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Welcome, Tess! So good to chat with you today! Now, you have a new single coming out, can you tell us more about it? Thank you so much for sharing my new song! I wrote "Say It" about a friend who I lost earlier this year. We’d drifted apart and I hadn’t seen her in years. We had a complicated relationship, and I often thought of reaching out to her to tell her all the things I wanted to say. But I never had the chance, and now I dream about the things I wish I could say. "Say It" is about speaking your truth before it's too late. What keeps you motivated to write and create new music? So many things! The inspiration is pretty infinite. I'm really passionate about equity and gender and racial justice and have been working on similar projects since I was young. My music started as a way to express some of these experiences and often wove in political or psychological themes. Music has been a way to express things that are hard to put into words- it's cathartic and healing personally, and I also believe music can be a great agent for social change. Anything you want listeners to know about the new single when they listen to it? I wrote Say It about the regret of not speaking your truth when you had the chance. We all have stories we don't tell, and things we don't say, even to the people we care about the most. With everything going on in 2020, it's more important than ever to tell people how we really feel and speak our truth- now is the time. How would you define success? When people write to me that my songs were meaningful to them during hard times, it's incredibly rewarding. So success to me is when my music uplifts people and makes them feel more comfortable being who they really are. Who is your biggest fashion influence? Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and the classic Grace Kelly. If you could open for any act who would it be? It's a tie between Maggie Rogers and Florence and the Machine. Tell us where we can find your new single and connect with you online? Say it will be out July 31 on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and on all streaming platforms! Stay safe out there and I am looking forward to connecting with you all- find me @tessposnermusic on Instagram and Facebook.

On their latest single, "12 Hours", these Miami based pop trio upshift into a more boisterous and silkier tone, surrendering a well-needed rush of dopamine. Like their title, SLØNE has got main-stage pop music written all over it. But at the same time, it's everything that most contemporary bands are not. They feel remarkably low-key despite all of the song's focused bang and harmony-shifted uprises. "12 Hours"—like a trojan horse—enter under the cover of nimble Robo-angel type pads before establishing itself as an instant classic. With filter-twisted drops, warping vocal samples, and a reliably trendy topline, this single shines polished with sleek new edges as it recruits guitarist, Eric Stewart, and bassist/beatmaker John Tomasso of Orlando-based ambient rock band, Makari. Amidst oscillating melodies and a scattering drum pattern, Ricki Denim's vocals blend and weave with a lower octave variation, as a cascade of callbacks reinforce her griefs in "12 Hours," especially because of her lyrics twirl over love-sick regret: "you needed distance, so I gave some, but every inch was more temptation" she sings, her tongue quivering over her words. "I've been drinking too much and pretending this ain’t my fault, but I miss you so much right now," she shows remorse over letting go. At the same time, the song thrusts into a hypnotic, clubby chorus, teeming with shapeshifting slams of drums, a springy bassline that vaults below among the subfrequencies, and sliced vocal harmonies voyaging the highest atmospheres of the mix. Here, SLØNE is clearly steering for the charts with "12 Hours," as the group outfit the song with ample intrigue and musical vibrancy to give the top 40 a refreshing revitalizer with its release this summer. Can you tell us more about some of the underlying messages you have woven into this song through your own experiences? After losing my father to suicide in 2014, I slipped into a long cycle of numbing myself with alcohol instead of actually grieving. I didn’t realize it was happening until I was real deep in it. It was a rollercoaster I kept hopping on and off of. I’d go through periods of recovery and then relapse again, even harder. I’d get myself into dangerous situations. I’m lucky to still be alive. “Empty eyes, your mind was made up” I’m speaking to the version of my self that would take over and make these self-destructive decisions. The song is basically a letter to the addict in me.  “You needed distance (from alcohol) so I gave some, but every inch was more temptation (to fall back into my old ways.)” I’m basically trying to call and reach my better self but she’s unavailable.  - (written by Ricki Denim)  How did music connect the three of you initially? Was it something of a chance encounter, or did one seek out the other for this collaboration? The three of us actually met back in 2011 at the Florida Music Festival. John and Eric performed at the festival with their current band, Makari. Ricki performed with her band at the time. We admired each other's music and became friends on Facebook but didn’t talk much throughout the years, we also played Warped Tour together a couple of times. Then Ricki & Eric randomly connected through Instagram in 2019, developing a relationship that led to the birth of SLØNE.  How much do you think you each have grown as artists since you first started making music together as SLØNE? SLØNE is very new but it has already helped all three of us to take everything we’ve learned from 10+ years of being in bands, trying to make a career out of music, and translate it into this project. There’s a lot of ego in the music industry. We’ve all learned that the music comes first, there’s no place for ego in this. We want to do whatever is best for the music, not our personal agendas. All three of us are pretty good at compromising and just moving forward. It has also challenged us to simplify in a lot of ways. Basically, “less is more” when it comes to pop music.  When it comes to your artistic process, what does a writing session or practice look like for the three of you right now amongst the loom of COVID? Thankfully, in this age of technology, writing is easy regardless of being able to physically meet up. Ricki and Eric live in the same place so it’s really easy to write and practice all the time. John isn’t far and we all have access to recording equipment to bounce ideas back and forth. COVID hasn’t affected our process very much, so we’re fortunate.  What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? What can we expect to see next from you? There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and although a lot of it is heartbreaking, we believe humans are also on the verge of some real breakthroughs. Things have to get unveiled and get ugly before healing can take place. Human nature is inspiring, being alive is inspiring, even if it gets really dark sometimes. We find a lot of musical inspiration in the darker themes of human existence, especially mental health and addictions. You can expect to hear some more reflections on these topics in our future releases, as well as some bars from Ricki!  We’re about to get back in the studio with Andrew Wade for our next release, so we’re hyped for that. facebook.com/realslone instagram.com/realslone twitter.com/realslone_ #BUZZMUSIC

Aana Xolo is a Canadian singer/songwriter of Pakistani descent. Growing up in Scarborough, Ontario, Aana Xolo grew fond of Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, and Indie music. Her natural love for learning different languages has inspired her to become an aspiring polyglot. She plans to combine even more languages to reach various audiences around the world. With a versatile palette of genres and vocal range, Aana has decided to kick start her music career with her debut single "Number Delete." “Number Delete” is a hard-hitting hip-hop track with filthy lyricism and expert bars. It combines 4 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu), which sets Aana Xolo apart from other Canadian artists. Aana Xolo weaves through her confidence and contagious swagger and completely hypnotizes her listener. The ambient and infectious rhythm fuses perfectly with the catchy melody and backbeat. Not only does Aana Xolo effortless deliver bars but she showcases her powerhouse vocal range and tone. Aana Xolo does not give a f*ck about her haters or any so-called competition. She knows she’s the baddest chick in the game. Through her confident lyricism, she empowers women and that is admirable and important in today’s world. We love this track “Number Delete” and we’re bumping it on repeat! I highly recommend you do the same! Check out “Number Delete” here and read more below in our exclusive interview. Welcome to BuzzMusic! How long have you been involved in the music industry? How did you get started? I have been writing poetry since 2005 (14 years old then), but I started to take my music career more seriously in 2016, realizing that music, songwriting, and singing are a crucial part of my life, as I am an artist at heart. While my corporate day job has been very fulfilling and a great learning experience, I find music far more fulfilling as part of my personal manifesto. I belong in the Entertainment industry, and I have pushed away all my fear and societal pressure (from a religious/cultural perspective) to aim to become a part of it now. Music started as a means of expression for me, and has become a crucial part of my life that I cannot overlook as a mere hobby. We love you debut track “Number Delete”!! Can you tell us the meaning behind the lyrics and what you hope your fans take away from this song? The message I am sharing with my fans through my track “Number Delete” is “Nothing to fear but fear itself”, a personal motto I came up with after I failed my first test ever in high school in twelfth grade (It was an Engineering course, and I was so afraid to go home and face my Dad that day, that I decided to stay at school in the playground instead, and as I reflected, the message came to me). I have used that motto ever since. The other most important take away from this song is, “Do not bother with people who are giving you negative energy, or putting you down in any way… the act of “Number Delete” (deleting a phone number) and moving on, is far easier than it looks, but it is a matter of courage, and overcoming the fear of uncertainty that comes with moving on. From an artist perspective, what’s your favorite part of “Number Delete”? Why? I love my verse on “Delete his number, Keep his Hummer….” because I wish I had an ex-boyfriend that I got vengeance on, by keeping his car and never tell him. That is the mischievous fun, actor side of me talking. In reality, I am far too responsible of a citizen to steal someone’s car, but I do think it would be extremely funny if someone did that. Who are your musical influences that have contributed to your success? 50 Cent is actually my favorite rapper/influencer (as he is also a businessman in addition to being an expressive artist, and I mean, wow his body!?). Other musical influences: Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Lana Del Ray, Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Do you have any upcoming events or releases you’d like to tell our readers about? I am releasing a new R n B Track called “K.I.S.S. Therapy”, sometime in September.K.I.S.S. Therapy is going to be quite different from this track, but that is who I am growing to become - a versatile artist. instagram.com/iamaanaxolo #BUZZMUSIC

DregottheBlues is a New York City-based artist who puts on his own unique display of soulful essence. Being raised as a church boy allows for DregottheBlues to Mastercraft lyrics that are rich with resiliency, love, and healing, all while fusing in different styles of pop, R&B, and hip-hop. As evident with his most recent release, “Amnesia” featuring the artist. .Jxck is a perfectly smooth soundscape that we will find ourselves listening to time and time again. “Amnesia,” tells us the story of what it’s like to feel lonely when on the road and missing what’s waiting at home. This touching message is something that we are surely many different individuals will be able to listen to. We felt as if we were lost on a long bus ride, remembering our favorite people who are waiting for us to come back, “Amnesia” accomplishes that feeling incredibly well and will definitely transport you to a whole new world. “Amnesia” features a smooth, synthy version of a Rhodes keyboard, lo-fi chill hip-hop drum beats, and then both DregottheBlues and. Jxck perfectly laid back rap performance that quickly has us bobbing our heads to the beat. We are loving everything about “Amnesia” and cannot wait to hear what other storytelling experiences that DregottheBlues will be telling us. You can check out “Amnesia” here. Hey there DregottheBlues! Welcome to BuzzMusic! Your latest release “Amnesia” tells us about wanting to come back home to your loved ones, is this a personal story being told? I wouldn’t say it’s a direct reference to a specific situation, but rather a reflection of real emotions that I’ve felt in the past. I wanted to make a feel-good song for the summer that could be relatable for a lot of people. Most of us have at one point in our lives have experienced what it’s like to have a significant other, but due to certain circumstances such as work, travel, etc., you had to be away from them for an extended period of time. This person brings you joy, but unfortunately, you can’t spend time together at that very moment. It may hurt, but it only makes you appreciate the moments you do spend together even more. I wanted to highlight this feeling. We loved the dynamic vocal performances between you and. Jxck, how did you end up choosing him to be an artist on this release? What was the workflow like between the two of you? .Jxck & I have been good friends for almost 5 years now, and are currently roommates living in NYC. We met in college & have played countless of different shows together over the years. Our old band, “Bluejack & The Sauce Boys'', has performed at numerous venues throughout the tri-state area, New Jersey, & even two festivals in Maine. He and I released our collab project back in 2016 entitled, “Bluejack EP”, which featured most of the music we performed and toured with the following year. We continue to co-host and perform at events together to this day. That being said, the chemistry between us is almost flawless. We know each other very well as people and it tends to translate to the music seamlessly. I could probably speak for him in saying we’ve helped each other grow a lot artistically. “Amnesia” was produced by .Jxck and was fully recorded/mixed by us in our home. I usually only make music with people I hold a personal connection with. Anything else would feel like a business transaction and I’m no businessman. I’m an artist. A lot of your music seems to come right down from the heart, what inspires you to create the art that you do? Are there any idols that you find yourself looking up to? I draw inspiration anywhere I possibly can... personal experiences, stories I’m told, movies I watch, even things I read on Twitter. I feel like one of an artist’s greatest qualities is to be able to read in between the lines, and bring forth consciousness to concepts that aren’t easily perceivable. I always ask myself, “how can I make this experience fresh for my audience? Everyone’s heard a love song before, but how can my love songs alter the relationship people have with that emotion?” I try really hard not to mirror the music I enjoy because I want people to come back to my catalog for something unique that they wouldn’t typically get anywhere else. I personally look up to artists who push cultural boundaries. They provide social commentary, challenge your beliefs, & force you to unlearn and relearn new concepts as time goes on. These are the people who I believe help shape a better future through art. To name a few, I think of people like Yasiin Bey, Erykah Badu, Jimi Hendrix, and Lauryn Hill. I also find myself very inspired by visual artists like Keith Haring & Jean-Michel Basquiat. All of these people used their art as a means of not only activism but also to provide healing and clarity for their audiences. It wasn’t always about money or success with them, but rather a pure love for their crafts and communities. They aspired not to have more, but to be more, and that inspires me so much. Since being raised as a church boy, do you feel that the whole experience has shaped the art that you are creating today? What types of future directions do you see your art going in for future releases? Going to church every Sunday growing up is what developed my love for live instrumentation. I joined the choir at a young age & the first few songs I wrote were heavily influenced by Gospel music and were initially intended to be performed in church. I was moved by the musicians’ ability to evoke such powerful emotions through their instruments that it would empower the whole congregations of people. I carried that with me.  None of my shows in the past 5 years have been without the support of a band & truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever perform without one again. That exchange of energy is so pure, so intimate. It’s a far different experience than rapping over a beat. I feel like I connect deeply with my fellow musicians and we harmonize with one another making for a unique experience every time we perform. No two shows are ever the same and I love that. It’s like how no two church services are ever the same. They’re unique to the current state of energy in the room. In the future, there’s honestly no telling where I’d be willing to take my sound. I’m genuinely influenced by all genres of music as long as I can connect to it somehow. I really want to make trap funk music. I hope to release a jazz album one day. I love writing pop and soul songs for other artists. I just can’t envision many limits for myself. I suppose in some ways, that’s a strength of mine. Thank you for being with us? Are you able to give us a sneak peek at anything new to be expected for 2020? I’d love to tell you everything, but I’m a free-flowing soul. I move with what feels right. I’m currently working on a project, but there’s no telling how I’ll feel a week from now. You might get some singles, might get an EP, might get an album. I never know until the music is complete. What I will say however is that I’ve been sending out a lot of verses to different artists I’m connected with. You can definitely expect a lot of DREgottheBLUES features in the very near future, so make sure you’re on the lookout for those! instagram.com/dregottheblues facebook.com/dregottheblues #BUZZMUSIC

A peaceful resolve leads Duncan Ivany & The North Coast Band's heart-tugging 'Of Loving & Leaving', to new ends as this record takes our most dismal and gloomy days and melts away. Anyone in The Duncan Ivany Brother's clique might already be habituated in marveling over how satiating western folk music can be. Here, much of 'Of Love & Leaving' finds the Erin, Ontario-based band delivering us a five-track extended play, formulated between the four walls of a studio converted to out of a church in rural Hamilton to produce lyrics that enamor and a hummable harmony that is reminiscent of bands like Half Moon Run and The Bahamas. Duncan Ivany's latest EP operates on the fumigating tenderness of his nourishing lead vocals and is often just a handful of strings or percussion away from being a bonfire Accapella. The record is as onerous as its title would hint, toeing over the love-sick lines most intimately with a beautiful afterglow. The minimal orchestration of the instrumental layers here embellish that the fact 'Of Love and Leaving' was recorded in a Studio-Church, which is part of the reason feels so agrarian and earthy naturally. "Traveling Band" would earn every descriptor of Canadian Indie-Folk music—unceremonious, rustic and earthy, existing somewhere between the shims of our front porch or the cots in our backyard—and with every number that passes, we're more invested in the band's slender shaped silhouette as they glow with profound intensity from track to track. On this one, The Ivany Brothers and their accompanying North Coast Band ordain a tiptoeing snare for the rhythm, the twinkling of a sprightly acoustic guitar for color, and a rousing topline that pulls at our heartstrings. There's no room for metaphor or cheekiness here, as their songwriting principle seems to resemble a class of rose-colored fervency: everything is delicately lathed with love-sick hymns and a dash of transparency. The songs here are bright and loose, built for a quiet time on aimless middays. It all mirrors closely to the formulas the band has observed over decades of overshadowing Folk-Music notoriety. The defining contradiction here is Duncan Ivany's harmony and the North Coast Band's heartwarming attendance as their ability to convey love nurturing lines while reminiscing about the past is indisputable. We're left feeling amiable and soothed as if our fingers were fastened between a loved one's grasp. Listening more intimate to their unearthing texture in a room alone, and it's easy to visualize The Ivany Brothers, and The North Coast band sat an arm's length away amongst a candlelit backdrop, playing for us privately. The songs are orchestrated and rendered with a band that showcases veteran tightness, as atmospheric chants and resonating guitar situates us intimately against edges of the mix. Playful and tender-loving, Duncan and his group feel delightful in all of their homegrown folkish nature. The opening notes of the record's highlight—Kate—quiver as the softly oscillating keys, which pull back the curtains of this song to reveal a healthy bass ingeniously summoning the sway of a lover's first dance. "Gone for good, but I was hoping that she would stay," he belts out in the final chorus, with a trace of melancholy leaving his lips, "I'm okay, I'm okay on my own." It feels like the reverberations of the rooms are awakened by the wavering of our own clamoring feet for this tune. The unfolding flows freely from here. Duncan handles love songs with a fascinating delicacy and balance with, At Peace, acknowledging the overwhelming emotions that persist when a person falls head over heels for someone else. With a modest orchestration of acoustic guitars and the extraordinary voice of Mr. Ivany himself, the record affirms a definitive contemporary folk appearance. The more lively "You Never Forget" mirrors the aforementioned approach, but with the diversity of electric strings and a deeply saturated low-end. Most notable here is the song's candid hop-scotch feeling, which resembles a paradigm for retribution under the guise of obscured love-tinted hues. During "Letters", Duncan is wrestling with a bout of unanswered love. He is honest and self-aware here, crooning over a dreamlike piano accompaniment that permeates the song's expanses. He touches on the sadness of love running dull and the mistakes in everyone's past, as he confides in the fact that it's necessary to take space sometimes. "Let's just write letters for a little while, no more staring at my screen, wonder what it means," he trills, condensing the album's vast sensitive and impassioned terrain into a stimulating indie-folk sabbatical. Of Love and Leaving is a record teeming with life; focusing and surrounding the unpredictable waters of love, while impacting with a sharp wit and balanced orchestration. It's the kind of thing you seldom find in contemporary music these days, and it feels like a blessing to have Duncan Ivany and his masquerading Band of brothers escorting us through the intimate curves of this record. Discover More about Duncan Ivany & The North Coast Band here. You mention Catherine North was the central location for the making of this EP. How would you describe the process of recording in that beautiful church on Park Street in Hamilton, ON? Catherine North was such an amazing place to record the album. Immediately when you step in the building you realize you're in the presence of greatness. With bands such as The Arkells, The Glorious Sons, City & Colour, and The Trews all using this studio to create masterpieces. An old church, completely empty with a stage at the front and two isolation rooms for bass & guitar amounts. It also includes a vocal booth of course for tracking completely live off the floor. Our Engineer Aidan Robson is an absolutely incredible man to work with, if you are experienced or not he will work with you on anything and bring you the best product. He is very skilled at mixing and mastering and is thorough in his process of creating killer tones & sound effects. The process started with Connor Ivany & Wes Morrison recording the stem tracks (electric & bass) live off the floor to a click track with Duncan's vocals & acoustic used as a scratch track. All of the stems were laid first, with Connor Ivany playing the Wurlitzer and stand-up piano on a couple of tracks (heard on Kate & Letters). The first day of recording resulted in six songs with stem tracks, overdubbing the tracks with an old 1930s Gibson that Dallas Green used on "Sleeping Sickness". The second day was for vocals, solos, and any rerecordings. The vocal recordings began in the vocal booth but quickly changed to the main stage to create a reverb, roomy tone. The Song Of Love & Leaving was recorded on the stage with local Toronto singer-songwriter Holly Clausius using an old bidirectional mic along with two room mics to pick up the beautiful echoes this church has to offer. Holly's voice can also be heard backing up The North Coast Band on some select singles currently being released until the end of August 2020. Catherine North is highly recommended to anyone in the Canadian Music Industry especially in the Greater Toronto Area. What emotions do you believe this record should invoke in your audience, especially pertaining to the topics you touched on in Of Love & Leaving? The audience will definitely be compelled by this feeling of heartbreak, whether your interpretation is positive or negative. There is a lot of hope in these songs, you will find: love, letting go, answers, peace, nostalgia, happiness, and a sense of belonging. This album was written about a series of different events occurring in our lives or lives of people we know, directly related to the themes of love and leaving. Most of the time those feelings go hand in hand and people feel vulnerable about leading them to shy away from talking about it. But in reality, a lot of the time, especially when you're in your mid-20s, you are experiencing love for the first time. Your first love or high school sweetheart as is were doesn't always have a storybook ending and there is often a leaver. The lover gets left behind but either way, there is heartbreak and uprooting of one's life in order to better themselves to achieve their dream in the future. There is a song on this album for every mood you might feel during this process - happy & free, nostalgic & loving, and chill & romantic. How have you been keeping busy as a band amongst the self-isolated norm of this pandemic? We have been keeping busy by releasing new music every New Music Friday for 17 weeks from May 1st, 2020 to the end of August 2020. This is a way for Duncan Ivany & The North Coast Band to connect with our fans during a time when we would normally be outperforming shows every weekend. We are supporting this with an online live stream presence along with working as Emerging Artists with Ontario Musicians Cooperative Incorporated. We currently perform in two Facebook and Youtube or Instagram Livestreams each week through the OMCI page, along with other live streams outside of employment. We both have strong environmental personalities, so when we aren't making music Duncan is planting trees across Ontario, while Connor is living off-grid in the southernmost part of Canada on Pelee Island working as an organic farmer. When it comes to your aspirations as a group, what are the next and most proximate milestones you will be reaching for this year? Our plans next year (hopefully Post-COVID) are to tour festivals across Canada and record our first full-length album (hopefully at Catherine North again). We really want to collaborate with Rob Laska from the band Valley at some point in the future, either in a co-write or having him produce the album. A dream is to record a live-off-the-floor album produced by Alan Doyle (from Great Big Sea). Hopefully bringing this music to streaming platforms in early 2021 and to the festival scene but everyone is unsure what that scene will look like in the future. Another goal is to tour rural small-town Ontario halls & theatres to perform shows for 40-100 people. After growing up in a small town, it would be incredible to tour and see everything Ontario has to offer in a smaller capacity. This might also be a safer option. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? What can we expect to see from you next? Writing new music, mixing & mastering all of their 17 new singles has really been keeping us busy. We have been consistently uploading new music to distributors every week for the past couple of months. We are also writing more brand new music for their concept album "Field to City" with folk/rock songs on Side A and Indie/Dance songs on Side B. We want these songs to be inspired by certain historical structures throughout the beautiful province (such as Deagle's Mill in Forks of the Credit Provincial Park). This album will be unique because it will involve a fully produced album, a live album recorded at each individual structure with accompanying live videos. These projects have been slowly ramping up in the background while the weekly releases have been in the foreground. We have also been updating our website, visuals,  merchandise, and professional portfolio which all can be found at thenorthcoastband.com. Working full-time as musicians during these weird times has really inspired us to keep going. Being able to collaborate with other emerging artists from OMCI has kept us fresh while increasing our technological knowledge. We hosted our first-ever ZOOM concert, raising money for our group and a local venue, The Circle Theatre, and funds for A Dollar A Day Foundation that was founded by Alan Doyle to provide funding for mental health services across the country. thenorthcoastband.com instagram.com/thenorthcoastband facebook.com/divanythenorthcoastband #BUZZMUSIC

The artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer I.AM releases a contemplative electronic masterpiece with, "88 (Save)." I.AM (a.k.a. Alex McKee) learned his way around a guitar, saxophone, and piano at a young age. Eventually becoming a sample developer for Hans Zimmer and a passionate worship leader, it was time for I.AM to venture onto his own unique path. With his latest single "88 (Save)," I.AM explores the reach for God when times get tough while supporting this message with beautiful electronic melodies that naturally uplift the listener. With a distinct inspirational atmosphere, I.AM holds nothing back on this track and reaches his arms for help from the power above. Opening with spacious background pads and a pulsing synth, "88 (Save)" swiftly shifts into an uplifting electronic beat. Once the breathy male vocals kick in, we're left with calming vocals and nothing but pulsing synths synchronized with a thumping and exhilarating kick. Around the pre-chorus, the energy builds with the entire production, while the vocals serenade us with a relatable message of feeling lost and needing guidance from the creator. Once the beat drops, this sensation of freedom and fearlessness overcomes us with help from atmospheric background strings and an invigorating beat. I.AM has created a very sweet-sounding and introspective track with "88 (Save)," and reminds us not to hesitate to reach out when in need of help and guidance. Your single "88 (Save)" truly gives listeners peace of mind. What message did you want your audience to take away from this piece? The song is an adaptation of Psalm 88 - it's the only Psalm in the Bible that doesn't turn or resolve. It's raw, gritty, and gives us all permission to feel how we really feel. There is no sugar coating in these words. And that's a good thing! God cares about our real emotions and wants us to express those to Him so that we can eventually experience freedom from those things. We have to experience darkness to know what light is. And that's what I was hoping to do with this song. Looking at the lyrics, one might believe that it's bleak and without hope. The hope is buried in the first line of the chorus. "Oh God of my salvation" - right there, we acknowledge that God is the source of our salvation. He will save us and redeem us from whatever we are going through, but we still have to go through it. It's comforting to know that even through suffering, God doesn't leave us. "88 (Save)" features beautiful male vocals to help emphasize the song's atmosphere. Are these your own vocals, or did you work with other artists when creating this single? Those are my vocals and thanks for saying that! I worked with my good friend, Taurees, an incredible producer/mixing engineer, who really pushed me artistically to get the best out of me. He's a big reason why the vocals sound the way they do. But to be honest, I have really struggled with my voice for years and have never believed it to be good or beautiful. I've had vocal coaching over the past three years that has really helped me not only find my voice but love it for its uniqueness. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like "88 (save)" is the first big step in that journey to finding my voice. Speaking on the production aspect of "88 (Save)," what was your creative process like when sculpting this detailed and intricate atmosphere within the instrumentals? "88 (save)" is a complete departure for me sonically. I am a guitar player and typically write in a rock or acoustic/singer-songwriter style, but I have always been drawn to synthesizers and sample-based, ambient music as well. When I first started working on "88 (save)," I tried my usual approach and it just wasn't working. It didn't feel as isolating as I believed the song should feel. One of the sounds that I was experimenting with early on was a reverse delay effect on an electric guitar part, which essentially plays the part you just performed in reverse. For me, it created this melancholy vibe that I loved. It's taking your original part and transforming it into something completely new and often unexpected. After chopping it up, I threw a pretty basic drum loop underneath it and added an analog synth bass to complete the soundscape. From there, I was capturing the isolation, the despair, but with the faster BPM and dance feel, I felt like I had struck that balance between loss and hope. The first sound you hear on the song is the original reverse delay guitar sample. To create a lift in the pre-chorus and bridge, I turned to a favorite mellotron sample that adds warmth and the texture of strings, but with the warmth and warble of tape. I love using the mellotron because it is this slightly imperfect replica of sounds that we all recognize, but it's the imperfections that add so much character and depth to otherwise pretty standard string/brass sounds. We've heard that you've recently released your debut EP '150.1.' What concepts do you touch on within the EP, and how does "88 (Save)" fit into the project? Within the 5 track EP, I wanted to cover as much emotional ground as possible. My hope is that listeners will take 20 minutes to listen to the EP in its entirety so that they can experience the entire emotional journey. In fact, the EP has a cyclical construction and design that begins and ends in the same place sonically. The album opener, "98 (new song)," starts with resolve "I will sing a new song." It's how we want to start each day. The second track, "12 (save)," takes on anger at injustice. "88 (save)" is the lowest point emotionally addressing the depression, isolation, and loss so many of us feel. "85 (revive)" is a cry for revival, seeking God's renewal of our current moment. The album closes with "4 (sleep)" - a song of peace that dissolves into the synth pad that opens the album completing the cycle. I truly do believe that the Bible provides God's permission for us to feel our real emotions. He doesn't want us to cover up, put on a brave face, or be someone that we are not. With this album, I hope that listeners can experience some freedom from expectations to be perfect and believe that God loves us exactly for who we are right now. What has been keeping you inspired throughout 2020? What can we expect to see from you next? 2020 has been such an unexpected year for everyone. No one is immune from the effects of this awful virus and it has changed life as we know it. With that said, I have found inspiration from artists still pushing to write and release new music. I've also been really proud of the artistic community stepping up to support Black Lives Matter and other social justice initiatives. It's an important time to stay active and continue contributing our voices - the world really needs artists right now. I am currently working on a full length follow up album which will expand on the themes (both musically and lyrically) I explored on 150.1. I'm also working on some live music videos to help promote 150.1 which will give people a sense of what an I.AM performance will be like when we can return to playing live shows. instagram.com/i.amtheband facebook.com/i.am.alexmckee #BUZZMUSIC

Pharoah is a collaboration between DJ and songwriter, Philly-Mac, artist and entertainer, Leigh, and André AKA Dreethoven, who delivers the expressly focused productions in KAVIAR's brand of trippy hip-hop and R&B amalgamating style. But here, Pharoah, in natural shape, is intriguing and newfangled. The sixteenth-note rhythmic patterns attuned with abounding and saturated sub synth that blends like a kick drum before animating the area encompassing it with scintillating detachments: panning thirty-second note spindrifts, enigmatic vocal harmonies hovering in the background, and the chirp of our protagonist's voices over the receiver static. The most profound punches found within Pharoah penetrate through the quiet persecution found in the abrupt interlude of speech. "...That's black magic, stretch marks in the form of lightning...not voodoo, it ain't witchcraft," she expresses as the song pauses, "that's my mama, that's cornbread fed, some southern roots, others from the islands" fixing towards the unyielding message that finds its fulfillment in the interludes completion: "but gunned down and handcuffed for the same thing they do.". She expresses the angle with which society always arrives back to in some variation, unwinding with conviction: "gawking over the benefits we call them vultures," and "it's only equal when it's for the culture.". It's a severe song with complete transparency over the issue—fatality rate, injustice, and issues of identity within the country itself. "Black...it's pure it's king it's queen, it's black magic," there are no easy away around it, as KAVIAR resurface with a rallying spirit for the final segments of "Pharoah". Here, "black and proud" is the closing mantra, and it lands vitally. Listen to "Pharoah" here. Thanks for joining us guys. This song couldn't have come during a more pressing time. Was there a feeling of urgency during the creation of this song, given the current events surrounding our side of the planet? We had originally planned for 'Pharaoh' to debut in 2021. African Americans have always faced oppression, racism, and injustice since the country was founded. The climate of current events is so polarizing that we pushed back our other releases to share how we feel now. The bias and lack of accountability by police officers against civilians have been ignored for far too long. We are still fighting, working, and protesting for change in all shapes and forms that we can. Pharaoh is us speaking from our pain and experience that we encounter every day for living while black. We wanted our fans to embrace the image of resilience and royalty that has always resided within all of us. This is our way of continuing the conversation! How did you collaborate together on this track? Was this more of a domino effect process—where one of your ideas laid into someone else's for the production—or did it happen more uniformly than that? It was a domino effect! Dre had started the production and pieces fell into place! We had an idea of doing a conscious track that led us to Pharaoh. Leigh heard D. Simone's poem and instantly knew it was essential for the tone. We needed a black woman’s perspective and voice to be heard in our message. It’s a reminder of our real heritage and beginnings. Where did all your paths align for this project, and how do you each manage to instill your own distinct personalities through each of your records? This project we felt needed to hear now! The three of us agreed on the message that we wanted to convey and proceeded forward with our perspective. We are very proud of Pharaoh! We understand how each of us works creatively and that allows us to build and let each individual personality shine. We give each other the space to be creative and critique each other to bring the best quality we can for every project! Every song we craft has that special Kaviar feel! What are you hoping for in the new year as the summer hastily rushes to its climax? Can we expect any more from you in the final weeks of August? The coming new year we're hoping to reconnect with our supporters and friends! We want to see everyone at our shows and events when it's safe! In addition, we’d also love for our supporters to engage with us on socials, be sure to tune in to our live performances! We have something great in the works now! So, expect to hear us in all of your speakers with new music soon! We'll drop a release date on our social media to let everyone know when the time is right! Do you have any advice on how to stay inspired throughout these difficult times in the world? Our advice to all creatives is to indulge in things that interest you and take your unique perspective! Put yourself in a creative space and let yourself experience it because it’s only you that can express your story. Make sure to surround yourself with energy that builds you up and provides a space to be 100 percent unapologetically you! instagram.com/officialkaviar facebook.com/officialKaviar #BUZZMUSIC

Jay Luke is a rocker who has been working in the music industry since 2003. Since beginning his career, he has performed with a multitude of bands, shared the stage with rock icons, and has achieved over 100,000 streams for his music. Before the pandemic, Jay Luke had begun recording a new album but only managed to get half of it done before everything closed. With only half of the recording completed, Jay Luke decided recently to release the single off of the album 'Trapped In your Cell' and we could not be a bass-line, and of course Jay Lukes honestly raw vocals that feel like icing to the ears. We are loving every moment of "Trapped In Your Cell" and cannot wait to hear what Jay Luke creates next. "Trapped In Your Cell" is an incredibly eye-opening experience to listen to; it sheds light on a subject that too many are afraid to admit. Being about how most of us are mentally trapped within our cellular devices, but then mixed with Jay Lukes' eclectic musical style, "Trapped In Your Cell" makes us want to get up and dance but also sit down and think about life - a song for all moods. "Trapped In Your Cell" features a steady, easy-going dance beat, distinctive flairs of synths and guitars, a rock-solid bass-line, and of course, Jay Lukes' honestly raw vocals that feel like icing to the ears. We are loving every moment of "Trapped In Your Cell" and cannot wait to hear what Jay Luke creates next. Your latest release “Trapped In Your Cell” sheds light on a subject matter that too many are afraid to admit, what had inspired you to write a song about being glued to our phones? So much of the world we are living in today is like an episode of the Twilight Zone. If you are one of the few to actually pick up your head and look around at the people we walk amongst, there is no denying that it is very bizarre. I think that small observation was what led to the writing of the song. Whether it is sitting at dinner with your loved ones and they nod at you as you are trying to talk to them while they're texting and ignoring anything you say, seeing couples out on dates completely without looking at one another but instead staring down like zombies, or worst of all someone on the highway in rush hour traffic replying to that all-important text with zero care for the safety of themselves or those around them. It is scary. No one can wait even a moment these days as we live in an instant gratification world and that is sadly a trend that is growing more and more each day. Keeping anyone's attention is like a magic trick because things all seem so fleeting and temporary. What is seen or learned today is oftentimes forgotten and discarded later today.  It is hard to imagine a time when some of us used to leave our homes without any communication devices. We no longer have landline phones with chords on our walls at home but ironically we are more chained than we have ever been. Despite having deep meaning, the instrumentation of “Trapped In Your Cell” is fun and upbeat to listen to, was this a decision made early on in the writing process or did it come down the line? I have always been a big-time fan of music that has a contrary sort of style where the music has a really happy vibe and the lyrics might be entirely dark or vice versa. The first thing to always come to my mind is the music of The Smiths. Morrissey's lyrics have this sneering dark tone while Johnny Marr is playing some incredibly upbeat music to it. I always found that kind of creative partnership to be fascinating. You could put a Smiths song on and people wouldn't get the joke at first which to me is still so clever. I didn't set out for that sort of decision with this song but if listeners are taking that away from my music I am cool with that. I know there is obviously magic in connecting to your audience and feeling like we are all fighting the same fight but I do I like to leave interpretations to the listener. I know so many times I clung to a song by an artist and when I dove too deep into it I found they meant something entirely different than what I thought. With having only half of your upcoming album recorded, how has that recording process been so far for it? Are the other songs on the album similar to “Trapped In Your Cell?” This is my 3rd solo album and no matter how many times you record your own music I feel that once the sessions begin it is always a bit of a rollercoaster. You go in with your battle plans and hit it hard but you never know what surprises will end up coming out. I love it. I say all of the time that I feel like I am most alive while working in the studio on my songs. It is the one place I feel most comfortable letting my soul out. For this new album "Alone In The Crowd" the songs got laid down rather quickly while momentum was going in our favor. And just like the snap of a finger in comes the surreal year 2020, an unimaginable horror movie straight from hell. So much has happened in just the beginning of the year alone and it has gotten so much stranger. It's tough to quite sum this year up with a plain sentence, isn't it? I thought we were moving at light speed completing almost five tunes in a few sessions but the pandemic showed up and ended up unplugging almost every way an artist enjoys expressing themselves. It meant that the studios were shut down, clubs were shut down and the music industry, as well as the sports and entertainment world all, took huge hits from it. Not many people have come out unscathed in one way or another. During our mandatory house arrests, I know a lot of people fell deep into their own devices, but I took that time to work on the songs I hadn't recorded yet and really tweak them while still remaining open to writing new ones from scratch because for a while it felt like all we had was time. The songs on this one kind of zig-zag from different feelings and styles to achieve what I am trying to express. There was no intention for any song to sound alike to another  I think this one may be the most diverse of them all in musical style. It’s really awesome to hear you have shared the stage with so many icons! What has been your all-time favorite moment performing live? I am grateful to have hung around so long playing music while a lot of my peers had given up. Performing music has afforded me some wildly interesting experiences I would never have known in any other field. Sometimes meeting your heroes is a risk or gamble because you may end up finding out they are not at all who you think and that takes away a lot of the reason you support them, to begin with. But for each person that let's the smallest amount of success get to their head (and I won't name names hahaha) there are massively successful ones with hearts of gold. A very early influence on my life was Guns N Roses and when they arrived it was at a time when the scene was so stale. These guys come out throwing sticks of dynamite into a stagnant scene to shake things up and I have been hooked on that excitement ever since. They represented a rebellion and danger of showing what real rock n roll was to the other bands faking it. Fast forward about a decade or two and I am onstage not just meeting Duff McKagan but opening up for his band LOADED. Duff, of course, is the hall of fame bassist for Guns N Roses. To say the guy was down to earth and so genuinely cool would be an understatement. I think of all the heroes of mine that I got to perform with, Duff McKagan is clearly one of the best. I have seen so many lesser artists show egos so unwarranted and here is a guy from legitimately one of the biggest bands in the world showing such humility as we talked. He was a lot of fun and also a big fellow Hanoi Rocks fan as well. I have got to play with members of Anthrax, The Ramones, and so many others but opening up for one of my hands down biggest influences will be a memory I will hold near and dear for as long as I live. Do you have any other projects to come out in 2020? I am also in a band called Reach For The Sky and in 2020 we released our second album "Set Me Free" along with releasing my own single "Trapped In Your Cell" so I definitely like to keep busy. I try to get myself into the habit of putting out as much music as I can because what is the purpose of holding it all in, y'know? I still hope to release this new solo album this year and wanted to get another music video out but things have to be plugged back in so to speak for either of those things to happen. In this time it is so important to keep sharp, to keep on working, and to develop things that we all said we had no time for when we weren't in quarantine and ultimately to not give up. instagram.com/messmusic facebook.com/jaylukemusic #BUZZMUSIC

The latest track dropping off the Columbus rapper performing as, Exit4 Uno—or Uno for short— is an overdue refresher for his brand of ominous-sounding intense rap. "All Off Trappin'" in its purest form is stimulating and provocative. The beat simmers over riffling triplet assemblages over the hi-hat, and swallowing sub-bass below, before the area around Uno's proficient flow is enriched with haunting, scintillating details: scattering pianos, brushed saturation throughout, and the subtle drone of pads in the background. It's both tangible in its affluence inspired lyrics and suggestively intriguing tone—like a canine who has the bark and the bite to support it. Uno's performance is unwavering and raw over this fervent production—as if he just burst into the studio, late-night, ready to light-up the digital domain with his lyrical vocation. "Superior dripping the latest fashion, I might have it all, not just a fraction," he intones as the song erupts in the first half, divulging the formula responsible for his inflated capital: "I leveled up to a different bracket, and I made it all off of trapping." Throughout the steadfast rhythmic flex of the verses, Uno describes growing up with nothing, and the doctrines that helped adjust his fortune: "I started with nothing my dress shirt missing buttons" or "got tired of the struggling, got all of my shit and said, fuck it." It's an austere number that provides a short and sweet reckoning—with themes of being flat-broke, the lucrative hustle of trapping, and the individuality in his growth coming up. There is no road more accessible and compelling than Uno's—acting like an absolute path into the "favorites" playlists of 2020. This song had some eye-opening descriptors of your past life throughout. If you were to describe your writing experience for this track in a few emotions, which would you pick and why? Accomplished, grateful, confident. Just to name a few. The life I was living at the time I wrote this song, I was able to provide and give my children more than I had growing up. So when I was writing the song I was reflecting how far I came. You know, from “nothing to having”. When it comes to where you grew up, do you believe Columbus played an active role in the evolution of your flow and style? In its own way, I would say so. There are a lot of other great artists coming from Columbus. There is always a need to find your own lane and style and perfect it. I started off just freestyling in the neighborhood and never gave up. Do you feel like you have an all-encompassing message you try and incorporate into the music you release? Maybe there is a mantra you adhere to when tapping into your artistry? I just try to be as relatable as possible. I feel like my struggles are my struggles but their not unique. there are plenty of people who came from the bottom and did what they had to do to come up from it, those are the people I speak to. My message is “where you start isn’t more important than where you end up”. What has had the most significant influence on your life musically thus far, and can we expect to see this influence in your upcoming music in August? Life itself. Every day is a new page being written. I’m just trying to capture each moment and put it all in the music. From baby mama issues to moving and losing friends. It’s a lot to look forward to. You’ll just have to wait for it. What's next for you? I got a new single I’m releasing in August called “Who It Is”. I have a few feature tracks dropping. I’m gearing up to drop this EP in September and a lot more visuals. My team and I are just getting started. It’s about to get crazy. instagram.com/exit4_uno facebook.com/exit4uno #BUZZMUSIC

Ever since the young age of three, R&B/Pop artist Nikky T has known that the music world was most definitely for her. Nikky T always felt music was a connecting source of passion for her, and she took that inner power source and ran with it! Today, Nikky T's profession lies where her inert passion is: studying at The Los Angeles Recording School, where she's able to develop her art experimentally, personal stories, as well as her gained wisdom. Nikky T is taking listeners on a lustrous journey with "On My Way." Immediately listeners are brought into a smooth atmosphere with the songs deep, low-key energy. Soon enough, Nikky T's vocals insert themselves, and we instantly reminisce back to mid-00's R&B/Pop music scene. Nikky T has a flavourful approach to her vocal execution, playing around with various tones in order to assert an alluring and sultry persona. "On My Way" walks through the thoughts associated with lust and possibly love, perfectly blending into the soundscape of the track. In the end, "On My Way" felt desirous, and Nikky T proves to be a harmonious songstress and have pure character throughout her songs. So wonderful to have you with us Nikky T. On My Way" features incredibly charming and enticing energy from you. How did you go about crafting this sultry persona so potently present within the song? Thank you so much! I am truly so happy that people are enjoying my craft. One of my producers, David Hensley, sent over this beat and my soul and mind went crazy for it. As a songwriter, within the first two minutes of listening, I had already created the melody, and the hook for it; I just knew I had to have them beat. I was truly inspired by the beat in itself, as well as I felt like the song took me to a whole other world, universe, or space in my mind, which led me to how I came up with the music video (I will bring that up later.) This song gave me new energy, different from any of my other songs because it had that upbeat energy, but I was also able to tie in my personal, emotional, and sultry lyrics. I wrote and recorded this song at home on my laptop during quarantine, so I have learned that there are no boundaries or limits put on us artists, we will do whatever we can in order to create and feed our emotions. What kind of emotions are you hoping listeners go through whilst listening to "On My Way"? Would you say that there's always a certain kind of mental state you hope to put your listeners in while listening to your music? When I make my music I intend for listeners to interpret their feelings and emotions based on my delivery and/or my lyrics. I hope that my lyrics, voice, and/or emotion can bring a meaningful impact on my audience. With that being said, I believe each person’s experience and perspective will differentiate how they interpret the song, I like to leave it open for each listener to break down the song in their own organic way. I will say though, that to me, this song makes me feel like I’m in a love trance in another world or galaxy. The song was written about two lovers who always find their way back to each other no matter the circumstances, or no matter what the outside world may believe. I really used this imagery in the music video for “On My Way,” so stay tuned and you will see. Now studying at The Los Angeles Recording School, what kind of knowledge do you feel you've gained so far that aided in the manifestation of "On My Way"? Going to school for music has been an extreme blessing for a multitude of reasons. The first being is that I get to go to school for my passion for music, which is something I eat, live, and breathe for. Music is on my mind 24/7 so the fact that I get the opportunity to learn, grow, and better myself in my career field is amazing. The second reason I love going to a music school is resources. When I started school I was supplied with all the materials I needed to record with, which has been a life-changer for me. During this pandemic, I have constantly created at home, which has been such a great way to teach myself how to use Logic, Ableton & Pro Tools, etc. With each new song, I learn more ways to record, ways to use my voice, and different songwriting techniques. Lastly, another reason I enjoy my school so much is that the teachers are so helpful, as well as they too are also heavily in the industry. They not only teach us, but they can give insider experience on the do’s and dont’s of the industry and they will help your career flourish because of the knowledge they share with us. I truly have taken in every opportunity The Los Angeles Film School has to give, and I am grateful for the experience. What would you say is your long-term goal music-wise? Do you ever feel that your personal goals are often similar to those of your music goals? Since music is always running through my mind, whether it be my next marketing strategy, my next studio time, my next lyric, or my next featured artist, I would say that my goals go hand in hand. My biggest goal in my personal life is to grow, and I also find that is my biggest goal as an artist as well. I recently just turned 21 so I believe that I still have so much more to learn as a person and artist. I always want to strive to be the best version of myself not only for me but for all the other people who I would hope to look up to me as a role model. My biggest hope for people listening to my music, or even reading this, is that you go for your dreams and you push as hard as you can to obtain them; no one or nothing can stop you. What advice do you have your fans that are finding it hard to stay inspired throughout these difficult times? Thank you for talking with us today! I like to see the light in each person, place, or situation, so I think that the best way to stay positive and inspired is to count your blessings, be thankful for what you do have in life, whether it be love, family, friends, happiness, a passion, etc. I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason, so during this quarantine, I hope my fans take away with them one fortunate thing they learned about themselves, or about something in the world. Always remember that what you put out into the universe is what you will receive; try to spread kindness, love, and peace, thanks for reading. instagram.com/nikkyt #BUZZMUSIC