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L.I.A. is an LA-based artist who creates evocative Hip-Hop that tells the story of her younger years. Her passion for music was initially from playing live drums in a marching band and then transitioned to organizing songwriting and production groups for upcoming talent. Recently L.I.A. released her latest bombastic single "Money Talk" and it pops with attitude and spirit. "Money Talk" features interesting evolving textures, a massive 808 drum kit, and an incredibly intense performance from L.I.A. herself. The verses of the record show off her intricate flow and tight rhyming while also maintaining to tell the story of making a way for yourself. The drums in the verses explode and provide an intense backbone that supports L.I.A's performance. The chorus has a very moving rocking atmosphere that highlights the hook and evolving textures that spark ethereal ear candy. The production of "Money Talk" is extremely intricate; there are a lot of one-off flairs of ethereal effects that keep you constantly listening for what's happening next while never getting in the way of L.I.A.'s vocal performance. From the bombastic verses to the poppin' chorus that makes you want to bump your arms, this is a record that you can't afford to miss out on. Listen to "Money Talk" here. Hey L.I.A.! Welcome to BuzzMusic! "Money Talk" is a fantastic record that you have created, what was the production and songwriting process for it like? Were there any elements created first before others? Thank you for having me. The creation of "Money Talk" was motivated by the movement I was doing at the time. I'm really into songwriting and at the time I was getting a lot of requests for songs. I felt like I couldn't lose as long as I stayed focused on the bag and my craft. I wanted to capture the moment and that how "Money Talk" came along. Yes, there most definitely were different elements, when I first started working on this record the hook was totally different but I loved the verses on the song. So I sat on the record for a few days and when I finally went back to it. I had the hook idea and the rest was history. Wow, it's great to hear that you were inspired to become an artist at such a young age, at what moment did you decide this is what you want to do? What about playing drums in a band made you feel excited about music? I would say I was 16. At the time I had a lot of friends who wanted to do music, so I was like the manager away. We had a girl group and I remember one of my homegirls' dad take us to his friend's studio. I was so amazed by the process of making nothing into something and just the grind of getting the right placements and transitions. I knew then music was what I wanted to do. I just didn't know at the time in which capacity. Everything about it. It was my first-period class in the morning and was the last thing I did before leaving school. Playing in the marching band taught me so much about discipline, structure, transitions, timing, working with others, I can go on and on. I just loved the whole team togetherness. It's a few things that still stick with me to this day. Is there anything in your life that inspires you to create music more than anything? Aside from your idols, is there anything else that influences your music? I'm inspired by motivational people. People who are motivated to do better in life period. That's what keeps me going and inspired hearing friends or family talking about the new business ventures they are working on and putting the plan in motion. For me, everyday life is an influence. The shxt we living is an influence. I grow up facing a lot of struggles being a lesbian woman, so I always felt like I had to work 10 times harder then the guys did. I want to be the best, and I still do. We love to hear when people help organize writing and production sessions with other artists, what were those like? Do you have any interesting stories from that? It's always a party when you get artists or producers who you think are dope together in one room, and the respect and love are mutual, we for sure leaving with a hit, maybe even 3. Honestly, If we don't have a vibe, your most likely not gonna be invited to a session. Energy is important to me and I have no time to give it out to unnecessary energy without being too harsh lol. What's next for you L.I.A? Next up For L.I.A is my ep dropping soon. I have a few names in mind but it's about 60% from completion. Being an independent artist I want to make sure the focus is not just on the music for myself but for a layer of things that need to be covered. But we are making a great process. Getting ready for a mini-tour hopefully with everything going on in the world. and Just continue to be consistent with more music. instagram.com/bossyasslia twitter.com/itzlianation facebook.com/itzlianation #BuzzMusic

Index Dex is a London based rapper whose style combines freestyle and writing. He has performed at the infamous Notting Hill Carnival which led a return tour of his Native Republic of South Africa. Recently Index Dex released his explosive new single "Afterlife" and it's an intense high energy Hip-Hop tune that features a heavy evolving bass line, explosive punchy 808 drums, and a raw vocal performance. "Afterlife" begins with a deeply moving bass, ear-catching adlib vocals, and then explodes with an intro chorus. The following verse features well-thought lyrics and rhyming from Index Dex that carries over tons of energy. The vocal transforms throughout the song from being a cleaner in your face sound and an edgier, grittier almost atmospheric vocal. Index Dex does not hold back for a moment what his potential is in his lyrics, rhyming, and flow. He keeps everything feeling raw and honest which helps to paint on the canvass that he has. The chorus of "Afterlife" had an almost retrospective laid back feel but still maintains his accurately timed pacing and rhythm. From the intense dynamic instrumentation to Index Dex's tight flow, we can't wait for what else he has to offer. Listen to "Afterlife" here. Welcome to BuzzMusic Index Dex. We're loving your latest single "Afterlife"! What was the songwriting and production process for it like? The song was written and produced at a Producers house/friend Oskar Von Unge, He loved drummer and base type of sounds plus he was a big fan of MF Doom, so been around him inspired me to write deep-rooted raps and lyrics. Afterlife is just one of the songs we worked on, and it is the only song that I've released officially from his production project. Your style is a mix between free-styling and having lyrics are written down, which points of the song were written down verses free-styled? Did you record a free-style first? On this particular song I free-styled the whole second verse and as you can hear it goes into a drum and bass bit, refer to the first answer. "Afterlife" has a very unique sound to it, what were your influences during its creation? Do you have any idols that you look up to? I used to really love Prodigy from Mood Deep, But now I take music as it comes, I don't really get too deep into musicians characters, I simply take bits and bobs of inspiration as I go along. Afterlife is inspired by the open question of what is the meaning of life, death makes life important. We heard that you are still trying to find a more unique sound to yourself, how do you think the sound of "Afterlife" compares to earlier music you have created? It is a very brave song before I would not have the self-belief to write my thought, I would be more interested in pleasing the crowd, but then as I grow I know that to be unique, I have to embrace both the "commercial and deep thinker Index Dex" I can do both so why not. I have taken a long way round and soon it will pay off because I believe in my growth. instagram.com/indexdx facebook.com/Indexdexofficial #BuzzMusic

Joshua Flores is an independent Pop/R&B artist from Texas. Starting his love for music and performing at the young age of 11. Joshua Flores is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and producer. Joshua put his skills to work in his latest release single release, ‘’Don’t’’. Joshua Flores sings about expressing not wanting to have his time wasted with the lady that he is involved with. He sings "just give me a sign, let me know that everything will be alright’’ and ‘’I don't want to read between the lines’’. He’s expressing that he wants all the cards out on the table, he wants the brutal truth. He is willing to give their relationship a try but she has to be willing to fight for their love as well. The beat has a catchy nostalgic R&B bounce, and all the elements of the song work effortlessly together, it's evident that Joshua Flores was involved in every process of the record. "Don't" is the perfect addition to your favorite playlists. Joshua Flores plans to release two more singles coming in April and May. Listen to "Don't" by Joshua Flores here. Hey Joshua Flores! Welcome to BuzzMusic! We're excited to be featuring your latest single "Don’t"! What was the creative process like when you were putting this song together? When it came to making this song I just had the idea that I wanted it to be about getting fed up in a relationship. With that in mind, I came up with the main piano chord progression and ended up making most of the music before I had any lyrics. I wrote the song pretty unconventionally, I came up with the hook first, then the first verse, the pre-hook, and finally the second verse. The song was based on past experience of being in a relationship that wasn’t going anywhere, and you didn’t want your time wasted if things weren’t going to change. Knowing that you’re a producer, songwriter, and performer, would you say any one of these abilities is your favorite compared to the rest? Honestly producing is probably my favorite to do. It’s always fun coming up with something new, bringing together all these different instruments and sounds and making a cool song out of it. It’s also a great challenge to recreate the ideas in your head on how you want certain things to sound in the song, but it’s very rewarding when you figure it out. Is there any musician that you would love to collaborate with and could you see yourself producing other artist's music as well? I would love to collaborate with Charlie Puth someday. I take a lot of inspiration from the way he structures his song production and his style which I’ve incorporated in the way I produce my songs at times. I would definitely like to produce other artist’s music too. Like I said producing is fun and challenging and it would be great to work with other artists to create something cool and unique. How would you say your creative process has evolved over the years? I feel like my creative process is not as structured or set in stone as it was before. Originally I would write the song first with my guitar, then I would start working on producing the music. But now I tend to just go with the flow and figure things out along the way. Sometimes I get ideas for a cool sounding melody or chord progression, and I’ll end up making a song before I have any lyrics or an idea of what the song is about. Whatever idea I get I just run with it and see what it leads me to along the way, that is how I made my new song after all. What we can expect from you throughout 2020? This year you can expect more music from me coming your way. I always like to step out of my comfort zone and try new styles of music and sound. I love making pop but I also enjoy R&B so be ready to hear different sides of my music that you might be surprised by. #BuzzMusic

Los Angeles native Sans Faute is making waves with her enticing track “Fidget”. She sparks creative inspiration from being a writer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist while sparking the music industry with her slow and groovy ode to blues. Drawing inspiration from legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, and Heart records. Her track “Fidget” brings an intriguing and sensual take on down-tempo blues while delivering exceptional vocal arrangements perfectly laid overtop. The track's instrumentation brings imagery of a cloudy west coast with the arrangement of the track of guitars and bass. Sans Faute has captured the essence of soulful songwriting. “Fidget” begins with a solo acoustic guitar, perfectly transitioning into a soulful downbeat on the drums and impeccable ambiance with beautifully dreary electric guitar chords. As it quiets down during the arrival of Sans Faute’s haunting vocals, she takes her majestic imagery to other levels with genuine lyrics like “Give all you can give, tout your morals to gloat”. She brings forward genuine messages with exceptional storytelling abilities, almost poetic, and perfectly grasps how to effectively blend lyrics with instrumentation. With elegant energy and passionate expression, it’s clear that the soulful track “Fidget” is only a taste of what Sans Faute has to offer. Listen to "Fidget" here. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Sans Faute! We’re completely captivated by your mellow and passionate sound. Where did you draw inspiration for your track “Fidget”? Thank you for saying that! “Fidget” actually began as a guitar riff. I was just practicing one day- playing around with some chords and scales- and I stumbled into something I thought sounded really bluesy and cool. The way the notes were interwoven within the cadence of the rhythm made me feel uneasy, reminiscent of not quite having both of my feet on the ground. At the time that I was writing “Fidget”, the U.S. was in the midst of a huge political upheaval, and I think everyone was feeling elements of uncertainty that were very visceral. I just wanted to encapsulate all of those feelings, both physical and cerebral, and funnel them into music — almost like a snapshot of a specific point it time. It was an extremely cathartic process for me, and I hope to impart that catharsis upon everyone who listens. You’ve mentioned that both your parents have musical backgrounds! How do you think this helped you as an artist yourself? I was exposed to such a wide variety of music at such a young age. I think this was the most influential and beautiful gift they imparted upon me as musicians. My mom grew up singing ballads, musical theatre compositions and jazz standards, so that’s inevitably what we would listen to in the house while cleaning or during long car rides. My dad grew up drumming along to Genesis records and idolized Gene Krupa and blues greats like B.B. King and Muddy Waters, so I was exposed to a lot of instrumental experimentation at his hands. My parents also played in several bands together as I was growing up, often practicing in our living room. Thus, I was surrounded by incredible musicians from a variety of different backgrounds who had spent years honing their particular instruments. I feel so blessed to have been able to just absorb all of that color and sound at such a young age. It imparted upon me the value of tireless practice and thorough education in pursuing creative expression through music. Your songwriting abilities create incredibly clear imagery. Is there anything that helps you channel your thoughts to a song? I do a lot of stream-of-consciousness writing and free-association. I usually write the music before working on the lyrics, and the movement of the tones influences the message I want to convey. If I’m struggling to put my thoughts into words, I’ll pick up a guitar or sit at a piano and play the music over and over again, in an effort to enter what I can only describe as a trance-like state. In this mode, I can often find random lines of lyrical and melodic inspiration, which I quickly write down or record. I try to trust that my subconscious knows what it wants to say and in what lines it wants to color, and do my best to allow it to come through. If nothing else, it always churns out some interesting imagery! Your vocals and instrumentation are definitely something to catch live! Any upcoming shows in 2020? Right now, I am in the process of producing and releasing some new music, so I haven’t been playing as many live shows. I’m devoting the majority of my time and creativity to writing. I do have a few shows coming up around Los Angeles in the next few months, though! Be sure to check out my Instagram for updates on when those dates will be! What can we expect to see next from you? I am extremely excited about this upcoming project on which I’m currently working! It will be a series of four singles released simultaneously over a period of four consecutive weeks. Each song leads into the next, in an effort to weave a cohesive narrative. It’s somewhat of a deviation from the music I am used to writing and is the most ambitious project I’ve undertaken as a musician and songwriter thus far. However, my producers and I are working hard to establish a sound and sentiment that is true to who I am as an artist. I think it’s going to tell a great story, and I am beyond grateful to be able to work with such talented and giving collaborators and artists to harness it! instagram.com/sansfautemusic facebook.com/sarahsamanthaalexander sarahsamanthaalexander.com #BuzzMusic

Thank you for your time today! So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story? Where you started and where you are now. Thank you for interviewing me! Absolutely, I’d love to! I’ve been singing basically since I could talk. I grew up writing these silly little songs and performing them for my mom in our kitchen, always dreaming that someday I would be a musician! So, when I graduated high school, I decided to pursue this dream! I packed up and moved to Nashville for both school (I go to Belmont University) and music, and I’ve been performing and writing new music ever since! I just wrapped up working on my debut single, which I will be releasing very soon! Do you play any instruments? If so, how long have you been playing?  I’ve been playing guitar for eight years since I was ten! Tell us your favorite cover song to sing and why.  Oh, this is a tough one! I would probably say Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran. I’m a hopeless romantic, and this song just makes me so happy! It’s the perfect love song! Every artists has a why. What is your why when it comes to creating music?  I have always loved creating music. Singing and songwriting have always been my passion! However, I’ve discovered over the years that nothing is more fulfilling to me than writing music that tells a story. People react to stories--a good story can make you feel happy, or inspired, or like you’re part of a community. I love being able to bring people together with my music! That’s my “why”! What is your favorite song on the radio right now? I absolutely love “Before You Go” by Lewis Capaldi! He has such a powerful voice. I love his music! instagram.com/hannahloomismusic facebook.com/HannahLoomisMusic #BuzzMusic

rüün is a Pop artist who creates memorable Pop music. In the past, he has released two other singles that featured Isaiah Blass and Cooper & Gatlin. rüün's third single "Tail Lights" was written with legendary songwriters Jenny Owen Youngs, and Jon Green. "Tail Lights" was inspired by the losses within the lives of the writers. This record has a lot of fantastic elements within, it features a groovy minimalistic electronic drum kit, an ambient piano, and a beautiful atmospheric vocal duet. The production of "Tail Lights" has a very exciting modern vibe to it, there are a lot of little flairs of various synths and percussion parts that come in and out accenting the story being told. The hook is incredibly memorable and catchy, you'll find yourself humming the hook before it even happens. The true highlight, however, is the vocal duet. Both voices beautifully complement each other and have an almost ethereal quality to them that leaves them feeling incredibly smooth to listen to - almost as if it was a dark lullaby. There are a lot of fantastic elements in this record and this is something that everyone would love having a listen to. Listen to "Tail Lights" here. #BuzzMusic

Alternative Rock band Ten02 is made of five members committed to creating unique, original music as well as cover songs. The Alberta-based band released their first single in 2019, and Ten02 is gearing up to release their first EP release. They have performed across Alberta opening for bands such as “Yes We Mystic” and are going to be making a name for themselves in 2020. “No Good For Me” from Ten02’s debut EP “Songs About Girls”, is a slower alternative track that projects internal conflict of needing to let go of someone bad for you. Ten02 has a unique way of conveying the emotions in the song so that the listener feels the story along with the singer. The lead singer of Ten02 shows immense control over their voice, changing notes effortlessly between falsetto and chest voice in one smooth motion. The song is guitar-heavy, with intricate melodies woven underneath the vocals. “No Good For Me” conveys the emotions that come with knowing you must let someone go from your life. This emotional pain can often be felt as physical pain, as Ten02 refers to in the line “It burns my skin third degree”. This is just the beginning for Ten02, so be sure to keep an eye out for the rest of “Songs About Girls”. Listen to “No Good For Me” here. Hey Ten02, and Welcome to BuzzMusic! “No Good For Me” emotes some common but painful situations, do you use personal experience as inspiration for your music? Our debut EP is titled “Songs About Girls” meaning they are written about past experiences with girls whether it be love, resentment, friendship, etc. Almost all of our music comes from some form of personal experience that we share as a group or even individuals that we can all connect with. What are some things you have learned from the bands you have opened for in the past? Have their techniques or music styles had an impact on your music-making process? A lot of what we have learned from the set bands we have opened for us how they present themselves. Whether it be how the dress, their stage presence, or the cohesion of their music as a whole, they definitely convey a certain sense of professionalism that we are working on replicating ourselves! What brought the 5 of you together as a band? How does each of you bring something unique to the band? The band formed in 2016 with Elijah(singer) and Josh (drummer) meeting through mutual friends who played music, forming an instant connection and wanting to jam together. 2 years later, Kaiden (lead guitar) came along after we decided we needed to fill out our sound and we met through mutual friends and open mic’s. Emma (piano) came along shortly after, having known about the band for a few years started hanging out with us and eventually became part of the group. After going through a few bassists over the years, we eventually reached out to Chase in late 2019 to fill the gap after losing our last bassist. The rest is history. We each have vastly different tastes in music ranging from rap to indie, to alt to metal and everything in between, so our music is very multi-genre, while still maintaining an identifiable sound. What can fans expect next from you? We plan to expand in the years to come, and feel our music might do well in other areas where pop culture is prominent. All in all, fans can expect a hardworking group of young individuals who will put their hearts and souls into making the best music they possibly can! instagram.com/ten02official facebook.com/ten02band #BuzzMusic

Kings County is an Orlando, FL., based hard-hitting rock group who's sound blends the edge of hard rock tracks and strong melody writing, reminiscent of '90s hard rock with a modern twist. Since the band's formation they have won the iHeart Radio Music contest in 2018, and have shared the stage with industry icons that include Bon Jovi, Ted Nugent, Styx, Duran Duran and more. Kings County is made of Rob Dexter (Vocals, Bass), Steve Bell (Guitars, Vocals), Joe Lopez (Drums) and Bill Kania (Guitars, Vocals). Kings County released their epic hard-hitting single "7 Reasons" and it's exciting from the moment the record begins. "7 Reasons" features heavy guitars riffs, punchy explosive drums, a rock-solid bass line, and an incredible honest vocal performance. The vocals here have an amazing smooth edgy feel to them that perfectly suites the rest of the instruments. The band features soaring melodies that come through above the guitars where you'll find yourself singing along by the time the second chorus hits you. When this song hits, it hits hard like a truck and we are absolutely loving it. Everything about this record feels perfectly jelled together as one and all keep up to feeling both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. “7 Reasons” was remixed by Grammy Award-winning Producer/Engineer Chuck Alkazian (Pop Evil, Soundgarden, Tantric) at legendary Pearl Sound Studios (Asking Alexandria, Eminem, Filter). kingscountyofficial.com facebook.com/kingscountyband instagram.com/kingscountyofficial twitter.com/KingsCounty3 #BuzzMusic

Dana Macleod is a singer-songwriter from Vancouver who has released a Jazz album and a Contemporary Pop EP in the last two years. Dana has worked with world renounced musicians on her music and continues to push the boundaries of her style by fusing in different styles together to create something new. Dana Macleod had recently released the guitar version of her record "Better Off" and it is a lovely tune that you'll be listening to again and again. The highlight here is Dana's incredible songwriting, nothing ever feels static in "Better Off". Whether it's her jazzy chord movements that spice things up, wonderful little licks, or her masterful lyric and melody writing this release will keep you on your toes. Within the instrumentation of this record is a lovely mellowed out guitar, a refreshingly punchy ethereal cajón, and Dana's lovely smooth honest voice. There are a lot of hidden ambient pulses that wash over your head during transitions that perfectly suites the atmosphere and story that is being created. The chorus of "Better Off" is such a feel-good experience that you won't be able to help yourself from swaying back and forth to the music; it will instantly connect with your soul. Listen to "Better Off" here. Hello Dana Macleod! Welcome to BuzzMusic! We're loving "Better Off"! What was its songwriting and production process like? The first song I ever wrote was “Better Off”. I started to write it after a difficult break-up. It was hard for me to stop over-thinking about the person I had been in a relationship with and it seemed like every time I closed my eyes I would think only about them. Coping with the painful situation was hard and writing music became a really powerful outlet. I felt like it was the best means of channeling my emotions and it turned out to be very therapeutic. I began writing songs to creatively express what I was going through and to help me deal with the situation. What had made you want to release a guitar version of "Better Off" versus just keeping the main? Is there a version you prefer? I had previously recorded this song with a jazz trio which has quite a different feel and decided later that I wanted to record it with just guitar and cajon. I wanted to add some interesting vocal effects and give it different energy than it originally had. My attitude towards the song has changed quite a bit since I first started singing it. I now feel more of an empowered attitude towards it rather than solemn and sad. Rather than focus on a particular person or negative situation, the song now holds a positive and reassuring attitude that we will always be OK and have the strength to handle whatever comes our way. We heard that you had the chance to have world-class musicians on some of your projects, what was that like? Any interesting stories? I was so fortunate to have some of the world's best musicians on my first jazz album. Khari Parker, Michael Manson, Max V, and Marqueal Jordan were all amazing to work with. I actually met them for the first time at the studio on the day of recording. We set up and recorded the entire album live in three hours. It was my first experience recording in a studio so I didn’t really know what to expect but we played through each song twice and that was it. It was a very pivotal and exciting day in my career. With your upcoming album "Mirrors", how do you think the music on that will compare to what you have already put out there? How do you feel you have evolved as an artist since your first release? The music in “mirrors” is so different than anything I have previously released. My first album was jazz, and then I recorded an EP which was more contemporary pop. I enjoy playing around with musical genres and writing lyrics that are relevant to whatever is happening in my life at the time. I wrote all the music and lyrics for the new album “Mirrors” that is coming out this spring. It is more of a high-energy pop album with electronic elements that reflect my current mood. I also produced and recorded all the tracks myself which made for a fun and challenging project. I am excited to share it with the world. I think a lot of people will find the songs relatable since it deals with relationships, growing, and even, in one song, points at the political climate in our society right now. What can we expect to see from you throughout 2020? I will be promoting the new album and music video this spring at various venues and on social media. The tour dates will be posted on my website soon. I will also be spending a lot of time at home writing and producing my next album. facebook.com/danamacleodmusic Instagram.com/dana.macleod #BuzzMusic

Pop music is getting a familiar big-time sounding with artist Brian Nathan. Artistically, Brian Nathan is intrinsically driven to create pop music that incorporates soulful elements, packed with energetic and lively rhythms. As an artist who is heavily involved in influences stemming from the Gospel, R&B and Soul music scene, Brian Nathan attempts to combine all of his inspirations to create the methodic harmony known to be his sound. Currently writing and recording in Nashville, TN, Brian Nathan is hitting the music world hard with his dynamic and vigorous performance. Brian Nathan is bringing an edgy sensation to his latest work. "The One (T.Y.H.)" brings a familiar sort of vocal execution, as the outflow and general production styling follows similar suit to big artists such as Bruno Mars. Brian Nathan makes us feel groovy with the upbeat melody, which is so infectious mood-wise. It's hard to listen to the positive embrace of Brian Nathan and not feel jubilant. "The One (T.Y.H.)" is similar in feeling to having the sun radiate on your skin. You feel completely at warmth, soothed by the calamity of it all. Except there's only so much calmness you can extract from Brian Nathan, as the high-paced atmosphere of "The One (T.Y.H.)" brings both peace and buoyancy. All in all, "The One (T.Y.H.)" will get you moving, and Brian Nathan's vibrancy will shine brightly upon any listener. Check out Brian Nathan in his latest single "The One (T.Y.H.)" here. Hey, Brian Nathan! Great to have you here on BuzzMusic to chat more about your recent release, "The One (T.Y.H.)", as well as your history as an artist. Can you start off by telling our listeners your inner visions for "The One (T.Y.H.)", and the meaning behind the track itself? Thanks, for having me! My vision for "The One (T.Y.H.) was to create something nostalgic that made the listener eager to dance. I was going for a sound that combined both old and new school vibes; something timeless. The song is about a guy pursuing his love interest, convincing her that he is, in fact, "the one" and with the catchy hook and infectious groove, you bet, she accepted! As an artist who was raised in Birmingham, but now writing and recording in Nashville, how do you feel your creative and artistic personas differ according to the location you're in? How would you describe how the music scenes differ across the two locations? Culturally, being raised in Birmingham, AL, I was around a lot of gospel and R&B music. Seeing a lot of musicians that played in the church, who also had their own bands, opened my eyes to the possibility of a music career. Though Nashville is home to various musical styles, it is still considered the country capital, and that would be the difference. Birmingham is a hidden jewel comprised of many great musicians whose sound reflects the soul of our rich history. The Magic City's culture helped shape my sound which was birthed from my church upbringing, my father's old school cleanup jams, and my obsession with R&B/pop music videos. Some of your musical influences include Michael Jackson, as well as Earth, Wind, & Fire. When you discovered these artists' music, how did you feel internally driven to create and record the very music you do today? Do you feel that you extract key elements from each of these artists and blend it into your original sound? I was driven by how their music made me feel. I instantly connected to it. I then began to realize and enjoy how it made other people react and feel. I loved seeing people smile and dance every time they hear or talk about their music. Their music is timeless and a staple in American culture. I wanted to be able to make people feel the same way when it came to my music. Yes, when you hear my music, you will here inspiration from these great artists. You've studied at Alabama A&M University, where you constructed and designed your composition skills regarding music. Further, you attended Middle Tennessee State University to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies. Can you explain how the knowledge you derived from these institutions aided in the ultimate creation of your sound? Yes, Alabama A&M helped me be able to understand how to create and develop a song theoretically, vocally, and instrumentally. MTSU gave me a technical understanding of the industry. How to record, how to create sounds and how to sonically convey a song. They both helped develop my ear and equipped me with the skills to be a musician, engineer, and producer. Now, I'm able to define and create exactly what I want. If I need to go to the piano and notate a song, I can. If I want to record that sound, I can. What's next from you and your music, Brian? Currently, I am working on an album that will allow a deeper experience of how I hear music. You can expect it to be released in the summer of 2020. instagram.com/thebriannathan twitter.com/thebriannathan #BuzzMusic