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Born in Trinidad, West Indies, Vokal Legend received his first official performance as an artist at the age of 36, at the Durham Caribbean Festival. Writing musical content about what he is a witness to in his surroundings, Vokal Legend takes pride in his storytelling abilities. Dispensing content that truly matters, he stands for what he believes in and aims to deliver the truth for what it is. In his most recent buoyancy infused single, “A.I,” Vokal Legend delivers intoxicating vibrancy that addresses his exclusive flair as an artist that is for the people. In the futuristic rhythmic traits that the instrumentation exudes, you are seamlessly brought into a magical universe ruled by bounce and punch. The components that Vokal Legend portrays in his lyrical delivery are unmatched as he brings forth his charismatic and boisterous persona. You find yourself gravitating towards the mesmerizing content provided that is doused in elements from the Reggae and Pop genres. As these features fuse as one, you become engrossed in the opulent vocalization of Vokal Legend as he swoops onto “A.I,” with such spirited confidence. Touching on the melodies of people living in a Matrix-like universe, Vokal Legend uses the witty quip of, “I’m taking over, like A.I,” to act as the lyrical motif of this turbulent bop. Always one to speak his mind, Vokal Legend offers up a captivating performance that has us singing along to every minute of this song. Our only critique? We wish that “A.I” was longer. However, we have a quick fix for that; we’ll just put this hit on repeat as we wait for the next captivating tune from Vokal Legend himself. Congratulations on the release of, “A.I.” What inspired the ever so unique lyrics in this single? I write what I see. The media tends to hide a lot of the truth that should actually be brought to headlines. Don't get me wrong, a lot of the stuff in politics and such we should always keep an eye on but still. As one to write about what surrounds you, how do you approach your songwriting when it comes to the creative process? The events that take place right under our noses are also the things that should be taken just as seriously. I want to use my music, to tell the truth of the events I learn of and witness. But also to create atmospheres where one can escape and find their inner peace and enjoy themselves wholeheartedly. If you could collaborate with anyone living or dead, who would it be and why? One artist to collaborate with is Busta Rhymes. Why? The flow he executes and his energy in delivery are crazy. Very talented man. What would you like your listeners to take away from the messaging in, “A.I?" I want people to remember that even though we were born in a world of borders and boundaries, we were meant to evolve. We were meant for more. Free your mind and live the life you desire. No one can keep you from doing what you desire more than yourself. What can we expect to see from you next? I have a few more projects on the go already. Nothing but great music to come. vokallegendmusic.com

Emerging artist Theo Juarez blends genres to create a comfortable and casual track in his new single "Monday Vibes." Hailing from Houston, Texas, Juarez uses his longtime musical ability to play the trumpet, paired with an immense passion for songwriting, to create music representing his reality. "Monday Vibes" is a chill R&B tune with a jazz underlay. Juarez's ability to connect piano melodies with soft vocals and trumpet inserts truly allows him to create a unique, relaxing track that nevertheless carries an addicting beat that will draw listeners in for more. Each movement fits like waves back into each other as the song continues, and Juarez's soft voice can bring some edge and unique lyricism to pair with the trumpet and piano. Each movement encompasses how individuals feel as Monday continues to slowly pass by and have them left with a full week to continue their struggles. By including lyrics like "My mind and heart are filled with pain and hope," audiences can become a part of Juarez's true feelings and relate to his "Monday Vibes." With such a talent and passion for writing, playing, and creating music, we can not wait to see how Theo Juarez continues to grow as a multi-genre artist after releasing this fantastic song. Your new track “Monday Vibes” is the perfect combination of musicality and lyrical ability. What was the creative process like when writing and composing this track? Thank you so much. That really means a lot. So “Monday Vibes” actually came together fairly easily. It originally started off as an IG post and I wasn’t sure what I was gonna do with it. It was just a groove and a melody at first but the lyrics came easily. I had family members who were really sick at the time and that put me in a mood. All I did was describe how I felt at that moment and I had a good friend of mine, James Murphy, write the chorus for me and I feel he did a really great job complementing the verses that I wrote. In the end, we still felt it was missing something so another good friend of mine, Nicco Martinez, came in and laid down some guitar. His solo at the end was perfect for the vibe of the song. I would say this song came together quicker than anything else I’ve done. You mentioned you have been playing trumpet ever since you were very young, how would you say this impacted the type of music you listened to growing up and now the type that you strive to create? Playing trumpet really made me expand my musical tastes. Before I started playing I was listening to bands like Linkin Park, Staind, and Three Days Grace. Although I still listened to rock my love for jazz and improvisation started to grow when I started playing trumpet but the more I learned and listened I started to see how trumpet was being incorporated into other genres. So now whenever I write any type of song I always have horns in mind and I usually try to incorporate a trumpet solo somewhere. Even if it’s something simple I like to have a trumpet in my songs. It’s where my love for music began and it really shaped my whole sound. What would you say is the perfect setting and place that someone would be listening to your music in? Honestly, I would say my music is perfect for just kicking back sipping on your favorite drink, or just hanging out with a few friends. I’m a pretty chill person and I think my music does a good job at reflecting that. As you continue to release more music how do you feel your future tracks will fit with “Monday Vibes”, will new releases be similar or do you like to create an entirely new influence for each track? I think new music I have coming out will compliment “Monday Vibes” in a way that lets listeners know it’s me but without being too similar to previous releases. I’m trying to do different genres and music with different vibes. As much as I love a laid-back groove I don’t want every song I write to have the same exact vibe but I also don’t want to change my sound too much. So I think future releases will be different but it’ll still be my style of writing if that makes sense. What can we expect to see next from you? I do have some new music that I’m working on. Possibly a new single within the next month so be on the lookout for it. It’s definitely a pop tune and it still needs some work but it’s nearly ready. My main goal this year is to stray away from releasing singles and actually release a full album. I’ve yet to decide what vibe I’m going for on that, I just know I want to do it. If I hustle I could possibly have one by the end of the year but we’ll see how that goes. Instagram

From St. Kilda, Melbourne, the talented electro-pop artist and singer-songwriter Tanya George displays her incredible vocal abilities through her vibrant release, "Welcome." With an astounding 4.5 octave vocal range, it's no wonder why Tanya George has seen boundless success. Creating acapella music with a vocal looper, Tanya George can navigate a new and exciting path as she continues to receive acclaim for her unique and intricate work. Also known for delivering tones of soul, jazz, and pop, we can feel Tanya George's versatility shine through her recent single, "Welcome." While allowing her superb harmonies to standout as the track's focal point, Tanya George is soothingly accompanied by minimal instrumentation that sets the moody and haunting feel. Opening the single, "Welcome," we're met with Tanya George's enthralling vocal arrangement entirely in acapella, spitting a kick and snare with the mere sound of her voice. We can hear a faint hint of a plucky string instrument that allows the sonic space to float with jazzy and soulful flairs abound. We're entirely swooned by Tanya George's talented vocal melodies and vocal looping, as she creates an extensive and passionate space for us to lose ourselves in the dreamy and sensual feel. Tanya George offers timeless talent, as she has us head over heels for such brilliant vocal harmonies that shake us to our core. Find Tanya George's latest soulful single, "Welcome," on all digital streaming platforms, and find yourself mesmerized by the raw and unhindered talent she effortlessly exudes. What inspired you to take this sultry, jazzy, and soulful route for your single, "Welcome"? I love to sing jazz. I always have a jazzy soulful musical flare underneath anything I do. I like groove and wanted the conversation in this song to feel cool, open and that there is a swag vibe when talking about deep emotions not to shy away from being emotional. Were we mistaken when we stated that there was minimal instrumentation within 'Welcome"? Were all the sounds we heard coming from your voice? All the sounds and everything you hear in the song are all my vocals :) there are no instruments. Did you have any help recording and mixing your single "Welcome"? Or did you delve into this process solo? I wrote this song solo in 1 hour at home alone. I wrote all the parts from lyrics, harmonies to music. My best friend and producer Michael Cooper helped me smash it out in the studio to make it come alive, then mixed it and we sent it off to Panorama Mastering. 'Welcome' was one of 7 songs chosen for the Metro Tunnel and Melbourne Music Week 'Home Made Sound' project where our photos got to put up on hoardings in the City with QR codes so you can walk up to the photos and hear our songs. How does the sound and style of "Welcome" differ from the other acapella singles in your discography? I think this single thus far is my favorite song I have ever written. It's just so me. The topic; welcoming fear and love equally to create change, is super close to my heart. I try not to run away from fear and when something makes me feel uncomfortable, I ask myself why and I face it head-on. I always try to think and react and respond out of love and I try to make sure fear doesn't dominate what I'm feeling. I think they are two positive emotions we have to explore and welcome equally every time they come up so we can understand and make changes within ourselves that improve our character and quality of life. What has been keeping you inspired to create music? The fear and love towards creating music. The challenges, the roadblocks, the achievements, the good days and the bad days, the constant drive to never give up and to just keep going forward as an artist. The learning curves, the mistakes, the wins, all the above shapes me as a human. We only have one life and we gotta live it to the fullest. Instagram Facebook

Known for his honest and powerfully personal expression, the multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Niar Nevar releases a haunting and mesmerizing single with "Dangerous." Niar Nevar, spelled Raven Rain backward, chose this moniker to symbolize gloom, sadness, and confusion, but backward. Playing and creating music for over a decade now, Niar Nevar's career took off after fighting addiction and coming out of an adolescent drug rehabilitation center in Illinois. Writing poetry during that time helped Niar Nevar fine-tune his lyricism and self-expression. Highlighting his favorite single, "Dangerous," off of his latest album, "Purple," Niar Nevar gives us a taste of the project with the song's haunting feel and honest lyricism. While Niar Nevar goes back and forth from singing with blues to rapping with vigor, he belts an incredibly exhilarating performance overtop of production and instrumentation that sweats through our speakers. "Dangerous" begins with filtered piano melodies offering more of an eerie and haunting tone, while Niar Nevar makes his appearance and starts singing incredibly personal and reflective lyricism. While exclaiming his danger and how he's in a pessimistic state more often than not, we genuinely appreciate Niar Nevar's vulnerability that's bound to relate with plenty of listeners. About halfway through the track, we're met with a powerful and astonishing instrumental/production build that pushes through with drum patterns, a gripping bassline, and eerie piano melodies. Ending the song off on a reflective and moody note, we love the intensity of this exhilarating and conceptual single. Catch Niar Nevar's single, "Dangerous," and his recent album, 'Purple,' on all digital streaming platforms, and experience his conceptual lyricism for yourself. Seeing as your single, "Dangerous," is off of your recent album, "Purple," why did you want to highlight this piece in particular? The purpose of this album and the general pattern is that these songs were, for the majority, reflecting an eradicable passion. Making “Dangerous” a highlight without intent because it’s reflecting a trait in myself that has been consistent throughout my whole life. I felt it absolutely deserved that respect. What inspired the creation of your single "Dangerous?" Bluntly, selfishness inspired this song. Beyond that, “Dangerous” reflects a trait that I’ve presented my whole life. When I wrote this song 8 months ago I had just become lucid in terms of my emotional greed, or blind direction always leading to the benefit of myself in one way or another. For example, I would be trying to make someone happy but only because I felt fulfilled by their joy. The way I see it, my selfishness is defined by the mask surrounding, perceived as altruism. In my eyes, this trait is very dangerous. It’s a danger to myself and all those I love, obstructing the way I see everything and ultimately, and ironically ruining everything I put my heart into. This realization sent me into a massive downward spiral of confusion and hate for myself. I’m all good now though, straight loving life and making a very conscious effort to live for many more than just myself. Did you work with any producers for your single "Dangerous"? How did you achieve such a heated and haunting sonic atmosphere? This piece, like every other I’ve created was constructed 100% independently. From the first note to the last, it was all me behind the scenes. The energy that the song expresses was all inspired and based around the lead piano. Like many of my instrumentals, it starts with improvisation, just messing around behind an instrument. I’m a big fan of reverb and dragged out notes if that makes sense so I did a lot of that in the song to further project that longing energy. I wanted the song to be punchy with the lyricism in the verses, then a smooth and enticing chorus that opened up in the beginning and followed by a hard-ass drop. I’m happy with the turn out of the track and It’s easily the most honest song I’ve ever written. How does "Dangerous" fit into your album "Purple"? How does the song's concept tie in with the album's theme? The theme of “Purple” is impulsion, letting go, and the purest honesty. I’ve always been the type that likes everything to be planned and structured with what I have control over. This is something I’ve done in my music since I started, trying to plan every second of the track before I even lay anything out. I let all of those habits and patterns go for the making of this project. I let the emotion run through my brain without intermission and flow through my heart, to my instrument, to the paper in front of me. “Dangerous” fits into this theme because it’s about letting go. Letting go a part of who I am that’s unconsciously weighed on me forever. It was very hard for me to see the things I talk about in the song and so having the strength to express that was difficult. But very very honest. Because of this, “Dangerous” embraces the definition of “Purple” to it’s fullest. What can we expect to see next from you? You see, the beauty of my craft is that you can’t set expectations. instagram.com/niarnevar

Myrtle Beach native Grant Nesmith is no stranger to the tidal-like ebb and flow of the music scene. Being a founder of the psych/surf band, Ocean Forest Grant Nesmith experimented with sounds before returning to his Country roots. Fast forward to the present day, and Grant Nesmith has the depths of his upcoming album, 'Dreams of the Coast,' releasing on February 5th.he psychedelic, surf ambiance with an American country twang that smooths over, with a mellow, soft rock vibe. The title track, "Dreams of the Coast," has us drifting away through a mid-tempo, emotion-fueled ballad. Reverberated vocal tenors cascade upon the warm embrace of pedal steel and guitar chords that float in the distance. The melodies sprawled across this masterpiece are both accessible and strong. After spinning this track a few times through, what comes to mind instantaneously, is how striking the talents of Grant Nesmith are as both a songwriter and composer. Utilizing traditional instruments that weigh heavy on the Country meets Folk embodiment, we're also tapped into the peak of psychedelia swaying in the sonic voyage that is, "Dreams of the Coast." Offering up a charming, traditional feel without being old-fashioned, the ultimate vibes portrayed have Grant Nesmith covered in a charismatic radiance that exudes delicate tones. "Dreams of the Coast" is a seamless composition that takes everything Grant Nesmith and allows it to be a centerpiece on display for all to experience. Immersing our speakers in a composition that encourages us not just to hear the music but to feel it as well, we're swept off our feet with the top tier product Grant Nesmith delivers to his rapidly growing fan base. Listen to "Dreams of the Coast" here. Congratulations on the release of, “Dreams of the Coast.” This arrangement stands out as extremely welcoming and we are all for that! What was the inspiration behind the creation of the track? The inspiration for this track is my beautiful hometown, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was out surfing one day was looking around at the waves breaking in perfect lines, there were seagulls flying, you look out to the horizon and it’s a huge body of water for as long as you can see until it meets the sky. I had one of those epiphanies like “Man, what a beautiful place that I’m fortunate enough to grow up in and live here!” I got home and wrote the song immediately. Could you please share a glimpse of what the recording session looked like when creating this song? It was recorded at my good buddy Ed Dennis’ studio, Atlantic Coast Recording, in North Myrtle Beach. We started with a click track. I overdubbed Acoustic, Bass, Banjo, and a Vocal. A few days later my pal Cole Rateliff came down to the studio and laid down a drum track. I wanted that peppy “Fleetwood Mac” drum sound, so we slowed the tape down and recorded the drums at a super low pitch. When we sped the tape back up to regular speed, it sounded perfect! Sadler Vaden who is currently playing with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and has a great solo career as well, grew up in North Myrtle Beach. I knew he wasn’t touring due to Covid so I shot him a message and said “Hey I have this song. It’s kind of an homage to Myrtle Beach, do you want to play on the track?” He said he would and I received an email a few days later with 3 guitar tracks...The main rhythm part, and then 3 different guitar solos to choose from at the end. They all sounded amazing but we decided to go with the slide solo because his slide playing is so unique. From then, Ed Dennis overdubbed a Pedal Steel, I overdubbed a double-tracked vocal through a Leslie speaker on the chorus, and my buddy Bruce James overdubbed a harmony. Viola!!! What are some creative differences that you have noticed from being in a band, to now being a solo act? They both have their pros and cons. Playing solo you can create the songs and ideas by yourself and really get into your head about it. A lot of times I’ll come up with my best ideas that way. At the same time, sometimes I’ll go really far down a path and listen the next day and think “that song sucks! What was I thinking?!?” Playing and writing/recording with a band keeps you in check. Sometimes the drummer will play a cool beat on a song that I never would have thought of, or the bassist will have a unique bassline. This album is a mixture of both. Some songs have 5 or 6 people playing on them, and in some songs, I’m doing every instrument and vocal. Does “Dreams of the Coast,” embody the ultimate vibe that we can expect from the full album? What do listeners have to look forward to? Yes! Sunshine, surf, summer, tides, nature, etc. Although there is a similar lyrical theme, the music changes vastly. There are elements of Country, Baroque, Psych, Pop, and more. There are 8 minute slow burners and 2 minute Pop/Rock songs. What is the main message you're trying to deliver through your music? I’m a pretty shy person until I get to know someone and can open up to them. I try to express emotions through music so someone can hear it and hopefully feel like they know me and like I’ve opened up to them. It’s my way of expression without having a physical conversation. Instagram Facebook grantnesmith.com

Giving you the goods from Los Angeles, CA, the 5-piece fusion band dadbód releases their debut single that gets listeners on their feet with "Freak Flag." Consisting of Logan Weeks, Chris Lindvall, Russ Brown, Charlie Fountaine, and Kevin White, dadbód established their sound while performing covers of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Prince, and David Bowie. Now preparing to release their original tracks, dadbód is as eager as ever to let their own sound be heard. With the band's debut release, "Freak Flag," dadbód wanted to drop a track that allows listeners to groove away and forget their everyday stressors. While coming through with a blend of Funk, Disco, and Rock on this lively single, dadbód pushes incredibly uplifting lyricism that encourages the listener to be themselves unapologetically. Hitting the play button, dadbód's single "Freak Flag" opens with the grooviest of instrumentation, primarily through Russ Brown's sweet bass licks, Chris Lindvall's tight guitar swings, and Kevin White's funky mid-tempo drums that get our toes tapping. Once Logan Weeks starts singing in a gripping and nostalgic falsetto, he quickly offers this intense magnetism that we'd find in prime Disco and Funk. Not to mention the soulful keys from Charlie Fountaine that keep the track moving with energy and life, we highly admire the sonic depth that dadbód delivers. We also get a taste of scorching Rock through a blistering solo around the bridge and outro, reaching the song's end with immense power. We're letting our "Freak Flag" fly high with dadbód and this intensely gripping tune that pushes nostalgia and energy from every corner. Make sure to check out dadbód's debut single and experience the grooves for yourself. instagram.com/dadbodrock

Floating in from Portland, Oregan, the singer-songwriter and producer Akazi releases a deeply delicate single and equally compelling music video entitled, "King." Known for her heavy sound and theatrical presence, Akazi's passion for music has been growing ever since she began introducing herself to various genres at a young age. Morphing the modern sounds of pop and hip-hop with film scores, Akazi's love for cinema and movies always seems to complement her melodramatic performances, giving listeners something fresh and contemporary. Opening her heart with her latest single, "King," Akazi tells an emotional and grueling story that's bound to relate with various listeners and audiences. While pushing a somber sonic atmosphere through the ethereal synth arrangement and heavily filtered drum breaks, Akazi is able to offer her profoundly imprinting lyricism and sweep us off our feet while doing so. Also releasing a music video for her single, "King," viewers can see an emotionally-distressed Akazi tied in a straitjacket while solemnly singing a tragic message of distraught love. Pink hair, no pants, and standing in an empty field, Akazi has placed an extremely pure and evident concept behind this video, reminding listeners to look before they fall. Listening to the song itself, Akazi's vocal portrayal sweetens our days with her soothing falsetto, all while her lyrical message sings a rather tragic and painful experience. Overtop of down-tempo production through filtered drum patterns, pulsating synths, and floating pads, Akazi depicts a vulnerable message of holding love for someone who's hurt her time and time again, ending the song on a profoundly contemplative note. Find Akazi's latest music video for her single, "King," on YouTube, and let her delicate and conceptual performance remind you of the love you deserve. www.realakazi.com

Taking his dreams and artistry from Tennessee to Los Angeles, the r&b/pop artist and singer-songwriter Trèvon Slaten leaves us in awe of his emotional and conceptual single, "Moment." Through each release, Trèvon Slaten encourages us to become a part of his musical journey, promising us an engaging experience through his sonic stories. With inspirations like Beyoncé, Prince, and contemporary acts like Sam Smith and Miguel, Trèvon Slaten guarantees that there is something for everyone to enjoy in his music. Confirming this with his recent hit, "Moment," Trèvon Slaten serves us a unique blend of r&b and pop, all while slowing down the sonic production to allow his emotional message to stand clear as day. We're highly impressed with Trèvon Slaten's poetic and vulnerable lyricism, as he opens up about a past relationship and longing for their touch once again. As we take a listen to "Moment," Trèvon Slaten graces us with the utmost ethereal and emotional production through melancholy piano melodies, a haunting vocal sample, and rather delicate drum breaks. Trèvon Slaten makes his beautiful vocal appearance at a down-tempo pace and takes us by surprise with his natural warmth and tenderness, singing of the moment he had to leave love behind. Trèvon Slaten's enthralling vocals are perfectly complemented by the somber and delicate pop/r&b production, primarily through the soothing and serene background vocal sample that haunts the atmosphere. Displaying his broad vocal range and powerful delivery with each opportunity, Trèvon Slaten truly made this track incredibly dynamic, similar to the ever-changing emotion he's fueled the piece with. Become one with Trèvon Slaten's mesmerizing and thought-provoking music, as he invites listeners on his journey with emotional pieces like "Moment," songs that move mountains and stand the test of time. We truly admire the vulnerability and genuine emotion you've placed into your single "Moment." What pushed you to create such a moving piece like this? "Moment" is about a conversation I wish I could have with my ex. I sometimes reminisce on all the great times we had when we were together. Moments we had at theme parks or moments we had to lie outside at 2 am trying to count stars we couldn't even see because of the LA lights. It's like I wrote an open letter saying "I know you moved on and you're happy, but do you ever think of the times we had, or is it just me." Your lyricism within "Moment" is incredibly raw and vulnerable. Are you familiar with delivering vulnerable themes and messages within your music? Is it difficult for you? I love being able to be raw and vulnerable with my music. I desire to tell a story with each song I sing. I love to be able to have my listeners engaged and able to relate to every story I tell. I don't find it difficult at all because I aim to express to people it's okay to show vulnerability. showing it allows you to feel compassion with sharing and sharing can open a door to possibilities and opportunities. We must note the tender and enthralling production/instrumentation within your single "Moment." Did you create the sonics yourself? How did you manage to create such minimal yet highly effective sonics? A producer based in Russia produced this beat. He goes by the name Shadow Talent and his work is incredible. We connected on Instagram and when I was checking out his work, this beat took over my soul. Listening to it was so captivating and the lyrics just flowed out of me. We've noticed that you tend to jump back and forth between pop and r&b. Would you say that you're most comfortable within these genres, or do you want your music to stand out from genre conformity? I have always said I would love to do a song in every genre, but Pop and r&b is home to me. It's where I am comfortable and feel secure. What can we expect to see next from you? Currently, I am working on shooting a music video for my single "Moment" and in fall 2021 I will release my first EP. Instagram Twitter #BUZZMUSIC

Atlanta-based band, All The Locals are shaped and molded out of the very bricks that make up their Southern metropolis. With a soulful backbone, a rock n’ roll attitude, and a shaky blues breakdown of heartfelt lyrics written by John Schmarkey, these five locals, including their unique horn section and crew, bring out the best of Atlanta’s real image. Living by the motif, “Everybody likes a new groove or place to hang out. So, why not where the locals go?” This band presents their lively persona in a sonic excursion set in their music. In the depths of their most recent single, “Blown Away,” reverberated guitar chords chug along as All The Locals commence, the ethereal atmosphere radiated in this record. Recorded in the summer heat of 2020, the band touches on themes of making the best of any situation life throws your way. As they place prominence on their hope for the future with a lack of misunderstanding, we are greeted in the soulful grooves that create an infectious strobe of melodies delving into the significance of their tones. Engineered and mixed by masterminds John Briglevich and Darrick Atwater, there is something so immense in the portrayed sound that All The Locals exude. The vibrations in each note that the horns emit, the mellow and soothing essence carried in the bassline, and the effervescent drum hits pulsing through your speakers, mesh together in an effortless manner as the opulent guitar chords and magnetic vocals coincide in what we call; utter bliss. The difference between good and great is in the details, and the effort put into this composition might as well be the sixth unspoken band member at this point because that is a more felt piece than heard. All The Local’s leave a little piece of themselves everywhere they go, and that is a bread crumb that we would follow until the end of time. It’s always a good time when we get to chat it up with you! Congratulations on the release of your latest single, “Blown Away.” Could you please take us into what the creative process looked like when you brought, “Blown Away,” to life? The process was much like it always is with ATL, just with a side of pandemic. We have a good ole' time hanging out in the studio, and coming up with ideas as a group off the top of our heads. Often, a weekday night or a Sunday. Something interesting always comes out of nothing. Having good chemistry is something we take pride in as a band family. In the case of this song, our bass player (Glenn Stout), had an addicting bass line (the main chordal progression you hear), and we built off that. We recorded most of the song at Skytop studio below Ty Barksdale's house (ATL guitars and co-founder). The only thing we didn't record at Skytop was the drums (Justin Bradford), which we did with our producer and mentor, John Briglevich at Sonica Studios. After getting the core of the song down, we called in our incredible horn ensemble (Malik Henry, Michael Meo, Chandler Greer), and they did an amazing job over the course of a couple of sessions. After we tracked all the instruments and vocals (Nikki Brickhouse/John Schmarkey), we had our good friend and producer (Darrick Atwater, who also produced our track 'Fighting For') mix the tune remotely with us. The Lyrics (written by John Schmarkey/Ty Barksdale) for 'Blown Away' were inspired by a combo of a few thoughts. First off, the overall pandemic we're all facing..who knew going in, how we would be affected. I like going down a slide backward, but it's more assuring if you go down facing forward the first time around. Everyone went in blind through the storm and hoped to be led correctly. Whether you had a great year, terrible year, or both, how are you going to take what you've experienced or learned, and apply it moving forward? The song is a prayer with the hope that no matter what happens you can live authentically and your purpose be understood. The reference to the little bird, throughout the song, was inspired by a bird that was accidentally hit on a busy ATL street. "Why are you in the middle of the road when you could just fly..?" Sometimes we find ourselves jumping out of our norm to nourish what we need in life. We feel like many people this year contemplated what a new normal might feel like. But as in all life, good and bad times eventually get "blown away"... Did you find that this creative process had any challenges that you had to overcome because of the time that you recorded it during 2020? The creative process itself did not present any challenges, we can write a song in any paradise or storm. However, the production process was a little more lengthy because we wanted to have smaller group sessions, dates were rescheduled, people had health scares, and lockdowns created preventive measures. It was annoying and depressing that the music industry was screwed over. It is an industry that is already risky, everchanging, highly demanded, with very hardworking people who hustle. It wouldn't be as interesting or desirable if it didn't have these challenges, issues most people outside the biz do not ever consider. It's very unfortunate to see some friends, colleagues, or other creatives you look up to, forced to step back or even retire because of this silent stalking virus. Much like other industries, the music sector could really use some major bandaids, especially the venues, who have supported it for generations. Most of us in the group have been playing shows our entire lives, it was very strange to not perform publicly, and still haven't since March 2020. How do you, as a band, know when a song is finished? What does it take for you to all say; ‘This is it!’? A song is never really finished until it's set in stone or finally mastered. Rarely are the lyrics not amended or a musical element not altered throughout the process. Everyone in the group is very talented at writing and producing music, so we have some good brains in the mix to help paint the picture. The feeling of "this is it" typically comes at the beginning of the creative process, often when the band is in an ensemble and literally creating the idea off the top of our head. We know an idea is going to be worth working on or good when we can simultaneously feel the vibe or get it stuck in our head. It is one of the best feelings when creating a song. Much like catching a fish, there is a sense of accomplishment when you're able to create art out of nothing with a group of unique individuals. Most often, the song is created with the group improvisationally. We will record a demo, and then start finalizing individual parts. Often, Johnny, or in this songs' case, Johnny and Ty, will come up with the lyrics as the process goes on. The freestyled lyrics in early demos are interesting to hear because the song can either stay close to the original idea or stray afar. What have been the best words of advice that you have received as a band? The best words of advice were to "stay original artistically," "be kind on the road and never burn bridges in the business because it is often a small world." This advice has steered us to great connections, continued referrals, and a unique sound amongst other acts. What do you want listeners to know about you and the music that you create? We are an amalgamation of genres and vibes, often called alternative or roots rock. We are from Atlanta, hence our name, All The Locals.ATL. We remain original with writing while taking roots in genres we love, which you can find within our hometown. Another thing we want others to know is that we don't have a giant money pot, we're independently funded currently, and our fan base and sound is completely organic and not arranged or facade by anyone other than our own company. The sounds you hear in our songs were handmade. Lastly, we don't have any crazy egos, we love to meet our listeners and dancers at the shows. We may even invite you to our homes to the party (unless we're in a pandemic or something). Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

The musical creations that TruckerBomb produces take a dash of dive-bar grunge and fuses it with the up-tempo swing of honky-tonk. Los Angeles isn't typically known as a hub for the genre of Country-Rock, but that doesn't stop TruckerBomb from giving it their all. The band's second and most recent single, "Mobridge, South Dakota," features songwriter Troy Richardson on lead vocals, bass, and acoustic guitar, with TruckerBomb band members Michael Berthold on guitar and Dave Rodway on drums. Accompanying TruckerBomb on the recording, we are graced with Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner on pedal steel and Fernando Perdomo on the B3 organ. In the depths of this guitar rich, emotionally mid-tempo ambiance that is set out in the arrangement of "Mobridge, South Dakota," we hear the intricate songwriting skills that pour from Troy Richardson. As one characteristically known for his ability to twist a phrase by permeating both sarcasm and comicality that match up to the equal weight distributed on his reach for thoughtful observations, we can hear a 'not all is blue skies' approach in the written content performed with a burning passion. Throughout the tale depicted, we hear that the narrator is in a small town, watching the world pass around him. Allowing the listener to feel like that character could be any one of us, at any place on this Earth, is the type of universal sentimentality that allows a Troy Richardson record to stand out above the rest. Shifting seamlessly in the music to present infectious grooves at a slower pace has us fixated on the moments that we should appreciate the finer things in life. TruckerBomb's dynamism has us swaying effortlessly to the creations they put forth. With their conveyance of tantalizing instrumentation, paired with wise vocals that tell a tale, this band releases timeless quality content. Welcome back to BuzzMusic, and congratulations on the release of your latest single, “Mobridge, South Dakota.” How did the inspiration strike for the songwriting component of this record? Mobridge is a town where I spent a lot of summers as a kid. My great-grandma lived there. Coming from Minneapolis, it was like the wild west. People wore cowboy hats and Wrangler jeans without fear, and there was a big rodeo around the 4th of July. I was thinking about the town and just got fascinated by the sound of the two syllables and four syllables together. The names of the city and state make a sort of call and response in just three words. I always wanted to write a great story song, like "Pancho and Lefty" by Townes Van Zandt or “El Paso” by Marty Robbins. I looked up Mobridge, searching for an interesting news item about anything that happened there, like a bank robbery, kidnapping, or whatever. While I'm sure something of the note must have happened at some point, it didn’t come up very easily. So, I said to myself, “Huh. I guess nothing ever happens in Mobridge, South Dakota.” And that line “nothing ever happens” has a set of three two-syllable words which made a little cadence when combined with that title I had fallen in love with. My story song idea didn’t pan out as I had hoped, so I decided to flip it and have this character in the middle of things and not realize it. In the first verse, he doesn't take notice of the world around him. In the second verse, he leaves but only goes a few towns over, then a few more before he ends up back at the local bar. In the absence of an epic storyline, I think a little existential dread is a decent substitute. Could you please take us into what the creative and recording process looked like when piecing together, “Mobridge, South Dakota?” How long did it take you to write this piece? This one came pretty quick. We were going in to record a full album of 10 songs we had worked on for a year right as Covid hit. Like, if it were even a week later, we would have had basics done. That whole album got put on hold. We had to think of a Plan B. I started writing “Mobridge” in the time between the canceled album session and before we went in to record the first single, “Irregardless.” Maybe that’s where the existential dread came in. Because of the pandemic, we had to record with just two of us at a time. We were just going to do the one song, but since TruckerBomb’s drummer Dave Rodway is a genius, we had nailed it in just two takes. Since we had the time, we decided to do a second song — one we never even rehearsed before. It worked out great. In one session, and we did the first single we had planned on doing forever as well as something so new we had never played it together. I’ll give credit to the producer Fernando Perdomo for being a genius, too, as well as Reseda Ranch Studios being so comfortable an environment that we could make that happen. What musical and non-musical influences do TruckerBomb as a band allow to speak into their music? For me, I had just been listening to Jason Isbell’s “Reunions” and thought I needed to do something like that. Well, try to do something like that … it’s a pretty brilliant album. It had a vibe. I could so easily see and feel everything going on with that album. It was so relatable that I almost wondered if Jason Isbell had been following me around. One of the things about songwriting that's real magic is how songs that are the most specific and personal wind up being the ones with the broadest appeal. I loved the song “Only Children” off that album and looked up to see what other people had to say about it. I’m an only child and it’s a bit of a rarity since something like 87% of everyone has a sibling, so I wondered if anyone else “got it.” Well, everyone got it … for different reasons. Some comments were, “this is exactly like what it was like growing up in the South” and others were, “this is exactly what it feels like to lose someone.” Anyway, I really wanted to write something that had the intensity of the songs on that album. I’m really happy with how it turned out. What is the best piece of advice you have been given along your journey so far? I like reading interviews with writers. Kurt Vonnegut said, “Every sentence must do one of two things: reveal character or advance the action.” He’s talking about a novel that has unlimited time – how much truer is that for songs? It’s almost like each word needs to carry that kind of weight. Ray Bradbury said, “You only fail if you stop writing.” That’s pretty good advice. He also said something about life being like jumping off a cliff and you’re building your wings on the way down. My songwriting teacher from college, Pat Pattison, did a workshop a few weeks ago. He said, “90% of your writing isn’t going to be as good as your best 10%. That’s true of Paul McCartney, Sting, Bob Dylan, anyone.” If he said it while I was there, I don’t remember. But it’s a good reminder. All you can do is keep writing to make that 10% be a bigger chunk of the whole. What can we expect to see from you throughout 2021? I wish I could guess what 2021 has in store for me … for any of us. I’ll just have to accept the mystery. For now, TruckerBomb plans to get back to the studio. We have a tentative schedule of one release every three months, but if we can get that to every two, I’d be really happy. I do preproduction at my place, Only Child Studios, and that serves as a guide track for us at Reseda Ranch. Some of the demo tracks make it into the final, too. It’s been great working with Fernando Perdomo and we’ll keep that going as long as he’ll have us. I’m really excited about what I’ve been writing lately. I think it’s my best stuff ever. Maybe it’s because there are no live shows or rehearsals to distract me … I can get into the attic of my brain and rummage through what's been in storage for a while. Figure out what to throw away and what to keep. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC