ourselves upon the visuals exploring an energy-packed live band performance with the members dressed to kill. Panning between their lively illuminate set, we see the protagonist taking her rage to the boxing ring as she transitions between her frustrations in the gym and as she floats amongst the enticingly edgy song progressing through our speakers. Swimming in the rage filtered through the fusion of the sonic and visual effects showcased, we can’t take our eyes off of the screen as our senses collide. Lunarcode has nailed their inclusive quintessence through the opulence shimmering around charismatic guitar riffs, tight drum patterns, and vocals that offer a grippingly raw emotion as they plea in confusion. “Heartbreak” seizes the battle of oneself in love. Diving into the ingenious pairing of your music video and single for, “Heartbreak,” we admire the detail that went into this masterpiece! Could you please share with us what it was like on set fulfilling the creative direction you had envisioned? Masterpiece!! wow. So flattered. We knew for the first video we wanted to keep it simple while still making a powerful statement. The intro scene was added at the last minute on the day of in order to add to the emotional internal struggle of our lead played by Jessica Gillette. Jessica is a photographer and boxer who brought a unique flair to the video. Partnering up with her in the direction of the video was an easy decision and one we're really happy about. The most important thing for me as the lyricist (Vincenzo Carubia) was that the power of the words was conveyed in the shots, location, and performance. I myself consider the piece pretty iconic and memorable with a driving force and message that is easily relatable. It's all about inner struggle and frustration. There were a couple of alternative scenes and shots that we had on our schedule to shoot, but in the end, we thought we had enough to get our message across. What is it like for you to tap into the vulnerable sector of art as you continue to portray relatable content for your fan base? For me personally, as a film director/songwriter it comes naturally but it's definitely a process and comes at a price. This also taps a bit into the first question in terms of relatability. Music is a subjective experience. Everyone connects to it differently. Sometimes you hear the song and you can dig it, but when you see the visual with it, it takes it to another level. I can remember times when I saw videos that made me love a song that I normally did not care about at all. I don't think that's the case with our song as I feel we created a strong relatable hook which is important. So my goal was to really capture the energy of the song. It's really easy and affordable to grab your friend and a camera to just shoot a video and get it out, but as a storyteller myself it became a super important opportunity for us to really create something visually memorable and beautiful. Especially as our first video as a band. The video became just as important as the song itself, and I feel that we should and will carry that mentality moving forward into our future videos as well. How did each person contribute to the overall sound and vision achieved? How do you feel about the outcome of “Heartbreak?" From the beginning, I myself came in with an extensive background in film and television. Ronny Minuche (guitar) had a lot more relationships with working producers and an understanding of the music industry through the years of touring he has under his belt. He has the music thing down pretty solid, so it was a great collaboration from the start. Ronny has the grip on the music side of production and I support his decisions 100 percent and help him in making them as well and as for me I pretty much handle the visual component of things such as music videos and I edit them myself as well as our BTS documentary footage and rehearsals. Jason contributes heavily to the rhythm parts as well as the structure and design of the song in rehearsals. He is very supportive and heavily involved in the direction and evolution of Lunarcode and we all have a good time together. The chemistry is there for sure. In terms of the sound of "Heartbreak", working with Neil Engle was a fantastic experience. He was so welcoming from the start and super excited to bring it to life the way we envisioned it and beyond. Visually, Justin Aguirre brought his A-game when filming the video. He always shows up and performs with a willingness to help that is pretty unmatched. I've paired myself up with him multiple times and you will be seeing more of our videos from Justin moving forward. Highly recommended. Are there any memorable moments from the creation of both the song and video that you felt enhanced the experience? The video was memorable because it was a milestone for us. Our first video, like how unforgettable is that! That moment is priceless and I feel we really grabbed it by the horns and gave everything we had as a team. As for the music, The process was pretty easygoing. We recorded in Portland which we had never been to and had some pretty bomb tacos that Ronny still talks about. Watching each other in the studio can be pretty surreal seeing everyone in their element. Jason, layering his drums gave me chills I remember that. Ronny laying down 41 guitar tracks on one song with a sense of ease and passion was just unreal. There's never a moment when I watch him perform that I don't thank god for meeting him and being creative partners. It's a true adventure and great dynamic the three of us have. Ronny has said watching me sing in the booth is exciting too. I did get choked up a bit when I edited our BTS footage. It all just became so real. Also receiving the first mix of one of our songs I definitely cried. Now we have 4 tracks produced due to being released throughout the year, and I just think, this train is definitely moving and fast. Here we go. I'm totally here for the ride. What can we expect to see next? More songs! More Videos! And now that the world is starting to open back up we are really focused on our marketing and performances. We are scheduled to shoot our next video in April and the release date of that single has yet to be released. However, we welcome fans and supporters to begin to follow us! Instagram Facebook

The Vancouver-based sonic storyteller, dynamic artist, and conceptual singer-songwriter Marina Bennett releases her fifth studio single entitled "Alright." Known for fusing her powerful vocals and expansive musical palette into her soothing sound, Marina Bennett stops at nothing until she pulls listeners deep into the moment of each release. With a bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies, Marina Bennett is able to take her musical experiences and explore sounds like pop, r&b, soul, and alt-rock. Through her latest single, "Alright," Marina Bennett invites her audience into a deeply emotional and vulnerable space as she reminds us to look towards our future with optimism. While serenading us alongside her tender acoustic guitar, Marina Bennett offers us all the hope and faith to move past our momentary stillness. Opening "Alright" are calming piano melodies, sweet acoustic finger-picking, and Marina Bennett's dynamic vocal range as she begins serenading us with her dreamy stylings. While describing our worrisome days and feeling lost in the difficult moment, Marina Bennett moves towards the tranquil chorus and reminds us that better days are ahead. The song itself is incredibly cinematic, as a soulful string section makes its appearance and emphasizes Bennett's profound emotions. We're more than impressed with Marina Bennett's soothing melodies and vocal performance as she fills our speakers with her heavenly falsetto and powerful chest voice. As the song comes to an end, it would be an understatement to say that Marina Bennett left us wanting more sincere and dreamy tunes like this. Find Marina Bennett's inspirational and touching single, "Alright," on all streaming platforms, and get to know the Vancouver-hailing artist as she continues to win listeners over with each endeavor. Welcome to BuzzMusic Marina Bennett. We're truly impressed by the amount of heartfelt and genuine emotion within your recent single, "Alright." At what moment did you feel inspired to create this song and remind listeners to keep hope? Last March, right after the pandemic was starting to progress and the reality of the pandemic was setting in, my anxiety was like water slowly rising all around me and I couldn't seem to slow it down or catch my breath. Everything on the news sparked fear and felt surreal-- I could feel the energy of the collective getting pushed into a wall of confusion and panic. I've always leaned heavily on music to help me process my emotions, so I picked up my guitar and this melody and these words came through-- almost like a lullaby from somewhere beyond to soothe my soul. It's so special to me when these kinds of experiences happen and the song being written flows through with ease, feeling whole and complete in the moment. I wrote it in one short session and the final vocals on the recording were sung once through to keep the same feeling I had when I first sang it. The words "It's gonna be alright" felt like a refrain I really needed to hear and the close friends I shared it with seemed to really resonate with the message too. Seeing as your lyricism within "Alright" is incredibly personal and emotional, did you face any challenges when writing such deep lyricism? Or is this a familiar and frequent experience for you? I'm such a deep feeler and thinker, that I think it would be really challenging for me if I wasn't able to express my emotions through poetry or songwriting. Freedom of expression is a huge privilege to me and it's something that's taken a lot of inner work for me to find a sense of freedom doing. I've had to work through a lot of blocks to create inner space and to know how to listen and receive my creative sparks. It's getting easier for me to put my vulnerability out into the world, but it still feels challenging at times to share a piece of my heart when I write something. I don't think that will ever go away, and I think that kind of fear is what stretches us as songwriters. When we're uncomfortable, it means we're being challenged to face an abandoned part of ourselves and integrate it into who we are instead of running from it. This song really taps into the inner child needing love and safety, and I think sometimes in today's world there is this illusion that we all have things "figured out"--especially through what we see in social media--when the opposite is the case. The one thing this difficult situation we all are facing has taught me is that at the core we are all truly craving a feeling of love, connection, acceptance, and safety. I want to make it a practice to keep sharing my vulnerable side amongst others because although it always feels a bit like jumping off a cliff, I like to think I'm getting more and more comfortable being on the edge. How did you manage to create the instrumentals within "Alright" to be so dreamy and cinematic? Did you work solo during this creative process? The dreamy instrumentals and cinematic magic of this track were created by my collaborator and dear friend Will Evans--an absolutely wonderful artist/songwriter/producer that I've had the pleasure of making music with remotely over the past year. We've written countless tracks for our project The Sea Suns and I knew that he was the best person to bring this song to life. He has a unique and artistic way of adding an unexpected twist to songs, and he does so in a very subtle way that takes intuition, expertise, and attention to detail. I sent him my lead vocal track and a track of my guitar playing, and we had a few production calls to talk about what I envisioned for the song. When Will sent me the song using the production he had developed it felt like absolute magic--he took the idea and made it even more special and expansive. I feel SO lucky to get to create music with people I care about! It fuels my soul. Now that you have five released singles under your belt, are you planning to prepare or release a larger project anytime soon? I have another single that I'll be releasing in early May called "Got Love", which will go together in a grouping of songs that were created in 2020 on a singer-songwriter EP. Later this spring I'm going to be recording a cinematic neo-soul EP with some local live musicians that I'm really excited about because I really love that sound and fusing my jazz/soul roots into my music. I've also been writing a pop album and look forward to releasing those songs when the time comes--most likely in 2022. But who knows! Maybe I'll surprise you! :) What's next for you? As the world opens up again and becomes more normal, I'm really thrilled about performing live to support my musical releases, and to connect to people who follow my music! I plan on continuing to record/release music, play live shows, live stream shows, create music video content, and eventually tour and perform all over the world. I write music for film and tv on various writing teams and I LOVE to write for other artists as well. I have a few albums I've been lucky to co-write and I can't wait to see where these songs go and how these artists blossom. Right now I'm learning production and can't wait to keep learning and growing new skills so that I can create the vision of what I hear in my mind at the highest level possible, and do the same for other artists. Eventually, I'd love to release a book of my poetry and write screenplays/musicals and possibly get back into musical theatre and acting. I plan to continue songwriting, performing, arranging, and connecting with others because it's my favorite thing in the world! Instagram Twitter