The music industry is an unforgiving hellscape for artists to have to traverse on their own and, for this reason, I’ve always held immense respect for the plight of those indie songbirds out there pursuing their dreams despite the bevy of obstacles standing in their way. If you’re signed with a label, obviously you get access to their resources (studio time, featuring artists, marketing team, etc.) and their financial backing – benefits that, no doubt, make it a whole hell of a lot easier to dedicate yourself to your music and hopefully gain traction with a broader audience. Unsigned artists, however, are far less fortunate than their signed counterparts and simply must work that much harder to break through. Independent artists, barring some elephantine influx of luck, are forced to grind away in relative solitude, all the while polishing their craft as they continue their trek. The serious indie artists out there who are steadily balancing the yin yang of their everyday lives and their music aren’t doing it for potential fame or fortune, they are doing for the pure love of the game (so to speak). Knowing all of this, I decided I needed to sit down with a few of Los Angeles’ most promising, and astonishingly unsigned, rising stars in hopes of breaking down their individual stories and gaining a better grasp of how they are able to survive the rigors of making music in the media capital of the world. Caddy LeDouche Spotify | Instagram Welcome to France! There is no artist in the Los Angeles music scene shrouded in more mystique than the enigmatic international man of mystery, Caddy LeDouche. If you’re unfamiliar with his work than you clearly aren’t tapped into French Radio because his song Rebound  (linked above) has already taken over their airwaves. A multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer, engineer, and key member of LA’s hottest up-and-coming band, Easy Sleeper , many of us in Southern California have Caddy tabbed as the next indie artist to take the leap into superstardom. I’m not going to lie, LeDouche was a hard man to get a hold of given how many projects he has on his plate right now – I mean actively recording solo projects, finishing a new album and touring with Easy Sleeper , completing a residency at Harvard and Stone with the band Brother Swan and producing for a plethora of up and coming artists here in Los Angeles – it’s a miracle I even got an hour of the guy’s time to complete an interview. Alas, I was eventually able to bag my unsigned white whale when Mr. LeDouche and I sat down a few weeks ago to finally get down to the bottom of his story and dissect just how this independent legend came to be. DC:   Mr. LeDouche, thank you for taking the time to sit down and speak with me. I’ve been looking forward to this interview for some time now.   CL:   * stoically nods in acknowledgement *   DC:   First off, I know you’ve been able to remain an independent artist – how has being unsigned by a major label affected you pursuing your musical aspirations? CL:   As an indie artist, I have a ton more freedom to make the music I want to make – I don’t have to answer to anyone, I control/retain the rights to all my own music, and I have leverage to wait for the right opportunity to present itself. I feel like being independent has forced me to evolve and become more and more capable as an artist.   DC:   Say you signed with a label today and you suddenly find yourself with a bigger bankroll, what’s your first move?   CL:   I’m buying a bunch of [music] gear. I definitely want to use any money coming my way to further outfit myself in order to continue growing as an artist. A serious financial backing would allow me to operate as an artist on a much larger scale.   DC:  W hat moves have you made to further your dreams as an artist in the music industry? What hurdles or hardships have you encountered on your journey?   CL:   Making the move to Los Angeles full time and totally dedicating myself to making music was huge in terms of my growth. People don’t realize how much time, effort, and nights out of fun are sacrificed when making music is your passion and you take it seriously. It’s sad, but I’ve spent countless hours sitting in my studio chair just grinding away on the music I’m truly passionate about. It gets difficult at times, especially when I have such a little following, but all that time and effort spent has given me a refined skillset that I am very proud of. My biggest hurdle to this point has simply been getting my music in front of more people. There is no shortage of unsigned talent putting good music out into the abyss and the internet is constantly saturated with new music every day. Being willing to put yourself out there and be honest with your music is tough to do. For me, making the jump from strictly production to writing and singing lyrics was scary but once I made that jump, I realized it provided me with a new outlet to express myself.   DC:   What inspires you as an artist? Who were your favorite artists growing up?   CL:   Honestly, just hearing really great music – it’s like how seeing a really great movie makes you want to make a really great film. I have a deep appreciation for being heard and receiving feedback, especially if its positive; it’s like performing live and getting a good reaction from the crowd. Music allows you to be heard in a way you can’t express otherwise, and I think a lot of artists could relate to that sentiment – there’s no better way for us to express ourselves but through our art. You go through phases with music so fast when you’re a kid, you kind of try a bit of everything until you settle on what you really like. When you’re young and trying to figure out what you like you tend to dip your toes in everything – it’s kind of like eating, you try a little bit of everything. For me, as a suburban kid growing up, Linkin Park  really hit me in a profound way. After listening to them for a few years I grew to know every word of every one of their songs, it was truly the first-time music made me FEEL something and it had a huge impact on me. I got to meet Mike Shinoda in the studio once and it was surreal, like everything came full circle. Artists like Basshunter, MSTRKRFT, Boys Noize, Chromeo, Mat Zo, Siriusmo and Avicii (RIP) – I got into that whole subsection of Underground music before any of my friends and it greatly influenced the instrumentation of my songs.   DC:   Who do you enjoy listening to or find inspiration from? Also, who would be your dream collab/feature?   CL:   I love Primus. I’m lucky enough to work a day job that exposes me to hundreds of albums a week. It has a huge impact on me creatively because it introduces me to a bunch of new artists and styles I’ve never heard before.  My dream artist to collab with would have to be either Les Claypool or Jesus Christ, although some say they’re one in the same.   DC: What would best advance your career in the music industry right now?   CL:   A better workflow going into 2024 where I have more time to work and focus on my music, that would allow me to have more output.   DC:   Ideally, where do you want to see your career progressing to?   CL:   My dream would be to live comfortably as an artist, totally self-sufficient musically without having to work a day job to support myself. For right now, though, I just want to release a fat catalogue filled with a lot of good, high-quality music.   DC: So, what artists have you been working with recently?   CL:   I’ve been working on an album with Easy Sleeper over the past year that we’re excited to finish up and get out there. I’ve also been playing a residency at Harvard and Stone  with Brother Swan and collaborating on a few side ventures with some talented artists I’ve met here in LA: namely, Evan Hayes and David Poznansky.   DC:   What is on the agenda for Caddy LeDouche in 2024? What can fans get excited for? Who do you hope to reach with your music?   CL:   Well, I just released a club mix of one of my songs from EP1  earlier this month and later this year I’ll be releasing EP2 . There is for sure a sound shift, sonically, in my latest stuff – definitely a little heavier. I would love for my stuff to reach people and impact them in the same way the artists/songs I listened to growing up inspired me to pursue music as a lifestyle.   DC:   What do you hope comes from being featured in Pop Passion? What message do you want to share with our readers? I’m sure your fans have been clamoring for more new music, what do you want them to know?   CL:   I’ve actually had music featured on Pop Passion’s playlist in the past and it feels great to know you guys appreciate the vision and support it. I feel like Pop Passion being connected with indie artists like me provides us with a platform to showcase our music and be heard by listeners around the world. That level of exposure is huge for our growth in this industry. I have a ton of music I’ve been waiting to release when the time is right, and I can’t wait to drop it. Jack Rudman Spotify | Instagram Jack Rudman is a relative newcomer to the Los Angeles pop music scene, having just launched his solo career in 2023; however, any questions over his perceived lack of experience or his somewhat limited discography is quickly discounted the minute you hear the level of music this man is putting out. During his brief time in the LA spotlight, Rudman has already begun to emerge as one of the industry’s major dark horses – coming on the scene with the sound of bigger and more seasoned industry vet and somehow defying the prototypical multi-year evolution most up-and-coming artists must go through in the early goings of their careers. His music, to me and many of his other fans, is refreshingly authentic and clearly stands out above the endless minutia of regurgitative harmonies many of his indie pop contemporaries are putting out these days. Needless to say, I was beyond stoked when Jack agreed to sit down with me for this interview and shed a little insight on his journey. DC:   So where did you grow up? Are you originally from California or did you relocate to Los Angeles? JR:   I grew up in the suburbs of Maryland just outside of DC and moved to LA in 2020. To be honest, everything kind of happened all at once in terms of moving out here. DC:   What instruments did you play growing up? Where and when did you learn/start to sing? Any chance you were in the school choir as a kid? JR:   I didn’t play any instruments when I was young, my background is in audio engineering. I did teach myself to play guitar when I was 18, but I never took any formal music classes or singing lessons during my upbringing…. Outside of elementary school choir, if you count that. DC:   When did you start making music? What artists/musicians influenced you growing up? Who influences your sound these days? JR:   I started writing acoustic music at 18, right around the same time I learned to play guitar and use GarageBand. These days, though, I use Ableton. I didn’t record my first single, Body of You,  until coming to LA – it was the first time I fully tracked and produced a song. Singing while playing guitar and recording were simultaneous firsts for me. I grew up with a mixture of different music playing in our household. My parents listened to a lot of folk rock, like Doobie Brothers and Neil Young, and I got started with Top 40 and the Pop Punk early 2000s scene. I was pretty much into whatever was playing on local radio like 99.5 and 104.3 (author’s note: shoutout the DMV!) Recently, I’ve been listening to more RnB because it has the smoothest melodies and I want my music to be similarly melodic; there’s a reason why everything pulls from RnB. An artist I’ve been listening to a lot lately is Daniel Caesar, I love his vocal melodies. I’m a big fan of the music Daniel Caesar and The Internet (the group) have been putting out [separately] these days. I really want to add more nuances to my music, my last project was fun to listen to but having more melodies is always better. Nuance within music is where I’m at now . DC:  Where do you envision taking your musical career? What is your main goal or dream? JR: Generating enough income to do music full time is my ultimate dream; whether I do that as an independent artist or with the backing of a label all just depends on if the situation is right. I would prefer partnership over ownership because, when it comes to the music industry, I have morals and the last thing I want to do is jeopardize the integrity of the music I make and level of control I have over it. On a realistic level, the only thing I’m focused on right now is making more music and getting people to listen to it. I just want people to feel something and have an opinion when they listen to my stuff. If your music doesn’t make people feel something when they hear it, it’s not art – it’s just content . DC: What else do you do besides make music? Both professionally and as a hobby/passion? JR:   I currently work at a commercial production company as a production coordinator, but in my free time I enjoy cinema (dude is big time cinephile, much respect), bouldering, and playing video games. DC:   What is your biggest obstacle today as an unsigned artist? JR:   The biggest thing for me right now is marketing myself better in order to get my music heard by more people. I’ll be the first to admit, I definitely need to get better with my socials. I know social media is the most important form of marketing these days but I just have a serious aversion to TikTok. I make music for fun first and foremost, I’m not super focused on the nitty gritty that comes with the pursuit of promoting it. Right now I’m in the headspace of: make music, go through the whole process of refining it as much as possible, doing more live shows, and then hoping it all shines through at the end. I’m not at all hung up on whoring myself out on social media and turning into a total sell out. DC:   Say you get signed today, how does your life change? What’s the first thing you do? JR:   Honestly? First thing I do is quit my job (lol), but that would have more to do with the amount of time dedicated to working my current day job and not so much the financial aspect of it all. My goal is to eventually be able to solely divert all my time and attention to making music, so long as the situation fits with where I want to be as an artist. I want to surround myself with the right people and make sure I have the right team by my side. Having the financial backing of a major label would give me the freedom to dedicate more money to furthering my music career, which I look at as a future investment in myself as an artist. DC:   Who would be your dream artist or producer to work with? JR: Kid Harpoon, Jack Antinoff, and Ryan Tedder are all artists I admire and would jump at the chance to work with. They are all super hot/trendy right now and I would love to have their insight on what goes into making a hit song, I think they would add immense value to the music I want to make and the sound I’m going for. DC: So, what’s next for Jack Rudman? JR:   I’m currently locked in on refining my sound and being more nuanced with my music, both lyrically and sonically. The next step for me in my process is adding more intricacies to my music. I’ve decided I want to create where my sound is going before booking anymore live shows. I want to sharpen my sword before going in to battle, you know? When I perform I want every show to be different, I want to be able to debut a new song at every show because that’s what I feel I owe to the listener. DC:   Do you have any music or projects you want or readers to go check out? How do you hope being covered by Pop Passion might affect your career trajectory? JR:   Go check out my six-song EP, Tales From the Dead – it’s my debut EP I dropped back in May and a project I’m really proud of. Tales From the Dead  is something I think embodies my sound and who I am as an artist. Hopefully this opportunity can expose my music to new listeners and different demographics who might enjoy what I put out, ultimately broadening my audience. DC:   Do you have any message you want to your fans, both old and new? Anything else you want to share with our audience? JR:   I hope people can resonate with my music and get something out of it. Instrumentation and musicality are certainly very important to the creative process of making original music, but what I enjoy most is writing my own lyrics. I try and write every line like it’s a punchline because I want my lyrics to be nuanced while still getting my point across. I just hope listeners understand and feel that when they hear my lyrics. Cole, Right Now! Spotify | Instagram Although he is widely known across the internet for his substantive TikTok presence and undeniably hilarious standup comedy, Cole Magnacca – aka Cole, Right Now! – is another uber-talented indie pop artist making his way up the ranks of LA artists next to blow. Cole has actually had one of his singles, LMTYWYW , previously featured on Pop Passion’s highly coveted Spotify playlist prior to me meeting him and sitting down for this interview – a true testament that his infectious pop sound has garnered the attention of serious musicheads who are far more versed than myself in what is to be considered “good” pop music. With an abundance of charisma, never-ending cerebral stream of creativity, and some damn good music to his name, Cole’s aura gives off big future superstar vibes. Realistically, the next biggest hurdle he may be set to face is choosing which one of his many talents he wants to take on fully dedicate himself to given the fact that he has found success in seemingly every creative venture he’s taken on to this point (not at all a bad problem to have). Personally, I’d love to see him dive head first into his music and pump out more of the timeless heaters us fans love him for and desperately want to hear playing through our speakers and air pods. I must give credit where credit is due, I was aware of Cole’s reputation as “everybody’s best friend” when he sat down with me last month and, throughout this interview, I can say that I was able to witness his infectiously positive personality firsthand and now understand why he is so beloved from coast to coast. DC:   Can you tell us a little about where you’re from and what led to you making pop music? CRN:   I’m originally from Hopkinton, Massachusetts which is just outside of Boston. I lived there basically my whole life until I made the move to Los Angeles in 2021. Post-Covid was really a good time for me to move out here because everyone was back outside again, making it easy to meet new people and collab on music together. I started making music after learning to play the piano as a kid, which eventually led to me taking piano classes in college while studying abroad in at Berkley’s Valencia, Spain campus. I was always noodling around in GarageBand when I was younger and progressed to torrenting FL Studio in college, but it really wasn’t until around 2020 that I began to take music seriously and start to make original songs. DC:   Is anyone else in your family musical? Can any of your family members sing? I’d love to learn more about how you grew to be the vocalist you are today. Who did you guys listen to in your household growing up? Who or what inspired you personally as an artist? CRN:   My dad also plays the piano and both my mom and sister are great singers ….. If we’re being totally honest, my sister might actually have a better voice than me. Growing up, my parents would listen to typical white people, coffee shop music like ABBA, Disco, John Mayer etcetera. Typically, your parents play a big role in what music you like but in my case mine didn’t. I differed from them in the sense that hip hop was the biggest influence on my musical palette, not so much the more mainstream stuff they preferred. When Drake’s album Views  came out it really hit hard for me and is a huge reason why I am such a “Drake Whore”. When I began torrenting FL Studio as an undergrad it was kind my late adoption to hip hop but also my first introduction to beat making. DC:   What do you have going on outside of your music? I know you’ve got a big presence on TikTok and there’s word around town you have somewhat of a burgeoning stand up career. CRN: Most people are actually more familiar with my TikTok account (@colerightnow) more than anything else I have going on, which is ironic because I was originally a TikTok heretic before growing to love the platform. My standup has been forcing me to live this bicoastal lifestyle where I’m constantly back and forth between New York City, where most of my standup sets take place, and Los Angeles, where I focus on my music and (more importantly) where my girlfriend lives. Outside of all that, I love hanging out with my friends and working with new people in hopes of making art that will truly resonate with people. Really, for me, it’s all about the social element – I love working with people and the internal satisfaction that comes with a successful collaboration, but what I crave most is the feedback I get on anything I create. DC:  What has it been like pursuing music in a more formal/professional fashion, as opposed to just having fun with it? What hurdles/hardships have you encountered on your journey as an artist? CRN:   It’s been interesting so far. Putting time and money into a major project and then not getting back a ton of love can be really hard to deal with, especially when something you do with little to no effort blows up (author’s note: I speculate he is referencing his recent TikTok on “gooning” that quickly surpassed 1 million views). We live and operate in a data-driven society where you can craft a masterpiece and if it doesn’t fit within the Spotify/TikTok algorithm it never takes off and you are left feeling deflated. It can be a tough dichotomy to deal with it, but I am still very grateful for everything. DC: How do you come up with the concept for a new song? How do your other abilities as a creative factor into your process? CRN:   Pharrel once said to use “creativity as a conduit” and that’s an ideology I try and live by as an artist. When coming up with the idea for a new song, I always start from the bassline and then begin developing melodies. When you get in the zone the ideas just start to hit you and it goes from there. I also always make it a point to try and work with people more talented than myself, as I’ve found that makes everything else a whole lot easier. I consider myself a “Big Picture” person and I frequently find myself starting with what I want the end product to be and then working backwards. For example, I’ve been doing photoshop for over a decade now which often leads to me envisioning the cover art for my next album before making any music at all. I would certainly say graphic design and creative strategy are two of the biggest factors in my process as an artist. DC: I know you also produce, how does that apply to crafting your songs? CRN: Production is like dating – partners come and go. A good collaborator is like a good partner, meaning working well together is like having good sexual chemistry with a partner. As a producer, I’m always looking to work with cohesive artists. DC: Do you have any music or projects you want to plug to our readers? What main message do you want to get across to our audience?   CRN: Please go check out my single U Problem , it’s a song I’m super proud of and I think is a good representation of the type of music I plan on putting out in the future. Also, make sure to check me out in the film Faces of Death alongside Paris Peterson and Barbie Ferreira. My main message? PLEASE SEND MONEY!! Just kidding. I want to tell anyone out there making music, or even thinking about making music, to keep grinding and to just put your stuff out there without overthinking it. First and foremost, I want to give a huge thanks to Caddy LeDouche, Jack Rudman, and Cole, Right Now! for taking time out of their busy lives to sit down with a simple blogger like me and discuss the intricacies of being an independent artist in LA. I truly appreciate all three of these men, not just for their willingness to open to me on their lives and careers, but also for the steady stream of sonic heat they have been delivering to pop music fans over the years. As much as we all love to Stan the Drakes and Taylor Swifts of the world, they are but an extreme outlier when it comes to the embodiment of today’s pop music ecosystem. The true backbone of pop, and any other genre of music for that matter, will always remain the independent artists out there striving to create tomorrow’s next commercial hit; not just in Los Angeles, but across the entire globe. My goal in doing this piece was to take a peek behind the veil of today’s music industry and educate both myself and our readers on the that comes with being an unsigned talent, and the relentless they must put forth simply give themselves a chance at breaking through. I am now an even bigger fan of the three artists featured above thanks to the grace and patience they have shown me throughout this process and I wish them nothing but the absolute best moving forward in their careers – I have no doubt each one of them will go on to do huge things in this industry given the infinite amount of talent they’ve demonstrated through their music. Please make sure you support all three by giving their music a listen and maybe checking out one of their live shows if you’re on the west coast. I am of the firm belief indie artists everywhere are some of the most hardworking and gifted members of our society and that they truly deserve all of the support we have to offer them; hopefully after reading this article you have feel the same way too. Written By Dan Caddigan Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

As an American, when I think of British music, names like David Bowie, Elton John, The Police, Ed Sheeran, Oasis, The Smiths, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, Adele, and the Rolling Stones quickly come to mind. That is to say, for over the past half century, the internationally iconic sonic identity associated with the UK has been formed through prototypically pop-centric artists and bands. The Beatles set the world on fire in the 60's; bringing their archetypal brand of music stateside during the "British Invasion" of American airwaves and inspired countless future bands/artists to emulate their sound over the next few decades. The Rolling Stones followed suit by dominating the 70's, The Smiths erupted in the 80's, and so on – a continued trend of British pop-rock domination throughout the turn of the century. In more recent years, however, there has been felt a distinct shift in musical identity associated with the United Kingdom. While British pop is still as strong as ever, an influx of newer genres coming out of the UK have flooded the international soundscape and gained the attention of fans the world over. These days, I find myself listening to more and more afro pop, wave, drill, grime, and garage music coming out of the UK – leaving me to wonder, just how did the British sound seemingly evolve from its roots in traditional pop into this wildly exciting new blend of sounds and styles? Luckily for me, I have a dear friend and colleague in the music industry who is entrenched in the UK scene and who was available to enlighten an uninformed yank such as myself as to just how British music grew into its current state. Everyone, please meet my good friend – Joey Yeboah, aka ItsJoeBoy. ItsJoeBoy JoeBoy is a Peterborough-based DJ and host of the hit radio show JoeBoy's Jams on Stationhead. He has a residency at the biggest club in Peterborough and maintains his status as a staple of the Southern UK creative community by routinely DJing art shows and pop ups in his area. As a radio host, JB is continuously connecting with new artists and DSPs (music streaming sites) – using his platform to bring exposure to some of the country's most slept on talents by interviewing them live on air. His goal is to push artists streaming numbers and shine light on quality music that has caught his ear and found itself queued up in his sets. Safe to say, this man is fully plugged into what's hot in modern British music and was the exact person I needed to chat with in order to better understand what's happening sonically across the pond. DC: First off, what was the music scene like growing up in the UK? JB: Well, I was born in Hackney, East London, and lived there until about the age of 12 or 13 when we eventually moved to Peterborough. During this time, Grime was huge in the UK, and I would watch MTV Based and Channel U to learn about what was going on in the underground scene. I grew up in a home with an older brother who was into music and wanted to rap, and a mom who played all different genres throughout the house – like Afrikanse, Shania Twain, and Marvin Gaye. This led to me taking an interest in all different styles of music and artists – like Oasis, Skepta, Devlin, Lady Sovereign, and The Streets. The music scene here eventually became stagnant after Grime died out, but because of the huge Carribean community in London, newer genres like Afro Swing were introduced and were able to fill that void. DC: It sounds like there has been a shift, stylistically, in terms of the newer wave of music coming out of the UK – what factors do think have led to this change? JB: The UK is so mixed, it's a melting pot of different curated styles and sounds. The creative output here in London is maxed, similar to how New York City is in the US, so our music industry is always on the go and moving forward. Artists here will take older styles and mesh them with different and diverse genres to create a new sound. London, in particular, has so many different cultures meshing that it has inevitably led to new styles of music. For example, if a Ghanian kid in the UK grows up listening to their parent's music from home and then shows it to a friend, it introduces that friend to a new sound they were previously unfamiliar with and broadens their understanding of music. The UK simply can't be defined by one sound because it's a mixture and it's ever evolving with all the new music constantly coming out. It's a bit oversaturated at the moment, similar to how the US is, but there's no doubt it's one of the world's great musical hubs. DC: Can you give me a couple of current artists/genres really impacting today's sound? JB: Artists like Dave, Potter Payper, D-Block Europe (DBE), and Giggs (aka "The Landlord") have all played a large part in influencing the sounds you hear today. They call Giggs "The Landlord" because all US artists have to come pay their respects when they come to the UK, that's how big of an influence he's had. Genres like House and Afro Swing have also both really impacted the music scene and inspired some of the newer sounds you hear today. DC: Outside of music, what's something that's really resonated culturally with British audiences? JB: Fashion has always played an equally large part in the current culture shift, just as much as music has. Beyond that, there is a film called Kidulthood that was iconic when it came out because it tapped into the culture by using real music and real streets in London. It really resonated with British audiences when it was first released, especially in London. DC: I've always been a huge fan of rap. When I think of UK rap, I think Drill and Grime, are they still big these days? JB: Drill is dying. Artists these days realize it's not commercially viable because brands don't want to associate with someone talking about cheffing (American translation: stabbing) people. Grime isn't nearly as popular as it used to be, but it definitely had a huge impact on UK rap. Artists like Skepta, Kano (fans of the show Top Boy may recognize him as the polarizing character, Sully), and Wiley (aka The Godfather of Grime) are icons when it comes to the history of grime. Skepta, especially, has done so much for the scene – his influence was huge. DC: For a while it felt like UK artists were trying to keep pace with US artists, especially in terms of hip hop – do you think they've broken from that trend? JB: Yes. At first UK rappers were trying to sound like American rappers, but then realized they didn't want to sound like someone else. The best way for British artists to flourish was to find their own lane, which is what they did, and it's the reason why you hear so many new styles of music coming out of London today. DC: Who are some artists being slept on right now? Who is next to blow/take off? JB: Jordie is an artist being slept on right now and I can't figure out why. His sound is a mix of new generation and old generation, and you can hear influences like Drake in his projects. I really appreciate how his albums tell stories and I'd highly recommend checking out his latest EP, SNM . I definitely think Jordie will eventually blow up on an international scale, it just might take a little time. Artists like Gladie, Clavish, Little Sims ("she's dope"), Khleo Soul, and Nemz are all being slept on right now but are certainly next up. Most of these artists are coming out of London, which is a testament to just how big of a musical hotbed the city is. Blowing up now means getting big on TikTok, so a lot of depends on how their music reaches fans through social media. I find the United Kingdom to be utterly fascinating when it comes to the quality of genre-redefining music they are routinely putting out to the international masses. I remember the days when UK rappers were clowned for their attempts at emulating Chicago drill, and when UKG (UK Garage) was viewed in the states as a cheap knockoff of Detroit House, which further perpetuated the narrative that Brits should stick to what they know best – pop music and classic rock. Well, simply put, those days are dead and gone. London has proven itself to be one of the true musical epicenters of the world (oxymoronic, I know) and continues to produce some of the most exciting international talents we have today. Our cousins to the East have taken a page out of the US playbook by embracing foreign heritages (yes, I am well aware of my stereotypical American egotism), via their own domestic subcultures, and utilizing their musical influences to create some truly electrifying new styles of instrumentation. Thanks to speaking with my friend JoeBoy, I was able to learn about the various factors that led to the current musical gentrification seen in the UK today; namely, The Wind Rush Generation – which saw thousands of Caribbean immigrants migrate to Great Britain, bringing with them a multitude of foreign musical influences that would ultimately alter the musical soundscape of their new home. History has shown the UK to be an international force when it comes to rock n' roll and pop. With that being said, the times have surely changed – Wave, Afro Pop, and others now dominate the musical airwaves of GB – thanks in part to the country's vast diversification and melting pot nature. Only time will tell what new styles and sounds will come out of the UK, but music fans all over the world should be excited for what's to come next. Big shoutout to my man ItsJoeBoy , this piece could not have been completed without his profound insight. Please please please go check out his music on Soundcloud, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Linktree, and tap into his show JoeBoy's Jams on Stationhead to stay up to date on the latest talent coming out of London! Written By Dan Caddigan Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

// Gettys Images // Looking to have a little fun this year? Concerts are one of the best parts of Summertime, where you can enjoy the nice weather and be within the same vicinity as your favorite artists. If you didn't know what your options were this year, here's a list of some of the top pop tours and artists you can try your chance at tickets for! Billie Eilish After announcing the release of her third Studio album, "Hit Me Hard and Soft", Billie Eilish also announced that she will be going on a world tour in promotion of the album. The album hasn't released yet, so we don't know exactly what this tour will entail. However, it's Billie Eilish and I have no doubt it's going to be a hell of a time. Get Your Tickets Here! Tate McRae Pop / RnB princess, Tate McRae released her second album at the very end of last year, "Think Later". Her single, "Greedy" took the world by storm and gave Tate the recognition she deserves as an artist. Her world tour has already kicked off but don't worry, if you're in the USA you still have time to grab some tickets. This high-energy show is perfect for a fun night out this Summer. Get Your Tickets Here! Conan Gray Earlier this year, Conan Gray released his third studio album, "Found Heaven" which is a pure nostalgic 80s concept. These are just the USA dates, but if you're international, he's going to Europe, Asia and Australia as well. These tickets go fast, but I'm sure there are plenty on resale. The tour starts in July and goes on through the entire rest of the year. Conan is bringing along an artist whom they share a fanbase with, the lovely Maisie Peters. With Maisie opening and the incredible retro theme, this is going to be a concert of a lifetime and an experience you won't forget. Get Your Tickets Here! Avril Lavigne We love pop punk princess, Avril Lavigne! Throughout her 25 year career, she's released so many songs that have been engrained in our millennial / gen z brains. She knows exactly what her fans want to hear, which is why she is embarking on a greatest hits world tour! The tour starts this month, so go get your tickets now while your still can! She's got a great line-up of openers as well. Get Your Tickets Here! Meghan Trainor Megan Trainor had announced that she'd be going on tour in anticipation for her sixth studio album, "Timeless" which is set to release in June! The tour doesn't start until this fall, so you've got plenty of time to listen to the album and decide if this is a show for you! Get Your Tickets Here! Charli XCX & Troye Sivan Charli XCX and Troye Sivan have banded together to create an unforgettable show as they share the title of headliner. Troye released an album last year, "Something To Give Eachother" which included hit songs like "Rush", "One of Your Girls", and "Got Me Started". Charli is releasing her new album this Summer, "Sweat" which is also the name of their tour. They're going to every corner of the USA, so find the closest city for you! Get Your Tickets Here! Imagine Dragons Everyone knows an Imagine Dragons song; so you know that you're bound to have a good time at one of their shows. Their sixth studio album "Loom" is set to release this Summer, and they've got an incredible show lined up as they plan to tour around all of the USA. They are great, high energy performers and you can't fail with going to one of their concerts if you're looking for something to do! Get Your Tickets Here! Did any of these concerts interest you? Which one are you going to try and get tickets for? Follow us on our socials below and comment on our post to let us know! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

The raw, emotional, pop-infused ballad titled ‘Quarter-Life Crisis’ from artist Jeremy Shayne offers a unique perspective to listeners through pop music. While some pop music songs offer a look into love, loss, etc., this track from Shayne blends these concepts together and produces a fresh look into a subject revolving around money, structure, youth, and struggle. Lyrics such as, “But a drink with friends there’s my money well spent,” and, “I’m 24 and don’t have savings,” spoke to me on a deep, personal level. In my opinion, especially when you’re young, it’s very easy to seemingly forget your troubles by spending your money on things that make you feel good in the moment / for a short period of time. Although this song is not explicitly geared toward a Gen-Z audience, Shayne’s mention of the specific age of 24 and experiencing financial struggle, as well as needing something to open a pathway toward stability in a career, offers an opportunity for Gen-Z / a younger audience to connect with the song. In addition, the lyrics are incredibly human and can speak for a large portion of the general population. Everyone struggles with figuring their life out, and with Shayne’s track, you’re offered an opportunity to explore those feelings and connect with others. Shayne opens the track with soft piano and a floating voice while delving into his personal thoughts and concerns. He frets over having a sufficient amount of money, feeling lost at an age where things are constantly evolving, and wanting better for himself. He details specific experiences such as not having money saved for rent, pushing back against the vices he uses, and wondering if “one hit song” could melt away his worries. Although the track has melancholic tones, there are layers implemented in both Shayne’s voice and the instrumental aspects that boost a more pop-ambience to the song. One of his used instrumental aspects, the introduction of drums around the midpoint of the track, emphasizes a period in the song where Shayne discusses how time may help his situation. The use of the drums brings your attention to the feeling of confusion and impatience that comes with waiting for a break and/or an exciting opportunity to happen for you, providing a break-away point from the first half of the song and a direction toward a resolution. This song is both complex and easy to listen to, creating a more separate listening experience from other pop music. Especially for the youth of today, Shayne wonderfully crafts a song that is both relatable and enjoyable to lend listening ears to. Producer, writer, and performer Jeremy Shayne began his career in music by producing beats at the age of 18. Before wanting to create music, Shayne originally wanted to be an airline pilot because of the feeling airports bring him and his general love for planes. Growing up, he was inspired by artists like Jesse McCartney, Justin Bieber, and Jon Bellion in his later teenage years. Shayne claims that Bellion was a significant reason why he started to produce and bring focus to crafting music. In a Q&A with Beyond the Stage Magazine, Shayne described his music as, “pop meets cinematic,” along with elements like pop synths and orchestral strings. By 2020, after releasing singles such as ‘Care’ from 2017 that gained attraction to his music, Shayne was featured on the television program ‘NBC Songland’ and performed for artists Ryan Tedder, Julia Michaels, etc. On his social media, you can find him covering songs such as ‘Somebody Else’ by The 1975 and ‘As It Was’ by Harry Styles. He is currently working on releasing new music and has been featured in several LA fashion-based events. Written By Madison Spies FOLLOW JEREMY SHAYNE: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook | YouTube

“Maybe it’s just a bad day” is the latest single by artist Francesca Everly that serves as an exploration of complex relationships that leave you disoriented and discouraged. The song has the tone of a classic indie pop anthem, but Everly creates with enough power to make this track her own. The tragic tale painted by “maybe it’s just a bad day” is one everyone knows, making Everly an artist who writes music for the people and herself. The song’s composition is picture-perfect in the way it blends multiple elements to paint a specific atmosphere of heartache. What “maybe it’s just a bad day” proves is there is beauty in pain, and it can lead to the creation of something wonderful. The emotional intensity of this song is heavily carried by Everly’s captivating vocal performance, her voice is sweet and warm. The instrumentals have a cinematic edge to them, with the use of indie pop style guitars and the way the percussion elements build to provide dimension to the track and make sure it portrays how this rocky relationship goes through highs and lows. “Our love is so strong it makes us suffocate” stands out because it perfectly puts this situation into words, that these two people feel so deeply about each other, but the relationship has become so difficult that it’s now damaging. Overall, “maybe it’s just a bad day” is a song that cuts deep with its honesty and vulnerability, and Francesca has excelled with this project. Francesca Everly is an artist originally from Rome and is now based in London. She is a graduate of the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. Her style of music consists of a blend of soft folk and indie pop to create art that builds cinematic landscapes. “Maybe it’s just a bad day” is the second single to be released on her upcoming EP. The first “Flight Risk” gained lots of traction and was featured on Spotify’s “New Music Friday Italy” and “Fresh Finds Italy.” The EP is inspired by many artists like Holly Humberstone, Lizzy McAlpine, and Matilda Mann. With “maybe it’s just a bad day” Francesca Everly has developed a poetic tragedy of the complexity of human relationships, and it will be exciting to see what other subjects she’ll tackle in the future. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW FRANCESCA EVERLY: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Earlier this year, singer-songwriter Melanie Wehbe collaborated with fellow artist Paul Rey on the track "Arrows." The song was a slow tempo-ed but large-sounding ballad with a gradual buildup and powerful orchestral stings. Now Wehbe is back with her own single: "In Your Eyes." In this latest track, the musician takes all the balladry and scale from "Arrows" and pairs it with a livelier, more upbeat groove. "In Your Eyes" tells the story of a toxic relationship that goes back and forth between staying together and splitting apart. It is an emphatic track. The lyrics are emotionally resounding, and the rhythm is undeniable. Wehbe crafts a song that is perfect for nearly any occasion; whether jogging along to at the gym or screaming with in the car when you relate, "In Your Eyes" is a ballad bound to resonate. "In Your Eyes" is a power ballad through and through. From Wehbe's performance to the production, the track is a sonic triumph. The reverbed vocals on the bridge and its jittering synth-heavy base straight from the '80s all work together to create such grandness, only furthered by the massive scale of the vocals. Wehbe's vocals are dynamic, both from a technical and emotional level. She goes from high highs to low lows, and you feel every word. When Wehbe belts "I already see that you're leaving" in the chorus, she conveys such sadness while highlighting her vocal prowess. "In Your Eyes" is an epic, anthemic ballad showcasing Melanie Wehbe's star power as a singer and songwriter. Melanie Wehbe is a Swedish singer-songwriter who has taken the world by storm. After discovering her love of music at 14, she continued her craft until releasing her debut EP "Bloom" in 2022. Since then, the artist has seen mass success with several gold and platinum awards, with three number-ones on the air and two number-ones on Spotify. Her tracks "For the Show," "Shy (Sistek Remix)," and "Part of Me," have a collective 3+ million downloads on Spotify, and the artist has over 34,000 monthly listeners. Wehbe is also well-known for her songwriting, as three of her tracks: "Sand," "Love is Forever," and "Move," all qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest, and two winner songs for Swedish Idol. Wehbe achieved the cover feature in the popular LGBTQ+ Swedish magazine QX, and last year, she performed at Melodifestivalen. Despite the massive splash she has already made, Melanie Wehbe's career has only just begun, and you can listen to her discography, including "In Your Eyes," on all streaming services now. Written By Lauren Nolan FOLLOW MELANIE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

This song, “your house, my house” by philine, is an indie pop song all about the difficulty of moving on from a difficult relationship. Written about a relationship that seemed to go back and forth even after it was over, philine tackles the topic of when you can’t quite get away from someone. You try to move on, you try to be friends, but you always end up slipping back into being with them even when you know it’s not good for either of you. With lyrics like “I don’t really know the vibe these days, we could use a little time away” and “I don’t want to fake a friendship just to end up in your bed,” she hits the nail on the head. It can be easier at the time to try and hang onto this person however you can, because you loved them at some point and don’t want to lose them. But most of the time, you need a break because it’s all too easy to slip back into bad habits. Starting right off the bat with a rhythmic guitar strum and vocals, “your house, my house” drops you right into the first verse and into the action. Philine’s vocals are highlighted throughout the whole song, her smooth croon laid on top of the upbeat track. The percussion picks up pace in the chorus, providing a consistent beat that has you nodding your head and tapping your foot. As the song continues, the tension rises as more instrumentals are added in layers, reaching a peak close to the end of the three and a half minutes. Philine’s voice is the only thing left when the song closes out. Overall, “your house, my house” is a catchy, smooth song perfect for everyone’s daily playlist! It’s already added on mine, and I plan to put it on repeat! Philine is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter originally from the Netherlands. Citing her wild imagination as the hook for her songs, it’s her stories, her lyrics, and her smooth, soft voice that has helped her collect the impressive amount of fans she has. Her stories create magic, and the combination of vulnerability and catchiness has helped her create her unique place in the music world. She released her first single, “Gone,” in 2020, and has since released several more singles and EP’s, including “Somewhere Else” in 2021 and “so sick of myself” in 2023. “Your house, my house” is her newest release, and you can use the links below to listen to it and explore her other music as well! Written By Morgan Fischer FOLLOW philine: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

NYRE takes us on a journey of self-exploration and powerful introspection in her latest single, "You Didn't Mean It". This downright vibe of a dark pop tune touches on the idea that we all have an inner child to please, and maybe they come to the surface more often than we think. NYRE talks about the "little girl living in her heart" and how this little girl is undoubtedly an innocent, trusting dreamer. This is, of course, her inner child, who NYRE chooses to nurture and protect as a vital part of herself. This metaphor elegantly presents the idea that we don't have to change ourselves for others. We often see the clearest image of ourselves through the lens of our inner child. Would our ten-year-old self be proud of who we are? It's a powerful sentiment that highlights the parts of ourselves we tone down for the rest of the world. Listen to "You Didn't Mean It" on Spotify Now! From a musical standpoint, "You Didn't Mean It" shares that strong, mysterious feeling we might hear from artists like Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Halsey. NYRE brings so much unique energy to the dark pop genre, spinning the sound to depict that dark fairytale, cursed enchantment type of feeling. With an almost hip-hop style of beat and heavily processed vocals, "You Didn't Mean It" creates a ghostly, yet empowering ambiance that exudes self-expression and confidence. It's the kind of sound that makes it feel like the world is yours for the taking, perfectly complementing the lyrics. "You Didn't Mean It" is undoubtedly the dark pop banger of the summer. NYRE is a dark pop artist based primarily in Toronto, ON, Canada. She is best known for her lyrical stories combined with compelling melodies that capture the mind and the soul alike. Since her debut in 2019, NYRE has made a name for herself with impressive accomplishments, including the release of her song, "Youth", which was featured on Disney+ and Hulu. She boasts over one million streams across all platforms and 50,000 streams on YouTube alone, connecting with fans from all over the world. With infinite potential, I absolutely cannot wait to see what NYRE comes out with next. "You Didn't Mean It" is available on all streaming platforms now and it's a track you don't want to miss! Written By Shelbi Baker FOLLOW NYRE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good queer anthem. As a lesbian, I’m always looking for new and fun songs that make me feel fulfilled and appreciated. And now, I think Holly Blair has just released a new favorite of mine! “baby girl, he’s so boring” is a song about queer love, and the difficulties surrounding moving from a straight relationship to a queer one. Blair says some of the inspiration for this song stems from one girl’s past relationship, where her ex shamed her for moving on with a woman. I think this is a message that we don’t really hear often in music, and so I appreciated getting to listen to this perspective. There are a multitude of things I love about this song, so let’s dive into them! I want to give a shoutout to the production behind this song, because it took the song from a 10 to an 11! I listened to this song with earbuds (which I 100% suggest on your first listen!), and I felt like I was almost transported to another dimension. It’s sexy, reflective, and powerful. I also quickly grew obsessed with Blair’s vocals. I feel they resemble artists like Maggie Rogers or Phoebe Bridgers, especially with its softness. Blair doesn’t belt in this song, but I don’t think that would have been necessary anyway. She has a very unique voice, and I think it worked perfectly with this song. Holly Blair is an LA-based musician who has been releasing music since 2021. Her debut single, “Me & Magdalena”, sits at around 20,000 streams on Spotify. Following her debut in the industry, Blair released a handful of other singles. Her EP, One Step Away Is Too Far, was released in 2023, and reached the hearts of so many. Blair is a queer artist, and loves to center many of her songs around that theme. Today, Blair gets an impressive 19,000 streams monthly on Spotify, but I can only imagine that number with just continue to grow. Go stream “baby girl, he’s so boring” everywhere, today! Written By Isabel Mays FOLLOW HOLLY BLAIR: Instagram | Spotify  | TikTok  | Facebook  | YouTube

If you're searching for the perfect summer anthem to blast in your car with the windows down or dance around to at the beach, look no further than "Summer Dreaming." The exciting electro-pop track just released on May 22nd, and it will have you swaying around in the sun. "Summer Dreaming" is the fun new collaboration between Dutch DJ/producer Bingo Players and Swedish pop duo Pure Shores. A track that sounds both fresh and nostalgic, it provides all the best feel-good vibes that you want for the summer season. Make sure to add it to your streaming library today. Bingo Players and Pure Shores have combined their dance pop skills into the infectious track, "Summer Dreaming." With a disco influence and sound similar to Icona Pop, this new release is not just meant to be heard; it is meant to move around to. On this track, Pure Shores sings about reuniting with a former love and dancing with them again. This is expressed with lines like "Although I haven't seen you in a while / One minute and we're back where we started" and "Feels like a new beginning / It's been a while but it's never too late for us." The uplifting soundscape and bright vocals combined to make the perfect summer anthem. Bingo Players consist of Dutch music producer Maarten Hoogstraten, who specializes in house and dance music. This musical project has earned over 2.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Pure Shores is a pop duo formed by Marlene Strand and Ji Nilsson. They have amassed over 50 million streams along with features and credits. It is no wonder these artists have garnered so many streams with their fun, electro dance music sounds. If you enjoyed "Summer Dreaming," make sure to keep up with all the latest information on Bingo Players and Pure Shores by following the social media links below. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW BINGO PLAYERS: Instagram | Spotify FOLLOW PURE SHORES: Instagram | Spotify

Photo Credit: Ale Washington There's nothing that burns brighter than a new found love. The joy and excitement of finding someone who makes your heart skip a beat, also is usually accompanied by fear and worry. You haven't known them long enough yet to be confident that you can trust them or if the relationship will last forever; but all you know right now in this moment is that now that you have them, you can't imagine a life without them. "Only One" by Laurel is about those intense mixed feelings that you experience when you start a new relationship and realize that you're in love. You know that you want to be with them, and you WILL be with them, despite the anxious thoughts that run through your head. This love your experiencing terrifies you, but in the most wonderful kind of way. "Only One" is a stunning piano ballad that features haunting synths and heartfelt vocals. There's a bit of a nostalgic 80's feel to it's hazy and soft groove. The soundscape is perfectly minimal, so that Laurel's voice and the poetic nature of the lyrics can shine through at the forefront. Laurel sings with all her might and belts beautifully throughout the song with her heavenly tone. "Only One" has a cenematic feel to it, to where you could close your eyes and imagine it being the theme song to a romantic drama movie. Laurel is an self-made indie pop artist originally from London, England who is now based in Los Angeles, California. Laurel blends the genres of modern pop, folk and rock to create a universally loveable style. She officially began her career in 2014 when she released her debut EP, "To The Hills", and then not too long after her second EP, "Holy Water" which she released independently from her own record label, Next Time Records. Now 10 years later, Laurel has gained millions of streams across her impressive discography and is about to release her second full length album, "PALPITATIONS" on June 14th with the indie record label, Communion Group. The 11-track project is said to be "adrenaline filled" - “Palpitations, in the body, aren’t usually a sign of anything really bad – they’re usually emotionally driven. I loved the idea that something can feel so strong that it will make your heart skip a beat.” - Laurel. Make sure to follow Laurel below to stay up-to-date with her album release, as well as to see if she's touring in a city near you! If you loved "Only One", make sure to also check out the gorgeous live performance video of the song here. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW LAUREL: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube

“Before the Roof Caves in” is a catchy, funk pop bop that carries a much deeper meaning. The song essentially talks about Brian Walker’s personal journey of trying to make it as a musician despite facing life’s greatest hurdle – time. While it’s specific to the artist’s journey, this song is one I relate to deeply. We’re all racing against time to achieve the things we want in life. Walker is an artist who has never shied away from digging deep. With music, I believe the thing that listeners connect to the most is vulnerability, and in this song specifically, Walker goes there without hesitation and does not disappoint. The lyrics, “Regrets // How can I forget // The ones that left me leave me haunted // I lie awake at night // ‘Cause love is hard to find // And this just ain’t the life I wanted,” are raw, reflective, and showcase that, while Walker may be a star on the rise, he still experiences many of the same struggles that we do. The lyrics are also a stark contrast to the song’s fun, upbeat vibe, which I found incredibly refreshing. Alexa, add “Before the Roof Caves in” to the party playlist. Walker’s latest single is a song that can hit you in the feels and make you want to get up and dance at the same time. A true funk pop fusion, the song’s heavy slap bass pulsates throughout the three-minute track and provides an infectious groove. The chorus in particular provides the pop flare with a subtle synth keyboard, creating a break in the song that perfectly builds up the anticipation for the bass beat to drop once again. To top it all off, the last ten seconds of the song feels like the cherry on top. Walker’s voice effortlessly flowed throughout the entire track, but the vocal run that he does at the end made me eager to hear more. For Brian Walker, the proof is in the pudding. A true grassroots artist, Walker has dreamed of being a musician his entire life. Born and raised on a New Hampshire farm, the artist began writing, mixing, and producing his own music from his childhood bedroom. Walker’s debut single “Collided” was released in 2018. Since then, his music has been featured on prominent Spotify playlists including “Fresh Finds,” “Fresh Finds: Poptronix,” and “New Music Indonesia.” Walker’s popularity has also grown extensively. He’s played over 700 shows across New England and has also played at prominent venues like the Berklee Performance Center and Mohegan Sun. His infectious pop funk sound and introspective lyrics have also amassed him a significant number of streams on Spotify. Two of his singles, “Lookin’ Like My Wife” and “MY LETTER,” currently have over 100,000 streams. His latest track, “Before the Roof Caves in,” which is the third single off of his upcoming debut LP, is out now. Written By Giselle Morales FOLLOW BRIAN WALKER Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube