Shannon Sanders is what one would describe as a “super-producer”.  He already has achieved successes such as Grammys, Emmys and a Dove award. His discography is full of names like India.Arie, Jonny Lang, John Legend, and Robert Randolph, just to name a few. Not only a talented musician but Sanders is a powerhouse vocalist. He is the founder and program director of Nashville Scene’s “2018 Best Soul Radio Station” 102.1 FM THE VILLE, a National Trustee of the Recording Academy, and much, much more! As of lately, Sanders is partnering with Blue Rose Music, an artist collective, to release a series of anthemic singles in 2019. And here with his latest “Fight On”. Talk about powerhouse! Everything about this single screams power, faith and the good old fight. There really is a rhythmic anthem feel in this song. The heavy clap beats and strong piano gives it all the necessary keys to a motivational single. What really pulls this together is the choir. Their presence seems like it’s only few and far between but if you really listen in they have a hum in the background throughout the entire song. AMAZING! This guy really embodies this powerful song and the passion to truly fight on! Listen to "Fight On" here, and learn more about Shannon in our interview below! Could you please tell us a little about yourself? If you were to ask people to describe Shannon Sanders, words like “super-producer” are mentioned. He already has GRAMMYs (2), Emmys (2) and Dove (1) award under his belt. His discography is full of names like India.Arie, Jonny Lang, John Legend, Robert Randolph, just to name a few. A gifted musician, he serves as musical director of India.Arie. On top of all of that, SANDERS is a powerhouse vocalist. Sanders is he the founder and program director of Nashville Scene’s “2018 Best Soul Radio Station” 102.1 FM THE VILLE, a National Trustee of the Recording Academy, a city commissioner for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, a board member of the Nashville Ballet, and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Inc. He was one of the music industry leaders selected for the Leadership Music Class of 2017. Sanders is partnering with Blue Rose Music to release a series of anthemic singles in 2019. Blue Rose Music is an artist collective founded by tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, Joe Poletto, that assists in the business and creative development of select musicians and projects. What inspired you to become apart of music? Music became a part of me. Music is my first language. As far back as i can remember, music has always made sense to me. I was 15 when the first record I produced was commercially released. It was a local phenomenon. I was immediately hooked on the process of creating music and delivering it to the listeners. Who has been one of your favorite artists to work with and why? I’ve had the honor of working with so many talented artists. But I would have to say India.Arie. She is so creative-from her pen to her perspectives on mixes. I always walk away receiving as much as I give to her projects. I noticed you really live by this single and hashtag “Fight On”. What is the backstory behind it? Fight On is a call to action. It does not suggest that you start a fight, it inspires us to continue a fight. There are times that we become discouraged. Even while working on things we are truly passionate about. Fight On is a reminder to stick to your guns and continue to fight for what you believe is right or real. If you could share some encouraging words for others hoping to fight on? For those who need encouragement to Fight On, first, be clear about what you’re fighting for. It is important to research the paths of those who have fallen before us there’s a lot that we can learn from people who have done or attempted to do what we’re doing. Build a solid support system. Surround yourself with people who support you in your fight. Who don’t mind locking arms and fighting with you. Find two sources of inspiration, and hold on to them for dear life. What is next for you? There are still lots of things I want to accomplish in my life and career. The great drummer of the universe knows my heart. I will continue to follow the drum, wherever it lead me. Connect With Shannon Sanders: Instagram Facebook #BuzzMusic

On Cody Jay's acoustic rework of his "Love Game," which came out a year ago, we get a similar tale, but presented from a different standpoint. This is music that makes me wish I could wake up early in the morning and be one of those people who eat cereal and yogurt with the dawn. But morning mists aside, the song is pretty explicit about the focus on forward-looking positive thinking. The song is balanced with killer on-point harmonies. It stands in contrast to the original, which focused more on the chase, the play, the adventure. But once you strip off the clothes, I mean musical layers, things change. So here we have a song for a morning after that isn’t so dark and full of shame. I feel like musicians, and just dudes in general, could probably learn a lot from Mr. Cody Jay. We’ll just have to wait for more of this valuable knowledge. Listen to "Love Game (Acoustic)" here, and learn more about Cody Jay in our interview below! Hello Cody, could you please introduce yourself to our readers? Hey! My name is Cody Jay, and I am a self-produced independent artist. I’ve been making my own music for over 5 years and I’m proud to say that I’m working on my 4th album as an independent artist. Why did you decide to go back in and put a different, more organic, spin on your songs? As I’m growing as a person, not just an artist, I find myself wanting to connect with things on a deeper level. I love the material I’ve written, but having grown in many ways I wanted to revisit them and strip them down to their most bare form. I think they speak differently and say different things when there’s less going on. What have you learned since you released the more “electric” version of Love Game that changed your approach to the creation process? Great question! I’ve learned that sometimes less is more. I’m still going to produce full tracks, but for the time being I’m enjoying the simplicity that goes along with acoustic material - whether they be recreations of older songs, or new ones that I’m creating now. Do you prefer writing songs or performing them? I don’t think I can pick one! They’re SO different. If I had to choose however, I would currently choose performing because once I’ve reached that level with the material, I know the songs so well that I can truly perform them in the moment. The process of writing a new song, although it’s very rewarding, can be very long & tedious at times. Performing involves an energy that sometimes feels unmatched. Any notable fan interactions you care to share? Lately I am SO happy to find that people are enjoying the acoustic material, and they are voluntarily sharing it on their pages. I can’t explain how much that means to me. What are you most proud of so far? I am proud to say that I have produced and written 99% of my material thus far. Although I am very much hoping to collaborate more this year, when I look at my catalog I am proud to say that it’s something I created from the ground up. Something I can stand behind. Connect with Cody Jay: Instagram Twitter Facebook #BuzzMusic

Dr. Ally K is a new contemporary artist with an urban pop style that ranges from EDM , Hip Hop and even Rap. Ally graduated as an Ontario Scholar from Claude Watson Secondary School of Performing Arts in Toronto and received The Theatre reward for Dramatic performance and instruction. Winning numerous gold medals at various music festivals , Ally was eventually commissioned to compose music for ‘Orchids’ a full-length musical. “Up,Up, & Away” is a track on Ally’s EP of the same name with a vibrant and youthful pop synth sound. In this song, Dr. Ally K expresses her views of today’s society and how everyone seems to be so egocentric especially with social media. Youthful yet effective, Ally sings a bright poppy chorus that focuses on how she is reflecting on people’s behavior in this day and age. “Have we become too egocentric, pushing people around right of the sphere”, is a lyric that can really be taken for face value. An anthem of 2019 and of those in their youth, this song will cause many to reflect on their actions and themselves as people.This message of self reflection and contemplating about what really matters is something that pop artists tend to neglect. Listen to "Up, Up & Away" here, and learn more about Dr. Ally K in our interview below! Hello, could you introduce yourself to our readers? My name is Dr Ally K, I have been a musician for many years now, however I decided to become a doctor and get out and practice for a bunch of years and now I have restarted my music career. I have a couple of kids, one of them has severe autism. How do you perceive the music industry and the individuals in it? Where do you see your place in it? The music industry is constantly changing like every other industry. It’s always been about being in the right place at  the right time and knowing the right people, and also being good at what you do. However, I have noticed distinct changes with respect to promotion marketing and even distribution in this age. Artists are their own promoters for so long into it and really need to work hard to get to the point where an actual promoter would even consider working with them. Very different from the past. I’m fortunate to have perspective from the past. I see myself as a performance artist. Although I am an instrumentalist and a producer and a writer, I am my best in front of an audience, And although I love the studio, I see myself touring dancing around singing and playing while telling stories for the fans. What inspires you to song write and create music? It’s an interesting question because it used to be all about my own issues and I think if you look at young artists of today a lot of what they are writing about is the pain that they are going through. If you check out some of my older songs that I have revamped they are about pain that I endured as a kid, and my newer stuff is more about other peoples pain and our society and advocating for causes. Essentially I am now writing stories and lyrics that involve other peoples pain. It’s an honour  to be in ambassador for that. Do you think that mainstream pop music is progressing in the music industry? I think it is. Pop will always have a place in mainstream music. I do believe that rap and hip-hop is taking over to an extent which concerns me from the perspective of young individuals and their role models. I would love to be a positive role model. I don’t want parents closing their kids ears when they listen to my music. I would like him to encourage it. I think pop will continue to hold its firm place in the industry. I certainly hope it does :/ Was there a certain event that caused you to write Up,Up & Away? Absolutely. My brother Jess and I wrote it when he decided to move permanently to Thailand. Leaving meant leaving this type of North American society. It’s kind of funny, we are selling Water, the natural look... like the song says, “everyone is a tourist here I think he ( Jess )decided that he would follow his heart and move to a place where he could live a more spiritual existence —while I stayed here on the other side of the planet becoming a doctor - I still wanted to go “Up, Up & away” I guess by being cognizant of what’s going on around you you can be! Now, if the good people of the world are listening to my songs and enjoying the messages I will have an opportunity to either go Up Up Or AWAY?? Haha Connect with Dr. Ally K: Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

Hector Josue Colon (born November 14th, 1992) known professionally as Madd Ching, is an Latin American (Dominican) artist, singer, songwriter, and music engineer. Born in the Bronx, New York and raised in Deerfield Beach, FL. Ching began his hip hop career way before his debut single “Poseidon”. It’s release resulted on a management & artist development contract w/ MotorMouthMusicGroup. Ching was always around violence and drugs as well as love and pain, which contributes to the versatility in music, ranging  from hardcore rap to soft melodies and R&B music. Okay this guy has a really cool flow! At first he reminded us of G-Eazy but we can hear his latin roots in the accent of his lyricism and it is so dope. He flips between singing and rapping and it works! Having the ability to do both can enhance a track in so many ways and he knew exactly what he was doing here. There is some sort of string or plucking or piano that is so delicate and just gives this track an extra edge by bringing in an r&b element. We can’t help but to head bob to this song with so many different tones an tempos to choose from. Madd Ching did his thing in “Poseidon”. Listen to "Poseidon" here, and learn more about Madd Ching in our interview below! Hey! Care to introduce yourself to our readers? I go by the name of Madd Ching from Deerfield Beach, FL. Better known by many through out Broward County, FL as just Ching. I’m a songwriter, artist, and engineer. How has where you’ve grown up influenced your music? I come from a place where a lot of my peers don’t make it out. Grew up in poverty along w/ my siblings and the hard predicaments my mother was put through. I had to become, the man of the house at an early age. Even though I grew up tough I also learned empathy and compassion because, of my life's experiences. So you can hear my pain and how it influenced all of my music which allows me to be versatile artist. What is the story behind this track Poseidon? “Poseidon” came about because I was experimenting with tones and I also wanted to incorporate real words to a hard melody. “I had to earn it the hard way just to put food on the stove”. -Madd Ching I’m basically saying I’ve actually had to put in work out here to get to where I am now. Nothing was given everything was earned. And how some friends are actually jealous of the minimal stature I’ve gained. But, it’s part of my process of becoming the artist I know I can and will be. Favorite lyric from the song? Why? It’s actually like a 4 bar part to be honest and if goes “You don’t really wanna try that, when these, hollow tips hit your a** you ain’t fighting back I could, make a phone call them ni**as find that, they gone, pull up and shoot till you get flashbacks” I was Madd Ching at this moment no pun intended. The lyric comes from an alleged street incident that I heard occurred allegedly. Which do you love more, rapping or singing? And why? Again if I’m going to be honest that’s pretty hard to choose. Because, it really depends on my mood at the time but if I have to pick one. I’d say rapping because on stage that energy is addictive. What can we expect to hear from you in the near future? I’ll be releasing more love and heartbreak songs the rest of February. But, come March I’ll be back to dropping catchy melodies and more mosh rap songs. I’ve gotten good feedback in regards to one of my songs titled  “Who wants smoke?” available now on SoundCloud. Also, I’ll be filming and releasing my first music video soon, and lots of visuals that will explain why I’m so Madd.....Ching. Connect with Madd Ching: Instagram #BuzzMusic

Daria black, a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has fashioned a deeply profound breed of indie pop. her release of “Not That Girl” showcases the progressive sound Daria has. The significant display of her unique flare she has to her artistry is a highly inevitable trait you notice in the music! We like Daria’s voice a lot. It’s super unique but trendy! I can tell that she has the potential to transition into different type of genre because her voice is so multi-faceted and contemporary! Her song “Not That Girl” had an increase in dramatics from the introduction to her first verse up to the hook. Her gentle vocal and her undeniably catchy melodies draw you into her intricate and ethereal arrangements, where she builds the perfect sonic backdrop to the narratives she explores about love, mental health, and philosophy. So she has the special power to enlighten her listeners with her musical language. Daria’s past releases tends to be more dark and dreamier however “Not That Girl” a song that’s about her empowering discovery to freedom and independence, is more pop-esque yet a hit overall! Listen to "Not That Girl" here, and learn more about Daria in our interview below! Hi Daria, care to introduce yourself to our readers? I'm a producer/singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles. I think way too much about life, the universe, and everything because I think there's more to this world than meets the eye. Music is proof. When did you discover your love for music? I have always been drawn to music. I started taking piano lessons when I was only 2. My teacher only agreed to teach someone that young because she couldn't keep me away from the piano when I tagged along to my older brother's lessons. By the time I was 11, I was playing music I had never heard before. I didn't consider it writing at the time - the music was just flowing through my fingers from some unknown, intangible source. To this day, I don't understand how my songs and arrangements come to me. Once I discovered that magic, there was no looking back. How has the journey been so far for you? I feel like my life is riding a current that leads me in the right direction no matter what I do. I never thought I would grow up to be an artist or producer, but looking back at the events that lead me here, my journey makes so much sense. As demanding as it is to be a musician, it is also incredibly rewarding, so I am trusting the path that has been laid out for me. Do you draw most of your songwriting inspiration from your life experiences? I do, even when it's not intentional. When I feel that creative spark, I have to write it down immediately if I want to capture it. Those creative moments tend to come when I'm feeling something particularly strongly. Writing is the easiest way for me to channel my emotions and make sense of my thoughts. What encourages you to push forward? I am so grateful for every single person who supports me and my music; my fans and their words of encouragement keep me going. I feel lucky to be able to give people something to believe in, and that feeling makes me believe in myself. When I'm feeling discouraged, I sometimes wonder if I'd be happier pursuing an easier career path. But I don't think I could do anything other than music even if I wanted to. My life would certainly be more stable and predictable, but I couldn't live with the fact that I didn't chase my dreams. What does “Not That Girl” mean to you? Did you face any challenges in the creation process? "Not That Girl" is inspired by the feeling of empowerment I have from being an independent artist who doesn't rely on anyone's skills but my own. I used to work with a producer who took advantage of me both professionally and romantically. Despite how difficult it was at the time, that situation ultimately made me grow and pushed me to learn how to produce myself. A few years later, I wrote "Not That Girl" after seeing him again, because I felt completely free of his influence. What's next for you in 2019? I have a lot of music coming out! 2 more singles followed by an EP (on March 15th). I worked on these songs all of last year, so I'm very excited to release them. Connect with Daria Black: Instagram Twitter Facebook #BuzzMusic

It’s easy to listen to this kind of EDM. With "Stuck on You," Ryder Sinclair demonstrates he can drop the bounce and crispness of Marshmello(s) for a world of livestreams and emoji shit-posting. Because it's obvious all the ins-and-outs of the number have been thought through and honed like science homework when you need to raise your grade at the end of the semester. It’s got those mini breakdowns, shimmers and hits you might hear on the poppy stuff from Steve Aoki’s podcast. This Finnish artist counts David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Kygo, and Flume as influences. But you could probably figure that out just by listening to the song. Luckily, there’s still something juvenile and innocent about his work. Because once he gets more booty-oriented with apparently deeper themes – which I can almost assure you is inevitable in the years to come – you might risk losing that goofy edge that makes you genuinely smile here. Because this makes for a great snowboarding tune on a sunny day with decent powder. More than anything I think about this as Monstercat-type music, with a Spinnin’ Sessions maraschino cherry on top. We're always wondering how the kids today have mastered modern electronic songwriting, and this is a perfect example. Just don’t expect mind-expanding 4 a.m.-club vibes just yet. There’s plenty of life to live before we get there. Listen to "Stuck On You" here, and use the links below to connect with Ryder Sinclair! Instagram Youtube Website #BuzzMusic

Olie G delivers an upbeat single with “Simple Life,” the latest from her debut album, How We Love Pt.1, which came out on Louderback Productions last year. It sounds like walking down the sidewalk at a brisk pace. You can definitely make comparisons to Avril Lavigne and perhaps even Alanis Morissette’s early catalogue. The 23-year-old Seattle resident says she was inspired to take up the musical path as a way to overcome identity struggles during high school. She found solace in the art. And given how big she smiles, it’s pretty clear she came out the other side. I mean, just watch her beam in the music video for the album’s title track, which came out in August. Olie G says she found a sense of joy through the process of recording. Now she’s going full bore. Even though it’s just as bright, the music is miles away from vapid Instagram posturing. I’d say it’s music for soccer practice, coffee with the girls and selecting photos for your Pinterest. Olie G is putting her money where her mouth is, staying true to the causes she loves by playing benefit shows for non-profits she loves. And she’s even created the live Party for People! Experience. That’s a local artists get-together, where they create space to share talents, and raise money for more disadvantaged folks. She’s always mindful of creating positive environments for those who self-identify as LGBTQ+. Yet, her musical voyage is set to open the door to dialogue with people of all backgrounds. Listen to "Simple Life" here, and use the links below to connect with Olie G! Instagram Facebook Youtube #BuzzMusic

Sydni Tahra is an American Pop singer and songwriter born in Oakland, California. Her interest for music grew at her church at a young age. Later on as a freshman in high school, she began private vocal lessons and performed around the Bay Area. She picked up guitar and began writing songs about how frequently moving to new cities and being "the new kid" at school felt. She took interest in her school's choir in Danville, California and got a taste of how to arrange harmonies and use vocal dynamics. Sydni has been fortunate to work with vocal coaches such as Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes's coach Eric Vetro, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell's coach Robert Stevenson. She now has performed professionally since her teenage years, both as a solo artist and as a member of several musical groups based in Los Angeles and San Diego. Sydni has released two singles already this year, one of which we are tuning into today; “Warzone”. What an amazing duet! This single is the perfect couples night song. You can really hear the passion breaking through. The beat sounding much like a heartbeat is very subtle but adds depth to the song itself. Tying both the beat and lyrics together. Along with this single there is an amazing music video. The direction made in the visual really takes you through their emotions and what they other is feeling individually. They take you on this tumultuous battle they are willing to go through for love. We love the creativity built behind the video and showcasing the outstanding vocal and artistic talents of both artists. Sydni has an amazing talent and sure to shine! Listen to "Warzone" here, and learn more about Sydni in our interview below! Hi Sydni! Would you kindly introduce yourself to our readers? What's up lovely people, I'm Sydni Tahra. Im an artist from the SF Bay Area and I'm currently living in San Diego, CA. Ive been writing my own songs since I was 14. One Christmas, my dad bought me a guitar and from that day on I wrote the most salty, bitter, emo songs you'd imagine as a teenager. I was sick of being the new kid at school and it was my way to vent about the drama. And writing songs in high school made me feel better. So I kept playing, I kept writing and never stopped. And to this day I still write, sing, and produce music. Its just slightly less salty, but I keep enough in to add taste lol. Where has been one place you have traveled to that inspired you musically? I've always had a passion for traveling. I need to see new things, eat different foods, experience different cultures. Maybe its because I moved so much growing up. But I think traveling to the Maldives inspired me to dig deeper into the "why" I do music. I promise you, at the time, I wished my experience was something different than it had been. I was 10,000 miles away from anyone I loved and anyone who cared about me. I had to dig deep and discover my own strength in a whole different country, how to be my own support system and ultimately trust God had a reason why I was there. I wish I could say, "Oh man, the palm trees, warm sand and the snorkeling was the inspiration for beautiful music!". But I truly do believe struggle, pain, and finding where you stand in the midst of the storm is the biggest catalyst for growth and inspiration. And I got that. And today, I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. What is the story behind your single “Warzone”? "Warzone" started off as a songwriting session between Sheldon Botler and I in his apartment near downtown LA. We created a track for it the same day we wrote it. We wanted to create strong imagery through our lyrics to depict what it would actually look like to defend our love story amidst the trials life puts a relationship through. How was it collaborating with another artist on this song? what were some challenges you faced? Sheldon and I have been friends for a while, way before we began writing with one another. As artists, we both get passionate about the words or melodies we chose and try to find a way to make it all work out like a puzzle. However, I am known for being a perfectionist. Songs become my little baby and I put my heart and soul into making sure it turns out as great as it possibly can. And that can rub people the wrong way, even though my intentions are good. And Im working on it! But honestly, this song came together pretty fluidly. It was easy and we both loved the way it was pieced together. He wrote the part at the end of our song on his own. He is so poetic and in those lyrics it shows. I like that aspect of him as a writer. What's your favorite lyric line from "Warzone"? Why? My favorite lyric in the song is "God will take this love to new heights". I love it. I know as people we are imperfect, yet we still try to make things perfect around us. We idolize our significant other. But when their imperfections let us down, we feel crushed. We can't take our love to new heights alone, so might as well take the pressure off of ourselves and let God do his thing. What’s next for you through 2019? Sheldon and I are just excited. Sheldon has been in the studio creating new music and he's been doing live shows around Los Angeles doing big thangs! His stuff is dope and I believe in it. As for me, Im finally opening up the music vault. The next song I'm releasing is "Costume Party". I also made a pretty cool acoustic version too Ill be releasing right after. I collaborated with Mark Lettieri from Snarky Puppy. He was just recently on Tori Kelly's Grammy winning album, "Hiding Place" so I'm pumped to have him on my song. That worked out well for me! lol! Connect with Sydni Tahra: Instagram Facebook Twitter #BUzzMusic

Jay Miners is a singer, songwriter and composer with indie/folk/pop sounds. Born and raised in New York, she grew up playing classical piano and has written wide range of songs, including pop melodies and lyrics, instrumentals, and jazz pieces. Jay Miners released her EP titled “The Art We Make”, the beautiful chord progressions and atmospheric placements is the perfect ingredient for the extravagant EP. The first song released on The EP is titled “The Art We Make” , and I hypothesize that this is the opening and leading song of the project, defining what this album will consist of! Or giving a sneak peek rather. What stunned me the most about “The Art We Make” is her otherworldly vocal resonance. A sound so riveting it delivers chills up my spines. The augmented vocals goes up and down in dynamics, showing off her soft and more subtle side to singing. While sticking to her classical piano roots and adding a trendy twist to the song, “The Art We Make” serves as the perfect introduction to an overwhelming sensation of gorgeous sounds. The next track on this EP, “Favorite Dress” really brings her delicate vocal style to light the most. The folk sounding single projects warmth and comfortability to us while we are faced with the ability to feel relaxed listening to her ear-piercing voice. The incorporation of the violin and other orchestral instruments while still fusing along that folk home sound really characterize the record. Next to play, “With Our Hands” was one of my personal favorites due to the addicting tune. Her solid and hollow voice carries the tune from beginning to end and gives moments of vulnerability yet embracing the power she is equipped with. A beautiful tune that has an underlying message available for us to decode. Next, “Strawberry Mountain” was another personal favorite of ours because it had a slight difference than the other songs. It does stick to her artistry however this one felt the most atmospheric and allowed me to mentally escape within the music completely captivated by Jay Miners. It was a little more detailed and intricate compared to the other releases and we would definitely release a visual to this! However, our all time favorite from this entire EP would be the closing song, “Dog Walker”. The slight bluesy sound with broadway elements showcased her cute sass with instruments such as the harmonica, The piano, the guitar, and drums all becoming fused together to fabricate a hit record while you can hear a slight twang in the high-pitched voice of Jay Miners makes the single Pop. “The Art We Make” was a fun, charismatic but settled way for Jay miners to really come out the woodworks of music the right way. Listen to "The Art We Make" here, and learn more about Jay Miners in our interview below! Hi Jay, care to introduce yourself to our readers? Sure! I'm Jay Miners, and I'm a songwriter singing her own songs, which are usually hopeful and only sometimes sad. I grew up playing classical piano but really fell in love with writing songs when I was a teenager. Right now, I'm gearing up for my EP release show at The Bitter End on Monday, 2/18! I'm really excited for this one because it won't just be me alone up on stage -- I'll be with a bunch of talented musicians playing these new songs with cool live arrangements. How was it growing up in the big city of New York? I was born in Queens and lived there for the first few years of my life, but the majority of my childhood was spent in the suburbs of Long Island about 40 minutes away from the city. Now I'm back living in Queens. In that regard, I had a much different experience than a native NYC-er, but we visited Flushing and Chinatown a lot (where family + good Asian food lived) and I always looked forward to those trips. I was honestly a really quiet kid, always writing in my notebook and not really going out too much and dreaming I lived in a big, daunting city. Then I did, and now I'm still writing in my notebook and dreaming. When did you discover your talent for music and songwriting? I grew up playing classical piano, and I'm thankful for that foundation (thanks mom + dad for the lessons). I had a good ear and was always trying to figure out how to play songs I liked, and I'd hide in a secret corner and try to sing them. What got me into writing songs was listening to really great songwriters, like Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac and Vienna Teng, and wanting to be able to write like them. I think once I started to share my own songs, around the time I was in college, was when I was like, "hey, maybe this could actually be a career of mine." Do you remember the first song you’ve ever written? I do, super vaguely. It's probably in a notebook somewhere at my parents' house. I have the melody in my head, and it was in the key of C. I probably wrote it when I was around 13, and I'm 95% sure it was an existentially inquisitive song about a boy. Knowing your past release “This Is How You Fight” was a work of songs reflecting observations and fading friendships, does “The Art We Make” have any specific message behind the EP? Definitely. This one's heavily inspired by my own creative process: the ups and downs of making something, what inspires me, treating music like a 9-5 job and establishing productivity with my work. "Strawberry Mountain" journeys through this path to your dream, wherever and whatever that might be. "Dog Walker" is inspired by the fortress of indie musicians I've met since I started my career. This album encompasses this past year, which has allowed me to spend that kind of precious time with music -- I'm really grateful for that, even if a big chunk of it was feeling frustrated and lost. Which has been the challenging part of your career so far? My career so far, and this past year especially, has given a lot of creative projects and new learning experiences. Something that has been challenging (and I imagine will always be challenging in this ever-evolving world that is the music industry) is keeping up with technology and the way folks discover music, and promoting/marketing yourself based on all that. I'll admit I've thrown my phone across the room because Instagram frustrates me and have gotten bogged down about Spotify streams. But what helps me stay grounded is reminding myself the kind of connections that have made me like I was meant to write and play music. Like performing for a crowd and hearing them sing the "oohs" to "Sunlight In Your Eyes." Or working with really awesome creative people to brainstorm a way my song can come across visually. It's easy to get stuck staring at numbers and likes, but I've been learning to avoid that by looking straight ahead and focusing on the parts of doing music that bring me most joy. Any personal favorite releases off “The Art We Make” ? if so which and why! I think there are strengths to each of these songs. I'm really proud of the production behind Something Alive, and this beautiful and exciting orchestral arrangement my producer Jerry Jean composed for it. Strawberry Mountain means a lot to me personally, because it's closely tied to my relationship with my partner and my own music. With Our Hands has always been my favorite lyrically. So I guess the short answer to this question is not really -- they each hold something special to me. Connect with Jay Miners: Instagram Facebook Website #BuzzMusic

From New York City, Kendra Black is a singer/songwriter and producer who is originally from a professional ballet background and was the youngest to graduate from the Kirov Academy of Ballet at the age of 17. After graduating Kendra decided to move her focus on music and performed in the U.S., France, Monte-Carlo, Italy, Egypt, and the Caribbean. Continuing her extensive resume, Kendra would train with teachers from the Music Conservatory of Cannes in France as well as The Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan. Kendra Black then relocated to New York where she perfected her vocal training. Kendra Black’s latest single, “This Love” is a mix of pop/modern EDM aligning with today’s pop music. The intro of the song starts with piano and leads into the verses with acoustic snapping that eventually leads into classic synth drums. The production quality is great with a good buildup to the beat drop of the track creating a cool dance track that could easily be played at a club. The sound is very bright and Kendra’s vocals are mastered well. The EDM sound is similar to that of Swedish house Mafia, and Kygo making this track a definite bop especially for mainstream radio airplay. Listen to "This Love" here. Connect with Kendra Black on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/kendrablackmusic Twitter: www.twitter.com/kendrablacklive Facebook: www.facebook.com/kendrablackmusic #BuzzMusic