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Since 2012, The Grasping Straws have been captivating the hearts of fans with their trade lysergic-reflecting instrumental choreographies. They received international recognition in 2015 from their debut full-length release followed by a successful tour in the United States. The founding members of The Grasping Straws have been making a name for themselves in the daunting scene of the musical metropolis of New York City. In their latest release, "Quarantine Halloween," frontwoman Mallory Feuer takes the soloing limelight for this bare-bones acoustic ballad. With the track "The Grasping Straws," have created sonic poetry that hits like a potent dose of subjugating psychedelia. When asked about the initial inspiration behind this song, Mallory Feuer told BuzzMusic that she woke up on Halloween this year with the idea to spend the day playing around and concentrate on the state of the world with the pandemic, death toll, and the state of Democracy in America. "This is by far the scariest Halloween I've ever experienced." She challenged herself to "see if I could write, record, and mix the song by myself in one day, and I think performing it as a solo-acoustic track is emblematic of what musician life in isolation has been like." Currently, working on a collaboration with an experimental video with performance artist Erica Schreiner set to be released on December 21st. We are excited to hear the next new exciting release from The Grasping Straws. Read more with The Grasping Straws here. Instagram Facebook

Based in Atwater Village, the Folk, Bluegrass, and Country-Rock Artist Gilbert Louie Ray releases a sign for the times with his conceptual single, "The Year of the World." Releasing music that covers the Americana genre, Gilbert Louie Ray places honest and realistic lyricism into each song, alongside whimsical melodies for an uplifting approach. With his recent single "The Year of the World," Gilbert Louie Ray brings a conceptual storyline surrounding the pandemic that has shaken our world to the core. Mentioning that this song goes out to all who feel lost and confused as each unpredictable day passes, we found a safe space to feel these unnerving emotions within Gilbert Louie Ray's single. "The Year of the World" begins with Country/Bluegrass-inspired acoustic guitar at a downtempo pace. Once Gilbert Louie Ray starts singing the story of the world this year, we can't help but feel safe and secure within his warm, tender, and melodic vocals. The acoustic guitar continues as the song's sole instrumental, bringing a minimalist yet captivating vibe. Not to mention being accompanied by a female's bright and clean vocals for added emphasis, Gilbert Louie Ray touches on heavy subjects for listeners to relate. We love the harmonies that Ray and the featured female vocal provide, creating this sensation of bliss that contrasts our present day. With lyrics that remind us of our new norm, Gilbert Louie Ray's single "The Year of the World" brings a conceptual storyline that we're sure everyone can relate with. We highly appreciate a track like "The Year of the World," where all listeners can find a safe space and reflect. Why did you want to create a song surrounding our struggles amid the pandemic? Since the song has been written, which was in April 2020, a lot has changed in our country and in our world. But one thing I find to be consistent with most folks is our ability to be empathic toward one another. Whether you have lost someone, know someone who has lost someone, or even just hearing stories of people who have lost someone because of this virus, we relate to each other as human beings and that means everything when it comes to something like this. Why did you choose to keep the instrumentals so minimal yet captivating with your single "The Year of the World?" I've always found in folk music that messages reach over better when the lyrics are clear and in the front of a recording. The dynamic of rhythm and melody to its most minimal setting as folk music has proven time and time again to be captivating. This tune is just my take of trying to capture that. Whose vocals were featured alongside yours within "The Year of the World?" Why did you want to be backed up by a female's angelic tone? The background vocals you hear on the track are graced by the one and only Alicia Blue. In the past, she and I have performed together and I've always felt like our voices meshed well. From Bob Dylan to George Jones and Tammy Wynette covers we would do, I just thought it would be a nice idea to ask her to accompany me on this original tune. This was the first time we ever recorded anything from a studio perspective and I am so grateful for her to lend her amazing voice. Hell of a poet and songwriter herself. Seeing as your song "The Year of the World" was written in April, why did you choose to release it now? Did you rework or tweak the single since April? I think the only reason why I released it much later than when it was written was because of just sheer fright. I don't often write songs that have a social point of view or even the slightest graze on the topic of politics and the state of society. But having played this life for many friends to get their take on it, I was encouraged to record it and release it and to get over what anyone may think of my art and what I wanna do with it, to say the least. I produced the track myself and I am my own worst critic and that also may have had a hand in my delay in releasing it. Acquaintances. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? Spending a lot of time at home, what keeps me inspired is my appreciation and aspiration of the recording process. I turned my living room into a studio because of my ambition to DIY. I've gotten closer to my family has been home a lot. And I've come to realize who are my close friends and who are my close acquaintances, and I am grateful for them all. I'm pretty much just happy to be around the good ones. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

Taking the world's current circumstances into account, this didn't stop Rob and Paul from joining together to create songs to get us past these unnerving times with the creation of their duo Sterling. While representing their recent five-track EP 'Sky' with the release of their recent single "Salt Licker," Sterling graces our ears with their fiery sound that gets our blood pumping during the cold winter nights. Sterling mentioned in a previous interview with us that their single "Salt Licker" was inspired by our country's present struggles and feeling a heightened sense of insecurity. When speaking on the title for their single "Salt Licker," Sterling mentioned that the term is used to describe someone of poor routine, placing harm on themselves physically or emotionally. Sterling quoted, "It can be a lifelong streak of bad relationships or the mindset of 'the grass is always greener,' some are f*cking crazy, and some are just unfortunate." Questioning our day-to-day decision-making process and the reality of happiness with this single, Sterling mentioned that their recent EP "Sky" touches on broad and diverse themes that offer listeners a heightened sense of engagement, which they would typically receive from Sterling's live performances. Continuing to participate in Unplugged performances and Livestream sets throughout social media platforms, Sterling is continuously working hard to make sure their sound stays crisp and clean until they can finally wow their audiences with live music once again. Discover more about Sterling here. Instagram #BUZZMUSIC

Multi-talent Singer, Songwriter, and storyteller Ida Therese Klungland is making a name for herself in the Norway music scene. She carefully crafts each song to tell their own unique individual story with inspiration from 90s grunge and minimalistic Pop music. Her latest EP, 'Sketches,' is a self-produced masterpiece. This EP contains a series of heartfelt stories diving into who Ida is as a rising star. The feature track of the EP 'Humans' tells a story of us all ad individuals in this world going through our hardships and success that we have the power of writing. This entire release creates a beautiful soundscape displaying all the creativity that Ida Therese Klungland offers listeners. Ida Therese Klungland continues to be inspired by all the musicians and creatives that still preseed to create and stay connected to their audience from home. In an interview with BuzzMusic, she said, "I think there has been a lot of good music coming from lockdown!" and we couldn't agree more. She continues to write and create projects that tell a story. Her goal is to release a debut album in 2021. Be on the lookout for this talented artist. Learn more about Ida Therese Klungland here. Instagram Website Photo Credit: Irene S. Lunde

Canada’s own Hip-Hop artist Ow!n captivates us by spreading love and good vibes through his music. Ow!n’s determination and dedication to change this universe needs is evident in his music. His latest release showcases the incredible drive that he has for his musician career. “No Cap” creates an elusive and hard-hitting ambiance that will instantly transport you to a late-night summer club. From the uptempo sonic atmosphere to the delivery of his witty wordplay Ow!n’s “No Cap” is memorable and will be replaying in your mind long after the song is finished. 2020 has been a rough year for many, and Ow!n is no exception to the events of this. This year has taught him that each day is a blessing and not to take any minute for granted. Ow!n has been trying to focus on the little things rather than being overwhelmed by the big picture. His friends and family have kept him striving to be the best version of himself! With all that Ow!n has to offer, we anticipate his skyrocket to success. You can learn more about Ow!n here. #BUZZMUSIC

With a constructive outlook on the events of 2020, Ireland-based Singer and Songwriter Taylor Mas has devoted most of her extra time at home to her creative workings. She has allowed herself to look closer at the world around her and become inspired by things she didn't have the time to before, such as books, paintings, and nature. As a result, Taylor Mas' new releases are a transparent reflection of her newfound introspection and wisdom. Priding herself on her lyrical honesty, she will steal the listener's heart with her storytelling. She uses her words to paint a picture of her vulnerable side, expressing each emotion through her raw instrumentation and soulful vocals. With each original piece, Taylor Mas motivates listeners to become enthralled with her emotion-triggering atmospheres and eventually allow themselves to unravel and surrender to their true feelings. If you're the type of music lover who vibes with the soulful and thought-provoking aspects of serene Pop, Taylor Mas will have your heart. Discover more about Taylor Mas here. Instagram Facebook

Red Sun Radio is an entity that consists of a few scrappy yet lovable lads hailing from New York City. From humble origins in the basement of a Bronx pizza parlor, this captivating band has grown to evoke a variety of influences including, but not limited to: barn-burners, indie-rockers, soul-crushers, and foot-stompers. Their latest single, "i wanna get high," demonstrate their diverse talents as they put you at ease with their undeniable flair. Instantly opening with the soothing elements of the minimalistic and acoustic sounds of guitar strumming into our souls, "i wanna get high" offers us a tranquil ambiance as we can't help but gravitate towards this record. The melancholic radiation touches on the raw elements that Red Sun Radio exudes as they drown us in their relatable lyrics' soulful resonance. Painting an enticing image through their storytelling, they truly bring out the reality of each word crafted as they describe some key notes about engaging with that significant person they, in fact, want to get high with. Falling into the eyes of this mystery person over the course of an evening, it becomes apparent that they want to leave where they are and hop on a subway out of town. Encouraging us to read between the lines, Red Sun Radio manages to transport us to a time in our minds that we can reminisce on a person's feelings that make us feel exactly how they describe in their vivid scenario. As we put our lighters up and sway from side to side, we get lost in the growing, slow tempo composition, that is, "i wanna get high." Congratulations on the release of “i wanna get high.” This track definitely allowed us to sink into our seats and take it in at its full potential. Could you please tell us about the story that inspired “i wanna get high?" At the time this song was written I was in a relationship that felt very addictive and alluring, like a drug. Those relationships are great for a while because they make you feel amazing, and you love who you are and how you feel when you're with that person. But at the same time, you lose sight of the other things in your life and end up being all-encompassed in that person in a way that might not be very healthy. So yes, this is a love song but with a bit of a darker edge around the corner. What did the creative process look like when crafting this track? How long did it take to record? When we recorded this we were locked up in a studio in midtown called Sear Sound. It was dead of winter, very cold, but the studio feels warm, closed off, and cave-like. So we laid down acoustic and vocals and then started layering these really old, really unique sounding synthesizers to flesh it out. The tracks themselves were recorded in probably a few hours, but we tweaked it in the mixing stage for over a year. One of the last touches were the backup vocals Azan added; I think narratively, they fit in nicely to the song. Could you please give us a little introduction as to what each band member brings to the table? We would love to know more about you all as individuals in Red Sun Radio. We all bring something different, which I guess you could say about any band. Sean (lead vx) and I (Ken, guitar, vx) write most of the songs, but we'll bring them to the studio and everyone adds their own personal touches. Teddy's drums aren't on the track just because it's a softer song, but his feel and energy are a massive inspiration when we play live. Tyler fills in on rhythm guitar and synth, and he's got a really badass song coming up on the next record too. We've all been playing together for years, so part of the creative process for us really comes down to a few friends messing around and making music that excites us. As a collective, what non-musical inspirations do you allow to speak into your music? The biggest non-musical inspiration for us collectively is New York City. This band started in the Bronx, we've played all around the city, we live in Bushwick, and we record in the middle of Hell's Kitchen. The presence of the city is almost inseparable from the music itself. And New York City has such a crazy, exciting history when it comes to music. The energy is here and we're just trying to tap into it. What has been keeping you inspired this year while creating new music? I don't know how long it's going to take for things to bounce back after this pandemic. But when things do go back to "normal" and people can go out to bars and clubs and socialize again, I think there's going to be a lot of energy and excitement and enthusiasm. The city is going to be different, the people are going to be different, and I think it's going to create an environment with a lot of possibilities for new artists. So part of what keeps us inspired is being ready to take full advantage of that when the time comes. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

Colorado's very own singer/songwriter Dango Rose offers a real delicacy with the source of his sound. As an artist that hones into meaningful themes and messages all of us could benefit from hearing, Dango Rose is all about uplifting and inspiring. Embracing the healing qualities of music, Dango Rose has shared the stage with various other artists that pertain to a similar understanding, such as The Lumineers, Gregory Allan Isakov, and Nathaniel Ratliff. With an impressive resumé and overall musical agenda, Dango Rose has progressed even further with his latest song release, "Life's Too Short." "Life's Too Short" begins with a strong collection of indie/folk melodies, and such instrumental chosen for the purpose of this track are what initiates a cascade of peaceful expressions. Halfway through the song, playful piano melodies are introduced, which only further attributes to the already-buoyant atmospheric tone of the song. One can already guess the narrative of "Life's Too Short," but Dango Rose does this clear narrative such justice. The production is kept at a soothing and good-natured rhythm, and the lyricism sang with intent. Dango Rose can impart feelings that are easily soaked up and ultimately can influence the direction of one's day. That's the power that Dango Rose's music holds--the ability to transform one's mood in an instant, and with subtle, minute effects that cause a surplus of emotions to be relayed. We're intrigued for the future expressions of Dango Rose, and if they're anything like "Life's Too Short," we know we're in for a real treat. "Life's Too Short" offered a very conclusive storyline for listeners. Was there a particular reason you crafted this particular single with the chosen lyricism? My songwriting partner Evan Reeves sent over the tenor banjo lick while I was on the road and this is one of those songs where the top line was essentially written within fifteen minutes or so. I guess you could say, it just kind of came out that way. Whether or not it’s conclusive, I suppose that’s out of my hands to decide. Here are the final lines of the song…. I suppose in a sense, one might deem them conclusive. And if that’s the case, I can definitely stand by the truth of it. Life’s too short It’s the path that brought us here Life’s too short It’s the pain that draws us near Life’s too short It’s that which binds us too Life’s too short It’s the light that guides us through What was the ultimate desire within "Life's Too Short" regarding the way you had wanted your listeners to feel immediately upon listening, and immediately after listening? Well, I suppose it’s a truthful and honest track, so there’s a sense of playfulness juxtaposed with a more somber storytelling voice. Yet at the end of the day, it’s really just a message to remember what is truly important in life, and to focus your energies and attention there, rather than on what is ultimately out of reach, allusive and fleeting…. Though everything in life is somewhat allusive and fleeting, so we do kind of shapeshifting into snakes chasing our own tails. Though aside from waxing poetic, I suppose the question is -- How do we take a break from this cycle of work, work, work, do, do, do -- and remember who we are, in terms of our essential nature, and what is truly important. How would you describe your approach regarding the productional styling of your tracks, especially the direction taken with "Life's Too Short"? This track specifically is a good example of how I work with one of my production/songwriting partners, Evan Reeves…Where he sends me a bed track and I lay down a top-line…From there, we keep it simple, add bass and keys and so it is…For Life’s Too Short, we did add some gospel-style hype vocals as well in the spirit of The Blind Boys of Mississippi. Yet at the end of the day, just trying to keep it simple and within the folk/roots vernacular. All this said, my production style keeps evolving and I’m very excited about what is to come. Yet before focusing on the future, I’ve got four Eps that will be released in 2021 that tell the story of my past (while not touring with Elephant Revival) from 2008 – 2018. Each production style on each EP will be different, depending on the era that the songs were written. Life’s Too Short is actually an anomaly of style, in terms of what has been done before and what will be done in the future. Would you say that you often adhere to the messages imparted within your tracks? How would you describe the way you follow the message-driven into "Life's Too Short"? Well, we are all imperfectly perfect fallible human beings are we not? That said, I absolutely adhere to what I write in my own life. When I veer off this path, I course correct and return. I’m always aiming for the higher ground in my relationships and returning time and time again to a simple foundational attitude of gratitude each morning upon waking. Do I mess up? You better believe it, but that’s not the point. It’s the intentions we hold and the visions we keep that matter. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? Honestly, I pretty much began self-induced quarantine in late 2018 after Elephant Revival’s final show at Red Rocks. So, in a sense, I was already used to isolation. One could say that I had traversed the depths of despair and came through on the other side. So, that prep work had made 2020 a bit easier for me. Yet, it was my dedication to learning and experimenting more on the engineering side of the production craft that has really stoked my creative flame…. Also, focusing on virtual collaborations with songwriters, musicians, and friends…. And spending a lot of time walking in nature. Facebook Instagram

From Ohio to Los Angeles, the Singer/Songwriter and Pop Artist Lindsey Thomas gives us chills with her third studio release, "Ghost." The 27-year-old creator began writing and performing within her years attending high school while also performing on the side and gearing up for her musical future. Throughout college, Lindsey Thomas began releasing her sweet Pop stylings for listeners to find a safe and warm space. Through her third studio single, "Ghost," Lindsey Thomas tells the age-old tale of a painful breakup and finding yourself thinking about the relationship and their presence more than ever. Through her soft and melodic acoustic guitar, warm vocals, and delicate percussion patterns, the song offers listeners a relatable space with the piece's emotional concept. "Ghost" opens with softly filtered synths, snappy drum breaks at a mid-tempo pace, and bright acoustic guitar picking. As Lindsey Thomas begins serenading us with her tender and enthralling vocals, not only has she naturally engaged us into the song, but she sings incredibly relatable lyricism of reminiscing past love and the beauty it once held. Lindsey Thomas offers this sweet melodic tone around the hook while singing with natural power and emotion regarding the love she once shared with someone who's still close to her heart. Linsdey Thomas has done a surreal job of painting such delicate emotions with her poetic and passionate lyricism. Ending the song off on a reminiscent and sweet note, Lindsey Thomas has delivered a highly emotional and moving piece with "Ghost," which reminds listeners to hold their loved ones close. Was it challenging to get down and write such emotional lyrical content with your tender single, "Ghost?" I think that it was much more rewarding than challenging to write the lyrics for “Ghost”. I loved getting to dive deeper into what it feels like when everything starts to settle in after a breakup. How did you go about crafting the sweet and savory instrumentals within "Ghost?" Did you lay down the instrumentals yourself, or did you have any other creators help out? I started writing “Ghost” in my apartment one day while I was at my piano. I began to play some random chords and humming a melody and ended up writing the lyrics as I hummed. I brought it to my good friend and producer Teddy Marquee and he introduced me to an amazing producer named Mikal Blue. Mikal picked up his guitar and we all sat down together and came up with the haunting instrumental for the song. With emotional singles like "Ghost" at hand, what do you hope listeners take away from such thorough and moving pieces like this? With “Ghost”, I wanted to create a piece that portrayed the feeling of being haunted by a life that you once knew. When you’re with someone for so long and it ends, you never realize how many things in your daily routine are missing once they’re gone. I wrote the lyrics, “but that’s how the story goes, now I’m sleeping with your ghost” about the new realization that you’re going to sleep and waking up in an empty bed where someone once was. Seeing as "Ghost" is your fourth release, how does this song stand out from your previous three tracks? Do you touch on similar or different themes throughout your discography? I think that I touch on some similar themes of romance throughout my discography, but with “Ghost” the reminiscing feeling of nostalgia really shines through. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? What can we expect to see from you next? Writing new music, finding undiscovered artists, and setting goals have really been keeping me inspired throughout this surreal year. I’m very excited to put out new music and videos in the next couple of months and hopefully be playing live shows again soon! Instagram Twitter #BUZZMUSIC

The North Shore Boston-based Retro-Wave Rock band Cold Engines releases a heated groove with their latest single, "She Looks a Lot Like You." As this is the fourth single off their upcoming album 'The Last Resort,' Cold Engines is incredibly eager to share the project for listeners to enjoy. Basking in the heated sonics of Retro-Wave, Power-Pop, and melodically driven Rock, Cold Engines is always demonstrating versatility within their overall sound. Consisting of David Drouin, Aaron Zaroulis, Geoff Pilkington, and Eric Reingold, Cold Engines has been making their way around the industry for quite some time now. With their latest hit, "She Looks a Lot Like You," we hear the heated stylings of Cold Engines through a mid-tempo blaze that offers a slightly nostalgic aspect to late 80s Rock. While singing lyricism depicting the beginning of a new relationship and thinking about a past lover, we feel the confusion and ache within David Drouin's vocals that pour immense soul over the sultry and sensual single. "She Looks a Lot Like You" opens with a massive mid-tempo drum beat, uplifting organs, and layered electric guitar that serves a prime-time Rock atmosphere. While David Drouin begins singing about the resemblance between his new lover and his past, we can't help but feel intrigued right from the jump, as Cold Engines pushes their warm and soulful instrumentals to offer this sultry sense of confusion. Through mesmerizing guitar solos, electrifying organ elements, and a tightly-wound drum beat, Cold Engines is genuinely making a name for themselves with powerful singles like these. Ending the song off with the utmost energy and passion. We can't help but lose ourselves in the heat that Cold Engines delivers. We're incredibly excited to hear Cold Engines' upcoming album, 'The Last Resort,' as it will not only feature the likes of their heated single "She Looks a Lot You," but they're giving an ode to Paul Verhoeven's album "Total Recall," which we're eager to hear. We love the passion and grit you've delivered within your single, "She Looks a Lot Like You." Where did the song's lyrical concept derive from? Funny you mention concept because it comes from this single being part of a fully realized concept album based on the 80’s sci-fi masterpiece, “Total Recall.” This part of the story is when the main protagonist is describing the woman of his literal reoccurring dreams. Within your single "She Looks a Lot Like You," you capture this sultry, sensual, and gritty atmosphere through your instrumentals. Why did you choose this mid-tempo and heavy sonic route for the single? The sonic elements and tones we envisioned for the single and the album as a whole were very much inspired by music of the ’80s like Prince, The Smiths, Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, Roxette, Tears for Fears, and The Police. How do the released singles off your album 'The Last Resort' get listeners ready for the entire album to drop? I think we chose a good cross-section of the material to give our fans an idea of the sprawling nature of the album. We’d like to think it moves gracefully through a few key genres. Speaking on your upcoming album, 'The Last Resort,' how did you go about capturing Paul Verhoeven's "Total Recall" within the project? That was a lengthy process of writing outlines and revisions until the story was told in a poetic and far out way. It’s a story of regular people joining together to defeat corporate and oligarchic overlords. That story is still unfolding in our real day to day experience. What will we see from Cold Engines in 2021? Well, the full album comes out New Year’s Day and we are very far along in the writing process for the next record so we will see what the world has in store for all of us in these uncertain times. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC