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Gaslighting is a term we’ve all heard before but don’t really know how to define. It becomes harder to pinpoint its definition when there’s so much psychological terminology that overlaps with it, too. But the best way to understand and define gaslighting for others is to refer to it as reality distortion. Gas-lighters will double-down and deny the reality of various situations and circumstances; in this process they convince you to believe their crafted lies while instilling self-doubt within you. Gas-lighters undermine the confidence you have in yourself and your abilities. In "gaslight", co-songwriters IVA queendom and RUINDKID expose the handbook gas-lighters abide by and provide insight on what it's like to be on receiving end of their mistreatment. The dance electro-pop single, “gaslight”, reveals the common tactics of gas-lighters while serving as a source of empowerment for those who have ever found themselves enmeshed with one. The song opens with a booming baseline that prepares listeners for the topic at hand. The opening verse details how gas-lighters target you when you’re young and lure you in with future faking. It’s much easier to manipulate the young due to their lack of life experience – it’s difficult to identify a gas-lighter in romance when you’ve never encountered one before. Once they’ve got you hooked, gas-lighters then isolate you as they observe from a distance as it’s noted in the second verse. The purpose of this is to keep you dependent on their validation. It becomes the breeding grounds for an unhealthy, codependent relationship. The buildup to the chorus mimics the same charm gas-lighters use to attract their victims; the driving beat listeners become familiar with slows down as IVA bewitches us within the pre-chorus. But we’re treated to raw power of IVA’s voice in the chorus and post-chorus. Her inquiries as to why gas-lighters operate in the fashion they do loans listeners the encouragement they need to confront the gas-lighters in their own lives. Within the post-chorus, Birk B needs to be recognized for brilliantly capturing the emotional turmoil gaslighting inflicts on victims; the mixing here makes you envision someone’s head spinning from confusion and anxiety. And this all contributes to victims feelings of undesirability and low self-esteem that’s touched on in the third and fourth verses. Gas-lighters' deception will make you feel as though your efforts are not enough to appease them or others which further contributes to the aforementioned feelings - forcing a victim to fall deeper into this toxic codependency. It transforms into a vicious cycle that eventually results in loneliness where “it feels like nothing really helps” the victim. But thankfully, “gaslight” casts a much-needed light on the deceitful personalities that utilize these tactics in hopes of sparing others this experience, and providing the strength to leave for those still enduring it. South Korean producer RUINDKID, and Danish pop-icon IVA queendom combined creative forces to bring listeners “gaslight”. The two co-wrote the sharp, energetic song together with IVA also serving as the vocalist for it. Both artists have experiences with being gaslight in former relationships; grounding the single in personal experience which makes it all the more relatable to listeners. Outside of their collaboration, RUINDKID is an independent artist and producer with sights on becoming an international virtuoso. Singles you should also consider checking out from the artist are "Fall To My Grave" and "BRING ME DOWN", the latter showcasing their high quality production skills. IVA queendom rose to stardom after winning 2014’s POPSTARS in Denmark. After pursuing some opportunities, the artist took a brief hiatus but returned to music in 2020 with their single “I Wish”. IVA’s discography highlights the artist’s emotional vulnerability that lets listeners into her world. If you’ve enjoyed the joint force of the two artists as much as I have, show them some virtual love in the form of streams, likes, and follows. Written by Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW IVA QUEENDOM: FOLLOW RUINDKID:

Sam Casey is making bold moves with her latest release, "7 Second Superstar." The track gives an unapologetic (and greatly appreciated) critique of TikTok's impact on the music industry and song creation. With many artists finding fast fame on the platform, it's fostering a culture of one-hit-wonders and formulaic-sounding songs. TikTok's popularity is also forcing artists to participate on the app, even if they don't want to. Explaining the inspiration behind "7 Second Superstar," Casey states “Julianna, Chloe, and I wrote this song over Zoom in 2021 with TikTok reaching its height of popularity and all of us being quite literally forced to participate on the app. After a conversation regarding our experiences in the early-2000’s and late 90’s (before social media existed), we decided to try a blink-182 vibe and about 2 hours later we had a song.” "7 Second Superstar" is filled with a sarcastic, ironic energy. The track features catchy melodies, something you would find in a typical commercial hit. Falling into the electropop genre, "7 Second Superstar" is driven by infectious pop beats and a synth-laden soundscape. Casey's vocals throughout the track are cute and sassy, delivering angst-filled lyrics lamenting about the woes of TikTok and what it's doing to the state of the music industry/creative process. While the lyrics convey annoyance, the single remains peppy and lighthearted, giving any electropop fan a perfect new addition to their playlist. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Sam Casey is an edgy pop singer-songwriter. Her love for music began at a young age, playing music and taking piano lessons at age 8. Casey launched her career at an impressive 15 years old, recording and releasing her first song. Being true and authentic to herself, Casey shows herself to be resilient and challenges herself to push gender norms. She states that, “As a young female artist, I believe that many people expect certain social norms from me that I disagree with”—a sentiment that translates into her creative output. Casey is a bold force to be reckoned with, proving that in the way she tackles tough subjects like industry flaws, mental illness, and societal roles. She often uses her music to blow off steam—something we all can relate to. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW SAM CASEY:

You have a lot to offer the world. Therefore, when it comes to dating, you should be with someone who appreciates all of those talents. More importantly, you shouldn’t have to change any part of yourself to please the other person. Kerry Kathleen has discovered this and doesn't want other women to find out the hard way. She uses her musical gifts to teach and inspire other women. Her new funky pop single, “Option,” is a female empowerment track about knowing your worth and finding someone who will treat you accordingly. If one person doesn’t treat you like the queen you are, you better find someone else who will! One aspect that I enjoyed about this song was the instrumentation. The music sounds just as confident as the lyrics. It starts out slow in the first verse when Kathleen sings, “hate to make it about me, but I’m a catch I don’t like waiting.” The funky bass line becomes more developed as the chorus gets closer. At the end of the chorus Kathleen sings her new dating mantra, “you’re just an option and I’ve got plenty, babe.” In the second verse, the lyrics become even more confident, as the first line is “always honest, I’m not scared.” I feel like the music and the lyrics do a great job in working together to illustrate the confidence that Kathleen feels. I have no doubt that it will inspire other listeners. Kerry Kathleen proudly declares that “music chose her.” She discovered that from a young age. She was very fortunate to grow up in a family that supported her talents, even when she “sang too much.” Music helped get Kathleen through some hard times in life, and she hopes her work will help other listeners in the same way. “Option” is Kathleen’s first release of 2023. If you want to hear more of her, I recommend her 2022 single, “Piano in the Sky.” It has a very raw piano melody and talks about drifting apart from someone you love. She is currently on a U.S tour. Follow all of her socials down below for more information! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW KERRY KATHLEEN

While goodbyes tend to be difficult and unenjoyable, it’s a part of human nature. The longing for a past love can be hard to deal with, but it’s important to look back at those past feelings of love with sense of compassion. So, why not look back and reminisce over a past love to a dream pop anthem? Get ready for the next song of the summer, the latest track by Mandy Slate, “Like I Do.” While lyrically, the song is meant to be an emotional farewell, the song is still catchy and fun and perfect to dance along to. The execution of the song is very clean, as it was produced by Cooper Schott. While the subject matter of the song is serious, it radiates a vibrant ambiance and it’s what makes it such a perfect song for summertime. The use of synths throughout the track makes the song feel very modern and bright. Mandy Slate’s vocal performance is very clean and smooth, and it enhances the lyrical content. It shows a level of sincerity in the story she is telling. The introduction of the song is soft and helps slowly reel the listeners in. The line delivery of some of the lyrics, especially during the verses and bridge, shows how much fun Mandy Slate is able to have in the song. Additionally, it adds to the entertainment value for listeners who can have fun singing along to “Like I Do.” The chorus does a good job of not steering away from the verses too much to the point where it ruins the personality of the track. Yet, the chorus is still exciting as it is incredibly catchy and repetitive in the best way. Overall, Mandy Slate truly does shine on this song and is ready to start growing her name. Mandy Slate is an electropop artist and writer based in LA, California. In college, she focused more on writing, as she wrote multiple essays and poetry. She then began to tackle music, something she always wanted to do, but was so scared for so long. She’s been a performer for a long time but began to release music in 2021 with her first single “Loveblind.” Her song “Like I Do” is the final track to her latest EP, “101”. The EP circles around the subject of heartbreak and the aftermath of losing someone you love. Mandy Slate is more in line with electronic dream pop and it’s a style she executes effectively. Mandy Slate is able to create s wonderous dream state with music that helps transport her listeners. She hopes her music is able to reach the right people who will find something meaningful in her work. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW MANDY SLATE: *Sponsored Post - Discovered on Musosoup. A contribution was made to help create this article. #SustainableCurator

Candace Sosa’s latest release “Mood” is an upbeat pop piece that focuses on just that, uplifting someone and recognizing those who do it for us. She describes a hesitant allowance of a reunion with this person, but immediately folds. No matter disagreements or personal dignity, emotions, especially those felt amidst these conflicts, are undeniable. A shift in mood for the better, or simply feeling happy around someone, this is what makes them a positive influence over one's life. To chase happiness is the pursuit of a fuller life, and Sosa describes being around this one person as nothing but that. Experiencing new things, being seen, and just being in a generally good “mood”. The song begins with a series of techno-sounding beats that seem to patter like rain. They continue as Candace begins singing, setting the scene first by describing her attire. The first portion of the song follows this pattern, telling a story. When the subject of the song arrives, the beat remains steady but Sosa’s singing increases its pace rapidly. Describing blushing and nervousness, her own voice seems to indicate the mindset reflected in the song. When she begins to conflict herself, claiming that hesitance to letting this person back into her life, this is when new instrumentals join and conflict the otherwise peaceful tone. She seems to be in an argument with herself through the music, but every time she recognizes a positive memory it ceases into a soft vocalizing. When she completely immerses herself in the uplifting feelings this person causes her, the mood of that vocalizing is reflected in the music and the chorus begins. The most evident example of her theme is a moment after this when the lyric “I’m breaking all my rules” is swiftly interrupted by another rendition of that catchy chorus that sweeps even the listener off their feet. “Mood” intends to recreate the overwhelming joy Sosa feels in the listener, and with her passionate voice and consistently energetic sound, she succeeds. Candace Sosa, born in Troy Michigan, began experimenting with music at only nine years old when she learned piano, then guitar at eleven. By fourteen she was already the lead singer of a band called “Live The Dash”. She performed around her home state before drifting from performance to a more behind the scenes role- that is, songwriting. Here is where her talent first gained the attention it deserves. Most notably, she’s co-written eight songs with BTS, one of which, “Euphoria”, earned over four hundred million streams and appeared on Billboard charts for eighty weeks. More recently, she’s released twelve singles and has been holding shows for her performances of her original work, “Mood” being the latest of these. Steam it below and follow her socials to stay updated on her incredible journey. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW CANDACE SOSA:

Bre Kennedy's "Navigating" is a soft pop song that touches on fear, hardships, and the unpredictability of life. Kennedy's raspy voice shines as she sings about life as a thing that we're all just trying to navigate through; we're all going through it for the first time and trying to make up the steps as we go along. The theme of this song is one that resonated with me, as we have all had difficult moments in life. If you sometimes feel like you allow fear to drive you, or life feels like driving in the dark without any headlights on, I am certain this track will resonate with you. Kennedy encapsulates these feelings of fear and the weight of life through rich lyrics and mellow instrumentation. Kennedy begins this track with singing about how she has put "fear in the backseat," as she is trying not to let fear drive her and her actions through life. The second chorus utilizes Kennedy's rich storytelling as she talks about a phone call she received from her brother; she sings that "He said the worlds falling on his head / In the dark with no headlights / He can't find the ground again." Life is heavy; it can be difficult to push through all the bad times. In the chorus, she describes how we all handle these chaotic life moments, growing older, and new beginnings by just "navigating" through them. We do not know what will happen next, but we keep going forward. She delivers this incredibly relatable sentiment through infectious melodies and vibrant pop sounds. Bre Kennedy, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, cites Fleetwood Mac, Brandi Carlisle, and Bonnie Raitt as a few of her major influences. Her songs tend to center around life's messy moments and the human experience, and her latest single is no exception. Kennedy released her stunning debut album, "Note to Self," in October 2021, which is full of her timeless storytelling lyrics, pop sensibilities, and raspy vocals. She truly was able to develop her sound in Nashville and has performed in several venues there, standing out as one of the city's non-Country singers with a vibrant, organic pop sound. I am excited to see how much further Kennedy's career will go, and I look forward to her next album. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW BRE KENNEDY:

" Miss You So " by NinetyNine is a song about a heartbreak following a breakup. He's lonely and desires to reunite with the person he once considered his forever love, but it appears unlikely despite his persistent efforts. He attempts to fix his mistakes and earn another chance, but it doesn't go according to his plan. Accepting his defeat and the fact that his ex does not desire reconciliation is challenging for him. This song reveals his emotions and the immense difficulty he faced in coping with the situation. In the intro, he immediately starts singing about being broken from a breakup. He describes the feeling as uncontrollable bleeding, suggesting that the breakup has deeply affected him, causing constant pain and suffering. It's difficult for him to cope with the situation. However, he does hint at attempting to move on with the line, " You'll be you, and I'll be me ." There's a sense of losing control and making mistakes, which can potentially ruin the relationship: “ I lose control. You lose it all when you trip and fall, fall in love." He expresses a vow to his ex-girlfriend, promising to never leave her and admitting his mistakes by saying, " I wanna tell you I was wrong. I'll never leave ." His love for this person was so strong that looking at them felt like a dream, but the breakup is the harsh reality that feels like a living nightmare to him: “ You’re looking at me and it feels just like a dream. But this is not a dream, it’s a nightmare .” The title of the song and this next verse mentions that he misses his ex dearly and desires for a phone call from her. He wants to communicate and have another chance to fix what's broken: “ I keep hoping you call me back tomorrow. Just got to let you know I miss, I miss you so. All these moments I try to fix what's broken .” The emotions between them differ greatly; he mentions feeling intoxicated while his ex is portrayed as “ lost in translation ”, possibly indicating confusion or a need for better communication from him. These next lines, " You lock me up and tossed the keys " implies feeling trapped and unable to escape the emotional hold his ex has on him. Along with this, he then mentions his soul being wrapped by her and asks if he can have it back, but expresses being put in a cage and abandoned: “ I’m asking could I get it back please. But you put me in a cage and you left me. ” Dealing with this breakup, he feels stuck with overwhelming emotions. He takes the breakup hard and believes she's the only one who can alleviate his loneliness, pain and emotional turmoil. Despite his ex's clear refusal and disinterest in giving him another chance and getting back together, he continues to express how much he misses her and wants her back. He acknowledges the realization that nothing can be changed or fixed and resolves to focusing on himself as they go their separate ways at the end of the song saying, " I'll be me, you'll be you ," while still continuing to miss her and their relationship. NinetyNine is an artist, songwriter and producer from Hamburg, Germany. His stage name, “NinetyNine”, draws inspiration from his height of 1,99 meters and his birth year of 1999. Growing up in a musical family, he developed a passion for music early on, playing seven instruments and writing songs from a young age. At the age of 17, he embarked on his debut album, collaborating with the producer and two-time ECHO-Award winner, Henrik Menzel. At the age of 19, NinetyNine secured a songwriting contract with BMG Publishing Germany, leading him to write and produce songs for other artists. The first single of his is called " Only a Movie ", which was released just 3 months ago! It’s an 80's new-wave inspired pop-song about a romance that is only playing in his head like a 90's movie. It's the first single of his upcoming EP " Just a Taste ", hinting that it's just a taste of what's yet to come! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW NINETYNINE:

San Joseph’s latest single gives the audience an insight on the inner workings of his mind while highlighting his unique songwriting talent. “Tom Cruise” details the aftermath of a toxic relationship and the difficulties that can come with it. When this type of relationship ends, it is hard to avoid the triggers and hurdles that can cause you to return to this unhealthy relationship. San Joseph illustrates his own experience with this situation, and his attempt to try to navigate these obstacles. In the chorus, he reveals the clever hook: “Tripwire, tripwire// One wrong move and I fall back into you// And I fall back into you, yeah// Tripwire, trip// But I'm no Tom Cruise, so I fall back into you.” Unlike the song’s classic movie star’s namesake, San Joseph is unable to land these outrageous stunts. He is trying to avoid the lasers and defuse the bombs, but he ends up setting off the alarms and cutting the wrong wire. This toxic relationship is easy to fall back into, and San Joseph admits that avoiding this is “a mission impossible.” The metaphor used throughout the track is a brilliant use of imagery by utilizing familiar pop culture references to expose this unhealthy relationship. “Tom Cruise” combines inspiration from late 90’s pop music and San Joseph’s individualistic sound to create an unforgettable alt-pop track. The song kicks off with his muffled vocals singing the lyrics, “fall back into you.” These vocals reverberate as the melody and the beat make their entrance. San Joseph’s soothing voice guides the listener through the song. Halfway through the verse, the subtle bass and synth beat are added, before the high energy chorus takes off with the full production. The production throughout the song remains a steady structure that exemplifies his innate ability to perfectly balance the production and the vocals. The catchy melody paired with the unique storyline makes for an unforgettable track that is meant to be played on repeat. The corresponding music video brings the action movie references to life. San Joseph is seen throughout wearing a classic secret agent suit, while undergoing different action movie scenes, such as a money vault, a hallway full of lasers, and freefalling out of an airplane. All these scenes are done with San Joseph in front of a green screen that plays these different scenes. This is meant to be comedic and draw attention to the notion that he is not Tom Cruise, as the movie star is known to do his own live stunts. At the end of the video, San Joseph is seen breaking character by laughing and walking away from the green screen. Then, with his laughing heard in the background, a text appears that reads: “Joseph broke character and couldn’t finish the take. Turns out he really is no Tom Cruise.” Whether this was staged or not, this was a clever way to end the video and make it lighthearted and fun for the audience. It showcases San Joseph’s fun-loving character while still representing the cheeky metaphor. With his outstanding talent and relatable personality on display, “Tom Cruise” deserves to be San Joseph’s breakout single that leads him to the superstardom he deserves. San Joseph is an alt-pop singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. He made his debut in 2021 with his single, “Blink Twice.” The track has over half a million streams on Spotify alone. Later that year, he released an acoustic version of the track that garnered additional streams. “Tom Cruise” marks his fifth single overall and his second single of 2023. Currently, he is working on his debut EP which is set for a possible release later this year. San Joseph’s music blends multiple genres, such as alternative, indie, retro pop, modern pop, and pop-punk, to create a sound that is uniquely his own. His influences stem from modern artists such as Finneas and Dominic Fike and legendary bands such as the Eagles. He continues to write and release music that sticks with listeners and represent who he is as an artist. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW SAN JOSEPH:

Seeing an ex “dating around“ can be gut wrenching, the type of all-consuming rage that makes your throat close. HALLIE’s new single, “Choke”, delivers a powerful ode to someone special, professing her commitment and love for this person. Featuring an electronic spin to a classic-sounding pop song, she says “I’ll drink it down until it makes me sick” and “I’d rather choke than find you out with somebody new”, summarizing her strong loyalty for this relationship. I think many can relate to putting faith in someone, and the song helps highlight how, in return, it’s natural to crave devotion back. Beginning with retro-sounding piano, fast guitar plucking, and higher vocal ad libs, there’s a captivating yet familiar quality to the music. Reminiscent of budding teenage romance (similar to Camp Rock), there’s an immediate energetic and youthful tone that keeps you invested in the storyline. Hallie transitions into her falsetto with the line “Maybe I lost my mind”, giving a sense of longing and contemplation that underscores the whole track. The song’s main hook introduces digitally-toned vocals, helping to distinguish the section and, in my personal opinion, making the Chorus even catchier. I really appreciate the creativity and detail given to the main break, featuring cool, punk guitar solos, vocal lines that jump in and out, hard drum slaps, and my favorite, the inhale and cough accents. It’s difficult pinpointing exactly why but the song’s brightness, crafty melody, and electronic elements keep you anticipating—setting it apart from other punk music I’ve heard! Songwriter, producer, and all-around musician, HALLIE, released her first EP “Hallie: Born For This” in 2022, etsablishing herself within the punk-rock music scene, cranking out modern anthems of self-confidence and personal power. Using grungey, punk-rock production combined with refreshing elements of pop and electronic music, it’s no shock her music has reached thousands of listeners on Spotify and has been featured on the well-known reality shows, Queer Eye and Love Island. From the ghostly “Fangs” to the groovy “Supernatural”, her music captures subtle religious themes, combining an early 2010s energy of Avril Lavigne with the heavy, experimental energy of artists, like Ruelle. I appreciate that she’s unafraid to own her power, something I’m certain will help people own theirs! This morning, I was listening to her song “Born Like This” on my drive to work and immediately felt more motivated. Can’t wait to hear more music from her! Written By: Conner Pettit FOLLOW HALLIE:

Hollis releases debut single, “Imperial High,” about falling back in love with life through an otherworldly romance. In life, we are always chasing what makes us high. Whether it’s success, fame, or most commonly, love, finding it gives you an indescribable sensation of resurrection into a person you only dreamed you could be. We have scars from past loves that heed caution when putting your heart on the line again, but sometimes the risk is worth every bit of the reward, tenfold. We’re all searching for the connection that transcends any movie or storybook, and when it’s finally in your grasp, every day feels like euphoria. Some people really aren’t too good to be true, so when you give your heart to someone who makes you grateful to be alive, chase that feeling. Throw fear out the window, and let yourself free fall into the ecstasy where you have to pinch yourself only to realize you’re not dreaming. “Imperial High” is a shimmering song that explores the feeling of coming alive through an epic love. The song takes listeners on a journey of hope, excitement, and passion that comes with a magnetic connection. Steeped in chunky, driving instrumentals and ambience pads, “Imperial High” leaves an open soundscape for people to fall deep into. This song was created 30,000 feet about the ground as Hollis hummed and furiously scribbled on a plane. Something was in the air, and it was inspiration and sheer talent. Hollis immersed herself into “Imperial High” and you can feel the emotions and intimacy in the final product. There’s some feelings of bliss that are hard to put into words, but Hollis does it immaculately with her first single. Hollis Long is a 24-year-old indie rock singer/songwriter, known musically by her first name, Hollis. Her music is a blend of classic pop melodies, alternative rock sounds, and introspective lyrics that capture the complexities of coming of age and the human experience as a whole. Hollis is both imaginative and expressive in her craft, showcasing her unique perspective on the world at such a young age. Known for her upbeat energy, driving guitar riffs, and thought-provoking lyrics, her music evokes profound emotions in anyone who hits play. “Imperial High” is Hollis’ debut single, and she’s just getting started with more releases lined up for the summer that showcase her raw talent and astute take on the world! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW HOLLIS:

As someone who also loves sad girl pop songs, I am blown away by your new single “dancing in the shadows”!! Can you tell us more about the story which inspired you to write this new track? Katie J: Thank you so much, I'm so happy you liked the song! I wrote this last fall and it kind of just poured out of me. I was getting ready to go into the studio and record some new tracks, and while I sat at my piano trying to decide which songs to bring in 'dancing in the shadows' came out of me - and I was like yup, this is it. It's based on a breakup I was healing from in the summer of last year. It was one of those situations where I knew I was ready to move on from the relationship but for some reason the grief of it all was still sticking with me. It's just crazy how someone can be a huge part of your life for years and then suddenly vanish as if you never knew each other at all. When did you first start performing and writing your own music? Katie J: I first began performing through musical theatre and singing the National Anthem around my hometown area when I was 9 years old. Writing came to me in middle school and grew into a huge part of my life in high school and college. It was always my outlet to cope with my emotions (heartbreak especially lol). However, I didn't start performing my original music until last year when I moved to Nashville! *Insert YouTube Video* What do you think is the hardest part of being a songwriter? Do you have any tips or rituals that help you with the process? Katie J: I think the hardest part is trying to stay present and not force things out of you when you're just not feeling inspired. Writing comes from the soul and our hearts, and it's important to me that I don't try to force myself to write something just for the sake of writing! I want to make sure it's coming from the most authentic place, because that's when I always create the best work. A tip I suggest is to just really get in touch with yourself and how you're feeling before you sit down to write. I will pull out my phone and start writing lyrics while I'm on walks, sitting at the park, in my car etc. Learning about myself first through spending time alone, meditating, journaling, is really how I've cultivated the creative spark within me. Nashville is one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited, I’m so jealous you moved there in the last few years! What has been your favorite part about living in the city? And any spots you recommend visiting when I go back next? Katie J: Nashville is such an amazing city! There's so many places to visit. I definitely recommend spending some time in Centennial Park - people watching and just hanging on a blanket in the sun are my favorite things to do there! East Nashville also has some awesome spots - Rosemary and Beauty Queen is a chill bar that I love. I'm from upstate New York so Italian food is very important to me (it was difficult to find at first in Nashville) BUT I love this little spot called Caffe Nonna in Sylvan Park. Definitely check it out!!! If you could collaborate with another artist on a record, who would you pick and why? Katie J: This is such a fun question! I absolutely love Noah Cyrus. Her lyrics and musical influences have inspired me so much while I've been cultivating my sound. I relate so deeply to the emotion she shows in each of her songs. It would be a dream to collaborate with her some day! After hearing this new song and it being the first of a four-song project, I’m so excited to hear the others! Can you give any hints of what we can expect from those other releases? Katie J: Thank you, I'm so excited to share the rest as well! Each track is piano based, and tells the story of an experience with love that I've had to process and move through. One song is definitely a wish for the future, while the rest tell stories of my past. I am hoping these songs reach other people like me who have had to find peace in heartbreak. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW KATIE J:

You know how when you're watching a rom-com movie and a happy, euphoric song begins to play when the main character notices their love interest for the first time? They get stuck in a daydream where everyone else in the room disappears expect for the beautiful person they've just locked eyes with, and this magical music takes over the roaring voices of the party. Is there a song that reminds you of your love? Where every time you think of that person, that song begins to play inside your head? "Feel Like" by Leah Marlene is the epitome of scenarios like these; where someone just makes you feel so good that happy little tunes begin to play in your mind every time you think about them. Sometimes music is the only way we can describe what we're feeling when words just aren't good enough. That's what "Feel Like" is all about. "Feel Like" is a feel-good song that is perfect for the Summertime. The soundscape is pop but with hints of classic rock and just a bit of jazz, very reminiscent of Harry Styles' modern 70s vibes. With quirky guitar riffs and a very prominent bass beat, the music carries Leah's voice smoothly, giving you an experience that is other-worldly. Leah has a powerhouse voice that captivates you within the first few notes. In the chorus, Leah uses a soft and airy tune instead of words to describe her feelings towards someone. My personal favorite moment in this song is the bridge where the layers of harmonies are just so strong and beautiful that it makes you hold your breath. There's no doubt that you will fall in love with this song and have it on repeat in your Summer playlist. Leah Marlene is an artist who was born into the incredible life of music. Her dad was in a band, Honeymoon Suite, and she learned to play guitar at the young age of eight, having her first ever paying gig at the age of nine. After releasing several singles and two self-produced albums throughout her career, "The Space Between" and "Many Colors", as well as an EP, Leah went on to compete in American Idol's 2022 season and won third place. "Feel Like" is her first single release since participating on the show and is spending her time writing new music. There is hopes for a new album in the future! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW LEAH: