Photo credits: Louden Swain (www.loudenswain.com) Attending CREATION Charlotte-Concord 2023, I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing Louden Swain perform again during their Saturday Night Special concert. The concert took place the evening of 8/19 at the Charlotte-Concord Embassy Suites and was part of a three-day convention. For those unfamiliar with this event, the convention was hosted by Creation Entertainment and brought together fans of the CW’s Supernatural, as well as fans of Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles’ other projects. Louden Swain serves as the convention’s house band, providing music and entertainment throughout the weekend. The group consists of frontman and Supernatural star Rob Benedict, guitarist Billy Moran, bassist Michael Borja, and drummer Stephen Norton. Their Saturday Night Special concert is one of the convention’s usual events, bringing out fans for a captivating performance that includes appearances from the convention's celebrity guests. Kicking off the show with explosive energy, Louden Swain opened with “Gimme Some” from their latest album, Feelings and Such. The track showcases the band’s strong indie rock sound, featuring driving guitar riffs and infectious melodies. Keeping the night alive, the band continued to play banger after banger, following the feisty opener with songs like “Comeback Kid” and “January.” Sticking with the concert’s tradition of bringing out celebrity guests, Richard Speight Jr. joined the band on stage to play bass for the song, “Help You.” This track slowed things down a bit, taking time to highlight Rob Benedict's beautiful, twangy vocals and the band's ability to perform a ballad as well as they perform faster tracks. Photo Credits: The Drummer's Journal Bouncing between original songs and covers, Louden Swain spices things up for the fans by bringing out guests to cover tracks from artists like Bon Jovi and Queen. One of the incredible covers included a performance from Creation’s Stephanie Dizon, singing “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. Gil McKinney soon followed Stephanie’s performance with a cover of “I’m Just Ken” from the new Barbie movie. Not only were McKinney’s vocals incredible for this song, but the cover was also just a fun addition to the band’s already engaging setlist. Another highlight of the show was Jojo Fleites’ performance of “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Jojo’s powerful, belting vocals and the song’s upbeat energy got the crowd going crazy, making it a hard act to follow. Bravely coming after Jojo’s flawless performance, Jason Manns joined the band on stage to sing “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. Manns’ soulful vocals are always intoxicating to listen to, making this cover a memorable one even after Jojo’s act. Keeping the crowd pumped up, Briana Buckmaster came out to sing “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi. Buckmaster’s deep, raspy vocals were a great fit for the song, making the cover a compelling experience. Switching genres up a bit, Richard Speight Jr. came out to perform a cover of “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle. Speight’s vocal twang put the yee to the haw in this cover, giving us a Southern rock moment that drove the audience wild. Eventually, Mark Sheppard came out to the join the band on drums, performing Louden Swain’s “Next to the Light.” Seeing Sheppard jamming on stage seemed to be a fan-favorite moment during the concert, causing some audience members to give a standing ovation after his entrance. To end the concert, Louden Swain brought all the guest performers back out plus Hayden Lee to perform a cover of “Up On Cripple Creek” by The Band. It was an exhilarating finale for the night, giving fans one last moment to see the celebrity guests perform with the band. Louden Swain’s Saturday Night Special is fan service at its finest, giving fans of the band and Supernatural unforgettable memories to cherish for years to come. If the show is ever in your area, go immediately; it’s an experience you’ll never regret! Written By Cheyenne Johnson Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

It’s easy to lose yourself as the world slowly turns, forgetting who you truly are when you’ve become something unrecognizable after chasing down your dreams for so long. Hoang, in collaboration with nøll and featuring RUNN, showcases this exact feeling in “Made For.” Pinpointing the ennui that comes from doubting yourself is hard, but it's even harder to put it into words; in the form of electro-pop and heavy synth, you can instead hear and feel the longing and melancholy of existentialism in “Made For." It’s a comfort, though, to know you’re not the only one struggling with realizing who you are. The beat in “Made For” is so strong, really forming the backbone of the song. It’s a collection of synth and pining strings; there’s a particularly beautiful part of the song that coincides with the lyrics where the strings swell as RUNN sings, “Some days I really don’t know what I’m made for.” The lyrics are yearnful yet somber; “Made For” is all about honing in on that feeling of loss, wondering and wondering what you were made for. There is something searching in the songwriting, reaching out for an intangible thing that we are all trying to grasp at: meaning and self-realization, overcoming your doubts. “Made For” highlights the struggle of this search, “Tell me why I’ve been fighting/If at the end of the day no one knows my name,” but the instrumentals remain upbeat and energetic; in spite of these forlorn lyrics, there is a constant thread of hope that nestles itself in between the somber words of “Made For” and its soundscape. With over 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and over 36 million streams on his single “Million Days,” Vancouver-based producer and DJ Hoang is a force to be reckoned with in the EDM scene. There isn’t one label that applies to Hoang’s style; through blending genres, he’s created a unique soundscape that can only come from his music– an electronica experience like nothing you’ve ever heard of. Since his debut in 2019, Hoang has produced an impressive discography, as well as having toured 15 cities throughout the US in 2022. As for RUNN, this isn’t her first time working with Hoang, being featured on his 2023 single “People Change,” which has over 400,000 streams on Spotify. She similarly has over 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, where her music focuses on dance and pop. nøll, too, has worked with RUNN before, being an electronic producer as well. Although, "Made For" is the first single that Hoang, nøll, and RUNN have all collaborated on together, and it is truly a fantastic blend of EDM talents and vocal genius. Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW HOANG: FOLLOW RUNN: FOLLOW nøll:

Lollapalooza is a four-day music festival that takes place in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois. This year's lineup featured amazing headlining acts including Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The 1975, and Lana Del Rey. Each day also included a stacked undercard with names like Matt Maltese, Holly Humberstone, Sabrina Carpenter, and Beabadoobee. I had never been to a music festival before, but after much deliberation, my sister and I decided to attend three of the four days to catch a few of our favorite artists deliver their sets at Lollapalooza. It was a bit hectic to travel between stages, and I had to miss a few artists due to schedule conflicts, but overall, it was an amazing time. I saw so many incredible performances from some of the most talented artists out there. On Thursday, we started our festival experience off with Matt Maltese’s set. He sat at his piano and performed on one of the headlining stages, T-Mobile, and had everyone swaying in the sun. He ended with his most well-known song, "As The World Ends," to which everyone increased their volume and energy to join in with. Next, we took a break in the shade, before returning to the T-Mobile stage to watch South Korean girl group, NewJeans, make their US performance debut. They brought high energy and well-choreographed routines to their infectious pop tracks, which had everyone dancing and jumping around. We were all connected and drawn in with tracks such as "New Jeans," "Super Shy," and "ETA." We ended our experience with the much-anticipated Billie Eilish. She walked onto the stage and debuted her new hair look of red roots and a Chicago Bulls jersey with a engaging performance of “Bury A Friend.” She had us jumping, getting low, and dancing for tracks like "Oxytocin," "You Should See Me In A Crown," and "All The Good Girls Go To Hell." But she also brought out her brother and long-time producer, Finneas, for more stripped-back versions of her songs, "TV" and "Your Power." She closed with the powerful "Happier Than Ever" in a moment that brought everyone in the crowd together to scream and cry in a send-off. It was a riveting performance and cemented Billie Eilish as one of the best acts I’ve ever seen live. Friday, we began with the experimental, multi-instrumentalist Sudan Archives on the T-Mobile stage. She wowed the audience with her violinist skills, dance moves, and visual effects. She shocked the crowd in her high-energy performance of “NBPQ (Topless)” by quite literally taking her top off and sharing her titties out. "Home Maker" and "Freakalizer" were two other standout performances. We moved from this stage to a smaller one to see the British pop star, Beabadoobee, bring out a pink electric guitar and bring the crowd together. “See You Soon” and “She Plays Bass” were two tracks on the setlist that I enjoyed immensely. We left her set and went to Sabrina Carpenter, who we had just seen the night before at her exciting Lollapalooza aftershow. She sang several songs from her most recent album emails i can't send, along with an exceptional rendition of "Lay All Your Love On Me" by ABBA, before we left the set early to get a break from the scorching sun. To end the day, we caught Kendrick Lamar headlining on the T-Mobile stage. His set started later than anticipated, but he still had everyone cheering and energized when he finally stepped out on the stage to "The Heart Part 5." His setlist included tracks from across his albums, but we were all the most hype when he performed hit singles like "DNA," "Money Trees," and "HUMBLE." Because of the 15-minute delay in his start, he was able to perform past his allocated time, so many of us walked out the festival to the sound of his last couple songs. Finally, we returned to Lollapalooza on the final day of the festival, Sunday. We started at the Bacardí stage for English artist, Holly Humberstone, who performed a short set with tracks like "Room Service" and "Superbloodmoon." Most of the crowd didn't seem too familiar with her music, but people were still swaying along and nodding their heads as she performed. Then, we moved over to the Bud Light stage to catch Lil Yachty. People danced, screamed -- even a man in a wheelchair was lifted up by the crowd and moved around to the beats. Everyone was most excited for hit tracks, "Minnesota," "iSpy," and "Broccoli." We left his set a little early to maneuver our way over to Maisie Peters. She opened her set with "Body Better," which had most of the crowd dancing and screaming along. She was so interactive with her audience, pointing the mic in our direction and making eye contact. She truly showed off how much of a rockstar she could be with hit singles, "Cate's Brother" and "Not Another Rockstar." Her setlist had range from popular singles to her debut album, You Signed Up For This to a few tracks off her newest album, The Good Witch. To end, we saw Lana Del Rey take the Bud Light Stage, kicking off her performance with "A&W." Her setlist spanned across her albums and career with her most popular songs like "Born To Die," "Summertime Sadness," and "Cherry." She was the epitome of elegance, as she sat atop a piano for her performances of "Norman Fucking Rockwell" and "Arcadia." She had us all dancing for hits "Ride" and "Diet Mountain Dew." She was a fitting close to Lollapalooza 2023. Written By Sydney Gray Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

“All or Nothing” is a confident sex-positive anthem that is as sultry as it is self-empowering. Self-empowerment and giving into your deepest desires can form in many ways. Sometimes, this can be found from within the pleasure you receive from another person. As you meet another person and can feel your desires entangling you realize new things about yourself. You crave the deep physical sensations from allowing yourself to both receive and give pleasure. These new feelings are as much about yourself and seeking our desire as they are feeling good with someone else. As you make this other person feel good and they do the same for you, you realize you want to put everything into this empowering life. You no longer want to hold back as you know this experience will solidify this newfound confidence. Click here to listen to "All or Nothing"! Izzy T’s single is an alternative rock empowering anthem that has unique yet captivating instrumental and melodic modulations. T’s expressive vocal deliveries put a finely wrapped bow on top of this punk sex-positive single. With every exclamation of empowerment and pleasure-filled detail, her vocals sell you each time. One of the most standout aspects of this single is the abrupt change made for the bridge halfway through. This bridge really embraces the sexy tone of the melodic and lyrical nature of this single. Its sudden start allows the listener to feel and hear more into her mindset and confidence change. The instrumentation has guitar riffs and drumbeats sprinkled throughout it. Every strum and beat exudes sultry passion as T belts out another captivating lyric. Izzy T is a British-Iranian singer-songwriter who has already taken the world by storm with her empowering hits. She has a dedicated fanbase from all over the world due to how widespread her singles become. She has a prominent history and current presence on over 22 radio shows worldwide. Her music has been featured in well-accredited radio show playlists such as Misfits 2.0 and Rock Right Now. One of the most successful aspects of her career has been the various features she has been included in, such as articles from Billboard, Rolling Stone, and BBC Radio 1 airplay. She is well known for her many live performances across the world in venues such as Pride performances and LA’s Hotel Cafe. She has made a name for herself on social media as well and has maintained her dedicated fanbase through this means. Make sure to follow her on social media and give “All or Nothing” a listen! Written By Willow Gray FOLLOW IZZY T: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Being in a relationship with someone who fails to appreciate your efforts and the amount of time you invest in trying to bring joy to their life is honestly so draining. It seems as if your efforts just continue to disatisfy them. These types of people in relationships anticipate more, leaving you confused and burned out, wondering if they’re looking for someone or something more extravagant. Maybe like a billboard on Sunset Boulevard? In her latest single, “ Billboards on Sunset ,” Sarah Reeves expresses her frustration with people like this and how exhausting it is trying to fulfill their ridiculous and confusing desires for happiness. The song starts off with Sarah sharing how unhappy this person is, despite her efforts of trying to make them happy. She uses a metaphor of having multiple drinks without experiencing any lasting effect as a way of illustrating how unsuccessful her efforts have been for them: " Three, four, five drinks in your glass 'till you feel something, but it never lasts ." As the song goes on, she shares the different ways she attempted in putting joy into this person's life: “ I give you the moon, but you just want the fireworks. You ask for the world and I give you the universe. I give you my all and I will even when it hurts .” This sounds pretty ridiculous, because what more could this person want? She also throws out the idea that this person just may want unrealistic expectations, such as having her flex it for more people to see: “ What do you expect? A Billboard on Sunset? Do I gotta flex, so everyone sees it?", and, “ I put my lips to your ear and whisper it crystal clear. But you want the world to hear. We're standing face to face, here in a sacred place. But you need a whole parade .” Sarah Reeves is a pop singer and songwriter. At just 18 years old, she had signed her first record deal. For over a decade now, she’s been exploring her own creative expression while also writing songs for other artists, TV and film. To date, she has gathered more than 21.2 million Pandora lifetime streams and 33.3 million Youtube views. She also currently has over 400,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with “ Tell Me Why ” surpassing 9 million streams. “ Billboards on Sunset ” is 1 of 16 songs that's going to be on Sarah’s upcoming album, “ Best Days ” which releases September 22nd. Check out “ Billboards on Sunset ” out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW SARAH REEVES:

Broken hearts can be debilitating. They can rip you to shreds and leave you reeling in your bed, surrounded by tear stained pillows and an empty ice cream carton that was full before you took your anger out on it with a spoon. Connie Talbot’s new release, however, has a different view on this matter. Bringing her dark tone and swirling soundscapes, she accepts that broken hearts are beyond painful, but nothing that she can’t get through. Yes it is tough, but her heart still beats, and now her purpose has become to keep it that way. Her lyrics are honest and raw about how horrible the situation is, but she keeps her head afloat and thanks her heart for keeping her alive. Her chorus cuts right to the chase. Talbot sings “I may have a broken heart / But it still works day and night”. She acknowledges her pain, but also that hearts are not made only to love. They are made to support the person they inhabit, and turn the love they once expressed for their other half into love for themself. Now her heart can just focus on her. She continues this idea through the next lyric as well: “Beating in the dark / Just for me, myself and I”. In the second verse, she sings “Taking time, taking time for healing / Now I know, now I know I'm breathing”. This is a similar idea and is striking because she has found something to be thankful about in this situation. At least she’s alive, right? In my opinion, the most hard hitting line is the last of the chorus, and where the title comes from. Talbot sings “I can get it fixed sometime / It's just a broken heart, I'm fine”. She acknowledges that at some point, she will be good as new. Yes it is upsetting, but she knows she will get through it. Connie Talbot took the world by storm in 2007 when she was runner-up of the television series Britain’s Got Talent when she performed “Over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz at only 6 years old. She released an album, also at age, 6 which garnered gold status in the UK and incredibly platinum in south east Asia. She is the youngest artist to achieve this accolade, and it is clear that since then she has grown as an artist and performer. She is now 22 years old, and has almost 550k monthly streamers on Spotify. These listeners clearly love her work and how much she has matured through it. Make sure to follow along the social medias below to stay tuned for more music. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW CONNIE TALBOT:

Innovative pop duo Foley release new single “What Got Into You.” This track tells an all too relatable tale about the constant run of the rumor mill. There’s no greater betrayal than having someone you thought you trusted go around and share the words you believed were confidential. Some people will smile to your face, and stab you in the back. You have to be careful who you share your business with because some folks will choose gossip over loyalty any day. It’s humbling to realize you’d go to the grave with secrets for someone who makes a game out of being the town crier. Growing up is realizing a small circle imbedded in trust is worth much more than fake smiles and mal-intented people who pose as friends. You can know exactly who you are and what you have, or haven’t, done, and a rumor can still get to you. Perception is everything, and no one wants their name or reputation tarnished by untruths. “What Got Into You” is the quintessential track to get over disloyalty and realize you’re better off without someone who lets fame, fortune, and fodder overrule friendship. “What Got Into You” is Foley’s lead single from their highly anticipated album Crowd Pleaser . Their newly released, debut album is a dance pop record that explores deep themes regarding the human experience. Foley is known for their infectious rhythms and crystalline vocals, and this album is no exception. Crowd Pleaser is intentionally reminiscent of living life in your twenties - a mixed bag of emotion and experiences. “What Got Into You” was a collaboration with longtime producer Josh Edwards, and they explored what happens when a rumor gets out of hand and takes on a life of its own. This track is sure to get you on your feet or taking the long way home with the windows down to drown out the inevitable lyric screams. There's a rumor going around that this song will be on repeat, and this time it's true! Foley is a pop duo made up of Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett. The multi-instrumentalist team electrify with their forward-thinking sound. A singular organism in duo form, their boundary pushing formula bears all the gleaming hooks, infectious rhythm patterns and deft arrangements required for success. Their ultimate goal is to bring souls together through their craft. Ash and Gabriel write music that bonds people in their life experiences. Whether someone is in a low or an all-time high, they want people to connect and heal through their music. Foley’s mantra is simple, “to make people feel like they are part of something, regardless of if that thing is huge or tiny, music is about community and coming together.” Foley’s album, Crowd Pleaser , is for all the ups, downs, and little moments in life that make the biggest impact. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW FOLEY:

A year ago, The world was introduced to the sonic prowess of songstress Phoebe Willo. She took our breath away with her debut EP Buy Us More Time. On her EP she showcases her lyrical ability as well as her unique vocal skills. Since this EP Phoebe has released a new track Lost in the Music. A song dedicated to the feeling of getting captivated by your favorite song. Getting lost in a track is so common it's often taken for granted but Phoebe adores the feeling. Lost in the Music is an ode to the serenity of that sentiment. Lost in the Music is just as ethereal as Phoebe's previous work but has an edge that brings the atmosphere to life. It has a slight dance-pop vibe that adds to the overall celestial vibe. Creating this soundscape that is just as immersive as the lyrics themselves. In the lyrics, Phoebe describes the reasons people run to music. Fun, escapism, whatever you can do to just feel good about yourself for the short moments during a good song. That is the point of the track, music is so essential to human life, and the more we get overcome by the sounds of guitar and drums the happier we are. It’s not a fix-all but it's a way to forget about your worries, even for a moment. Lost in the Music sits comfortably in the genre of dream pop. With its dense production and echoing soundscapes you get lost in the atmosphere this coupled with Phoebe’s breathy vocals it’s enough to put anyone in a trance. This is a sound Phoebe relates to most with many of her songs falling under the neo-psychedelia genre but Lost in the Music is impactful in its unique use of dance and subject matter. Phoebe Willo is a singer/songwriter from Brighton. She is a multi-instrumentalist playing ukulele piano and guitar in her music. She launched her music career in September 2022 and has steadily been on the rise since. Sitting at over 130K monthly listeners on Spotify it’s safe to say Phoebe is turning heads in the industry. Like many musicians, she has been involved in music from a very young age but her love has carried her to great heights. Dreampop is a genre that tends to be overlooked in the mainstream but Phoebe may just change soon. Her sound is distinctive and her pen creates gold. Phoebe Willo is an artist to keep an eye on for sure. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW PHOEBE WILLO:

“Everything” is a dreamy introspective perspective on regret, piecing together what ifs and maybe ifs. Senger is upbeat and reflective, kicking himself for not making all the right decisions, but not tumbling into a pit of despair. His beautiful guitar work, revered by industry tastemakers as virtuosic and brimming with talent, Senger taps into the indie pop-rock boxes, adding his own emotional urgency and contemplation. Senger’s raw emotional punch as he belts his heart out before he ultimately moves on creates a thrilling musical experience. A song from his new EP, Standing Still, “Everything” was built with an army of big names in the industry: produced & mixed by Andy D. Park and mastered by Grammy Award winners Greg Calbi and Steven Fallone of Sterling Sound. But besides the beautiful guitars that many notice, Senger’s charismatic voice combined with his heart-on-his-sleeve lyricality demonstrates his mature artistry in evoking powerful emotions that listeners can’t help but understand and relate to. The beautiful shimmering guitars that drive the song's rhythm are infectious and at an unmatched energy, showing, once again, Senger's masterful guitar work. Ethan Senger is the new wave indie rock equivalent to Springsteen. Born and raised in Atlanta, his talent with guitar is unmatched, and he’s clear to become an icon in the making. Singing and performing shows around seven years old, he wrote and recorded pop-rock fusion tunes in his late teens. After his 2020 self-titled EP, his sophomore EP Standing Still explores the relatable themes of unresolved emotional wounds from childhood, feigned indifference, and stagnancy due to fear of failure from the ever-increasingly worldly distractions of his always-plugged-in generation. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW ETHAN: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

“Brother” is a touching tribute to Lusty’s own brother, apologizing and reflecting on their childhood. Love them or hate them, there is no one more loyal than a sibling; you grow up in the same environment as them yet sprout into a variety of different directions, interests, and experiences. Sibling dynamics are often complex and full of unsaid feelings, feelings that you might sometimes feel ashamed of. When you're young, a sibling might be the last thing you ever want in your life, but after growing up, they often become your closest confidant. Lusty apologizes for being a mean older sister to her younger brother, cleaning the slate, and starting anew. The song’s beautiful and unique narrative looks at something that’s often untouched in popular music: family. Family is complicated, and not everyone has fond feelings for their respective families. Lusty expertly guides through her range, meticulously crafting it to show off her nuances and inflections. Vowing to protect her younger brother through the strumming of the guitar, “Brother” inches its way into a beautiful catharsis, demonstrating the changes that come with maturation and reflection. Wispy and dreamy, Lusty vows to protect her brother through thick and thin, a beautiful ballad touching upon the delicate nature of a sibling bond. Fran Lusty is a 6-foot singer-songwriter based in London. Journeying into the world of indie-folk, she’s told countless of stories through her dreamy and immersive music, creating the effect of gazing into the ocean. Lusty often writes about the enchantment of the natural world and the melancholy of its struggles. “Brother” is her last single before the release of her debut EP on September 22nd. Just this past year, Lusty has released "Oceans Apart", "It's Alright", and "Seasalt". Her debut EP brings a wealth of excitement to the indie-folk genre, and make sure to give her debut a listen as she breaks into the industry. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW FRAN: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Cellophane – the packaging and wrapping material – was extremely popular from the 1920s to the 50s in the states. I like to think its popularity was the result of Du Pont Cellophane’s advertisements. Specifically, the advertisements that featured babies wrapped in cellophane. These iconic ads showed off the transparency of the material and reflected one of the biggest problems within the idealized nuclear family: the objectification of children. Children were not thought of as human beings - they were flaunted off as milestones of accomplishment and wealth. A tradition heteronormativity has not only continued, but has since expanded to uphold gender roles as well. In “Dollhouse”, Theia explores how this objectification has negatively impacted young girls. “Dollhouse” not only introduces riot grrrl culture to a new generation of music listeners, but also highlights the restrictive conditions placed on girls whilst growing up within the heteronormative nuclear family. For some background, the heteronormative nuclear family is a familial structure that reinforces the misguided ideology that a person’s end goal should be a heterosexual partnership that results in producing children (who also prescribe to this lifestyle). This in turn solidifies the concept of gender roles: the predetermined assumptions for how a given gender should behave. The grunge-pop single lays out how both parental figures build and maintain the cages girls are confined in under this family structure by identifying the two functionalities of objectification: presentation and expectation. In the first verse, Theia details how mothers teach girls how to present themselves. Girls must always maintain a doll-like appearance with “pigtails and curls” while having the patience of a saint. And trust me, she’s going to need all the patience in the world when we get to the expectations in the second verse. This verse outlines how a girl should expect to be perceived by her father as still “art” that can be openly criticized. And what’s the purpose of this objectification? To prepare girls for their future role as the puritan matriarch in their own nuclear family. This outright denies growing girls’ any agency – and the lack of agency is skillfully characterized by Theia in the song’s bridge as she pleads to be let “out of this dollhouse”. Despite heteronormativity going out of its way to make these cages look aesthetically pleasing, “Dollhouse” makes sure listeners know they’re a “madhouse” with sinister intentions for girls. New Zealand native turned Los Angeles local, Theia, is a singer and songwriter with a talent for delivering brutally honest confessionals and whimsical odes. Theia’s been serving up nothing but hard-hitting alt-pop and electronica bops since 2016 with singles like “Roam”, “Not Your Princess”, and “Girls!”. The last song is featured alongside “Dollhouse” on Theia’s latest EP that shares a title with the most recent release. For fans dying to be in the gracious presence of Theia, she’ll be performing at the four-day and three-night SUM OF US Festival; the first wellness festival for LGBTQ+ women and trans identities in Pinecrest, California. Theia will be the headliner on Saturday, September 16th – tickets for the festival can be found on the festival's website. Not states’ side? No worries. Theia is returning to New Zealand for her GIRL IN A SAVAGE WORLD tour for the entire month of October. This tour will be the first time the artist will be performing as Theia and TE KAAHU. TE KAAHU is the artist’s reo rangatira project: it honors Māori songwriting and storytelling. Various venues and their tickets can be found on TE KAAHU’s website. If you’ve enjoyed Theia’s challenge to heteronormativity, show the artist some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW THEIA:

"When You're Not Mine" is the debut single of twenty-year-old, singer-songwriter, NOEL. It's about the personal experience of wanting to be with someone, of wondering about the person that you're meant to be with, of hoping that they're also wanting to be with you. The sweet track is dedicated to his future person, as he sings about how they haven't met yet but he will keep looking for them and how he will act once they are together. If you have not been in love or found your special someone yet, the deep lyrics about longing and hope might really resonate with you. With strong vocals and pop hooks, NOEL delved into his personal experiences and showed us his heart on his sleeve in this genuine track. “When You’re Not Mine” started as a breakup song, but as NOEL hadn’t really been in love before, it changed into something more real: a story about longing for a special someone. He wanted his song to be honest, and I can confidently assert that the mission has been accomplished — he has poured his heart into a song that feels truly authentic and vulnerable. He sings promises about how he would always make that special someone feel happy and loved and appreciated. These feelings are expressed with raw vocals in the chorus with lyrics “If I was him I’d make you happy / Swear I’d always love you madly” and “I would give you all my hours / Write a song and make it ours / ’Cause right now I feel I’m wasting all this time / When you’re not mine.” It’s a beautiful, romantic track crafted with a steady, pop production that had me hooked from the start. Inspired by artists like James Arthur and Lewis Capaldi, NOEL is a half-Swedish, half-Norwegian pop musical artist. He grew up surrounded by music, but he didn't discover it as his passion until after he was faced with an injury that altered his future in football. "When You're Not Mine" comes as his debut single and sets the stage for his debut EP that is set to release early next year. With just one track out on streaming, NOEL is already certain to have a promising music career. I am excited to see what his future will hold, and you can also keep up with all the latest info and releases by clicking on the social media platforms linked below. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW NOEL: