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From Montreal, Canada, Radium Moon is an Alternative Rock band made up of three artists: Sandrine Chouinard, Brandon Muir, and Raphael Poletti. Each of these multitalented musicians brings their own unique music style to the table both instrumentally and vocally. Sandrine specializes in vocals and bass, Brandon is a vocalist and guitarist, while Raphael is the thumping heart of the band on the drums. Known for their classic, heavy rock-and-roll energy, Radium Moon sprinkles in punk vocals and alternative vibes to truly showcase their musical diversity. In addition to their musical chemistry, the trio is also a harmonious group when they collaborate during their songwriting process. They generally begin with one of Brandon’s new riffs, and everything seems to flow from there. Once the rhythm and the melody are set, they flow into their songwriting and often create a song that reflects their mood at the time. With the recent release of a self-titled EP in June, fans are eager to hear what else Radium Moon has to offer. Check out our latest interview with Radium Moon here. instagram.com/radiummoon facebook.com/Radiummoon #BUZZMUSIC

Remember New Jersey Singer/Songwriter Jackie June? Her emotionally-driven singles may jog your memory, and her lyrical compositions most definitely will. Always remaining true to her truth and sound, Jackie June knows how to establish quality music that contains nothing but a real heart. In an effort to inspire her listeners to follow their own truth and path, Jackie June shapes her music around each and every message she strives to communicate to her listeners. One of her past singles, "Can't Quit You", did exactly that, and highlighted the path to understanding one's self, and all of the positive outlooks that can surface as a result. Jackie June's intrinsic energy would be another element to her music that's difficult to forget and ultimately due to the fact she can really make you feel something as a listener. Jackie's outlook has always remained positive, and that type of energy completely radiates off of her. Shaping the majority of her music around vulnerable and personal experiences, Jackie June is not afraid to show her authentic self to listeners and further, to expose her raw adventures with life. Listeners can expect to receive a real person and real music with Jackie June, which should only inspire readers to check out her truthful song releases. Whatever it is we get with Jackie June, we know it'll be nothing short of genuine. Check out our recent interview with Jackie June here. instagram.com/jackiejunemusicnj facebook.com/jackiejunemusicnj #BUZZMUSIC

Recently, we featured Harini Iyer's latest release, "Rowthiram Pazhagu". The creatively-inclined artist had always known that music spoke to her soul, and we're highlighting this very intrinsic drive she has today. Always remaining freshly inspired with her sound, Harini Iyer never misses an opportunity to grow her developing sound, as she's persistently staying on top of her growth as an artist. Harini Iyer finds comfort in collaboration, and has deeply grown with her collaboration with artist Han Beyli in their single "Rowthiram Pazhagu". Always being keen to embedding pivotal messages within her tracks, Harini Iyer understands the platform she holds as a music artist and has always wanted to use it in a beneficial way. Staying true to versatility, Harini Iyer further keeps herself inspired and informed within the music world by honing in on further collaborations, as well as taking the time to focus on her personal advancement apart from music. We're always humbled to showcase Harini Iyer, and always looking forward to new music in anticipation. Check out our recent interview with Harini Iyer here. instagram.com/hiyerama facebook.com/hanbeylimusic #BUZZMUSIC

Hailing from Covina, CA, the Singer/Songwriter and Rapper Deception releases a vulnerable and warm-hearted single titled "Visions." Creating music with themes of mental illness, love, and self-discovery, Deception brings incredible sincerity with each individual song. His latest single "Visions" surrounds a message of searching for someone who, instead of looks past your flaws, embraces them for who you are. He goes deep on this track, going back and forth from heartfelt vocalizations to deepened bars and steady flow, Deception brings nothing but heart and authenticity on this 3-minute groove. Not to mention the Weeknd-like production that lights up the night sky, this single sticks out as one to take note of straight away. "Visions" begins with droning and spacey keys and a groovy mid-tempo foot-tapping beat. Once Deception's warm vocals appear, he spills his heart with such a genuine tone and allows the listener to dive into his celestial sound. The background production sounds as if Abel Tesfaye went lo-fi/psychedelic; it pours over the listener with captivating melodies and perfectly arranged electronic elements. Deception continues singing with an incredible passion for someone he has his eyes on, and he doesn't fail to impress us with the vulnerable and relatable lyrics he's written. Deception's single "Visions" reminds us not to settle for anything less than what we expect, all while allowing the listener to groove the night away. Hello Justin (Aka Deception) and welcome to BuzzMusic. What was your songwriting process like for "Visions"? How did you go about being so vulnerable and opening your heart up to write such heavy lyrics? To put into context of the song, Visions is about finding that one special person who understands the inner struggles that we've faced on an everyday basis, yet STILL accepts you for who you are. The special person who also tries to help you seek the positive aspects of yourself when you've yet to realize them. I think all of us at one point in our lifetime has had that experience before. It is one of my favorite tracks I've written for the album due to its euphoric, yet somber atmosphere.  I believe that having vulnerability in my music not only brings out the best in my writing, but also the best in understanding how capable I am as an artist.  It helps me pinpoint what works for me and what doesn't. I've always written lyrics that people today could relate to because I want the listeners to feel like they have a close connection with me. From then to now, I noticed a significance where most of my deep and heartfelt songs resonate more with listeners than my songs that are braggadocious and obnoxious. I've also been told that my voice suits well with songs that have a somber atmosphere. I've taken that into account and will gravitate more towards that within my craft. Did you produce "Visions" yourself, or did you have help with the song's sonics? How did you create such a beautifully chilling atmosphere? I was not the one who produced the track. I give credit to the producer, Benny Alexander, for making such a beautiful composition to Visions. I love that beat. The beat feels like you've taken acid and are now floating in space. Some of my friends would tell me that the bass drop in that song would go crazy on their speakers and that the melody of the song itself was just ear candy. Because I'm currently not at that stage yet where I produce my own songs, I pick and choose certain beats online from various producers, and that takes me around two to four hours just finding beats that I feel a strong connection within writing confidently. In the future, I plan to produce my own songs whenever my patience serves me right, haha. Since your career began in early 2016, how have you seen your music grow over time? Do you feel that your sound has evolved, or have you stayed loyal to a particular style? My sound in my music has definitely evolved over time. During the beginning, I was mostly doing rap with lyrics that were edgy and unorthodox in today's viewpoint of music. I was sixteen when I first started doing music, so I was pretty immature within my craft I guess you could say.  Today, I am twenty-one. Boom bap, lofi, and alternative rock were the vibes I took a liking to. Today, I still remain loyal to those styles, yet every day I'm searching for new sounds to incorporate into my music as well. I think that, as an artist, you shouldn't have to be afraid of trying new things. Whether it be new genres in your music to incorporate, different ideas, or lyrics, you should not have to be afraid. If you have a desire to be different in the music scene, go for it. No matter what type of artist you are, painter, poet, dancer, actor, singer, etc, you should never be afraid of trying new things. It'll help you discover yourself as both an artist and an individual. Seeing as it's been a month since the release of your debut album "The Escape III," do you feel that the project was received well by listeners? Did you happen to pull in new fans? I certainly do! I was given lots of love and support for this project, and not to mention that the album was featured on a monthly artist playlist from Spilled Records and We Are Dope Haven on Instagram. As of late, the album stream is currently standing at 42.5k, which is pretty impressive to me considering that it's my first major release! Most listeners enjoyed listening to Visions, Trying, and Promises on the album. I'm still trying to build up my fanbase, but within time, I know that it'll slowly start to increase much further. For now, I'm just blessed with the accomplishments I have so far with this album. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? What's been keeping me inspired in 2020 is having this optimism where one day I'll get to where I want to be. Not only in life, but with the passion I have for this craft as well. I don't only have that optimism for myself, but also for my music crew. EVERYWHEREISWAR. That's what we call ourselves. We're local artists from the City of Covina who share the same aspirations and goals. My family also keeps me inspired. They're the ones who have given me lots of advice about life as I grew older. Because of the rough times, we are in with the whole COVID-19 and social injustices that continue to be exposed around the world, we can only hold on to optimism and find sources of inspiration that will help us stray away from these harsh times in order to have our minds stay afloat and not lose touch of who we are. instagram.com/deceptxn #BUZZMUSIC

Chicago and Memphis-bred bar-spitter—Macharo—has returned, and he's brought reinforcements. With the adhesive support of Stophe Malone blessing the verse of "Really Outside,"—a dynamo cut from their DDM2 project—the now L.A. meandering Rapper continues his trajectory upwards off the ascending missile of his musical career. He's already established sync licenses expected to be featured on Netflix, and an adorning list of Hip-hop Legends he's earned the pleasure of sharing the stage with, making his latest Hip-hop single an anticipated treat. "Really Outside" dominates the sonic low-frequencies of any room we're in with a low-end that stifles. There's an infatuating build-up of energy from the modern production that features whimsical pads that cascade over the expanses of this Hip-hop and R&B-reminiscent mix. As Macharo and his comrade rage over their unifying bars, there is a genuine feeling of a scintillating groove as each word that transmits from the Emcee's mouthes ride atop the bouncy expiration of drilling verbiage over the verses. The leading hook is festooned with a melodic harmony that mirrors Contemporary R&B in the way it immediately captivates us; evoking an intoxicating head-bob as we sing in unison with the words: "yeah I'm from the west side, gloves on put you outside, if you keep f***in' with me, trigger finger itchy, watch it squeeze." It's a cohesive Hip-hop venture between riffling stanzas that fester over the two unswerving Rappers' zealous attitudes, while the choruses croon over a captivating hook that draws semblance to that feeling we get when cruising in a drop-top on the freeway. Hello Macharo and welcome to BuzzMusic. What inspired the narrative behind "Really Outside," and how did you and Stophe Malone corroborate over the production's structure and flow? “Really Outside” is about taking the same hustle mentality and applying it towards the music strategy. Once I heard the track, I wrote the verses and left room for Stophe to lay the hooks. I wrote the song the night before we went to the studio. He came right in. Heard the concept and just went into the booth. Recorded right on the spot without writing anything. What has been your favorite part about working with Malone on the entirety of DDM2? He’s more like my brother than a friend. People always say we have great energy and chemistry together. Funny thing is, we actually disagree on about 75% of things. That’s only because we have such great respect for each other. We always challenge and push each other to go past out artistic limits. That’s what I like the most. He’s pushy and brings the best out of me artist wise. What fuels the creative energy you need when focusing on the writing process, and does that process always start with paper and pen? Any time I drop a project I always want to make sure that it’s better than the last one. I’m competing with myself to get better and improve each time I drop music. Sometimes it starts with the tracks that producers submit to us. Sometimes it’s just real-life events that we’ve experienced & feel like someone could relate to. It doesn’t always start with writing. sometimes we don’t write anything and just have an idea and freestyle the song. Depends on the vibe of things. Can you tell us about your main aspirations as an artist and the steps you're taking to facilitate your skyrocketing trajectory in the Music Industry? Honestly, I stopped focusing on the number of fans I have and started focusing more on the quality of the music and building up the interaction I have with people who are fans of the music. It doesn’t matter if I have 10 fans or 10,000. As long as the same ones rock with me from project to project and I keep creating, the numbers will increase naturally. As long as I can keep everyone tapped in each step of the way, I’m cool with that. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? I like a challenge. Right before the whole shutdown in March, we were being booked for performances & different paid gigs on a regular basis. I’m hopeful that we can pick up where we left off as soon we’re able to get live performances and shows back popping again. So the challenge now is to stay fresh on everyone’s mind. We’ve gotta stay current and relevant to get that point again or even better. We love being on stage and connecting with the audience. We pride ourselves on putting on dope, high energy, and engaging live shows. That’s what keeps me going. instagram.com/macharomusic #BUZZMUSIC

From Toronto to Los Angeles, the Pop/R&B Singer/Songwriter Julia Carlucci releases a passionate and soulful single titled, "As I Am." Growing up in a Hispanic/Italian household led Julia to groove away with genres like Salsa, Merengue, R&B, and soul. Rounding out her music taste to give her this cultured and dynamic flair, Julia Carlucci's recent single "As I Am" gives listeners a tour of her vast talent. Singing a sound message of being in love with someone who makes her a better person, Julia Carlucci brings such a passionate and positive message with this ballad and delivers her heavenly vocals for us to bask in. "As I Am" opens with serene acoustic guitar picking and distant electric guitar. The soft instrumentals give such a calm and lush atmosphere, perfectly meeting the melodic piano that soothes the soul. Julia Carlucci's vocals are a breath of fresh air, as well as her beautiful lyrical message. She sings balladic lyrics like, "you say you're happiest when you take me as I am." A soft bassline and added keys create depth to the song around the midway point and give it this incredibly soulful aspect. Julia Carlucci's vocals genuinely aren't something to miss, the overall passion she delivers on "As I Am" is not only refreshing, but it gives the listener a sense of optimism towards love. Hello Julia and welcome to BuzzMusic. Why did you want to write such a heartfelt and passionate ballad with "As I Am"? Did anything, in particular, spark your inspiration for the single? When you’ve been with someone for a long time, you get to a point where the real hard work begins. The human experience messes everyone up and it’s hard enough as an individual to navigate your own life and work through your own trauma. When you come together with someone, you’re also dealing with their baggage too and that can be really hard. Love is about choosing someone every single day and I wanted to write about that uncomfortable yet fulfilling experience of evolving with someone you love. What was your creative process like regarding the song's instrumentals? They're incredibly delicate yet groovy, did you feel that the instrumentals reflected your passionate lyricism? I started writing this song on the piano and when I brought it into the session with my co-writers, one of them started playing it on guitar. Playing it on guitar created a vulnerability that complimented the lyrics beautifully and I fell in love with the song even more. My producers didn’t want it to be a typical ballad and when they showed me the drum groove I freaked out. I thought it was so different and gave the song some edge. What can you say about the differences or similarities between the Toronto music scene and Los Angeles'? Have they both contributed to your overall sound and style? Toronto and LA keep you hungry but in different ways. There are equally talented people in both cities but since LA is geographically larger, for everyone amazing musician in Toronto, there’s ten in LA. However, I find that Toronto (and Canada in general) has always been viewed as America’s younger sibling who’s trying to prove themselves. That motivation is powerful. We’re finally in a place where Toronto is getting the attention it deserves in the industry and I think that will just continue to grow with all of the talent coming out of the city. I’ve been lucky to collaborate with people from both cities and my music has only benefitted from their cultural influences. Your debut EP is set to release next year, might we see "As I Am" on the project? What themes do you bring to the table within the EP? “As I Am” will definitely be on the EP. The project is about my relationships with the people closest to me now but also the people who used to be closest to me. As cliche as it might sound it’s also about my relationship with myself. The process of making this album brought a lot of self-discovery and I think that’s reflected in each song. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? To be honest, it’s been very difficult to be inspired throughout 2020. Putting out this music has been the one thing I’ve had to look forward to and distract myself from, which has been a blessing. But I can say that despite all of the darkness that we’ve seen and felt in 2020, I think many of us have awakened to what’s truly important in life, and to me, that’s incredibly inspiring. instagram.com/thejuliacarlucci facebook.com/juliacarluccimusic #BUZZMUSIC

The Table is the freshest Podcast that offers up a leading foresight into Women's contributions in the Music Industry throughout the past and present. Focusing-in on a curated program of female guests and thoughtful discussions surrounding the workplace's ebb and flow, Victoria Banks and Sarah Defors create a snug environment to discuss the vulnerable margins encircling the Industry—which we might not have known about otherwise. "I wanted to bring the conversations I'd been having behind the scenes for years about gender into the open," Victoria explains. It's part of the ethos she has developed as a professional Songwriter who manifested herself through the touchstones of being a producer, engineer, and musical composer—having even performed behind every instrument for her last album's entirety. Sarah Defors is the Nashville-bred Country song sweet-heart turned Sync Music and Pop Maestra, and together with their impassioned and combined spirits, they navigate the narratives of captivating guests like Emily Shackleton, Mickey Guyton, Sara Evans, and Noreen Prunier for season one. They've already established a festooned following, and have made it their mission to get Woman—and anyone who wishes to learn more—to join the conversation over at "The Table." Join the conversation today and discover "The Table" here. Hello ladies of The Table, and welcome to BuzzMusic. What has been a driving factor behind why both of you, as young Artists, decided it was time to blueprint something like, "The Table," for the benefit of the women involved in the industry today? Sarah: For me, I’ve been in the industry since I was 15, and throughout my career, I’ve had experiences that made life, creativity, success, and overall sanity far more difficult to obtain and sustain - just because I was a woman. In college, I studied Communications with a focus on social justice, and the conversations we’d have about how to move society forward as a whole were my favorite part. I missed that when I moved to Nashville full time. These conversations have been going on behind the scenes with women and every other minority in the industry for a very long time, but it’s still taboo to discuss. People are afraid to shake things up and anger the people in charge. We wanted to bring these voices to the forefront for everyone to participate in, and benefit from. If one of us rises, we all do. Victoria: As far as I’m concerned, it’s long overdue.  I’ve been working inside this industry for over 20 years, and have encountered systemic discrimination throughout the time that I’ve been here. Women just don’t have an even playing field with men in many areas of entertainment, and especially within the country music industry where I work.  Like most discrimination, it’s not usually purposeful or aggressive…it just stems from a general lack of awareness, or a misunderstanding about the way things come across or the negative effects that specific behaviors, expectations, or policies might have on women.  We need to talk about this openly, for the benefit of men and women alike, in order to bring that awareness that is needed.  And women need to hear each others’ stories because it validates their own experiences, helps them recognize the ways in which discrimination can occur, and gives them tools to deal with it when it happens. What's stood out as the most profound lessons you've learned as hosts during the taping of Season 1, and how do you think this will benefit Season 2? Sarah: One of the biggest things I learned and adjusted for very early on was how different the experiences of each woman were, and further, how differently they all perceived their experiences. Some were extremely conscious of all the little things that impact their lives and careers. Some told us they didn’t think they had much to discuss. Some said they noticed the issues presented when you’re a woman but were able to, for the most part, ignore them and push through, and so on. Each woman and her path was so very unique. Yet, even when they thought they didn’t have much to discuss, we found that the more we chatted and provided a safe space to speak, the more they opened up - whether or not they knew they had so much to say. We learned very fast that nothing pushes forward a sometimes uncomfortable conversation than simply like sharing your story - especially when you've been trained to smile and deal with it. Learning this has made us both infinitely better interviewers, and has opened up our eyes to perspectives and experiences we didn’t understand before. Especially as season 2 highlights more diversity in the industry, we feel far better prepared to tell all stories, not just the ones we understand firsthand. Victoria: In season 1, we spoke with a variety of women who work in many different areas of the music business.  They all had their different coping mechanisms and strategies for how they deal with the double standards or disadvantages they have faced in their journeys.  Some of them choose to downplay or ignore those experiences…others dwell on them and get angry…others use them as motivation to bring change.  But the more we talked, and the more we opened up with each other, the more I learned that we all have shared many of the same experiences.  So season 1 has given me both a vocabulary for and an understanding of the recurring issues that seem to arise for many of us. That’s going to help me ask more pointed and insightful questions in season 2. How did the two of you initially encounter each other amongst the Music Industry's chaotic environment, and how do you reach out to and find guests for "The Table"? Sarah: Victoria and I both met through a songwriter retreat about 5 years ago. I was a young writer there to learn, and she was the amazing hit songwriter I got to share space with for an afternoon! She was actually a co-writer on my first huge Country hold for a major artist! Over the years we crossed paths many times at retreats, writes for artists, at events when I worked behind the scenes in the industry, and just around town! When we decided to do this, we simply each reached out to our own connections and emailed women that we knew, worked with, and admired. To our joy and surprise, nobody has said no yet! As we book more and more, we also may send the occasional Instagram DM or connect with guests through referrals or cold inquiries. Victoria: I met Sarah in two different settings: she was a collaborator with me on a coach songwriting session when she was fairly new in town, and she was also a staff member for a local organization through which I worked to educate aspiring songwriters about the business and the songwriting process.  I didn’t know her well, but we did hit it off right away and have some pretty insightful conversations, so when she reached out to me about starting the podcast, I didn’t hesitate to work with her.  As far as bringing guests to “The Table”, she and I have both used our personal connections to invite collaborators, coworkers, and friends to be on season 1.  Now since the podcast's release, we are being approached by potential guests who are asking to be a part of it. We think that’s a good sign! Do you feel like the Podcast improves from one episode to the next as a constant growing experience, or is it more of a collective reimagining each new season concerning format and aesthetic? Sarah: Every episode is so unique, we try to keep a balance between pre-planned questions and topics, and letting the conversation ebb and flow. We put a lot of thought into the order of our guests, trying to keep certain themes or discussions as linear as possible. But, each episode can stand on its own, and the order they’re presented in is not the order in which we recorded them. Our first interview was actually the last to be recorded, but we found it was the most relevant and set up the rest of the season the best. As the season goes on you're presented with a new perspective each week, but we often discuss similar stories. Sometimes we stick closely to what we plan, and other times we only squeeze in a question or two before getting caught up in the magic of our guest. This is why we end each episode with the same “rapid-fire” questions, it’s a great way to tie each guest together. Victoria: Each guest that we talk to has such a different background, a different career path, and different stories about their journey.  We usually begin with a fairly standard format and set of questions in mind, but then we follow the lead of the conversation, going where the guest takes us, while still trying to touch on the main questions we had in mind.  In the end, each episode is capable of standing on its own as a single listening experience.  But we also learn as we go, and the questions we ask our guests to reflect that. How do you imagine "The Table" will grow over the next year, and what do you wish for your audience to ultimately gain when joining the community you've created through your Podcast? Sarah: We hope to grow a large and diverse following that embodies our values of community, kindness, courage, and lifting up others. It’s our goal to include as many people as we can from all areas of the industry and all kinds of personal and professional backgrounds. One day, we hope to be able to do live recordings and host events to bring everyone at our "table" together. Already we’ve had fans reach out saying this was exactly what they needed to hear. Many of them are women who have grown frustrated with their own treatment in the industry and the lack of discussion of it, but we’ve also found many men who listen as a way to become better allies. This is exactly what we want. "The Table" is not just for women, it’s for everyone - minorities of all kinds, allies, and those who want to help but don’t know where or how to start. We want our audience to gain a sense of community and feel not only seen but like they have a place to be heard - a place that values their voice and will do everything possible to create positive change. Victoria: I think the growth of “The Table” is going to happen organically: listeners will create more listeners.  You can’t listen to our first guest episode (with guest Mickey Guyton) without feeling moved, outraged, motivated, and inspired.  We laugh and we cry with our guests, and our listeners will do the same.  One listener posted her on social media that she felt “seen for the first time” after hearing the podcast. It’s that kind of “where have you been all my life” feeling that I think will set “The Table" apart and help it grow, because when something makes you feel that way, you can’t help but talk about it. instagram.com/thetablewomen facebook.com/thetablewomen #BUZZMUSIC

This budding artist's origin story is one that manifested unconventionally. Her last intimidating-daytime job—where iron furnished barbells and meaty egos congregate overweights—found the L.A.-based artist using her riffling verbiage and buzzing voice over the P.A. system at Gold's Gym to kick out unwanted patrons at the end of each night. It didn't take long for her to realize the influence behind her talents. She named them under the alias, Dez Cleo, and embarked on tours across the country months after—performing in locations like the Playboy mansion for self-less charity events. Her work in the studio produces a captivating amalgamation of Pop music that has already garnished her Spotify page with over 100 thousand plays. This month, the release of her debut E.P. harbors a cortege of sonic experiences with a hidden-gem at the heart of the blossoming creative secretions titled "On Me." "On Me," opens up with Dez Cleo taking control at the helm of the wheel with her scintillating and warmly saturated vocals. "Here are again we've been here before," she sings with a tantalizing tonality, "you lost my trust again let's settle the score." He buzzes over the fed-up sensations she expresses when her words simmer over the sentiment. It's a song about a love fallen apart, and the shame our protagonist feels after dumping the blame on her former soul-mate. The inflection here fervent and vivid as the instrumentation features a penetrating beat that surfaces with great enormity over the mystifying hooking sonics this Pop-nostalgia cut induces. But what's enticing here is the utilization of an intense texture in the form of a blazing electric guitar solo more commonplace on something like a Late Van Halen record. Yet still, it fits her aesthetic as she charges up the atmosphere of the bridge for an electrifying guitar solo that endeavors to pull us deeper into Dez Cleo's captivating magnetism. Hello Dez Cleo and thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic to discuss your latest single "On Me." What has been fueling your creative intuitions lately, and how do you incorporate those inspirations into the music you've been releasing this year? I think quarantine really helped with adding fuel to my fire. It gave me the much needed time and space to focus more on myself. Although I’m already a pretty connected and spiritual woman, my quiet time has become King. As for releasing music during this pandemic, it really just came down to revisiting things I’ve been holding onto. I realized that there is never going to be a more perfect time than now to just let it go. I wanted to release the old to make room for the new. So I simply cleaned out my “creative closet”. I mean, there are no more rules...(not that there ever was when it comes to art) but my mindset has changed tremendously by just telling myself that - allowing myself to be free. If you could collaborate on a track with one artist from past or present, who would you choose and why? That’s such a hard question to answer! I would SO die to get on a hook with Eminem or Macklemore (2 of my all-time favorite rappers) - and I’d love to collab with Lady Gaga or Pink, but when it all comes down to it... my heart knows that I would choose my mom. I would give anything to sit down and actually write with her again, especially now that I’m an adult and understand so much more about life. We could relate to such a different kind of level. She was an incredible talent herself (opera and musical theatre). She taught me everything at a young age, but as a kid, I was super A.D.D and I feel like I never really-really understood the gold in her lessons. Thank god for your memories! What's been your go-to ritual for reinvigorating some of your artistic spirits during a creative block? Well, that’s easy - wine. lots of wine! Meditation as well. If I’m ever blocked I just simply put it down, focus my brain elsewhere for however long, and try again later. There’s no rush with creating, so I don’t! Normally if I marry a direction it just flows. Where do you see yourself landing in your artistic career this time next year, and what milestone are you aiming to achieve along the way? I see myself as a lead on a music-inspired television show (such as Empire or Nashville) but a Rock N’ Roll version! That way I can continue to work in both avenues of entertainment that I absolutely love. I would be writing and producing music as well. Landing on a premium cable channel like HBO or Showtime. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? I’m inspired by the fact that ANYTHING can happen in entertainment right now. This year this world has broken open, and it’s our job as artists to help put the pieces back together in a different way. There’s never been a better time in the history of the world to be an artist - that freakin excites me. instagram.com/dezcleo twitter.com/dezcleo #BUZZMUSIC

The eclectic music Producer and artist IBK releases a heavily passionate and mellow single titled, "Coz I'm Yours." Always having a passion for music and production, more recently, he's upped his sonic game to support his natural musical range and flexibility. Also a medical doctor in training with a neuroscience background, IBK believes that music has the same healing powers as medicine. His latest single "Coz I'm Yours" definitely has the power to heal some hearts out there. A steady and groovy R&B/soul track where IBK reminds us of his dedication to someone; we're genuinely captivated by the overall atmosphere and tone IBK delivers with this romantic single. IBK wastes no time and jumps into "Coz I'm Yours" with passion and poise. While he begins singing ever so softly, the supporting organs and flashy synths create this heavily intriguing mid-tempo beat that's easy to get lost in. While IBK continues to serenade someone with all his love and affection, the supporting instrumentals deliver a vibrant yet subtle string section, giving the track infinite depth and texture. It's as if IBK blended deep house organs/synths with the intoxicating tempo of R&B/soul to create a mesmerizing piece of music. We love everything about IBK's latest single "Coz I'm Yours," and it would be an understatement to say that this song has healing properties as well. Cozy up to "Coz I'm Yours" here. Hello IBK, and thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic. With your single "Coz I'm Yours," how did your creative process begin? Did you start with the song's lyrics or instrumentals? The process for this song was actually a very free form. I had just come back home with my first MIDI controller and software downloads for my DAW (Digital Analog Workspace) which I had picked up early in the pandemic. I was on a FaceTime call with a friend showing them my new system and what I could do with it. In the process, I found this one instrument/sound that really struck me. Playfully, I created a little melody with my friend listening in the background. They liked it, and I decided to develop the rest of the track around that melody. I created the lyrics out of curiosity and just challenging myself musically. In the past, I’ve always played around with writing lyrics, but never felt I was a good enough lyricist. But I’m very strong with creating strong, catchy melodies. So, I just whipped up some pen and paper, and the lyrics kind of flowed out of some recent experiences from my dating life. And then, bam, the whole thing came together. An interesting fact about this track is that all the vocals were recorded using my MacBook Pro microphone - in one take. Even I was surprised that the vocals came together with my sub-standard vocal recording equipment. Within the instrumentals on "Coz I'm Yours," you set out this distinct and soulful tone throughout the song. Why did you choose to keep the production so minimal yet so effective? That’s a really great way to describe this work - minimal, yet effective. One thing that I carry as a theme in almost everything I do is the idea of making the best of everything you’ve got. “Coz I’m Yours” was the very first track I made using my new system. So, I was learning the basics of using the new system. But, in addition, most music producers can tell when a track has attained that level of magic that you need for a track to be enjoyable and “complete.” So, once I felt that magic with the track, I didn’t think anything else needed to be added. Also, the version of my DAW software currently allows me to add only 8 layers of tracks. So, I get very creative with how I can fill up the void space with quality sounds that bring music to life. I’m working on a full album project right now that will show some more layers of my musical style and more expansive sounds. That full project will be released in about 2 months once I’ve been able to raise enough money to hire a mastering engineer for the full project - check out my Kickstarter campaign to chip in some support for that project. Could you tell us what kind of music we might find on your SoundCloud page "The Eclectic Hub"? What makes your music so eclectic and diverse? Great question. What makes my musical style so eclectic is the concoction of musical influences I’ve had. I love hip-hop, Afrobeats, EDM, electronic music, classic rock, funk, you name it. And I have classical music training from college. I’m a huge huge music junkie. I stay till 3 am many nights just listening to new music from everywhere possible. My top musical influences are Michael Jackson, Kanye West, and Taylor Swift. So, imagine combining all those influences into one space, that’s what you get on my SoundCloud. I’m hoping to discover a new exciting genre that people find hard to describe. We’ll see how all that pans out. Seeing as you're a medical doctor in training with a neuroscience background, how do you go about balancing your day-to-day career with your music career? Honestly, I’m really still figuring that out. These past few months have been my first full-scale exploration of the music space and industry. I’m putting in a tonne of work with my personal branding and pushing my music into the right spaces these days. Since I just moved to Canada, I haven’t started doing the doctor work here because I have to pass the board exams before I can do that. So, right now, I earn music production time by first hitting my boards studying goals. And I usually reserve every Wednesday for more music production allotted time. I’ve been thinking a lot about how things will change once I get back into medical work, and all I can say is “we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? This is a phenomenal question. So many things have been inspiring me this year. First off, all my setbacks really fired me up to stick it to life, so to speak. I left a very good budding medical career in the States due to immigration issues, and it really hit me hard. It was very tough. And after dealing with the anger and frustration, I just thought, I can’t let life take away my chance to live a fulfilled life. The pandemic and quarantine also had a significant role in how I was able to tap into the necessary inspiration. It carved out a quiet space for me to take some courses online and read some really powerful books that changed my life. One major impact came from a LinkedIn course titled “Personal Branding” by Chelsea Krost. It really challenged me to ask myself what I’m good at and what I could be successful at - besides plain old “doctoring”. The second major impact came from two books - Zero to One by Peter Thiel, and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. These two books taught me how to build the future, and how to pursue my future, respectively. Also, our mortality has been a theme in 2020 with the passing of Kobe Bryant, Chadwick Boseman, and the carnage that the COVID19 pandemic has poured on all of us. That very palpable reminder of my mortality has really pushed me to pursue my own happiness without regret. Life is short. instagram.com/ibkaraoye kck.st/31sc446 #BUZZMUSIC

L.A. based, Costa Rican Singer/Songwriter Meli Malavasi releases her warm and sweet-sounding single, "El Sonido de la Noche." Embracing her roots and leaving a mark on the industry, Meli Malavasi has seen incredible fortune with her music career. Being a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, and receiving various sync placements, Meli Malavasi is evidently here to stay. Her recent single "El Sonido de la Noche" takes the listener on an evening journey through crisp air in the summer's heat. Sharing her fluent Spanish with us, she sings in such an elegant and inviting way that wraps the listener into her captivating vocal performance. "El Sonido de la Noche" opens with a groovy bassline and mid-tempo beat. While Meli Malavasi softly begins singing, we're introduced to such pure talent and in a mesmerizing way. Faint electronic synths dance in the background and add depth to the magnetic beat. Around the pre-chorus, Meli's vocals stand-alone with subtle claps and layered background vocals, truly pushing the calm and mellow atmosphere. Although she serenades us in Spanish, she brings this attitude and performance that pushes the song's overall vibe, which anyone can understand. Ending the song off with a steady mid-tempo groove and Meli Malavasi's vocals inducing chills up the listener's spine, "El Sonido de la Noche" brings an ambiance like no other. Hello Meli, it's so great to have you back with us at BuzzMusic to chat about what you've been up to since we last spoke. Can you tell us, what was your initial inspiration for your single "El Sonido de la Noche," and why did you choose to release it at the end of summer? I wrote the song with my friend and genius producer Zion Brock, and our initial inspiration was the feeling of freedom you taste through music. We all feel that summer nostalgia and carry it with us through fall, just like when we meet someone special, and although we might not see them again, we were present at that moment and time and shared something wonderful together. For our readers who might not fully understand the Spanish language, what was your lyrical message on "El Sonido de la Noche"? El Sonido de la noche means “ The Sound of the Night.” The sound of the night refers to the music playing, stars, crickets, people around you..... basically everything that is involved in creating that wonderful experience you enjoy while being present and dancing. In this song, I remember those summer nights where I danced by the Costa Rican beach. How has your Costa Rican heritage impacted your music career and how you create and have you noticed any change since living in Los Angeles? Being a Costa Rica native has helped me appreciate different types of music. We hear music from the United States, Europe, etc. Costa Rica is like a musical bridge and that has a big impact on the music I create because I always try to incorporate those sounds, electronic beats, melodies, and lyrics in my music. LA has definitely helped me to always stick to my roots and tell my personal stories through music, instead of chasing a trend. What can you tell us about your upcoming full Spanish EP, and what your recording process was like with Grammy award-winning musical director Emmanuel Briceno? My EP “ Girasol” ( sunflower ) is out now and it was such a wonderful experience to work with one of my idols. Emmanuel is part of the famous Latin band “ Juanes.” I grew up going to their concerts, so that was a dream come true! I named it Sunflower because, just like a sunflower,  we should always be chasing the sun( new dreams, new adventures, positivism in our life ) What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? As a creative, I have the responsibility to help people, and I, feel good through music and provide some kind of relief. My inspiration is to remind everyone that everything’s ok and we just have to dance it out and keep walking. instagram.com/melimalavasi facebook.com/melimalavasimusic #BUZZMUSIC