Search this site

A dramatic indie beat opens Leon Adan's latest track, "Distress Call." Leon's masterpiece is a collaborative effort with fellow musician Dave Tirio, (Plain White T's), a familiar collaborator of Leon's. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Leon Adan is a Latino singer/songwriter that has been steadily rising to prominence with the release of his bands Unsound Sunday's first self-titled album in 2018 and his recently released solo album "Distress Call," fresh to this year's music scene. The titled track "Distress Call" off his latest album is a high-octane alt-rock experience with racing electric guitars and ticking percussions; the sound profile expertly exemplifies a distressing atmosphere. Leon's voice is deep and trance-like as he delivers the track's verses and comes to the chorus. His voice layers a soft harmony over his steadfast, almost robotic-like lyrical delivery. The layers of synthesized tones levitate the song to a cosmic atmosphere and add another dimension of sound over the charged rock instrumentation. The chorus chugs forward like an out of control locomotive as Leon sings, "I ran to the other side, struck by a shadow" make the listener wonder what another side Leon is referring to. Is this why he's sending out a distress call? Has he crossed over? Answer Leon's call and check out "Distress Call" today. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and how long you have been making music? I am a Latino singer/songwriter/producer. I first began performing and releasing music with my band Unsound Sunday as the lead singer/guitarist. However, I've been creating music since I was 12 years old. While on quarantine from the COVID-19 pandemic, I came across a crazy idea to complete an entire album from scratch within 1 month. That is when I decided to create my own project and release a solo album under my alias, Leon Adan.  Your latest single "Distress Call" is a racing alt-rock track that really entrances the listener. Can you tell us a bit about the song and the meaning behind it? "Distress Call" is actually a personal song. The lyrics are inspired by that feeling of being alone and searching for help. It could feel like you are trapped and no matter what you do, you can't get out. To some extent, I feel that everyone at some point in their life has found themselves in a relatable situation. Dave Tirio and I also gave the instrumentals in this song a lot of thought by incorporating elements that related to a 'distress call' theme. For example, we included a distress signal that is used to ask for help, and also added some sirens. "Distress Call" is your first solo album, how does it feel to have it finished and available for the public to devour? It's crazy to know that I was able to create this 13-song solo album within a month in my swampy garage! I am really proud and excited to have the opportunity to share this album with the public. This album means a lot to me because I not only wrote all these songs myself, but I recorded everything from vocals, guitars, drums, keys, and bass. Within the 1-month period, I also learned how to mix and master the album myself. I had so much fun creating this album and I had the pleasure to collaborate with amazing friends such as; Dave Tirio of Plain White T's, Tony (Rinaldi) Trombone of Iration, Eric Vorel of TLB, Marilou Lopez of Yooforea, and my little brother Geo. In this album, I also included a very special song that paid tribute to my friend Ivan Solis; in which I featured his vocals and keys. It's an amazing feeling and great accomplishment to know that I was able to record everything, and even do a stop motion music video for "Distress Call" with the help of my beautiful lady Xiomara Del Pilar and our very good friend Cynthia Calvillo. I hope everyone can enjoy this album as much as I enjoyed making it. You mentioned you have collaborated a few times with Dave Tirio. What do you feel Dave was able to bring to your latest release? Dave is such a talented and amazing person! Not only did he bring his creativity but also his support. He inspired me to continue creating music, experiment, and step out of the "norm."  Collaborating with Dave not only created a closer friendship but also demonstrated that cross-genre can really work. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? By being able to find some extra time to myself during this quarantine, I got a chance to express all the ideas I constantly have but can never work on because of the stress of our daily life. What gives me hope and pushes me to continue creating music, is the support I have received from not only my friends, family, and fans, but also those artists who collaborated with me in this album. The positive feedback I have been getting after the release of my first ever solo album has now inspired me to create a second album! This album will be even more unique and special than my first. I will be telling the story of one particular person for each of the songs I write on this album. instagram.com/leonadanofficial facebook.com/leonadanofficial #BUZZMUSIC

Seldom few have a propensity for making the sorts of music that blends progressive house and future bass together at the age of seventeen. But this is well-earned territory for the Atlanta Georgia producer who takes pride in his polished sound. DJ Waffles tends to finds a way of enhancing his music through diverse highlighting artifacts, whether it be a strong rhythm, a tantalizing topline hook, or the butterflies we get in our stomach before a drop. And for "Never Fade," this dynamic producer has found his relic in the magnetizing pull of Kathana's vocals for the epergne to this young mastermind's future house banquet of addictive sonics. Picture yourself serenaded by a voice transmuting from whispering and sensual to saturated and endearing as you lean up against the metal barriers separating you from the front stage of the Ultra Music Festival. At the same time, the house music gushes through the speakers in the background. That's what this rallying track from this synergistic duo feels like. DJ Waffles and Kathana are maintained by their adhesive mix of dynamic expression and fleshy character amongst a four to the floor house beat and an addictive topline, as "Never Fade" erupts with overwhelming style and spring in the chorus's pumping synths. The song finds solace in an atmospheric breakdown segment highlighting Kathana's cantor as she sings, "we don't care how we get there, on our way to meet the sun." It quietly devastates in an impassioned whisper before the swells of the upcoming drop suck us into the final crescendos of this expansive mix. Most notably fascinating about this entire endeavor is the malleability this track finds in its filtered out transitions and stomach splitting slopes. It's in this precise manner the young producer finds his niche amongst the unique multi-genre community he finds solace in, but it's no deterrent to his radiating command over a very contemporary fitting marketplace earning a place in our summer playlists. What was your favorite part about working with Kathana on this track, and what characteristics do you think she possesses as a singer that made her a perfect fit for "Never Fade?" My favorite part about working with Kathana was the fact that we were able to connect really well and have a fun time during the making of the track. She's an amazing singer and her lyrics are so different and unique compared to some other music out there. Her voice was such a perfect fit for Never Fade because it complemented the dreamy and emotional vibe of the track. What fuels your creative intuition as a young artist who is only at the early stages of his blossoming career? The support I get from both my fans and other artists fuel my motivation and desire to learn more about my craft. I love experimenting with different things in my music because it opens up a new range of possibilities and ideas. Never Fade is a perfect example of this because I've never produced anything like it before. If you could describe with three words the sensations you wanted to present to your audience through this track, which words would they be, and why? Happiness, calmness, and the feeling of love are all present throughout the track. The verses present sort of a calm/dreamy vibe while it slowly escalates into the emotional and energetic drop. The overall message of Never Fade is about love and how magical it can be when you're with someone in life. What is your mindset like heading into the last summer months of 2020 as an up and coming artist amongst these challenging times? During these last summer months, I've been having a mindset of getting through and continuing to put out good music for people. Lately, I've been taking advantage of my extra time to finish up and push out 2 new brands as well as finishing up collaborations and other record label deals that I have going on. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? I'd say my desire to constantly improve my artist image is what keeps me inspired during 2020. This year has allowed me to try new things and take some massive steps forward in my career that I wouldn't have ever thought I could've achieved. instagram.com/djwafflesofficial instagram.com/kathana.music #BUZZMUSIC

Lee Harris isn't just amplifying his trajectory upwards in the music industry with "Mirage," he's establishing crushing-heights his creativity has held since the early years. Here, "Mirage" is whimsical and thought-provoking, highlighting the remarkable conviction in his voice. He grapples with his composure while passing along reminiscent readings about the unique futures we're all individually fighting for. "Mirage" finds Lee Harris at his most vulnerable yet, "Whatever you see you can achieve," he professes in a poem like flow, "Cause whatever I see, I will achieve, I got this..." he continues, as our hearts fill with his empathetic upliftment. The momentum here passes like a sonic daydream, leaping forward into our lives with blissful character. For Lee Harris and his production, mixing full-throttled vocal malleability and uplifting hymns spells out the intimate nature of his new wave jams—and what they are capable of. Being raised out of West Philly and later relocating to South Carolina, this endeavoring artist has been dreaming of making it since he was four. From meetings with labels and bus rides to New York, you are met with a struggle to match in his circumstances of trying to accomplish his dreams, and this is what this song endeavors to clarify. Fuelled by a sharp vocal performance, a clamor of synthesizers, and resonating and insightful librettos, Lee Harris confers; we're all capable of accomplishing our own dreams. Listen to "Mirage" here. Do you mind expanding on some of the influences from your bringing up and intercontinental travels that have coincided to form your unique sound and persona? I’ve been able to experience so much from the people that I’ve met to the couple of places that I’ve been so I soak up every ounce of it. Sonically the original inspiration came from having parents who listened to different music. For instance, my father was more into soulful, smooth, vintage vibes I like to say. He would play the music that dated back all the way to the 50s and the only modern music he liked was a very smooth classic r&b or Jazz. I like to think that has influenced my approach to music vocally. My mother was heavenly into hip hop from the late 80s and early 90s. As well as urban pop from that late 90s to the 2000s. Listening and experiencing my mom's energy with music like this influenced me in the type of production that I enjoy which tends to be very hard-hitting drums with energy that you have no choice to dance to. Also with my naturally gravitating towards pop music like Michael Jackson, Usher, Chris Brown, Omarion, Jason Derulo, etc. I was influenced to make music where I can dance and have catchy hooks! All of that has influenced my music as well as my persona. Other than going down in history as the greatest performer who has ever lived as one of your main goals in your career, are there any more immediate and pressing milestones for you right now as an artist? Yes! I would love to reach over 100K streams on streaming platforms. But my ultimate goal every day is to inspire someone to follow their dreams and to love themselves even more than they did yesterday. If I can inspire at least one person with my music then I have done my job. What messages and emotions were the most critical in highlighting on 22 for you? The message that was most critical in 22 is simply this. It’s ok. It’s ok to feel discouraged. It’s ok to have faith in yourself. It’s ok to fall in love. And it’s ok to be upset. With all of these songs, I believe that you feel that. Rather it is Mirage and you come out feeling like its ok that I'm discouraged now but it's ok because Imma gets through this. Or rather it is “Runnin” and you come out of the song feeling like its ok to stop running from love and just embrace it. You know? Or even with a song like “Tide” where I take you through the current climate of the world and give you my feeling of hopefulness but also anger in some regards. At the end of the day when you listen to “22” front to back I want you to understand its ok to feel SOMETHING! It's ok to go through those emotions. What are you most excited about for this year regarding the path you'll be taking to promote your new music, and can we expect more of the same deep-felt applications from 22 in your future catalogs? I am most excited about these music videos! And to get back on stage once the world opens back up! I really enjoy shooting music videos and getting my energy to come across via video. Also, I have so many ideas for videos and I can't wait to be with some dancers and just get it poppin. But you can definitely expect that same application. Music is such a spiritual thing for me I believe the only way to do it is to put your all into it. You know how people say “its not that deep?” for me it’s always that deep. Y’all deserve my all and I'm going give it to y'all. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? So much has been keeping my inspired. Me looking back on far I’ve come. I understanding my impact as an artist. Also, me understanding that I have such a bright future and I'm going to make sure no stone is left unturned when it comes to Lee Harris. All of that keeps me on my toes! instagram.com/itsleeharriss #BUZZMUSIC

From a young age, Karen Alice Dunbar played classic piano and guitar, which cemented her path in music. She furthered those aspirations at the University of College Cork, where she studied Music and Drama. Now, Karen Alice Dunbar is crafting heartfelt lyrics set to melodic backdrops of sound, while enriching the lives of other inspiring musicians, serving as their musical tutor. On her latest single "Almost," Karen carefully pairs melodic pop melodies alongside a country-folk soul. "Almost" is the story of a relationship "perfect on paper" but lacking that special ingredient that ignites a burning flame between two people. The honest and revealing lyrics numb the pain of a failed romance, and the acceptance Karen sings about is a refreshing approach to subjects about heartache and loss. "Almost" features delicate piano melodies that accompany Karen's soft and soulful voice. The slow and steady beat grounds the listener in the atmosphere of the song as an acoustic guitar marches the melody along. The listener is left with a feeling of happiness and light as Karen creates a story enriched musical environment. It's no wonder Karen was chosen as a semi-finalist with her song "Waiting for your Love," on RTE reality show "The Hit," in 2013. This inspiring artist continues to grow and foster her own unique sound, and her latest release, "Almost" is the product of her hard work and natural ability. Your latest release "Almost" is a refreshing take on a breakup- its honest, aware and calming. What did you want the listener to experience on this track? Thank you so much! Well, I've always written from the heart, as those are the types of artists that I tend to be personally drawn to. It's a snapshot of the end of a relationship that was almost perfect, and as with all of the writing, I'd like to think listeners could relate to it.  What was your experience like on "The Hit" RTE Reality Show? What were you able to take away from that experience? RTE "THE HIT" was so much fun! The song that I actually entered into the show, "Waiting for your Love", was one I had left unfinished for years, I finished it & put it forward last minute & was completely surprised! I was able to network with so many other talented songwriters that I'm still in touch with today.  You're from Wexford, Ireland. What's the music community like there and how does your music reflect that environment? It's funny, coming from a small town I was always bursting to get out & explore and travel when I was younger, and a lot of my songs would be of the Kelly Clarkson "Breakaway" ilk. Now I feel so lucky to have my base in such a wonderful spot, the sense of community here in Wexford and in my hometown of Gorey is so wonderful & rare. The music community here is also flourishing - the talent that comes from Wexford never ceases to amaze me! We loved the melodic pop atmosphere you created on "Almost," but there's also a country-folk layer you've embedded into the track. What genres do you regularly incorporate into your music? Thank you, you know for years I tried to make my music sound more "indie", or "cooler", always comparing myself to other artists I admired releasing music especially here in Ireland. I have always adored pop music - I'm extremely passionate about melodies - & country/folk, from June Carter, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen to the contemporary Pop/Country artists like Cassadee Pope, Kacey Musgraves & Kelsea Ballerini, and I've taken 3 trips to Nashville, and it really clicked for me on those trips that I needed to honor the artist that I am rather than who I think I should be. I'm a pop girl & I'm (finally) okay with it! What has been keeping you inspired this year and where do you see yourself going next? These are awful & uncertain times for artists all over the world & especially here in Ireland. Very early on in lockdown, I decided to adopt the mentality of focusing on what I CAN control. As with most self-employed artists, I was always running around from job to job in autopilot, so busy & never really being in the moment. I decided to use this time to do all of the things I always said I would - so I started a YouTube channel with weekly tutorials & videos, I learned how to use the Acapella App to make multi-track videos which has been SO much fun, and I've been writing a song or 2 most weeks after months and months of no writing. I'll also be releasing another single this autumn so I'm very excited about that. I cannot wait to get back out there & perform for real live humans but in the meantime - thank GOD for the internet! instagram.com/karen_alice_music facebook.com/Karenalicedunbar Photo credit: Ray Connolly Joseph Dixon #BUZZMUSIC

Greg Keys & Co are a Charleston New-Wave Alternative band who just saw the release of their latest Extended Play, "Why Can't It Be You." It's one of those danceable records that delivers a staggering punch in the way its soft-rock contemporary flexing curves give unmatched character to this band. Within a few minutes, the title track "Why Can It Be You," comes off as jubilant and radio-eager, interweaving quickly between a blazing rock production and melodic up swingings of energy. With a magnetic backbeat, a fully glazed-out electric bass, hardcore guitar storms, and vocals from the superlatively compelling Greg Keys himself, the definitively trendy band has taken their flash of contemporary cleanliness and mixed it together between their new-wave sheen; creating something reminiscent of modern music's most addicting. The topline melody in "Why Can't It Be You" is most prominent here though, presenting as consummate and eye-popping, while producing a potency that's hard to shake off. "Why Can't It Be You" is the extended play's centerpiece and this year's peak in his songwriting performance, stating it himself in a press release saying, "it's probably some of my best songwriting to date." The track makes you feel comfortable headbanging in the shower as the song's enormous guitar squalls echo ghosts of rock's ancestors. Ultimately, it digs out new territory in the stewy amalgamation of new-wave American music. Greg Keys takes the head role in full command of their magnetism, tieing the whole piece together with his meticulous construction of the addictive and unforgettable topline melody. Here, Greg turns on a dime from tragic lines about the fine lines of a break-up to a world-shattering chorus: "Taking up my time, time spent just feeling, feeling about it, all I need is you." As the flow simmers down, Greg shapeshifts from a grand proclamation to a short-edge stanza between each prevailing chorus, with whistling harmonies evaporating in the mix's atmospheres. It's a fleshly song that transforms into an enormously impactful statement for the band as a whole: we're here, we're rising, and you don't wanna sleep on us. What's the most exciting milestone you've reach recently as a band who is up and coming in the southern-east parts of the states? Our most exciting milestone as of late has just been the ability to perform again. It seems small but 2020 has been full of obstacles for everyone, so just having the chance to get in front of our fans again and start performing in some way, shape, or form has been a blessing. To go from packing out crowds to the entire country shutting down for months on end really got us appreciating the little things. If you were to relate this song's writing experience to three different emotions, which would you choose and why? The song "Why Can't It Be You" can be summed up by the words Heartbreak, Challenge, and then Hope. It's about a man feeling like his whole world is falling apart/crashing in, but he wouldn't be telling this story if he thought the cause was lost. There is strength even in his weakness, and he just wanted his person to see that he desires to evolve into a better version of himself, to become the man he needs to be. How did you manage to mesh together so well as a band in a genre that pulls from ear to ear with a creative edge and individual flair? We came together for this EP in the smoothest way possible. It's best not to sit down and just say "Ok, we are going to do Pop Rock music", but instead just start creating it and find out what it becomes later on. We could have been a bluegrass band and we would have run with it just like we are now. We allowed our sound to come organically and I think from that it made us more than these bands aiming to write pop songs, we became the band that made their own songs that just so happened to be pop-friendly. What has been the most challenging experience about the EP's release, it's recording process? The biggest challenge for us was marketing the EP once we finished it up. The recording process was fairly easy because we had all the free time granted to us by the pandemic so we had time to make adjustments and fine-tune every piece of the puzzle. But once we finished the song, we had to take a different approach on marketing because we can't have a big release show, we can't go out and perform the song right away, so instead, we have to step into this virtual world and try and still provide a similar level of entertainment even from home. What are you most looking forward to expressing to your audience through the release and highlight of this single? Through the release of these 4 songs, we are transitioning and allowing our fans to see us become a true Pop Rock group. To give them enough diversification in the tracks that allows them to see all the directions our style of music can go, but then to reel them into the final approach of what we have planned. We wanted to give people something real to hold on to, at least until the album drops sometime late 2020/early 2021. instagram.com/keysandcomusic #BUZZMUSIC

Born and raised in Italy, up and coming artist Emanuela Bellezza creates her music under the stage name EMAYLA. The multitalented artist is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, painter, and polyglot. With such a diverse artistic background, EMAYLA has found great success throughout her career: she has been a finalist in two international songwriting contests, and she has worked with Juanes, Gustavo Borner, Franco de Vita, and Nathan East. EMAYLA has just released her fourth album, 'New Freedom,' and is excited to connect with fans through these new songs. Hailing from the new album, with catchy melodies and passionate energy, EMAYLA has released a laid back track called "Deepest Love." EMAYLA will have her fans winding down with the relaxed backtrack to "Deepest Love." The slow beat and subtle string instruments leave room for attention to be focused on her angelic vocal abilities. EMAYLA showcases her talent by effortlessly transitioning between throaty, powerful vocals and a light an airy voice. EMAYLA will reach in and grab your heart with her lustful lyrics. She graces listeners with elegant vocals as she tells a story about her deepest desires. With every soulful aspect of "Deepest Love," passionate music lovers will have no trouble connecting to EMAYLA's emotions. Can you elaborate on the message behind your lyrics for “Deepest Love?” "Deepest Love" is the first song of the album and it describes the conflicts we can encounter in a relationship when we give love, but we feel lonely with someone, cause we don't feel loved the same way. It's the beginning of the whole story I narrate in the full album, which is like watching a movie. Can you tell us how “Deepest Love” compares to the rest of the songs on your most recent album “New Freedom?” "Deepest Love" is the beginning of the whole story I am narrating throughout the full album and it describes how the person in the relationship lives the conflict. That feeling transforms into the impossibility of coming back, the regrets, and the beautiful memories, which is expressed in the second song "Time Doesn't Come Back". After that song, all the following songs describe the "re-birth" after a big breakup. From the cocoon, becoming a beautiful butterfly, feel free to fly and to be yourself, with all your colors. Here is when "You Will Always Be You", "Surfacing", "New Girl, New World", "Attracted To You" and "Légèreté" come into place. This is why the album is called "New Freedom": the rebirth after a difficult time in your life and the freedom to evolve into something better. The colorful feathered fan is made by me and it's the symbol of that new freedom. It represents the full expression of freedom and to fully be yourself. As an artist, you have had the opportunity to work with many successful musicians including Juanes, Gustavo Borner, Franco de Vita, and Nathan East. How did collaborating with these artists influence your musical style? It's definitely very renewing every time an artist collaborates with other ones. These amazing artists like Juanes, for example, gave me more ideas of different guitar styles playing, like finger-pickings, new rhythms, and new chord shapes, which eventually transformed and evolved in a more acoustic soul style, especially during my live concerts. You have a very diverse and versatile set of artistic talents. What made you decide to master so many different professions, and how does it shape you to be the artist you are today? Wow, this question gave me chills! Thank you so much for the compliments! I really appreciate that!! What made me decide to master so many different professions is a huge dose of curiosity, absolute love for music, and will to always keep growing and never stop learning.  From piano when I was 7 years old, to guitar and voice at 15 years old, to ukulele in my early twenties and beatbox, then dancing on heels and other dance skills... it never ends... I also love painting and drawing and will be opening soon my own tea company! I love being an entrepreneur!! Besides all that, answering your question, it's really the unconditional and infinite love of music. What can we expect to see next from you? It's a surprise coming next month!! It's new you have never seen before: I will be releasing some new music videos in September, so stay tuned! It will definitely include music, beatbox, and heels dance... I don't want to say too much cause I don't wanna spoil the surprise.  On top of that, I am now working with new incredible producers to release another album, probably coming out next year! The surprises are unlimited and I'm always working on something new, so don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on my social media! Find my music on Spotify and Apple Music! instagram.com/EmaylaOfficial emayla.com #BUZZMUSIC

Jordany didn't grow up with the luxury of joining a local sports team club or going away to summer camp in June as a kid. His mother was working two jobs while he was still growing into adolescence at home with his brother. But, that never deterred the passion he found in music, and these days the Houston-based Rapper has been busy enjoying his limelight on tracks like "Devilish Thoughts," where Jordany drips swag with an addictive topline, or "Diamonds," where he freestyles over a smooth hammering backbeat. His latest single, "King Dub," present with newer and more refined contour, as Jordany manifests a fleshier rifle-spitting variation of the Rapper he used to be in 2019. His influences in music range from the literary geniuses of modern rap, like J. Cole on "Forest Hill Drive," but on this track, Jordany performs with a more playful undertone. It's as if he walked into the studio booth unrehearsed, dropped a freestyle, and bathed in the hype his clique projects at him through the tiny window in the control room. Here, on "King Dub" Jordany finds a trend in his use of well-orchestrated string samples, saucy highlighted verses from Houston's most permeable, and an aggressive demeanor that screams out: "we're the top dogs, and you know it." The fact that Andro, Harleston, and Juanpe are featured on this cut only further grounds this opinion as each Rapper lays in on their designated segments with a smooth cantor and relaxed phrasings while the lush droning instrumentals reinforce the rhythm with an unbiased spirit. "King Dub" is a song that utilizes every inch of the mixes space sonically through the edge to edge echoing ad-libs, with an ominous-sounding voice bending sound effect lurking behind it all; as if the monster under our bed is spitting lyrical stabs at us. This song isn't something you'll be jogging to, but instead, picture a more laid back scenery amongst good friends, good drinks, and the rest. As each Rapper lays down their contribution of magnetic flow and alluring character, "King Dub" shines brightest when Jordany blesses the microphone with his new and severe potential. Here, the Houston-rapper decisively manifests a more stylish and polished outline for his musical designs to transcend. What were the most memorable parts about recording this track with your friends Andro, Harleston, and Juanpe? It was the first night we were all in the same room at the same time before we started recording we watched the McGregor and Cerrone fight. As soon as it was over, Harleston asks, "Who's going first?" No one said anything. He responded with "aight fuck it, I'm about to show yall what's up" after that, we recorded our verses in the same order the song was laid out. JuanPe then comes up, freestyles it off the top. Everyone did their verses all in one take. The whole night was memorable, it was good energy all around. Did you ever find yourself experiencing a writer's block from time to time, and how do you usually overcome it? Sometimes it feels that writer's block happens a lot more often than it really does, but when I do come across it, I come to a stopping point and let it sit. Once I take my mind off it for a moment I start to mess around with my project and let my creativity just come naturally. With that, I normally overcome these writers blocks or speed bumps. What are some of the milestones you have set out for yourself this year as an artist, and are you on the verge of accomplishing any of them soon? I don't like to set goals or milestones in that manner, it sets me up for failure with expectations and false hopes. Instead, I'd rather focus on the next move and how much better can it be than my last. So far it's helped me improve as an independent artist, but there's always more room for growth. I suppose the milestone is to be the best version of myself, and I'm nowhere near that yet but I am making my way. What are you most excited about developing or improving as an artist this year, and how do you plan to incorporate this in your new music? I have a very unique sound, with that alone I've been able to work on building confidence to sound more comfortable with it, which in turn has helped me understand how I can properly use it and be more versatile. This alone is helping me build a foundation I can rely on to explore different sounds and implement them into mine. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? My group of friends, my inner circles, my ambitions, and most importantly myself. No matter what I'm doing, or where I'm at. If I'm not distracted from my thoughts, then I'm thinking about music, I'm starting to plan my next move. The world is ever-changing, and I've been preparing to keep up and be ahead. instagram.com/cheeky__lion facebook.com/cheekydoubleunderscorelion #BUZZMUSIC

A Quentin Tarantino-esque atmosphere, specifically, "Pulp fiction" blankets Blake Collins's latest release, "She Gives You That Look." Blake Collins is an American/British indie rock singer/songwriter who boosts passionate vocals that are fixed to honest and personal lyrics. Blake Collins sound is in the same arena as The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Kinks. He's also been compared to solo artists like Elliott Smith, Emitt Rhodes, and Harry Nilsson- bottom line, BlakeCollins has that "it" factor like all of the artists mentioned above. "She Gives You That Look" puts on a mood instantly. The entry of the electric guitar is suddenly bathed with a crash of mystic symbols as Blake steps into the piece and emits a nostalgic, familiar voice of prominent male singers from decades past. The groovy tambourine rattles away with a sexiness that feeds into the song's lyrics, which inspires a sense of intrigue, lyrics like "you know that your love is true when she gives you that look." "She Gives You That Look," transports your musical senses back to another era; the swinging era of the '60s, and when a song is able to capture not only a mood but a musical sensation of a past generation- that's one to take note of. Blake Collins is sure to surpass your expectations, check out his latest hit, "She Gives You That Look." We fell in love with your latest release "She Gives You That Look." You really made the listener transport into another music era while putting forth an original sound. What was your vision for this song? Thanks so much for those kind words about my song! I guess I would say that, at first, I had a somewhat-formed vision for it. Like so many of my songs, this one kind of just popped into my head one day, out of nowhere — the melody and tagline first (“You’ll know that your true love is true when she gives you that look”) — without any real determination from me to sit down and write something. I love it when that happens when a song just finds me. Sometimes it’s a fully formed song and at other times, it’s partially formed and then it becomes a sort of a puzzle for me to figure out. In my mind, “She Gives You That Look” (or, rather, the fragment that popped into my head) had an energetic 1940s swing band groove – haha! The final version definitely doesn’t sound like that! Once it started taking shape with a structure and completed lyrics, I explored the arrangements on different instruments and tried different kinds of vocal harmonies until, eventually, it became the song you fell in love with. “She Gives You That Look” is the first single from my upcoming full-length album. I think it fits pretty well with the vibe and feel of the other songs and the overall vision I have for the album as a whole. You've got American and British backgrounds, both entities playing a major role in shaping rock n' roll as we know it. What do you try to take from each background and fuse into your music? Right. Historically speaking, American rock n’ Roll music influenced British music in the mid-20th century, and then vice versa. Back and forth, back and forth. I love the cross-pollination. I can’t really speak to the whole of American music, but where I’m from — Los Angeles, California — there is a rich history of amazing “local music.” I love The Beach Boys, who embody the soul of summertime, and the late Emitt Rhodes, who wrote absolutely perfect pop songs and really pioneered home studio recording. Thinking of LA music, there’s also The Doors, The Byrds, and the whole 1960s Laurel Canyon scene in general. I think LA songwriters must, in some sense, absorb the magic of this local music, or at least know that they are creating music in a place with some deep rock and pop music heritage. And yeah, I also have British heritage. Growing up, my family would travel to England to visit our relatives in London quite often. I love it there. It’s a different rhythm, a different hue. I’m much more in my element there than I am in Los Angeles. There, the weather suits my clothes, to borrow the line from Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’”. Sorry, I don’t know if that answers the question, haha! But I guess my songwriting reflects my experiences in both of these musically rich places. My hope is that “She Gives You That Look” — and my music in general — is accessible and enjoyable, regardless of where you’re from. Or when you’re from, for that matter. You mentioned you write from personal experiences. What does that give back to you through that expression into your music? I’ve written a lot from personal experiences, sure. I’ll learn something, experience something, or be confused about something, and funneling it into a song is just the natural thing to do; it always has been. There’s always something personal about what I write, in a way, but it’s not always that I’m trying to encapsulate a specific experience or message just for myself. I may be inspired by a specific event or experience that starts off personal to me, but by the time the song is done, it’s not personal at all; rather, it has become a story or experience that, I think, belongs to anyone. And then, yes, there are the personal songs, the reactionary songs. Music is very therapeutic, isn’t it? Writing songs and playing music has always helped me to process what I’m going through and otherwise connect to the present moment, much the way someone might do with their therapist. Writing music is a good therapist. How has your music evolved from where you started? Is there anywhere you'd like to take your sound in the future? Well, I started writing music at a very early age, so my music has definitely evolved since then. I’ve learned so much about music by listening to music, of course, and by collaborating and performing with others, so my music has evolved this way, too. Listening to music is an activity for me, like playing it or writing it. What I mean is, I am actually studying when I listen to music. And as my musical interests have evolved, the music that I create has evolved, as well. I’m also lucky to have had so many opportunities to provide music for film and TV, which is cool because it’s different from how I write my songs. Composing music for film and TV has allowed me to explore so many different styles, from classical to electronic, from jazz to klezmer. But because it’s me interpreting these styles, they end up sounding like me anyway. I mean, I’ve worked on projects where I’ve been told, “we need a hip hop beat,” or “this scene takes place in a dance club, so write a dance track,” or “make it sound like surf music played by a garage band.” I may not really know how to create this kind of music at first, but it ultimately ends up being my own version. What’s been great about these little assignments is that I then get to apply what I’ve discovered to my own songwriting and producing, either for myself or for others. So, this, too, has helped the evolution of my music. Looking to the future, I can’t tell where my songwriting may take me, stylistically speaking. I have written a lot of music and songs, and they’re all definitely held together by the common thread of my style and approach. But I will say that I certainly look forward to releasing more music — singles, EPs and full albums — improving all the time, and creating a document of my musical exploration and evolution. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? Oh boy — 2020 has definitely been a year like no other, so there has been plenty to respond to, creatively speaking. But what has kept me especially inspired this year is the lead up to “She Gives You That Look,” then its release, and the fact that it is a lead up to my full-length album, which I’ll be releasing on all major streaming platforms in the fall. Releasing the single has been awesome, and people’s responses to it have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. So, the excitement and engagement of others has really heightened how excited and inspired I am to release the full record. instagram.com/blakecollinsmusic #BUZZMUSIC

Being based out of Italy and working in the UK and Boston, Andrew Desogus prides himself as a Berklee Alumni. He initially learned to play the drums son his own, later taking lessons from several distinguished musical scholars in his Italian sea-bordering hometown, Sardinia. After moving to the United States, Andrew Desogus enrolled at Berklee College of Music, where he graduated in 2017. He was appointed as director of his own drum school in the Sardinian territories, and this year he is releasing his first single, "Samba Way Solo." Andrew Desogus accomplished dexterity in his hands-on "Samba Way Solo," his new single, a two-minute drum solo with a steady dynamic development with vigorous enthusiasm. As a producer and session musician, Andrew Desogus specializes in this sort of sharp technical drum wizardry, sculpting the dynamic curves of the solo with his slowly developing kick drum pattern and vibrant displays of stick control through his staccato. He composed "Samba Way Solo," entirely with a magnetic amalgamation of foot and hand dexterity, working with the rhythm of his four quarter-note beats as it lays down the rhythm of the drum solo like the foundation of a house. Little is left lagging or unsubstantial in the body. Here, Andrew Desogus has cut and sliced the notes to ribbon-like presentations of dexterity, doubling with singles and eight-note and sixteenth combinations interweaving Desogus's steady heartbeat to create an expressive character into a series of ghost notes and kick drums. Halfway to the end, the piece picks up into a surging expanse branded by a sixteenth note upswing below, like a flock of charming bulls coming home to folk. At the very end, Cornu breaks off into the stratosphere, and it is unclear whether he is landing anytime soon with the amount of dynamic force behind his performance. It is as if Andrew Desogus uses the mystical power of tribe-like cadence to bring back the antiquated swing we control in our hips behind an excellent beat. Everything seems to flow and blend together well to create the right energy on this single, how did you manage to create such an appealing groove and texture with your performance? I always play with my heart and I look for musicality, when I sit on my drumset, and depending on my mood I throw down the part, my hands go by themselves and are guided by the sound. If you could pick the most desirable scenery and mindset for your music to accompany, where would that be, and how would we feel? I started playing rock music, then over time and I discovered and started studying many other genres, including funk jazz, samba, and world music; Right now I feel more in world music! What fuels your rhythm and enthusiasm for drumming every single day? Music, making those who watch me dance and entertain, the desire to discover new things and improve themselves every day, you don't get to the last level, there is always a new "level." What can we expect from you for the rest of 2020, are you planning on releasing any more releases anytime soon and can we expect some instrument accompaniments? I'm currently working with my bass player on a new single, which will soon be out on all online stores, so stay tuned. 2020 has been a challenging year in many aspects, to say the least. What has been keeping you inspired? Yes, 2020 has been a very busy year, every day I feel inspired to move forward and grow musically; I say thank you to the people who follow me every day and support me .. they are the ones who give me the charge and inspire me! instagram.com/andrew_desogus andrewdesogus.com #BUZZMUSIC

The Portland-based Pop group Dirty White Shoes brings together every classic and modern element to create a unique sound that we can’t get enough of. Keeping a dreamy yet dancy vibe to each of their songs, Dirty White Shoes music is full of honest, explicit lyrics, exciting guitar solos, exploding drum beats, and heavy synths that get the blood flowing. Consisting of members Angel Ascencio and Jordan Waller, Dirty White Shoes is back at it again with a catchy new release “One More Night,” and this one will quickly find itself making its way to your playlists. “One More Night” opens up with ethereal synths before pulling us in with a captivating vocal performance that beautifully leads us to an electrifying chorus that quickly gets us singing along. We felt as if we were up in the clouds while listening to “One More Night” it’s got the sense of space but also a rhythm that makes us want to get up and dance to each lyric. With lyrics like “It was just you and me, careless and free,” we easily got the impression that “One More Night” was about longing for that person you wish to get a single moment with again. “One More Night” is full of passion and energy, and we are definitely excited to hear what else Dirty White Shoes will be creating for us to hear. Your release “One More Night” tells us about longing for that one moment to never end and what you’ll do to feel it again. What was the inspiration behind coming up with the lyrics for this one? Before this song, I had already written three songs about the same story. I wasn’t sold on either of them. The lyrics and music felt out of touch with what I was really trying to convey. One night I was just playing these chords that reminded me of our first single, “HLGOY”, and it brought up a memory of someone. It was a nice memory though. It was sad but nice. The sun was a pretty pink-orange tint, and it brought me back to my hometown desert skies. after taking at that moment, everything just started flowing. The chords and lyrics just clicked. The lyrics “Move to LA or fly to New York” is more symbolic for me, but it helped me build a foundation for the song. I wanted everyone to imagine their own LA or New York. What is the general workflow like when creating music together? How do you come up with the final vocal performances and then gell that together with the instrumentation? The funny thing is, this is mine and Jordan’s first time working on a song together. We honestly just clicked from the start. Our workflow is a little confusing, but it usually starts with a complete song I wrote. I then send a demo with a very small bit of production to give the song direction. Jordan then takes all of that and makes magic happen. Literally. Magic. He makes the song glow. After countless zoom calls, and back and forth texts, we complete the song. He then sends me the final demo, and at my home studio, I’ll track and record all the vocals. We then bundle everything up and send it off to a mixing engineer. We were told that your music can help provide the comfort people need after an important moment in their life, is this something that you keep in mind during the initial songwriting or does that come naturally at the end? I believe that with all my heart. Writing songs always provides me a sense of comfort and peace. I can only dream and hope it does the same for our fans. Being able to portray the images and feelings you have inside your heart and mind onto a song, that’s then played in someone’s car is a wild thought... but it’s so important. I want nothing more than for people to feel something when they listen to our music. With your biggest influence being LANY, what about them makes them such an important idol to you? Is there a song of theirs that’s a favorite? Huge fan of LANY... they hold a special place in my heart. They helped me get through some hard emotional times. Even to this day. To be real, I have a lot of respect for Paul and his work ethic. He’s a genius, not just on the musical side of things, but on the business, branding, and aesthetic side of it all. I look up to him, and it’d be cool to grab a coffee and just chat about life someday. My favorite song right now is Let Me Know on the classic Malibu Nights album. That one just hits me different no matter how many times I run it haha. What has been keeping you inspired this year? This question is tough because there are so many things happening in our world that have been draining me of creative energy and inspiration. I have a responsibility as an artist though to put out music to help people during these hard times. They deserve it. No one should ever go through hardships alone. If listening to a Dirty White Shoes song can help a fan, that is all the inspiration I need. One day, we will get to see everyone in person during a live show, and we will get to connect again. I’ve been telling myself to take one day at a time. To focus on what’s in front of me, and be grateful for the things and people around me. instagram.com/dirtywhiteshoesband solo.to/dirtywhiteshoesband #BUZZMUSIC