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As a singer lurking under the Dark Trap and Alternative R&B umbrellas, Tesstamona offers up a dynamic vocal range that is comparable to the spectrum of Ashanti to Amy Winehouse. Wild stories and blunt vulgar lyricism are commonplace for Tesstamona and her music, with delivery on her more aggressive tracks that border on speed rapping. It is easier to categorize the emotion and story behind Tesstamona’s music than it is to categorize its genre. Though she is typically known for Dark Trap with an occasional bleeding heart R&B track, her latest release is a cinematically eerie and dark Blues song titled, “Quarantine Blues.” In the hard-hitting ambiance that pulsates through your headphones, the washed and distorted bassline pairs with the beating kick drum like a fine wine in, “Quarantine Blues.” The instrumentation holds a menacing depth as we dive into the ominous exterior shell. Placing her vulnerability on a silver platter as she delves into the unfortunate truths she holds within, Tesstamona tells her vivid story of the strenuous feats she had to face with losing housing multiple times, betrayal from loved ones, and ending up in jail when the Stay at Home Order in Los Angeles began. Tesstamona’s vocals send chills down your spine as the reverberated resonance in her tone allows you to take in her carefully crafted tales. With her musical talents touching on the dark melancholy of her lack of luck, Tesstamona illustrates striking images through her sonic interpretation. The authentic depths in her longing and despair tugs on us like a weighted rope. “Quarantine Blues,” has us focused on the ‘sinister vibes,’ that Tesstamona brings to life in her depiction of life events. As we pray for better days for the emerging artist, we applaud the manner in which she takes lemons and turns them into auditory lemonade in the brilliant creations that resonate. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Tesstamona! Congratulations on the latest release of your single, “Quarantine Blues.” With the trials and tribulations that you have faced, you have always remained vulnerable with your audience. What encourages you to be transparent with your listeners on the level that you are? Thank you! I feel that the more open I am with my own struggles/emotions, the better I’m able to reach others and bring some sense of comfort or connection. I was once told, “when pain is shared, love is born” and in my experience, that's been the truth. Aside from that, it's a way for me to let out the pain that I don’t know how to let out any other way. I have to be able to express myself and I hate sugarcoating or tiptoeing around anything. Could you please offer us some sight into the creative process that brought, “Quarantine Blues,” to life? As far as the creative process, I am motivated creatively by any type of pain or anger, so writing the song was like a never-ending response to the chaos that I talk about in the song, because I was writing this in real-time with those events. I eventually had someone tell me to put the pen down, because so much continued to happen that I kept rewriting the song to try to get it all in there, but that wasn’t possible. They said I’d need to make other songs about that and to move forward with what I had. I took their advice. I wrote and recorded the song as I bounced around from place to place in my unsuccessful attempts at finding stable housing. Everything was on the go and felt out of control, but somehow it came together. I just hauled around my small amount of studio gear to wherever I was staying. What messages would you like your listeners to take away from the music that you create? Man, that is a great question, because if I had a magic wand I’d just want us all to see how similar we are in the pain and suffering we experience. When we’re aware that we’re not alone in what we’re going through, powerful change and progress can be made because we can come together, instead of being in the “me against the world” cycle. As one who has faced some grand events this year, do you have any words of wisdom to offer some of your listeners who may be down on their luck? Adaptability, introspection, genuine connections with others, and relying on our own intuitions are more important now than ever. Oh and a big one, swallowing pride. (That may not apply to everyone but I’m just sharing my experience.) I’ll elaborate. For connection and intuition, I’d point to our global crisis where people are being bombarded by tragedy, fear, loss, isolation, political chaos, and conflicting/fear mongering media on the daily, which takes a huge toll on peoples psyches. I believe these lockdowns are more dangerous than this virus and we have seen that in the massive spikes in overdoses, suicides, depression, anxiety, loneliness, homelessness, loss of livelihoods/businesses, and violence. These conditions in our society have led to a loss of connection and have put us in a state of fight or flight, which can make it hard to tell the difference between intuition and impulse. Take a step back from what the media is saying, from what other people are saying, and really look at what's happening in the world objectively, and make decisions on how to move forward in your life accordingly. Who is feeding us information, do we trust our leaders, do facts that we witness in our own lives add up with mainstream narratives? Question the motives of anyone before you listen to what they have to say about how to navigate in this time. Now is the time to follow instinct. An example of that is all the people who have moved out of cities where there is no work, or conditions have diminished to a point where they are unlivable, so as scary as it may be, find a new frontier if you need to. Don't stay stuck. There's a time to hold your ground, and a time to know when to leave. That’s where I messed up. I think a lot of my suffering is attributed to my stubbornness of “standing my ground” and not leaving situations that were clearly dangerous or not working, because I had worked hard to get to where I was, or I had built this life or this career; whatever the case was, I wasn’t willing to let go. When you lose everything or nearly everything, it's important to step back from the situation and really weigh the likelihood of things eventually improving in the current environment you’re in. I never did that, I was consumed in the chaos and fighting every fire in front of me. I wasn’t playing chess, I was playing checkers, and ultimately that gets you nowhere. Some things were beyond my control and I had to go through them, but looking back, my intuition was going off to leave the area I was in, (in some cases I was unable to, but I had little pockets where I could have, and I was stubborn and stayed because I thought I could find a way to make it work.) I kept trying to stay afloat, and that was a complete dumpster fire. I’m still not out of the woods on that one. Being stuck in my ways of wanting things to turn out exactly as I wanted them, and continuing to work to make that happen instead of realizing I needed to evolve in my methods so I could approach life in a different way, created a lot of madness. My own stubbornness kept me afloat and kept this song alive, but it also took a toll on me because instead of going with life’s flow, it felt like I was against the grain and on sandpaper the entire time. I thought this whole lockdown thing was going to pass but right now there’s no real end in sight, so it's time to stop relying on what governments are saying in my opinion. So I’d say don’t be like me and let pride stop you from leaving what you were building before all this hit and it all fell to the ground. If you can build once you can build again, I’m not telling anyone to give up on dreams or goals, I’m saying there are things we might have to give up in order for those to materialize, things that we normally would have never considered before the pandemic happened. Just make sure you have a place to live and some sense of stability if possible. I’m still searching for that myself, but I am past the phase of “I’m not leaving an area that clearly isn’t livable” because the truth is that no one is coming to help or save us besides ourselves. As much as people think and want everything to go back to the way things were, they won't, so we have to make moves in one of the most uncertain time periods in our lives. This is a revolutionary time, but change requires destruction. It's all gonna come down to how we use this energy. So to sum it up I’d say my ultimate suggestion would be fluidity and being open to making life choices that you might not normally make if they could be ones leading toward your highest good, even if they seem unorthodox or strange. Follow your gut. Normal doesn’t exist anymore. The last thing I’ll mention is money. I mentioned people leaving cities where there isn’t any work, where businesses are closed. This is just my opinion, but don’t rely on the government or anyone else’s assurance that someone is coming to fix this problem, we have to figure out what's best for us, and in my situation, one of those things is living in an area where I am able to work. I’ve had to get creative and find alternate sources of income but it's still not the same and not enough, and for people with families, they dont have time for that. If you're down on your luck in the way that I’ve mentioned, the bottom line is to situate yourself where you can survive and truly live, both financially, physically, mentally, spiritually; do anything you can. Be careful who you trust but at the same time, don't let pride prevent you from reaching out for help, whatever type of help that may be. That's another area I messed up in, and I paid the price for it. 2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone. What has been keeping you inspired to create music? What advice can you give another artist who's finding it difficult to do so? Well, first I’ll just come out and say that what keeps me inspired to create music isn’t always an inspiration, it's a do-or-die mentality. I cant fathom or accept being on this earth and not making music. Its why I choose to live. In my darkest times when I’ve considered ending it all, its music that keeps me here. With that being said I’ll also admit that depression has gotten me so low that it has prevented me from making music at times, or has slowed me up a ton, and that’s definitely a mental torture chamber to be in as a creative. So ive had to find ways to make peace with myself when that happens and find out how to nourish whatever aspects of my life are being neglected in order to refuel creatively. A HUGE thing for me and this can apply to mostly everyone since our communication has been reduced to/concentrated online, whether zoom meetings or social media, is I have met so many people all over the world that I have developed actual friendships or working relationships with, and those people have added so much richness and inspiration and beautiful energy to my life. Because everyone is online now, networking is so much easier in my opinion. Finding like-minded people, even discovering new genres of music and new artists, has been a huge source of inspiration and can definitely reignite someone's fire and create amazing collaborations as well. In regards to creativity and just mental health in general, I also have to add that I am constantly being told to rest, or that I work too much, and “it’s not healthy”. There may be some truth to that, but I feel like I am in a situation where it is not possible for me to go at a slower pace, I feel like I’m constantly running but at the same time more exhausted than ever like I’ve been running a sprint-marathon that has no finish line. So the advice I'm constantly getting is to REST, and being asked, “what are you doing to take care of yourself?” I realized that my life has been pretty unbalanced. It's almost 100% work. Sometimes it's blissful, but it's never restful, and it's typically stressful as hell. When you're in a situation where you're either busy or out of balance and feel like you're not in a creative space to make music or other art, I’d say look at your life and find what it is that you need that you aren’t getting. For me, I needed way more social time, rest, exercise, more food, more sleep, any type of activity to do for pleasure and not something that was work-related or even music-related, because that kind of stuff nourishes our inner-artist. Getting out in nature is huge too, which is hard during quarantines or for those of us who live in cities, I’ve traveled hours to get out of the city just to get to some nature to try and reset my brain. A lot of us are gas tanks running on fumes right now, so we all have to figure out what it is we need to refuel so we can get back on the horse. Learning better time management has been huge for me, it has been so easy to get overwhelmed with everything I'm facing that focusing on one thing at a time is a must, so I’ve had to start training my mind and incorporate more spiritual practices/rituals into my life to do so. I’m far from perfect, I mess up all the time. But all I can do is remind myself to not beat myself up and if I dont hit the mark one day, I can always restart my day at any time, or try again the next day. But for creatives specifically, we need our alone time, we need our social time, we need extracurricular activities that dont have to do with music, something even as simple as hiking or reading a book, to refuel ourselves. A mistake I made was when I was on empty, I just kept pushing myself to the point of making myself physically ill on multiple occasions, I even lost my voice for a week. I never rested or tried to balance out my life, I was so obsessed with securing my future that I started destroying the present. One final thing. Sometimes we can do everything in our power to improve our situation but it still doesn’t change. I learned to believe in divine timing throughout all this. Some people might think that's crazy, but for me, I have to step back and, with my personal belief that nothing happens by accident and that there's a lesson/purpose in everything, realize that maybe now is just not the time for whatever I want to work out, to work out. The reasons always reveal themselves. That doesn’t mean give up on seeking answers, just to consider an alternate perspective than one of hopelessness. It took almost 8 months for Quarantine Blues to be released. That drove me insane as it was my only outlet and I wanted so bad to be heard and express myself because I felt like I was living in the shadows and holding in all this pain in silence. There was absolutely a reason for why it had to take so long, several reasons actually, and many have revealed themselves already. Maybe a gift we have to give needs more time to come to fruition so it's potent enough to deliver what someone else needs, maybe the timing needs to be right for it to be received, or maybe a gift or dream of ours hasn’t come yet because we aren’t yet ready to receive it. Guard your heart but find your tribe, and in times like these, we have to learn to be our own best friends, because as long as we are alive, everything is temporary except our own consciousness and the body it lives in. instagram.com/tessamona

Always showing his burning love and hunger for the arts, Gianluca Todisco is an independent artist hailing from Los Angeles, California. Originally from Italy, at a young age, every object became a microphone to sing into and every space became a stage to perform upon. His most recent single, “BRUTE,” is a meaningful narrative that is written, composed, and produced by Gianluca Todisco, himself. With “BRUTE,” being a passion-fueled song with an unmatched music video to accompany, Gianluca Todisco makes a statement with this captivating release as he sends out a prevailing message to make a difference in the world we live in. With the mesmerizing, up-tempo dance ambiance that the instrumentation radiates, “BRUTE,” carries substantial grooves crossing the line of vintage 80’s nostalgia. With the enticing elements of the composition swaying into the potent messaging that Gianluca Todisco exudes in his vocal performance, we are easily pulled into this track as we become fixated upon each element shining in the execution. “BRUTE,” holds a special place in the creative heart of Gianluca Todisco as he chooses to address the different kinds of racism, discrimination, and bullying that lead us to question our own mentalities in life. “BRUTE,” praises the toxic aspects that society considers outside normality. The diversity in the outside the box mentality makes us all unique as individuals. The abstract delivery of the music video for “BRUTE,” captures black and white images filmed by Luca Marincione and Marincione Ph. A psychedelic approach for the visuals incorporates hypnotizing video art and fashion components. Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion, the styled creations in this video are designed by the multi-talented Gianluca Todisco. Through the smooth cadences that Gianluca Todisco offers in this exponential creative vessel, he believes that building bridges between various horizons will allow people to feel free as a more authentic version of themselves. The intoxicating movement that is Gianluca Todisco sends a surge of innovative reality to the inspiration he provides listeners. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Gianluca Todisco! Congratulations on the release of, “BRUTE.” The vibrant performance you exude is outstanding. What moment in life inspired the creation of this record? "BRUTE" has a special meaning for me, because it came to life like a process, the process of my personal growth. I think that each one of us processes some events that make us realize and be conscious of who we really are. The song is the affirmation to accept who we really are, a message for all the people that maybe are not able to do it in this particular moment. It faces different kinds of racism, discrimination, and bullying about all the differences between each of us: physical aspects that may lead to food disorder, different color of the skin, people own sexual orientation/choice. Especially in these difficult times, I think we need to build bridges between different horizons. ‘BRUTE’ praises the “bad aspects” that the society considers outside normality, outside of the box, but all of this it’s only the diversity that makes us unique. I want people to be inspired by this song. I want people to be free to be who they really are, accept their true essence, and from there, start to create a new reality. What was the creative process like when fashioning the music video for “BRUTE”? Did the vision come to life the way you anticipated? Oh, I had so much fun! Looking for the best outfits, designing-creating the masks and the graphics were totally part of the creative process. The vision of the music video came to life while I was composing the song, I couldn't "see" the song in a different way, with different colors or different textures. It was a mix of different fashion styles, from the Italian classic with the "Borsalino hat mood", to psychedelic fragments, parts where I can decode the total essence of the song. Being a multi-talented artist, how is the process different when tackling all aspects of the production versus working with other creatives? Thank you for these kind words! Well, I produce my own productions, so I am totally involved in the creative process, but I really believe that different eyes, different perceptions can give you interesting elements to create an excellent project, so I am always open to that! I am very lucky because my videographer Luca Marincione x Marincione Ph totally gets my visions, my script of the visuals in a natural way. He's really intuitive and professional so we always follow our guts. What has been your biggest takeaway from 2020? What an unusual year! It actually made me appreciate all the little things in life that before this pandemic was "normal", like enjoying a great walk in the park, hugging people, seeing all the beautiful smiles/expressions, we all have under these masks. Now I realized all those things weren't so obvious. Also, I learned to be flexible because nothing is perfect and try to enjoy everything and every situation with a different taste. What are some goals that you have for your music going into the new year? Definitely, I wanna try new things, experiment with new sounds. Keep on listening to everything that surrounds me, because of the rumors of the city, people talking, the sound of nature. Everything can become an inspiration, new rhythms, melodies for a song. instagram.com/gianlucatodisco_it facebook.com/1gianluca.todisco

The Boston-based Americana Artist and Singer/Songwriter Jessye DeSilva take listeners on a vulnerable adventure with their recent single "Drifter." DeSilva brings listeners into the experience of a non-binary artist while attempting to figure life out with each endeavor. The Alternative/Folk artist has been busy navigating their craft and fine-tuning their sound, but Jessye DeSilva offers listeners a slice of serenity with each heartfelt lyric and genuine approach. The greatest tool of Jessye DeSilva's is by far their talented songwriting, as they capture exceptional plots and storylines to allow listeners to ponder and reflect. Regarding Jessye DeSilva's recent single, "Drifter," we must note the immense emotion they deliver within this four-minute piece. With help from the tender piano melodies and the sweetest of guitar strokes, Jessye DeSilva is able to pour their tender heart over the tune and captivate listeners with each emotional and mind-boggling lyric. Jessye DeSilva's "Drifter" begins with soft piano melodies that open like a soothing choir hymn. Once Jessye DeSilva starts singing with their passionate and ethereal vocals, we can feel the uncertainty within the mere sound of their vocals, as they bring us deeper into reflection with each emotional lyric. Jessye DeSilva is truly bringing us closer to their sweet sounds with this single, as their descriptive abilities are entirely top tier, offering a chill or two up our spines. Jessye DeSilva is perfectly complemented by the down-tempo instrumentation, featuring subtle drum breaks, soothing guitars, warm background vocals, and calming piano melodies. Ending the song off with an uplifting sense of well-being, Jessye DeSilva has done an incredible job of bringing us into the "Drifter" lifestyle they experience. We're floating above our stratosphere with help from Jessye DeSilva and their soothing yet highly emotional single "Drifter." With each melody and lyric, Jessye DeSilva pulls us in close with their vulnerability that moves mountains. Could you tell us what inspired such an emotional and vulnerable single like "Drifter"? What did you want listeners to take away? Drifter is a song about my anxiety disorder and how it can cause my thoughts to spiral. I think some folks think of anxiety in the extreme - panic attacks and such - but really, in the day-to-day, it’s often just this total inability to stay present or to focus on the things I’m “supposed” to be focused on. I was going through a bit of a dry spell with my writing and felt like I was fighting the spiraling thoughts of my “anxiety brain,” until I decided to write ABOUT those seemingly random, nagging thoughts. The song is also about how my partner is really a grounding presence in my life. He’s the anchor in the storm. I think in writing about my own mental health experiences, I really just want other folks to feel seen. It’s also a way of empowering myself. Some folks write love songs for their partners - I do too, but sometimes I think it’s important to write a love song for yourself, struggles and all. Speaking on the subtle and soothing instrumentation within "Drifter," how did you craft the instrumentals to offer this uplifting and ethereal tone? My producer, Bryan Fennelly at Plaid Dog Recording in Boston, really did a great job translating the intimacy of my live, piano vocal sound to the studio. When I play live, I’m usually by myself, behind the piano, and in this way, most of the songs you’ll hear in a live show are much like they were written. I wanted to find a balance between this nuanced approach and something that built to a slightly more “epic” place. I told Bryan I was thinking something along the lines of early Elton John (i.e. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”). Bryan is trained originally as a drummer, so he likes to start with the rhythm section - drums first to set the vibe, then bass, then guitars, then finally the pianos and the vocals. This was an interesting way to sort of reverse how I write, but it gave me so much to work on within the final takes. The last thing we added was the “choir” backing vocals, which are all just me, layering vocals on top of one another. Could you tell us what it's like as a non-binary artist when writing such vulnerable lyricism as we hear on "Drifter"? How do you write your lyrics to tell your story and also allow listeners to relate? I’ve always tried to shy away from the urge to be “universal.” I think that the human experience in all its forms IS universal, and it’s the detail and specificity of some of my favorite artists’ lyrics that really helped me to feel validated in my own. My human experience happens to include navigating a straight, cisgender world as a nonbinary person. Some folks might relate directly to that, but even if they don’t, I think they can relate in some sense to feeling marginalized or “othered” or even just misunderstood. Another way of looking at it is that to some extent I can only write from my own perspective. Even if I write a song that is someone else’s story that has inspired me, I’m still the person writing it, so it’s still got some of me in there... I think listening to music, singing other peoples’ music, and writing my own is what really taught me radical empathy, so in a way, I’m not writing with the intention of “making” others relate. I’m just trusting in the listener’s capacity for empathy and hoping that something in my experience will help them to feel less alone. How does your single "Drifter" get listeners ready for your upcoming EP? Does the EP share similar themes as "Drifter"? I think “Drifter” is a really good example both of my sonic palette and my way of storytelling through song. Musically, I live somewhere between the clouds and the dirt... it’s ethereal, while also being grounded in a somewhat rootsy, Americana style, and my lyrics are candid - maybe sometimes uncomfortably so! The overarching theme of the EP is trying to be present. Trying to find a way to stay grounded and empowered. There is a lot about mental health, gender, and other forms of identity, and how our past informs our present. Musically, you’ll hear the same elegant, Nashville-style guitars from Daniel Yoong, coupled with textured drums and held up by the backbone of my friend, the piano! There are thicker, more elaborate arrangements, upbeat tunes, as well as some even more stripped-down, intimate moments. I’m really proud of it and I think you’ll like it! As this year has been very challenging for the music industry. What has kept you inspired and creative this year? I think in some of the darkest moments, making music has been one of the only things that are kept me from getting out of bed. But overall, I feel like there is a lot to process in a time of collective trauma like we’re going through right now. Trying to put those things into words and sounds, while also finding and nurturing pockets of joy and beauty has really been what’s kept me exploring, writing, and playing. Also, some really amazing music has been released, despite the challenges! One of the records that have really inspired me has been “Giver Taker” by a friend and fellow Boston artist Anjimile. Check them out. Instagram Twitter Facebook Website Spotify

Soul Singer/Songwriter Sharaé has recently contributed to the bout of holiday singles we've been hearing, and she does so in the best way possible. Deriving her own Christmas-driven EP, 'A Christmas Gift,' Sharaé strived to release positive and uplifting emotions onto listeners, especially after all that has unveiled over the past year. With a strong passion for affecting music, Sharaé never fails to impress us with her amiable sound, and one particular track on the EP found itself standing out with utmost sentimental value. If you're in need of a silky, soft, and sensual Christmas experience, then Sharaé's recent holiday release, "Our First Christmas," is definitely the track for you. Sharaé isn't compromising on any form of quality with this particular cheerful holiday-inspired love song. The track immediately glides across your ears with potent grace, instilling a warm and comfortable feeling. Melodies are soft and purposeful, which only melt into the warm embrace of Sharaé's projected voice. "Our First Christmas" truly is the kind of single you're wanting to listen to if you're, well, not single, as it ventures along with the storyline of love. The theme is inspiring and uplifting, allowing the imparted energy to feel sweet, soft, and full of pure cheer. "Our First Christmas" had impactful lyricism, and definitely stood out on Sharaé's EP. How was the experience in writing and recording your very own holiday-inspired EP? I had an amazing time working on this EP! Holiday music brings me so much joy. This was my first time recording my own material so it was a huge learning experience. I’m so grateful for the team I had helping me bring my vision to reality. Compared to other singles added onto the EP, how do you feel that "Our First Christmas" compared regarding lyrical content? The lyrics in “Our First Christmas” are a bit more grounded in reality than the feel-good holiday classics. “Our First Christmas” explores the excitement of experiencing the Holidays as a couple for the first time. From the bustle of getting things together for a holiday gathering to finally getting some alone time. It aims to express the feeling that Christmas will be extra special (the very best) when you spend it with the one you love. Was there a specific individual you had in mind whilst writing "Our First Christmas"? Would you say that you often extend the content of your singles from your everyday personal life, or are they simply a product of immaculate storytelling? I had a feeling someone would ask me that! Yes, there was a special someone I had in mind. We have yet to celebrate the holidays together so this song depicts what I imagine our first Christmas will be like. I would say that my music is a romanticized version of my personal life. Most of the songs I’ve written were inspired by someone or some event in my life. From there, I use my imagination and love for storytelling to build out the song. What was the main goal in releasing "Our First Christmas", and ultimately, the entirety of the EP it finds itself on? We’ve been through a lot this year. I wanted to do something to bring some cheer and joy to 2020. I thought a Christmas project would be the perfect way to do that. I knew that one of the songs on the EP had to give listeners a preview of what they could expect from me as a solo artist. “Our First Christmas” combines my love for the holidays with my love for romance and the classic R&B sound. 2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone. What has been keeping you inspired to create music? What advice can you give another artist who's finding it difficult to do so? I always find my way back to music during tough times. Music has a way of being whatever you need when you need it. Music uplifts, it connects and transcends time and space. During a time when we can’t be together physically, I’ve been inspired to use music as a way to stay connected to people and true to myself. My advice for other artists would be to go back to the basics. Revisit the albums that made you fall in love with music in the first place. I spent a lot of time listening to my favorite artists - Whitney, Donny Hathaway, Beyoncé, etc. I was then reminded of the healing power of music and was inspired to use my own voice to bring hope and joy to others. The world needs music. The world needs artists now more than ever. iamsharae.com instagram.com/sharae facebook.com/iamsharae

From Chi-Town, IL, the exhilarating Singer/Songwriter, and NuTown Artist Kevin Pollack grace us with his uplifting and romantic single titled "Holiday." Kevin Pollack is continuously swooning listeners with his many creative endeavors, from performing his music in Vegas alongside Frankie Moreno to performing twice at the Ravinia Festival for RaviniaTV. Garnering inspiration from Pop, Rock, and Soul acts of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, Kevin Pollack is excited to acquaint listeners with his stimulating genre, NuTown (New Motown.) Regarding his recent single, "Holiday," Kevin Pollack blasts through with incredibly uplifting instrumentation and his highly passionate lyricism. While vocalizing with incredible strength and enthusiasm, the lyricism Kevin Pollack delivers lets the listener's heart flutter with adventure and energy. Not to mention the astonishing instrumentals that offer immense soul through each tightly-wound transition, let's dive right into this thumping single. Kevin Pollack's "Holiday" opens with a wildly energetic introduction. Almost as if it came straight out of Saturday Night Live, the song gets our feet moving with help from vibrant trumpets, trombones, and saxophones. As the jazzy electric guitar, warm keys, and fluid bass begins swinging with energy, Kevin Pollack enters the track and starts singing picturesque lyricism. Wishing to take a "Holiday" with someone he holds dear to his heart, we highly appreciate the detailed and descriptive lyricism that Kevin Pollack has created, as he paints vivid pictures of unhindered love and expression. While describing the many places he'd like to make some special, a warm instrumental breakdown around the bridge makes the track all the more passionate and soulful. Ending the song off on an energetic and bright note, Kevin Pollack is soaring through his NuTown genre with his latest release, "Holiday," as he gets listeners moving and ready for any adventure. Could you take us through the inspiration for your soulful track "Holiday"? When did you begin creating the single, and why? While my wife and I were on vacation in London, I kept humming this melody everywhere we went. In London, vacation is considered a “holiday,” so I thought why not write a song about taking a holiday. So I went to my co-writer Michael Flynn who mapped out the rest of the song with me, then we took it to our arranger/co-writer Derrick Procell and went from there. The ending result was everything I heard in my head. A party. We've noticed that you had an entire team of musicians help you with the powerful instrumentals in "Holiday." Why did you want to feature such a broad and potent instrumental? Is this a staple sound for you? I love hearing a live full band with a big sound. I’ve always been obsessed with the Motown era and that heavy horn sound with backup singers, and I wanted to pay tribute to that, but with my own twist. I call it NuTown, which is “New Motown.” I want my music to stick out and be catchy enough that people will remember it. Do you usually write songs with such passionate and conceptual lyrical messages, similar to what you did with "Holiday"? I do. I like to keep it family-friendly and fun. I don’t swear in my lyrics because I want it to be heard everywhere for all ears to hear. We also noticed that you released a music video for your single "Holiday." Did you have any help from Directors or Producers to further execute your vision? Yes! I called upon my go-to director, award-winner Deric Gochenauer who did an incredible job with my first music video, “Man About Town,” and asked him if he’d like to direct this one too. I also used the same cinematographers I used in my first video, Lincoln Rogers & MDOG Productions. We also had Zach Spangler on a drone camera. Deric came up with the story concept and we recreated his vision when we filmed it in Rockford as my friend Chuck Little’s backyard. His neighbors helped out a lot as well. What goals do you have for your music going into 2021? My goal is to write/create as much music as possible. I’m working on so many songs right now with some cool styles. A new one I’m writing, “No More Tears,” is going to feature The Four C Notes, a Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons tribute from Chicago, and have that old Doo-Wop style with lots of harmonies. I just released a new EP called “The Other Side,” available on all online platforms now! I’m also working on my next NuTown EP. facebook.com/Kevinpollackmusic

Form North Shore Boston, the 4-piece Retro-Wave, Power-Pop, and Rock band Cold Engines returns to give listeners a chill with their latest single, "Big Bright Nothing." The likes of David Drouin, Aaron Zaroulis, Geoff Pilkington, and Eric Reingold are eager to release their upcoming album, 'The Last Resort', on January 1st, 2021. We've seen the talented, versatile, and passionate bunch come and go over the past year, and we're just as excited to hear what Cold Engines has created with their forthcoming new year project. Stating that 'The Last Resort' is the band's most anticipated album to date, they've also mentioned that the project is a vivid 15-piece body of work based on Paul Verhoeven's 1990 epic sci-fi masterpiece, 'Total Recall.' Listeners can hear a few singles off the upcoming album, like their latest release, "Big Bright Nothing." We've noticed that this track offers more of a down-tempo and emotional tone, which perfectly contrasts Cold Engines' previous singles. The band delivers pristine and melancholy instrumentals that pitch camp in our hearts while we're serenaded by David Drouin's emotional and soothing vocals. Cold Engines opens their single "Big Bright Nothing" with warm acoustic guitar melodies, subtle electric guitar strokes, and a soothing yet haunting background organ. As David Drouin begins singing his reflective message of feeling alone and isolated, he reaches the chorus where Cold Engines comes through with their entire instrumental and serves a heightened sense of emotion through their divine melodies. We genuinely love the switch we've seen from Cold Engines with the release of this tender single, as listeners can experience a different side of the band before the release of their forthcoming album. Ending the song on a highly peaceful and tranquil note, we adore the softer side of Cold Engines as they deliver introspective tunes like "Big Bright Nothing." Make sure to keep an eye out for Cold Engines and their forthcoming album, 'The Last Resort,' on new year's day, and experience the diverse stylings of the 4-piece for yourself. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

From Columbus to Los Angeles, From, Tom packed all he could in his Honda Civic and booked it west. The Poet, Percussionist, and Singer/Songwriter recently released his emotional single "Run Away" and is delving deeper into the stylings of Alternative-Pop. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, From, Tom quickly proved himself as an artist to watch through his unique stylings that pay homage to his years of writing poetry. His artist name 'From, Tom' was inspired by his poetic works and letters, which he continues to practice today. Through his recent single, "Run Away," From, Tom noted that his most recent works are a complete and utter reflection of his life experiences and who he is. We can hear the raw emotion and passion merely through From, Tom's voice as he exclaims his dreaded departure from a past relationship. Through brilliant Alternative-Pop sonics and production, we feel this single will see incredible success. "Run Away" begins with a melodic synth arrangement and a delicately filtered mid-tempo drum beat. From, Tom begins vocalizing his many emotions after leaving someone behind, he places such thorough and profound lyricism that indeed pays tribute to his poetic side. From, Tom's vocals are incredibly gripping and broad, as he blasts through the hook with vast power while softening his tone through his verses. While pushing through with this saddened and reflective undertone, the foreground sonics bring an excellent blend of electronic/organic through woozy electric guitar swings, a twittering piano, and the heavenly background synths. We can't help but feel that many listeners will easily relate to the introspection of this single, as From, Tom displays incredible emotion that pulls us in up close and personal. With his passionate, poetic, and sweet-sounding single "Run Away" From, Tom demonstrates his unique abilities while easily allowing listeners to connect with his relatable and emotional lyricism. Hello, From, Tom and welcome to BuzzMusic. What inspired you to create such an emotionally heavy single like "Run Away?" “Run Away” isn’t just about one thing. It’s about trying to escape a reality that I wasn’t happy with. I had to learn a lot of things the hard way, and this song is a reflection on that inner struggle where you know something isn’t right or healthy for you but you’re not ready to accept the truth. Seeing as you're also a poet, what was your songwriting process like for "Run Away?" Do you face any challenges when writing about such emotional topics? I always write the music and lyrics separately. The music by itself can be so powerful on its own. I always make sure the vibe is right with the music first before I figure out the lyrics. I knew I wanted to write something dark for my second release though. I co-wrote this song with my good friends Kyle Kanzigg and Nick Samson (La Porè). They inspire me so much and it’s always fun working with your close friends. I love writing about emotional topics. The challenging part is being like, okay, it’s done, and we don’t need to tweak it anymore. I’m just trying to be as real and raw as possible. There was a time when I was really self-conscious about what other people thought of me. Putting these songs out has been really therapeutic too. It’s really freeing to let everyone know who you really are. I want people to connect with the good AND the bad. Why did you create this spacious and ethereal sonic atmosphere for your single "Run Away?" How did you want the sonics to compliment your lyricism? I wanted it to replicate the feeling of being really out of it inside of some weird dream. My friend and co-producer/co-writer Kyle Kanzigg knocked it out of the park. There were a lot of conversations and voice memos sent back and forth to get the song where it needed to be. Kyle is a creative genius and knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted the song to sound really dark and almost creepy and I think we achieved that. How would you describe your sound and style to a new listener? Do you feel comfortable within a specific genre, or do you blur lines of particular sounds to create a more authentic feel? I’d describe it as alternative pop. I have so many different influences and I think that comes through in my music. I don’t want to put myself in a box and say “I only write this style of music”. I’m going to write music that reflects how I feel. If it’s more pop-leaning, that’s cool, and if it’s more alternative/rock-leaning that’s cool too. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? I listen to so much music every single day and that definitely keeps me inspired. One of my favorite bands, Architects, is dropping a new album in February and they’ve always been a source of inspiration. Also, it sounds cheesy but I’m a sucker for a good sunset. I take a lot of pictures on my phone of sunsets and of stuff I see out in nature. Getting outside and taking photos keeps me inspired as well. Whenever I can go on tour again I definitely want to buy a legit camera so I can document my travels and experiences. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

Magnetic Pop artist, Willow Raye gives listeners another piece of her in her latest single, “Never Call You Again.” This Los Angeles based artist and songwriter is vastly known for her signature sultry electronic sound that provides a harmonious accompaniment to her female-forward lyrics and deeply emotional lyrics. As music is always at the forefront of her mind, Willow Raye strives to serve as a role model for young women everywhere. Willow Raye creates an accessible persona that encourages listeners to remain curious and explore their true selves. The confidence that she carries is taking her quite far as her name is continuously popping up internationally. Back with another passion driven single, Willow Raye shares “Never Call You Again,” with fans worldwide. “Never Call You Again,” immediately pulls you into its warm embrace with striking acoustic sounds that set a slow paced tempo for this powerhouse of a record. Willow Raye emits heavenly vocals that pair with this instrumentation like a fine wine. The reverberated vocalization of each word penned gracefully eases you into a soul filled utopia that depicts a story of exploring the many highs and lows that come from romantic relationships. The captivating performance delivered by Willow Raye exudes an empowering energy drizzled conveyance dipped in fierce determination. With this song clocking in at two minutes, you can’t help but to put “Never Call You Again,” on repeat to capture the complete essence of everything Willow Raye has to offer. As she pours her heart into this wistful composition, the memorable hook “I’m never gonna call you again, f***** up no need to pretend,” dances in your mind long after the record is over. Willow Raye has a certain way of executing her content with real-life experiences that bring self-assurance and liberation to her listeners. This stands especially true with “Never Call You Again,” as she hits it out of the park bringing an uplifting essence to the world around her. instagram.com/willowraye

From Chicago, the artistic couple and Alternative duo Hobbyist releases a highly reflective music video for their single, "Neon." Releasing the music video in support of Save Our Stages, Hobbyist has been incredibly active on their socials in order to keep their creativity flowing. The duo consists of vocalist Holly Prindle and multi-instrumentalist Marc Mozga. Both owning unique talent through musical theater groups, self-taught instrumentation, and a devoted passion for creation, Hobbyist is eager to release their tunes and give listeners an engaging experience. One can easily get to know the style and vibe Hobbyist embodies through their recent music video for their single "Neon." Regarding the song itself, listeners can hear Holly Prindle's haunting and soothing vocals steam through our speakers while she sings a rather introspective message of comparing oneself to those around her. As Marc Mozga brings a heavy down-tempo vibe with melodic synths and a gripping bassline, the single brings vast emotion through each element. The music video for Hobbyist's single "Neon" perfectly honors the single itself, as we see shots of Holly Prindle walking through the cold Chicago streets, acquainting herself with a tombstone that seems to be someone who was rather close to her. We can't help but feel this sense of the late 90s through the music video's scenery, as shots of Chicago natives and streets give the video quite the authentic and nostalgic feel. Giving us a slice of their everyday lives and experiences with the emotion of their recent music video for "Neon," Hobbyist is putting authenticity and genuineness back on the table. We love the heavy vibe you've delivered with your single "Neon." What inspired the emotional lyricism and concept within the song? We get a lot of our inspiration from observing people around the city. (Chicago) Neon was literally inspired by a lady Marc saw on a bus and creating a background story for her. Could you bring us into the creative process for your single "Neon"? How did the two of you create the sonic and lyrical atmospheres behind the scenes? Marc was inspired by the limitations of recording into a phone through Garageband. Everything had to be minimized as far as creation goes, due to the fact that we were at home and literally had to be quieter and turn down the volume. We hadn't recorded anything for Hobbyist on our own previously, so it was a learning process and a matter of doing what you have to do due to new circumstances. Speaking on the music video for your single "Neon," how did you come up with the shots and scenes? How does the video bring visuals to the song's concept? We were thinking a lot about the Save Our Stages movement and wanted to bring some awareness to it. I (Holly) read that 90% of small music venues in the US could close due to the Covid 19 pandemic without relief from Congress. We had been hearing about places permanently closing in Chicago due to Covid, and we started creating a list of the venues that had closed over the years in Chicago, beyond Covid times. The list was kind of mind-blowing when we saw it all together, so we decided to pay homage to some of these venues in the video, visiting the closed-door spots and in other cases showing what exists in these spaces now. We weren't trying to tie the lyrics to the video, but I think that happens organically sometimes. The song talks about our addiction to phones and the false happiness cultivated through the virtual world we live in now, and that ended up contrasting well with the real world venues that are currently empty. There's one scene in particular within your music video for "Neon," where Holly Prindle is sitting on a tombstone while singing her reflective message. Does this scene have any significance or deeper meaning behind it? The idea to shoot in a graveyard started off as pure aesthetic, as we were looking for spots to film during covid where people would be scarce and we could take off our masks, as we wanted the whole video to take place outside. But when thinking about the concept of the video, the graveyard ended up being a perfect spot to reflect on the death of music during covid- no shows, no touring, no support for venues and their employees, and beyond that when you think about how hard it is to get paid as a musician these days due to streaming services. Artist's work is no longer recognized monetarily and you're supposed to be grateful to make $.004 off a stream of your song. I don't think artists have ever been less appreciated than in our current world. 2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone. What has been keeping you inspired to create music? What advice can you give another artist who's finding it difficult to do so? We wrote and recorded our Side Fx ep during Chicago's stay at home order in the spring. I think at the beginning of the lockdown, we were inspired by the amount of time we had together to create at home. Usually, we create in our practice space and record in a studio, but we did everything on an iPhone for Side Fx. We have a lot of days when we're not inspired- it definitely comes in waves. I think we just realized that we feel a lot saner during Covid when we are creating, so I made a long list of things we've wanted to do for Hobbyist but never had time for, and now I'm just going down the list and checking things off. There's always a business side to music, so if you're not feeling inspired to write, pick something from the business side and work on that. When you're a DIY band there is always something you can work on to create more exposure. If you're working on something for a project you love, the creativity will come if you stay in it. hobbyistband.com

With roots in the Midwest, Mr. Adamsbtw came from a humble beginning alongside a hard-working family from Chicago. Learning the hustle mentality in the streets of the windy city, Mr. Adamsbtw took a liking to the late night club scene and the rush of performing live. With the vast majority of his family and friends already immersed in the music culture, he knew that this would be a comfortable leap of faith. Winding up in the city of music itself, Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Adamsbtw adapted to the budding music scene quickly on the rise, fueled with multicultural aspects and all forms of production as he decided that this was the place to blaze a trail. Fresh off of the release for his hard-hitting new single and music video, “BoFh Em,” Mr. Adamsbtw teams up with Classic Muzik LLC to serve up only the best vibes. The eye-catching visuals for “BoFh Em,” begins with Mr. Adamsbtw asleep on the studio floor in a comedic banter between him and the person who wakes his slumber via phone call. Sizzling synths and bouncy basslines instantly kick in as this record take off. Establishing his name with the prevailing tone set, Mr. Adamsbtw punches through the instrumentation with his witty quips and dominant vibes. With the main scenes taking place in the studio, we’re exposed to neon lights in the booth and the control room ambiance as it appears Mr. Adamsbtw is in his natural habitat. Addressing the beat with his smoother than butter cadences, we get to see a well-rounded side of Mr. Adamsbtw’s artistic talents as a rapper and singer in “BoFh Em.” Mesmerizing effects in the visuals have you anticipating the next scene as we pan between football jerseys, street graffiti, masks, and sweet rides telling the winding tale of Mr. Adamsbtw securing the bag and wanting all the options on the table, and you better not make him pick. With the lyrical agility he drives home in the verses, to the memorable hook that weighs heavy on your mind even long after the song is over, the collaborative efforts between Mr. Adamsbtw, Classic Muzik LLC and Director, Wesley Crutcher, “BoFh Em,” has us putting this music video and track on repeat for the rest of the day. Hello Mr. Adamsbtw, congratulations on the release of “BoFh Em,” and thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic. We would love to know; what inspired the story behind “BoFh Em?" I got the idea from my everyday life, meaning there are multiple hats that I wear at all times. Sometimes a few at a time lol. I made the song as an anthem for those times where one might be tired, frustrated with the process, funds may have gotten a little low but you're still Hustling every day!! You know the old saying. “ If you apply pressure long enough, you’ll get a diamond ”. The last element to the song is the word itself. “BoFh Em” or “ Both of them ”, which is the way my family and I would say that phrase when we’re joking with each other in conversation. The visuals are extremely creative, was this always the vision you had for the music video when going into the creative process? Thank you for one but no. In all honesty, I was trying to create a full-scale production!! I had a totally different vision for it but I was really putting a lot of pressure on myself. Dealing with different schedules, Different venues, making sure not to go over budget. It was a lot for one person. One night, I think it was a few days before we were set to shoot. I popped out of the bed with something like an epiphany and the video just started falling into place. Keep it simple and show them what my life is. It was one of those duh moments. How has it been adapting to life out in Nashville, versus Chicago? It’s really not much to adapt to, I’m in both cities often. I just spent all last year (2019) going back and forth shooting a movie with Dujuan Austin jr. I had a role in a movie that’s coming out on streaming platforms, It’s called “Faithless”. I still got family, associates, and property up there too. In terms of themes and messages, what would you like your listeners to take away from the music that you create? I’m going to answer this one with a quote. “Without music, life would be a mistake.” Friedrich Nietzsche. I am the living embodiment of that quote. If you think about it, there is a soundtrack for every event you could go through in life. I provide that. I also want them to leave knowing that lyrically, I am one of the best to ever do it. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? Man, Prayer for one. The other would be knowing the steps and or bricks that I’ve been laying have been building my name, my label, and a bright future for me and mine. Instagram #BUZZMUSIC