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Hailing from the Bay Area and Santa Cruz, CA, the two Hip-Hop and R&B Artists Owl Green and Amplified team up to release their cool, calm, and collected single, "Kick Back." Owl Green offers listeners his textured bars, which have been a decade in the making, describing his re-worked sound as 'Lo-Fi vibes with swing and swagger.' On the other hand, Amplified comes in as a staple opening act through multiple performances with Vans Warped Tour while weaving through the fabrics of a classic and experimental sound. Through their recent hit, "Kick Back," listeners get to hear the unique stylings of Owl Green and Amplified through their fiercely poised bars and relaxed delivery. While the two artists bring authenticity to the Hip-Hop/R&B scene through their playful delivery, Owl Green and Amplified soar over the track with immense rhythm and grooves that provoke the listener's inner-dancer to come forward. "Kick Back" opens with plucky electric guitar offering this bluesy R&B atmosphere at a mid-tempo pace. Once Owl Green's G-Eazy-like vocals enter the song, he provides a highly relaxed and laidback feel through his lyrics surrounding his skill towards quarantining. While wishing to slow the world down and kick back with a joint, Amplified comes in and steals the show. We can't help but feel a similar flow to J Cole through Amplified's rhythmic lyrical abilities and profound pronunciation, inevitably emphasizing his verses focal points. The supporting production drifts through Hip-Hop, R&B, and a sliver of Alternative through the hazy West Coast-inspired electric guitar that sweetens the song. A needed collaboration for the times, Owl Green and Amplified have teamed up to push greatness with their laidback tune "Kick Back," encouraging listeners to take their quarantines one chill day at a time. We love the warm and relaxed vibes you offer within your single, "Kick Back." What pushed you to release this song now, instead of when quarantine started back in March? Owl Green: Honestly, the song wasn’t even started at that time. In a perfect world, we would have. But on the creative side, in March, I wasn’t quite inspired to write a track like this. I think after a few months of actually living in quarantine, I got to have the experience to actually write the song that I felt fit my experience. Amplified: This song was written far after March, and wouldn't even be emotionally able to write at the time. The world was in such a fragile place at that time and so was our minds and thoughts. It wasn't until later when quarantine life settled in and we had to make the most of the situations at home. Speaking on the vastly different yet conceptually similar verses between Owl Green and Amplified on "Kick Back," how did the two of you write your bars to offer this powerful sensation of relaxation? Owl Green: I wanted to keep my verse pretty light this time. I wanted to focus my lyrics on things (game boys, 2k, Gushers, La Croix) rather than heavy hard-hitting bars. I really brainstormed what I had been up to since the lockdown and what would really bring out myself. Hobbies like what you drink, or what you play really help people get to know you. Amplified: Owl is such a master in the pocket on his verse and really set the tone and vibe with all his visual references. When he asked me to be on the song, I really felt like I needed to weave in and out of the pocket within singing to almost double-time like triplets and contrast his energy to help bring the song to the epic climactic chorus at the end. I wanted to continue to guide the energy of the song uphill Seeing as "Kick Back" was produced by André Paxton, were the two of you in on the production process to help bring the song's vision to life? What was it like working with André Paxton? Owl Green: Being that Amplified and myself live in different places we actually didn’t get to sit in the studio and work together. Believe it or not, André and Amp have never met. I had sat down with André and showed him a similar style beat and he created his own version of it. We spent a day working on the track and had a really good rough draft after only a day. I showed Amp the demo and told him the concept and he was super down to be apart of the project. Working with André is really special. He is super talented and such a great musician he can do anything. We work out of his home studio and the vibes there are so awesome. The quality and sound we get there are perfect we don’t even need a commercial space. Also whenever I go over there he has a smoothie made and waiting for me. He is a dope ass producer and his hosting skills are off the chart. I can’t express how thankful I am to be able to work with André, we make some really special music together. Amplified: What Owl said! Lol Within your track "Kick Back," is there any message that you were subliminally telling listeners? Did you want to encourage your audience to stay safe while making the most of their time inside? Owl Green: I hope everyone wants people to stay safe both inside and out. But I think what we wanted to convey in this song were the small joys of being home. Living in California we are still on a lockdown pretty much. And as people are going crazy and struggling to be stuck at home, this song was made to help you take a step back, breathe and just have fun with the simple joys of being at home. We kinda wanted to make a stay at home banger style anthem but not be cheesy and I think the tune really embodied it. Amplified: This song to me was just about having fun, and while we're here stuck inside, let's get back to the ones we love and experience each other at the moment because when life was "normal" we're always on the go and didn't connect or value our moments together as we should. What can listeners anticipate to hear next from you both? Owl Green: I am currently working on a new EP, and in the meantime, I’ll be dropping some singles leading up to it. As the year winds down I’m really trying to gear up for next year. I have some more collars in the works as well that I’m super excited to share! Amplified: More singles and more visuals, for your eyes and ears. Owl Green Instagram Amplified Instagram #BUZZMUSIC

Without letting quarantine hinder their creativity, the two UK-based Artists and Singer/Songwriters Howard Rose & Robbie Cavanagh release a song to get us out of our everyday routines with, "Greetings From Paradise." A rather interesting concept inspired the single, Howard Rose & Robbie Cavanagh found themselves wanting to steer away from the many quarantine songs, which struck their idea of creating a piece that takes listeners away from their everyday isolation and into the island's bliss. "Greetings From Paradise" takes listeners through a broad array of instrumental elements, hailing from genres like Rock, Alternative, and Blues/Soul. Howard Rose & Robbie Cavanagh mentioned that the island symbolizes the imprisonment of lockdown and the freedom of getting away from it all. Coming through with calming lyricism that depicts a peaceful place, we love what the single has to offer. "Greetings From Paradise" opens with spacious instrumentals through sweet and mellow electric guitar, minimal and transcendent keys, and punchy rhythm guitar. Once Howard Rose & Robbie Cavanagh begin vocalizing the serene island vibes and taking each day one laidback step at a time, we must note the incredibly textured vocal filters and added layers for depth. Diving deeper into the song, Howard Rose & Robbie Cavanagh's lyricism question why a recurring sensation of loneliness still haunts them on their journey to freedom. Going back and forth from Howard Rose & Robbie Cavanagh's picturesque lyricism to the song's dreamy instrumentals, we love the swing and grip that this song offers through each melodic element. Howard Rose & Robbie Cavanagh have taken quarantine songs to the next level with their single "Greetings From Paradise," as the boys bring a 180 spin and take listeners away from their recurring cycles. We adore each gripping aspect of your textured single, "Greetings From Paradise." How did you take your idea of not wanting to create a traditional quarantine song to find inspiration for this single? Every co-write starts with a catch-up. A conversation in which both parties are discussing their lives, but also vigilantly searching for a thread of an idea. A common ground to start the song. Naturally, at the moment that conversation takes us toward COVID and the Lockdown we've been experiencing. But upon landing on the subject, we both discussed our keenness to avoid the inevitable, and try and search for another idea. A little more conversation took us to escapism. The exact opposite of being stuck in the house during a pandemic. We talked of a desert island, bottomless bottles of rum. Absolute bliss. As we started to write the song though, we felt that there was a darker side to what we were writing, and through our conversation, we both agreed that perhaps escaping to a desert island wasn't necessarily paradise, but maybe just as imprisoning as being locked in the house. From that point the song took on a more cynical approach, with a call and response of "you should know better" almost being the voice of doubt in your head. Seeing as "Greetings From Paradise" was created over a Zoom meeting, is this a routine that you might continue with future songs? How do you maintain your creativity's unhindered execution when you're not with each other in person? It's definitely a different skill, writing over the internet. It will never quite feel the same as having that connection with someone in the room with you. That said, there's a real value in being able to meet online, start a song, then go away and work on something alone then rejoin the call to work further. Numerous times during the process I and Howard would mute the call to work on certain sections alone, then return to the call to share what we had figured out. Of course, it also means that we can write with people all over the world, without having to cross paths physically, which ordinarily is pretty rare when we are both out on the road. Though I would still certainly prefer to meet in person, I definitely wouldn't shy away from an online cowrite in the future. It works really well and we definitely wrote a piece of music that I don't think would have been created if we had been in a different place, or in the same room. That's the thing with cowriting, you create something you never would have written alone, or with any other artist, or even if the same two artists had met up under different circumstances, in a different room, at a different time of day, etc. Every single factor makes a huge difference, so I'm so glad that we got the opportunity to work in exactly the way we worked because I think we would have written a very different song otherwise. What has been keeping you both inspired in 2020 and what can we expect to see next from you? Hope mainly. It's definitely been a tough time, seeing not only my career but also my hobby and my passion disappears. It's been difficult at times to find the inspiration to keep going and try to build momentum during a time when there's little to boost my morale. Definitely living with my partner has helped alot. It's so important to have someone else to lift you up on your down days and to push you on the days when you're feeling positive. I've been focused on working on my new record, which I am recording in January, so that has been a big thing keeping me going. We can't help but feel as if there is a deeper meaning behind your lyricism on "Greetings From Paradise." What did you want listeners to take away from your lyrics? As Robbie mentioned previously the original idea was to write a song to give us and the listeners a chance to escape for 3 and a half minutes and hopefully it does that on a level. However, digging into the lyrics, from as early as the first verse we have "fresh out the water, bored, in the evening sun" alluding to the fact that everything may not be as peachy as it seems to be, I mean, we're already bored on this paradise island. I think the lyrics are a daydream about how best to waste your time and the self-loathing that can come with improper use of free time. It's about feeling good, and then feeling lost, then found, only for the cycle to begin again. The instrumentals within your single "Greetings From Paradise" are incredibly dynamic. What did your creative process look like between the two of you, the session musicians, and producers, especially seeing as it was over Zoom? When we first talked about starting the project Robbie sent over a couple of ideas he'd recorded on his phone. I then went about creating a musical setting for the song, putting down some guitar, bass, and drums so that one the afternoon of our first Zoom call I could share what I'd done and see what Robbie thought. The arrangement of the song and the whole production is centered around those initial ideas. Those ideas or that arrangement may have been time-stretched, chopped up, pitched down, or reversed, but those initial ideas are the foundation of the song. As the piece grew and we developed the different sections (over another Zoom call), I started to add the keyboard and synth parts. Once I had a fairly developed track I sent it over to Robbie to record his verse and chorus vocals. He came back with beautiful performances, really delicate but powerful lead lines, and a great selection of backing vocal parts. I kept developing the production of the song, taking influence from producers like Kenny Beats, Benny Blanco, and George Martin. I knew that for the dark climax at the end of the song I wanted a powerful and striking string arrangement so I got in touch with the incredible Harry Fausing Smith. We had a zoom chat of our own, I think the main points we found ourselves coming back to were "James Bond, beach vibes" which you can hear throughout the song, the sweet depth the strings add, and the way they play almost on a tightrope through the song so perfectly, I couldn't have asked for a better string arrangement. I then mixed and mastered the song, lots of mixes, lots of pulling sounds around but I'm really happy with how it turned out! instagram.com/passthemanual facebook.com/robbiecavanaghmusic instagram.com/howardrosemusic facebook.com/howardrosemusic

From New York to Los Angeles, the Singer/Songwriter and Producer Eden Neville releases her sonically stimulating Pop debut titled, "Video Games." Writing for other artists has always been a passion of Eden Neville's, as she's had recent credits with Not Famous, Heather Sommer, and Highlnd. Not to mention winning the 2019 ASCAP Harold Adamson Songwriting Competition, it wasn't until this year that Neville decided to undergo a solo creative venture. With her debut single, "Video Games," we're able to get to know the playful stylings of Eden Neville while basking in the sonic warmth of the song's upbeat and lively Pop production. While also coming through with an empowering message of knowing one's worth, Neville takes us and the industry by surprise through the song's electronic texture and her highly conceptual lyrics. "Video Games" opens with electronic synths and keys growing to a crescendo, meeting the initial beat drop alongside Eden Neville's bright and melodic vocals. While she begins singing of relationships and their modern-day turmoil, we're very appreciative of Neville's lyrical concept surrounding the need for her partner's attention while he's drawn to his "Video Games." What we love about the song's sonics is the video game tone that the synths deliver, offering this 8-bit aspect through each meticulously arranged electronic melody. While Eden Neville continues to push her desirous and playful lyricism, the song ends with a warm and slightly reflective atmosphere. We can't get enough of the intoxicating Pop production within Eden Neville's debut single "Video Games," and we admire the unique lyrical theme she delivers regarding everyday struggles within modern relationships. We're captivated by the entirety of your intoxicating debut single, "Video Games." Why did you want to release this specific track as your debut and introduction to your solo career? I knew I wanted to kick off my artist project with a song that was really fun and bubbly. Another main reason I wanted to start my artist project with this song was the music video that went with it. Music videos have always been something I’ve loved to create in my head and this idea was one of the first that made me think “ok, this one really needs to happen.” It’s important to me that people feel like they really know me, and I thought this video would be a great way to showcase my sense of humor. Speaking on the highly conceptual message behind "Video Games," what pushed you to write about modern-day relationship struggles and the fight to pull your partner away from their video games? The song idea actually came to me when I saw those TikToks of girlfriends dancing in front of their boyfriends while they're distracted by video games or the ones with girls dropping their bath towels to see their reaction. After seeing so many of those, it made to think there’s got to be a fun song to capture that feeling. To be honest, I play a lot of video games myself because I’m a Twitch streamer! It is a bit ironic that I released this song. Within your track "Video Games," we love the heavy electronic and somewhat 8-bit sonics. How did you arrange and produce the track to be so stimulating through your sonic delivery? That’s all thanks to my boyfriend Alex who produced the song. We knew that we obviously needed some sort of video game type sounds without going too over the top with them, and I think he nailed it! We've heard that you're releasing a music video for "Video Games" before Halloween. Should we anticipate the video to capture elements of gaming culture, similar to the song's 8-bit-inspired production? In the video, you’ll see the boyfriend playing video games the entire time, while behind him, three very crazy scenarios are happening. Some of them are definitely spooky which is why it’s perfect for Halloween. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? All of this free time! I’ve made a million excuses not to release music or not to do projects like this, and when the quarantine happened, I realized I couldn’t tell myself I didn’t have the time anymore. Another thing inspiring me is my streaming. When I started streaming on Twitch, I wasn’t worried about it being perfect and I just went for it. It made me realize I need to have that same energy with my music. instagram.com/edenneville twitch.tv/edybot facebook.com/edeneville

Lose Yourself in the Promising Soundscape of Ralphy’s “Dancing On A HeartBreak.” Australian Singer-Songwriter Ralphy began releasing music in 2016, and since then has swept her way into the music business with her impressive and animated live performances. She creates a safe and spirited space for listeners to feel understood and have the time of their lives, allowing little to get in her way. Her latest single “Dancing On A HeartBreak” reels you in with a retro radio-inspired introduction, and Ralphy wastes no time revealing her loud and purposeful beat. With your blood already pumping, her sultry vocals kick in and bring consistent energy all throughout the song. Her voice is gritty and full of passion, leaving behind all downhearted moods for all who listen. The 80’s inspired production gives “Dancing On A HeartBreak” the perfect sound for getting your body moving through difficult times, and provides a wave of nostalgia. What started off as a danceable, power song about feelings of hopelessness and heartbreak became something bigger as the global climate shifted. As times began to change, Ralphy and co-writer Matthieu McRenia took a revisit to the song, it took on a new meaning. Navigating new emotions in isolation can leave you feeling helpless, and Ralphy’s goal is to remind us how we can stay connected through music and dance. Keeping it fresh in the bridge, the electronic vocal effects parallel our technology-centered world and the way we stay close to one another when we have no choice but to be far away. As we go through life next to the people we love, we can find comfort in our relationships and of course, old school 80s pop. Check out “Dancing On A HeartBreak” here. How would you describe “Dancing On A HeartBreak” in just a few words for someone who has never listened to your music? How does “Dancing On A HeartBreak" represent your sound as a whole? "Dancing on a HeartBreak" description in a few words! #80s #fun #dancing #uplifting I feel this song represents me so well because I really love putting out positive energy to the world especially with everything people are going through right now we wanted to write a song people could relate to but feel good about. I love 80s music and it certainly has an influence. Tweaking the meaning of “Dancing On A HeartBreak” to mesh with the current state of our world truly gave it a personal and intimate depth for listeners. How has music been able to guide you through this past year? We came with "Dancing on a HeartBreak" it was originally just being down in the dumps and you have nothing else to lose so just dancing! and then quarantine happened just before we were about to go into the studio, so we began tweaking the lyrics to suit the moment because we realized that this song was what people were going through. Music is the one thing we can all connect with around the world and make us feel better. So l am excited to be getting this song out to the world and so grateful that I was able to get into the studio and get it done. So dance through this crazy time together "on one heartbeat." I’m sure it’s been difficult to have live shows on hold with the events of the pandemic, but once this becomes a possibility how do you plan to bring “Dancing On A HeartBreak” to life in a performance? Oh, I am so sad about not being able to do live shows. That is my passion. Anyone that knows me will collaborate my passion for live performance. Oh yes and not being able to see family that SUCKS! I am planning on doing some live stream show for "Dancing on a HeartBreak" and also hoping to do a live stream tour working with venues and clubs that can’t open now and live stream from them, bringing awareness to the long-suffering industry, especially around California. Are there any artists that inspired the musical style behind “Dancing On A HeartBreak”? I am consistently inspired by so many people, I am surrounded by many artists who are so creative, also inspired by 60s 70s 80s music, fashion, pop culture just living in LA is inspiring. What has been keeping you inspired this year and what can we expect to see next from you? Keeping busy creating art-making music trying to keep people happy by music and inspire other people. I have done two music videos for "Dancing on a HeartBreak" and can’t wait to showcase them. Both were shot on the iPhone. I wanted to show that in this crazy time that if you really want to do something you can! Even if you don’t have access to all the tools I never got to meet up with my editor we did everything on zoom. In one of the videos I got everyone to film themselves to keep everyone safe and it fits perfectly for the song "Dancing on a HeartBreak" alone with we are really together. What's next you ask? Keep putting art out to the world, I will never stop and I already have some tracks to work on for 2021. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

Kathleen Regan finds great solace in her music. She often uses it as a means of expressing how she views the world around her, and that ethos is rolling forward with full force with 2020 coming down to its closing months. After a hiatus away in Ireland, a place her family lineage is rooted in, the Bostonian intoner returns with an offering from her latest EP, 'People & Places (volume 1),' a record inspired by countries she's visited and the people she's met along her musical path. Her latest sneak-peek from the archipelago of folk numbers featured on her latest record clings to her past, gripping onto the most fleshy and vulnerable narratives like kudzu and denoting every perspective of her journey back to homeostasis with enamoring style. On "Mercy," Kathleen Regan gathers from the touchstones of her folk legend influences and distills a sense of dismal longing and remorse with the helping hand of her guitar, beckoning for audiences to attach the sentiments she's oozing with to their own emotional strifes, as a form of cleansing. Over the chugging melodic strums of her warm-tempered acoustic guitar, Kathleen glides buoyantly through immersive orchestrations of anthemic percussion and drums, symphonic strings that drone in the lush backdrops, and a diverse array of harmonics that flourish every time her sentiments stir up over the hook: "oh, I try to have mercy, father forgive me, for what I can't forgive." She recalls the emotional turbulence of a toxic relationship that's festered into every aspect of her life, and through a captivating display of passion and duress, Kathleen seems to relive those moments in "Mercy." Her voice quivers and waivers with a sullen temperament, and yet, the harmonies that diffuse from her hugging sonic voids reason with the Bostonian intoner, begging her to ("have mercy, have mercy,") as she decries her history; shedding the skin of past trauma, and coming out the other end stronger than before. If there's one thing for sure, it's that Kathleen is better off far away from those memories, and with "Mercy," she finds that sometimes, things just can't be forgiven; and that's okay. The fountain of flourishing melancholy, nostalgia, and hope to bolster 'People & Places (volume 1),' shouldn't come as a surprise by now. Kathleen has been toiling up to this moment for years, and finally, through an abundance of life experience, that work has paid off with some of her most substantial music yet; highlighted by the deep well of emotion found within "Mercy." What were the most powerful emotions you found yourself being influenced by during the recording of "Mercy." Is this a sentiment you find yourself coming back to throughout "People & Places (volume 1)"? Man, so many emotions ran through as I made these songs. It’s been a beautiful whirlwind. I think it oddly woke me up to the fact that maybe I’m not as “over” some situations as I thought I was and that this whole writing and recording process was overly healing to me and came at the right time. I was angry writing ‘Mercy’, sad writing ‘Coast of Maine’ and ‘The Gentleman’, but confident writing ‘Better Than That’ and ‘You Never Know’... I hope any listener finds comfort in these songs, feels understood because this world can be pretty hard to understand and they are so not alone. What was the most challenging part about releasing "Mercy" for the world to experience? Were there any reservations about making this vulnerable topic unrestricted and public? I definitely had fears about releasing this song, yes. "Mercy" comes from such a vulnerable place for me, and I knew I wouldn’t want to do it halfway… I knew that putting my story out there would mean I’d have to talk about it again. But I’ve come to realize that shying away from something I experienced just because it's hard to talk about, is no reason not to talk about it. If I preach on truthful songwriting and raw emotions, who would I be to not encourage someone else who’s gone through this? It’s been harder than I thought to have it out in the open, I won't lie, but I also envision it being extremely freeing for me and hopefully helpful to others, as well. How did "Mercy" first find its way into actuality with regards to production? Was "Mercy" initially a page of lyrics written out, a melody that reminded you of the past, or a combination of both? Mercy started as a guitar melody of mine, which is super rare for me. It’s the guitar melody at the start of the song and the words “been praying for you in the dead of the night”. I remember the exact night, too because I had turned down going out with a friend and was in my little studio apartment, where I could see the lights of downtown Nashville, and I was just like “why am I not happier?” The only thing I kept doing in those times of anger towards this person, prayed for the ability to forgive him. From there, my good friend Danen and I worked on the song pretty tirelessly, as this has been a work in progress for 2 years. I’m so grateful for Danen’s talent and for his contributions to this EP in totality, but mainly for his friendship in all of this. If you could give us a few words that would act as a prologue to the experience your listeners can come to expect from "Mercy" and the rest of the "People & Places (volume 1)" EP, what would you say and why? My EP, 'People & Places (volume 1)', is a series of little stories about forgiveness and moving forward in the realization that all you can be is better than the day before. I pray listeners to experience a sense of comfort knowing that they don’t have to be there yet, that some of the biggest acceptances in life take a great deal of time. I labeled this project “People & Places” because I kept finding myself resorting to specific people I had to forgive and places I ran away to while I couldn’t. ‘Coast of Maine’ is a prime example of missing home in a time where that’s all I wanted to be… when the man I wrote ‘Mercy’ about stripped me of confidence and of worth, I just wanted to be alone by the water, by the place that made me feel calm… We are all a work in progress, and I hope anyone listening to my music knows that that’s exactly what I am, too. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020 and what can we expect to see next from you? I have loved hearing that people are inspired by what I’m doing. I never thought I’d enjoy social media this much haha but it’s truly given me lots of time to connect with people online and really talk with them and to get to know them better. To hear that people are awaiting new music from me is precious and I’m not taking that for granted. Not playing any shows right now, it’s easy to forget that people are in fact, on your side and cheering you on. I plan to give those people a lot more music in 2021. instagram.com/kathleenreganmusic facebook.com/KathleenReganMusic twitter.com/kathleenrmusic kathleenregan.co

With strong roots in the Philippines and Canada, various Alternative artists from East and West collide to create an authentic experience with the compilation album titled, 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1.' The album opens with back to back songs by Fir Street, a solo act hailing from Laguna, Philippines, better known as Jehiel Fernandez who mixes stimulating electronica with melancholy lyrics for a dynamic adventure. As Fir Street opens the compilation album with his song "June Blankets," the project starts with lighthearted grooves for any listener to enjoy. With daydreamy electronic instrumentation through drifting synths, soft keys, and angelic female vocals from Jehiel Fir Street gracing the song with elegance, we love the modern and contemporary feel that Fir Street delivers with this heartfelt tune. His production drifts listeners through the celestials with help from the saddened and melancholy lyricism of searching for serenity. The mid-tempo instrumentation resembles a softer and more reflective Tame Impala, offering listeners a heartfelt sonic escape within the album's very first piece. Another track by Fir Street settles as the album's second piece with "Loss Statement." Fir Street switches up his delivery and offers a blissful downtempo tune for listeners to fade into their dreams. Opening the song with somber acoustic guitar picking and Fir Street's soft vocals, he begins depicting the unfortunate lyricism of being forgotten and feeling exhausted with the world's insanity. As the instrumentation begins to pick up with powerful drum patterns, heavenly keys, steady acoustic guitar, and an added female's vocals, the track quickly offers this sensation of tranquility and transcendence with each minor melody and the song's introspective lyricism. The next two tracks feature Sofia, a five-piece band based in Pangasinan, Philippines, consisting of Dex Soy, Mel Nicer, Justin, Jeeboy, and Polel; the band adds fire to the album and heats up instantly. The album's third track "Broken," features Sofia's dynamic instrumentation ranging from reflective Alternative to scorching Alt-Rock/Punk. Opening the song with Dex Soy's warm vocals describing scenes of feeling like a new person while also being pulled in two different directions, the supporting instrumentation thus far is incredibly soft through heartfelt piano, plucky electric guitar, and downtempo drum patterns. Around the mid-way point, Sofia switches up the instrumentation and scorches through with blazing Punk-inspired delivery. Dropping heavy instrumentals and enraged vocals, we love the contrast within the instrumentals that reflect Dex Soy's dynamic lyricism. Sofia's second track takes the album's 4th spot with their song "Lucid Dreams." Opening with airy instrumentals that drift over like a low rain cloud, the song is off to a heartfelt and passionate start. Once Dex Soy begins singing of being lost in a dream and not wanting to escape, the surrounding instrumentals offer this naturally alluring West Coast vibe through the soft and melodic electric guitar. Once again, around the mid-way point, Sofia picks up the power and pushes through with blazing Alt-Rock instrumentation while Dex Soy continues to narrate our dreams with powerful delivery. We love the dynamic flair that Sofia has added to the project so far. The following couple of songs feature the rocking quartet known as Fifteen Minutes Later. Coming from Siquijor and Negros Oriental, Philippines, members Kerwin Elman, Mark Lui Ruiz, Sergel Esquierdo, and Joannes Jumadla attended high school together and push to create hi-fi Post-Grunge Alternative-Rock. With their song and the album's fifth track, "Dim Light," Fifteen Minutes Later opens the song with mid-tempo instrumentation that rains down from the Gods of Grunge. As Joannes Jumadla's vocals begin to serenade us with a message of power and resilience, Fifteen Minutes Later throws their hearts and souls into the song's exhilarating and gritty instrumentals through the melodic electric guitar, gripping rhythm guitar, a thumping bassline, and heated drum patterns. We can't help but feel like we've entered a time machine back to the 00s with this hi-fi tune, not to mention Jumadla's warm and inspiring lyrical message of letting your inner light shine. With their next track "Maybe," Fifteen Minutes Later offers a warm-hearted shift through their upbeat instrumentals. Opening the song with short electric guitar melodies and Joannes Jumadla's powerful vocals, the track quickly turns into another scorching hot delivery. Especially through the band's tight grunge-inspired instrumentals, we can feel our faces melting one inch at a time. While Jumadla continues to sing reflective lyricism regarding the turmoil of past relationships and attempts to navigate his way, Fifteen Minutes Later pushes through with fire and adds excellent emphasis to each introspective lyric. Switching it up with the addition of Perfect Average, hailing from Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. The trio consists of Rinz Ares, Nichol Lecera, and Andrei Garcia, always bringing active Pop-Punk to the stage for listeners to get lost in. Perfect Average takes the album by storm with their first track "Better Change," shooting us into the transcendent celestials with pushy Punk and exhilarating delivery, instrumentally and vocally. Rinz Ares' bright Punk-inspired vocals resemble a 2001 Tom DeLonge, raining down with incredible emphasis and energy. He sings of the constant changes humans must undergo to fit modern-day societal standards without getting lost in the mix. As the supporting instrumentals bring a vastly heavy aspect to the song through the fiery electric guitar, thumping rhythm guitar, a tight bassline, and hi-fi drum patterns, we can't help but feel exhilarated after Perfect Average's introduction to the album. Pushing through their second track "Bluemoon," Perfect Average opens the track with whaling electric guitar melodies and haunting ghost vocals. Once the entire instrumentation sets in with boundless energy through upbeat percussion, textured rhythm guitar, and a gripping bassline, Rinz Ares enters the track and blazes through the atmosphere with force. He begins singing lyrics of feeling lonely and not himself when he's missing his partner, Perfect Average does an incredible job of pushing high energy instrumentals with meaningful lyrics that swoon the listener. We love the back and forth between the band's energy on this track, adding perfect emphasis to aspects representing our inner turmoil. The album's next couple tracks feature Icebox (Vince Dela Cuz), an Artist/Producer from the Philippines to Toronto, Canada. Listening to Icebox's Alternative sound will inevitably put listeners in a trance where they're emotionally connected to his songs of love, loss, and the transition in between. Sweetening up the next song "One Sweet Love," Icebox opens the song with a daydream through downtempo drum patterns, a bluesy bassline, melancholy electric guitar picking, subtle synths, and Vince Dela Cuz's warm filtered vocals. Moving from the softened intro to the sweltering hook, the instrumentals deepen and add this gut-wrenching element through the song's grunge-inspired rhythm guitar. With multiple instrumental switch-ups, Icebox pitches camp in our hearts with his reflective lyricism regarding the infinite love he has for someone, no matter the circumstances. Icebox adds an incredibly versatile aspect to the album, and we're excited to see what comes next. Warming up the album with Icebox's second track "I'm Missing You," without missing a beat, the instrumentals open the song on a highly passionate note through modern synth arrangements giving the track a psychedelic appeal. We're feeling this Mac De Marco vibe through Icebox's delicate synth arrangement and slightly filtered vocals offering a warm embrace. Icebox brings a heartfelt lyrical message by serenading someone he loves with relatable lyrics that anyone can resonate with. Once the hi-fi electric guitar begins whaling, the instrumentals seep through our speakers with the utmost passion and love. Changing up the artists with the next two tracks featuring How Now (Brian Josef), a solo Alternative-Pop/Rock Artist/Producer from Manila, Philippines. Garnering vast attention from the likes of his bedroom studio, How Now allows listeners to relate to his limitations, being himself. Brightening the album with How Now's track "Drive Away," he opens the song with upbeat instrumentation through a driving bassline, textured percussion, melodic electric guitar, and How Now's softly filtered vocals. As he begins singing of missing someone dearly and wanting them to make a U-turn back to him, the song adds this bright and cheerful aspect through the uplifting instrumentals, uniquely contrasting How Now's deep lyricism. The song offers playback of what goes on in our minds when encountering a devastating breakup, and How Now provides the most relatable, heartfelt, and vivid lyricism to back him up. Giving the album an 80s flair with How Now's next track "Angels Cry," the song opens with rich synth arrangements, lively drum patterns, and shimmering electric guitar melodies. How Now begins singing a heartfelt message of searching for stability within a relationship, the supporting instrumentals drift through and add a highly reflective atmosphere. How Now's picturesque lyricism pours down from above and allows listeners to feel every inch of his aching emotions while floating along with the song's tender instrumentals. We love the authentic passion that How Now has placed into the album, as we're left doing some needed introspection of our own. The last group to grace the album goes by the name UPPERCASE, a Filipino-Canadian Alternative-Pop/Rock band based in Toronto, Canada. Consisting of Allan Lagat, Mark de Leon, Joey Giagonia, and Kyle Andre, the band has quickly garnered attention from international radio stations and Spotify playlists. UPPERCASE wastes no time and jumps into the album with their song, "Tanging Ikaw." Although the lead vocalist Mark de Leon serenades us in his native Filipino tongue, we can feel the life and passion exuding from his delivery without completely understanding the lyrics. UPPERCASE's instrumentation is highly passionate and energetic, giving us the warmth that Alt-Pop/Rock has to offer. This uptempo tune brings listeners deep into a bright and sparkling atmosphere with the band's playful instrumental delivery and Mark de Leon's clean and melodic vocals. Around the hook, a tender electric guitar solo adds heightened energy to the song while shifting into the uplifting outro that closes the track with nothing but heart. UPPERCASE sets out an intoxicating mid-tempo groove with their second track, "In You." Switching up the vocal delivery from Filipino to English, we could initially tell that Mark de Leon was singing with heart and passion, yet this song clarified that. He sings lyrics of longing to hold someone's hand and be by their side through thick and thin while UPPERCASE's supporting instrumentation drifts through with poise and passion through the electrifying guitar, gripping bassline, and playful drum patterns. The band throws us into a warm atmosphere exuding life and love from all corners with this track, and we can't seem to shake the song's anthemic melodies that linger in our minds. Reaching the last track of the album 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1,' Sofia makes their way back to close the project with their song, "I_m Okay, I Guess. Thank You." The sweet and savory four-minute instrumental outro opens with drifting electric guitar underneath a textured bassline, pulling us in closer to the midtempo tune. With soft drum patterns and faint synths capturing our attention, the song quickly shifts into another hi-fi and whaling Alt-Rock delivery through pounding rhythm guitar and highly melodic electric guitar. We must note how Sofia goes back and forth within their instrumental approach, as this song is truly dynamic and offers a powerful outro to the entire project. With each artist/group that has graced the album 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1,' it would be an understatement to say that we're impressed with not only the project's quality but the overall texture and depth that every act delivers. We love the heart and passion that Icebox adds to the album 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1.' Why did you want to add two deep and reflective songs to the album? Would you say these songs give listeners a solid introduction to your music? Icebox: Being a fan of Alternative Music since 1994, these 2 songs mean a lot to me which reflects my real identity in making music. I really love laying melodious sound plus the grunge of it. We want to start by saying how needed Fir Street's sweet sound was within the album 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1.' How did you narrow down your song choices for the album? What do you think your two tracks add to the project? Fir Street: I think, it's for the reason that those are both my favorites. I picked out those two songs for the album because I think a lot of people would relate to the lyrics on those songs, especially the song Loss Statements which sort of talks about the heavy feeling of being in the real world. I think what those two tracks added to the project is the familiar sound of the electronica, which can be often heard on retro video games. Most bands don't really do electronica especially when you're in a full band. So I decided to put those two tracks to somehow change the sound pace. Sofia, you have three blazing tracks on 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1,' and you blast through the album adding an incredible dynamic range. Would you say that your dynamic instrumental shifts are a typical sound for your group? Sofia: Our music and songwriting are based on our influences plain and simple. But most of the time we try to make a good blend of the lush and heavy sound. To mesh both together might just be the reason as well that we create that dynamic and sonic vibe on the music. Within the album 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1,' we noticed UPPERCASE features two vastly different songs. Why did you choose an English and Filipino song for the project? Did you want to capture both sides of UPPERCASE by doing this? UPPERCASE: Exactly.  With “In You”, we captured our band’s musical influences from the past, and ended up with a pop-rock ballad song that is reminiscent of “Ventura Highway” by America, and with elements of modern rock guitar techniques. “Tanging Ikaw” is a reflection of how our band and our songwriting has evolved to a point where it can stand with today’s current OPM genre in terms of music dynamics, catchy melodies, and relatable lyrics.  We think this song represents our growth as a band and the potential to appeal to most listeners today and in the future. Having songs in Tagalog and English reflects our Filipino-Canadian heritage as first-generation immigrants in North America and we are glad to share music that expresses that. We love the classic Alternative sounds that How Now has captured within your feature on 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1.' What inspired your reoccurring vocal filters and lighthearted sound for your two features on the project? How Now: my inspiration for the treatments of my mix came from my love of listening to dream pop/new wave. It is always relaxing to me to make light-hearted music. Something that I can listen to before going to sleep or when just driving calmly. I have a band also that plays punk music so for How Now, I suppose my escape from all the noise. Seeing as Perfect Average features two blazing singles within 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1,' how do you feel your work differs from the rest of the album's pieces? What do your songs bring to the album that others don't? Perfect Average: Perfect Average has the quality of being particularly remarkable. Among the albums released within World Alternative Music, PA is the only band that has the Pop Punk genre that makes it impressive since the genre is still pursued even in the diversity of music that would outlast it. Even so, Perfect Average pursues music that has lyrical themes true to life with a fast tempo and melodic. The songs written were not just mere ideas that were romanticized for the sake of making a song but it always been an expression of the band’s frontman to record life through music. Aside from its lyrical theme about romantic relationships, unknowingly, some of the songs were written about faith in God which also explains the band name itself. The 'World Alternative Music, Vol. 1' album wouldn't be complete without Fifteen Minutes Later's two conceptual pieces. How do your tracks on the project give listeners a better understanding of who you are and the music you create? Fifteen Minutes Later: Fifteen Minutes Later has created a unique blend as a result of each members’ varied influences that contributed to the band’s overall craft. Also, the members have a common ground which is an alternative rock in the early 2000s. As you listen closely to the two songs, they indeed are mostly influenced by the transition from the post-grunge era to early alternative rock music, an era that would define Fifteen Minutes Later’s music. Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

R&B/Pop Singer and Songwriter, Madison Hughes submerges us in her latest earnest record, “Easy Way.” Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida this spirited artist is offering listeners a sweet-escape through her naturally alluring and warm sound. Her musical venture into her solo career all started by taking guitar lessons in primary school and performing "Wild Thing" at a fifth-grade talent show. Now, Madison Hughes takes sonic elements from around the world and infuses them into her vibrant sound. With a wide range of artistic influences from multiple genres of music, listeners can easily understand why Hughes' music is rather dynamic. Releasing music that resembles R&B and Pop, she has made it evidently clear that she is capable of artistic versatility with the heartfelt tunes she crafts. She's continuously working to further develop her sound and pull listeners in tight with a warm sonic embrace. Madison Hughes is on a musical mission with no end in sight. “Easy Way,” instantly immerses us in the smooth and delicate expressions of Madison Hughes accompanied by sparkling keys adding a complimenting shimmer. The instrumentation promptly takes over and the up-tempo, rhythmic elements of her worldly muses are added into the synthesis, sending mind-altering vibrations through the speakers. All of the elements blended together showcase her exclusive sound with the most pleasant transportation through her auditory exhibition. Her vocals have an angelic projection that allows us to float upon every word she delivers, keeping us on the hook. The sultry tonal distinction through her well-crafted lyrics creates a utopia in which, “Easy Way,” dominates. With each word that she conveys, we are further opened to her wide-range of vocals and inspirations leading us into the depth of what makes Madison Hughes one of a kind. Congratulations on the release of “Easy Way.” What is the meaning behind this heartfelt single and what would you like listeners to take away from it? I like writing about meaningful themes rather than shallow ones…I like singing about themes that inspire me, end not taking the “easy way” has always been a saying I stand by. I was watching “The Kid Who Would Be King” movie on an airplane a couple of years ago, and in the film, Merlin says “the most worthwhile path...is seldom the easiest.” That sentiment stuck with me from that moment on. I want listeners to leave feeling inspired and motivated about their life when they put their minds to something. Could you please bring us into the vibes of the studio session where “Easy Way,” was created? I record everything in my bedroom, here in Florida, at a small desk with no proper studio set up. Just a microphone, interface, and a MacBook! I started to write this song the same night we had company over…so you’ll hear in the intro of the song some background noise — I ended up keeping that takes and not re-doing it because I was free-styling and the best takes always come when you're not trying so hard! The instrumental was produced by DC-based musician, Bunie, and I met him while I was living in DC earlier this year. I asked him to send me some song ideas and he sent me this Afro-Fusion vibe, and I was obsessed with the track! I then got one of his friends, Santaa, to play guitar on it. The refrain, “I won’t take no easy way no easy can’t stop now better seize the day,” was written earlier this Spring when times were a bit troublesome with the start of Covid. I was determined to not let discouragement settle in when it came to pursuing my passion for music. In terms of atmosphere, where do you find yourself to be the most creative? Similar to most people, I discover creativity when I’m traveling and escaping from the routine. Creativity also comes from having life experiences, where I end up having something worthwhile to write about. I am never creative when I’m just stuck in the mundane cycle not interacting with people. For me, creativity also comes from forming relationships with people, as that also gives me topics to write about. Could you please tell us about your world travels and how you continue to take elements from your experiences and transfer them to your music? Having visited London, Jamaica, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Spain, Cuba, Scotland, and Nicaragua during my time as a student has opened my eyes to so many different cultures in the world! I love interacting with the people there, getting to know their language, and their musical tastes. I haven’t necessarily made music with people from all these countries but I can definitely say its the reason why I still am figuring out my “genre” and “sound” as an artist…I love so many different sounds, its hard to pick one! What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? As Billie Eilish says, “my future” keeps me inspired." Untapped potential, endless possibilities, and God’s promises. instagram.com/itsmadisonhughes

Sultry R&B and Pop Artist, AWAL expresses a heartfelt message in her melodic new single, “Show Me Love.” Hailing from Central Pennsylvania, but based out of New York City, AWAL has a knack for taking her life experiences with bias and microaggressions and allowing them to fuel her fire. Being adopted by two pastors and growing up as one of the only black girls in town, AWAL has a burning passion to be heard and represented in a world that doesn’t see you for what’s inside first. AWAL fuses her upbringing and real-life experience into the unique sound that she has carefully crafted for herself. She showcases her artistic talents in a way that empowers the listener, makes you groove to the music, and allows you to tap into your inner self-confidence. “Show Me Love,” has a sizzling sound that entrances you with the instrumentation almost immediately. The smooth and sultry vibes of this jam create a hybrid fusion between the genres of R&B and Electro Pop throughout the mesmerizing progression of the song. AWAL has a heavenly way of vocalizing the well-crafted lyrics she sings regarding that special person in your life that sees you for more than what you are on the surface all while giving you the love and attention that you truly deserve. The chilling harmonies exuded by AWAL display the love and desire she carries within herself. With a clear and present representation of a message that goes a long way in today’s society, AWAL truly leaves it all on the table as she transports us into a wistful utopia through her euphoric conveyance. AWAL stays showing us why she is garnering the attention that she does. Her performance is nothing short of exceptional in, “Show Me Love,” and we can’t wait to hear what this up and coming artist has in store for us next. Congratulations on the release of, “Show Me Love” and thank you for being with us at BuzzMusic, AWAL. With such a lovely message in your latest single, could you please take us into the creative process of, “Show Me Love?" Having any sort of relationship in NYC is challenging; Whether it’s romantically or platonic. Things are constantly changing and no one ever slows down. In any relationship, it comes down to communication. How do you show your love? How do you communicate your feelings? What’s your love language? Drawing from all the crazy dating situations I’ve had, Show Me Love is my reflection on how I value the people I let in and show me, love. What is your favorite lyric that you pen in, “Show Me Love”? What does it mean to you? My favorite lyric is definitely “Better change your attitude or that’s it we’re through.” I used to work with kids and a phrase I would use often was “Change your attitude." So I started using it on the regular and this guy I was seeing- Every time we were together, he would pick a fight or try to argue about something. He would do it just for fun and to get a rise out of me. So, I would always say better to change your attitude or... bye! I did, in fact, say bye lol. Could you please take us into what the studio session looked like when recording, “Show Me Love?" When I recorded Show Me, Love, it was during the pandemic in NYC and the peak of protests in support of Black Lives Matter. I had been on the frontlines for a while and I really burnt out. I needed to do something creative or I thought I was going to have a meltdown. It was the first time I had ever worked with my engineer (MixedByNess, check him out) and I was nervous about being in the studio with someone new. We ended up clicking  and I was able to explore the song in a new way since I wrote it.  No one could see me in the booth and I was able to breathe and sing unapologetically. It was such a weight lifted off of me to be able to step foot in a booth and sing again. When finding out that music is your ultimate passion in life, what are some challenges that you had to overcome before this realization became present? I started out in Musical Theatre and that’s why I moved to NYC. I have always been very passionate about performing and knew I would work to make it my career. I never felt like I fit into the musical theatre world. I’m not a dancer, my voice is low and raspy, and I am a Black woman. The roles and playing field aren’t as clear. It caused a huge identity crisis. My health started to shift in the past two years and auditioning was wearing me out. I started writing and when I stepped into the booth I was like wait... I get to sing... I get to sing notes in my range and lyrics that I won’t forget because I wrote to them! My first performance at Sofar Sounds was definitely the realization for me that this was the journey for me (Shout out to Schitt's Creek). What has been keeping you inspired in 2020 and what can we expect to see from you as we go into 2021 2020.... it’s a challenge, yeah?  Our world is in the middle of a pandemic and our country is drowning in racial unrest. What’s keeping me inspired is seeing everyone fighting, getting out to vote, and getting involved in their community. It’s more important than ever to stay involved and uplifting each other. I don’t know what will happen in 2021 but I know I will keep using my platform and music as a way to advocate for others. Definitely can expect more music and my first EP! Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

The North Shore Boston-based Retro-Wave, Power-Pop, and melodic Rock band Cold Engines releases a reminiscent and heartfelt tune titled, "The Darkest Part." Consisting of David Drouin, Aaron Zaroulis, Eric Reingold, and Geoff Pilkington, Cold Engines have spent five long years re-working their sound to capture the urgency and catchiness of the golden era of Pop music. More recently, Cold Engines has been busy working on their highly anticipated 6th record titled "The Last Resort" to drop New Year's Day 2021. With their latest hit, "The Darkest Part," listeners can hear a more reflective, personal, and softer side of Cold Engines. The four-piece pushes an incredibly soothing and warm atmosphere through their bluesy take on Alternative-Rock/Folk. Not to mention the song's deep lyrical content that's sadly relatable, we love the pure passion and heart that Cold Engines has infused into this tender single. "The Darkest Part" opens with warm acoustic guitar strumming and Country/blues-inspired electric guitar, droning in the distance. Once the lead vocalist beings to pour his heart and soul into the track through deepened lyricism, he keeps our ears locked right into his heartfelt sound that moves mountains. Cold Engines offers highly picturesque instrumentals. Through the song's downtempo pace, the band is able to take their time and serenade us with the soul and passion this song exudes. Not to mention the song's lyrical story surrounding the memories of a past lover when the days didn't seem so dull, we can't help but feel our hearts break after taking one simple listen. "The Darkest Part" reminds listeners that distance is now a universal feeling, all while Cold Engines pushes a saddening story of love and loss, which inevitably encourages listeners to live in the moment, whatever that may be. We're lost in the dreamy and soothing atmosphere within your single "The Darkest Part." Did one sole event inspire the song, or was it a collective inspiration deriving from the world's state? The Darkest Part is a very important piece to the new record coming out in January. The album is a fully realized rock opera based on the 80’s sci-fi masterpiece Total Recall. The song represents a moment where the protagonist laments in his longing to be with the woman of his dreams even though his life has gone off the rails. Could you take us through your band's songwriting process for "The Darkest Part"? How did you split the process, and was there any message that you wanted to stand out within the track? This track just kind of spilled out once the outline of the story was established in our writing process. We knew the film was very dynamic and the flow of the record had to be a real emotive journey. The message within the track is certainly that of longing. Seeing as your band is known for your Retro-Wave, Power-Pop, and melodic Rock sound, why did you want to fuel your song "The Darkest Part" with Country/Blues and Folk-Rock instrumentals? Much like the movie, the record is a rollercoaster ride of genre-bending action and dynamics. We have always had a few singer/songwriter songs on each album and it’s in our wheelhouse for sure. Why did you want to release "The Darkest Part" prior to your forthcoming album "The Last Resort"? How does your single pave the way for your album to follow? The songs we chose to release leading up to the full record launch were meant to showcase the variety and dynamics of the album as a whole. The Darkest Part is simply the first of the more emotive slow-burners within. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? What can we expect to see next from you? At this point, inspiration is hard to find but within our friendship of the band, there is a need and desire to create even through the toughest of times. Sometimes that friendship alone is enough to keep one moving forward. As far as what the future holds creatively, we’ve just finished a record for a summer release after this album comes out in its entirety on Jan.1st, 2021. facebook.com/coldengines instagram.com/coldengines #BUZZMUSIC

We are so excited for our readers to get to know you! Can you tell us about your new single, "I Still Believe?" I'm so thankful for the opportunity to share with your readers, thanks for having me! "I still believe" (out 10-30-20!) is a song I feel like a lot of people are going to relate to, especially after the year we've all just had. I wrote it with my friend Brad Sample (who also co-produced the song and my upcoming album with Bobby Holland!) during a time where I think we both were feeling a bit battered in our artistry. I remember us having a conversation along the lines of "If I were in any other line of work and having this much trouble moving forward, the obvious move would be a career change, but dang it, I still believe in this!" and the song was born. I hope the song inspires others who are having a tough season but still finding faith in the madness. Any tried and true rituals in the studio? Oh my gosh, I don't think there's anything I love more than being in the studio! I started recording when I was about 13 years old so it is my absolutely happy place. I don't necessarily have any rituals but I really love and benefit from setting the mood. I like to dim the lights, light a candle (or 5), and make sure I feel my most comfortable. I also really like to dress up a bit for a studio day. It's not a live performance but it is a performance people will hear over and over and I find that if I feel "show ready" or like a star, I have a more exciting studio day. How do you know when a song is finished? It can be really tricky to know when a song is finished. I have learned that when I'm starting to add parts just to add parts and the value of the song isn’t increasing, we are probably done. I typically have harmony and production ideas in mind when writing a song so when I can hear all that come together and it isn't feeling busy or chaotic, I start to think we are there! I think this is also why it's incredibly important to hire a producer or production team you really trust, it can be SO hard to honestly judge something you're so close to, so it's a huge asset to have a team that knows how to make those calls and serve the songs well. What creative risks have you taken that have paid off? I honestly feel like all creative endeavors hold a bit of risk- when you're writing and recording your own songs, you're essentially putting your most vulnerable and delicate parts of yourself out there and baring it all. It can be super nerve-wracking! But a big risk for me was launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund my record. I was so nervous that nobody was going to care enough to contribute and I was going to publicly not reach my goal but thankfully my circle of friends encouraged me so I quiet-ed my fears and went for it! Even though my campaign ran for almost 3 weeks, within 3 days I had surpassed my goal! That was incredibly rewarding and exciting! When did you know that music was your calling? I feel like it can come off super cliche to say "I've always known music was my calling" but I truly can't remember a time in my life when that wasn't the dream. I grew up in a very musical household- my mom is an incredible singer and my dad is a drummer and booked bands when I was little so my babysitters were often musicians and we had musician friends stay with us periodically through my childhood. My earliest memories are putting on concerts for anyone who would listen/stuffed animals/ horses and goats on our farm. I always loved singing and making up my own songs. But I began to take it seriously around the age of 13/14 and started making trips to Nashville to take voice lessons and work in the studio and the rest is history! Where is the best way to keep up with everything you're up to and keep connected? I try to keep my social media pretty up to date with all the happenings but I also have a website with all current info. You can also follow me on Spotify and/or apple music, I will share all the links below! instagram.com/kendrachantelle twitter.com/kendrachantelle facebook.com/kendrachantellemusic kendrachantellemusic.com