Search Results

I love the Latin X influence in Unstoppable, makes it an undeniably catchy song and one that's perfect to dance to. Can you tell us the inspiration behind this song? Abigail: I was stuck at home during covid and felt trapped so I made this song for anyone who just needed to get out. Hence the lyrics “I need to get away” and “been locked up in a cage, but now the door is open.” It is a song about letting go and just having fun which we all need. Out of your live performances, which would you say was your best, and what was it like? Abigail: My best performance was definitely at the Hobby center because I had room to dance around and get the audience moving as well. It was a huge stage, and when I got on the stage there were like 200 people. I just gave it my all and danced around the stage. I saw people videotaping and having fun and it just made me have fun. If you could collab with any artist in the world, who would you choose and why? Abigail: Melanie Martinez because I love her style of music and how creepy yet poppy it is. I love the sound effects she adds in her background sound effects and the lyrics she makes with the amazing messages hidden. What do you enjoy most about being an artist? Abigail: I enjoy making people smile and relate to what my music is about. This has been my passion since the age of 4 when I started music theater and I have just always loved to entertain. If you weren’t pursuing a music career, what would you be doing instead? Abigail: Acting, because I started off acting when I was 4 and then later started music on its own. What are your future plans for your musical journey? Abigail: I would love to grow a fan base and travel the world with my music and messages. I would love to inspire people and help them feel that they aren't alone. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW ABIGAIL:

The emotion you've captured in this song is tangible, stirring up the listener's own vivid summer memories. What is the story behind the song "Circles"? Allison: I wrote Circles during the summer of 2020 when the world felt very uncertain and we were not allowed outside of our houses except for essentials. At night I found comfort in skateboarding around my neighborhood just soaking up the night air and the freedom. Circles was born out of that feeling of finding comfort and a sense of normalcy during a very abnormal time. I see from your Insta that you play both the guitar and the piano - how did you learn to play these instruments? Allison: I took piano lessons as a child and was never a great piano student but the fundamentals stuck with me. I picked it back up a few years ago when I started writing songs of my own. My Mother bought me a guitar in college, I think she knew I needed a creative outlet between all my grueling regular classes and it opened up a whole new world for me of being able to sing and accompany myself. I'm very mediocre at both instruments but find a lot of joy in playing and trying to improve. How would you describe your songwriting process, what is it like? Allison: Most often my process starts with a feeling or an idea that I feel pulled to capture and put into song. The lyrics and melody usually start flowing simultaneously and I grab my phone and record voice memos and write the lyrics down in my notes app. After that initial burst of creativity, the work really begins. I feel like I'm oftentimes trying to refine and sift through ideas to discover what the song wants to be. If you weren't pursuing a music career, what would you see yourself doing instead? Allison: I have a lot of varied interests that pull me in lots of directions but music was my first love and has proven to be the most enduring one. I enjoy painting, videography, and have a Master's in science so probably something along those lines. Of the songs that you have released, which is your favorite, or holds the most meaning for you? You can only pick one! Allison: Oooh, that's a tough one! My song "For You" was written during a difficult and transitional phase of my life and holds a special place in my heart. The emotions are so personal to me that it still gives me chills when I listen to it sometimes. I had always pictured the production of it to have lots of vocal layers and an almost otherworldly sound and I think we achieved that which makes it very rewarding and magical for me as a songwriter. Who are some of your biggest musical influences or inspirations? Allison: I love The Lumineers for their raw storytelling and the folksy vibe of their music. I'm also endlessly inspired by Taylor Swift and her ability to reinvent her style and create magic on every album. Ingrid Michealson is another favorite and had a big influence on me when I first started playing guitar. Her songs feel very personal and feminine and are still some of my very favorite songs to listen to. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW ALLISON:

I was blown away by Poured Out - it resonates with me because of my interactions and experiences with a certain individual. What is the story behind this song, and what does it mean to you? Nilka Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to me that this song resonates with you. My husband is a paramedic and can handle an immense amount of stress - more than the average person- and he thrives in it. This song was inspired by a time when he was working full time (48 hours a week) and taking a hard college course online to complete his Bachelor's in Emergency Management, and the stress got to be so much that, without telling me how overwhelmed he was, he stopped submitting any work for the class until he failed it and went into his own self-shaming bubble which translated to constant anger and judgment towards his surroundings. It was so unlike him but he didn't know how else to communicate his shame and feelings because he rarely would get that stressed out. Since then I have learned to watch for the signs when he is getting overwhelmed and we try to take preventative actions so he knows he is never alone in his stress, but what I learned from that experience was just how human my husband is. It's easy to think we know a person when we are with them long enough but the truth is that we don't know 100% what is going on in their mind especially if they are good at pretending they are okay. I wrote this song to be a reminder of how deep sacrificial love goes. It doesn't give up on anyone. How has being a Florida native influenced you and your music? Nilka: After living in Tennessee for 8 years, I didn’t know how much I would miss seeing the palm trees and the beaches of my home state. While everyone knows the sunny Florida beaches to be a prime vacation destination (and I do love the Gulf coast), I’ve always felt drawn to the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the marshes. Those have influenced my branding and my music to some degree. My music has been more influenced by growing up listening to my mom’s Motown music and the salsa music playing at my dad’s house. Your website indicates that you started creating songs at the age of 9, and learned how to play guitar five years later. How has your relationship with music and this journey influenced your worldview? Nilka: Music and songwriting have always been my way of communicating my experiences and emotions when I felt like there was no other way to share them. I think art and creativity are so much deeper than showing off a talent; they are the outlet we need to better cope with the ups and downs life throws at us and they are a gift for everyone, not just those who are “good at it.” In a world full of so much tension and fear of the unknown or loss of control, I think music and art, in general, could teach us to be more empathetic because of the deep connection through emotion and relatability, therefore, less self-centered or narcissistic. I hope music could be as therapeutic for the rest of the world as it has been for me. When did you realize you wanted to be an artist? Nilka: I grew up always knowing I would be a songwriter but it wasn’t until my senior year of college that I realized that my writing is so influenced by my perspective and voice, the songs felt less authentic performed by someone who didn’t write them. I know my voice has its limitations and I have so much room to grow in my writing but I always want to share my truth in my writing and my voice plays a major role in sharing that. If you could collab with any artist in the world, who would you choose and why? Nilka: Labrinth! I’ve always loved his eclectic style and unapologetic lyrics. He says what he feels and his melodies are so unique. I would love to see what we could come up with together. Being where you are now if you could talk to your younger self, what advice would you give her? Nilka: If I could talk to my younger self I would tell her that her voice matters and not to let her doubts or other people’s opinions hold her back from what she wants to accomplish because it only slows her down. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW NILKA:

Açai is so catchy and fun! Can you tell us more about the inspiration for the song? Lily: Thank you! Açai was inspired by a crush I had. We went on a few dates and it was so promising but it went nowhere. No one did anything wrong and so for the first time I felt a bit bitter but not angry and I wanted to write a song that celebrated the experience of enjoying the fantasy, the hope, and even the failure of it all but I wanted to keep it light-hearted. The fruit Açai has a bittersweet flavour (in my opinion) so I thought it perfectly encapsulated the vibe of the song and made the perfect title. You were raised in New Jersey but were born to parents from Brazil, your dad is from a rural town and your mom is from Vilha Velha. How do you feel this has influenced the way you approach music? Lily: It influenced me a lot! I grew up with my parents putting on parties and events for our Brazilian community in New Jersey and oftentimes they had me and my sister (she plays bass and we had a band) go up and play but we played pop punk and I always felt awful interrupting the dancing and fun for some unwanted rock n roll. My wheels started turning on how I could fuse my style with the gorgeous fun sounds from Brazilian music. I always loved all of it, samba, axé, bossanova, funk carioca, forro, but I was also growing up wanting to be Avril Lavigne so it took several years to find this sound that blends all parts of me. What is the earliest memory you have of wanting to become a musician? Lily: My earliest memory of wanting to become a musician was when I was 7. I was at a bbq with my family and a guy had a guitar and started playing and everyone surrounded him in a circle singing along. I thought it was so beautiful and so I asked for a guitar for Christmas that year and started playing. Which of your own songs, other than Açai, is your favorite? Lily: This is such a hard question because they are my babies! I would say for dancing Jabuticaba or Bomba but my favorite songwriting is Roses. Which qualities do you think make someone a great musician? Lily: I think a lot of people have an illusion that musicians are all born with talent but most of us are not. I think a great musician is someone who never thinks they're good enough and always wants to grow and get better. What is the best advice you've ever been given? Lily: My favorite piece of advice I give and follow every day is that it's better to half-ass something than to not do it at all. There's that popular saying "do it right or don't do it at all" and I wholeheartedly disagree. Life is too short and who defines "getting it right" . We're human, we grow and we can only do better the next time if we did it this time. I think perfectionism is an excuse to quit from fear of failing. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW LILY:

I absolutely love "Playing with Fire"! Can you talk more about the inspiration behind the song? Alex: Thank you so much, I'm so excited about it! The song is about holding on to a past lover when they've already moved on, just so you can keep the good parts a little longer, even though it's painful. I was going through a breakup with a guy and we stupidly agreed to be friends. He moved on really quickly and that was hard to watch, so I prossessed my emotions the only way I know how; I wrote about it. What is the best part of songwriting for you? Alex: I live for the storytelling, I want to paint a picture and tell a full story with every song. The older I get the more I realise that the human experience is pretty homogenous. Despite sharing so many of the same experiences we somehow manage to feel alone in the hardships we go through. I want to write songs that make people feel like someone has lived through what they're going through, and that they're going to be ok. Your first single, "Gone (are the days)" came out back in September. What has the response to that song been like? Alex: The response has been really good! I'm a very new and small artist and don't have the biggest reach yet, but the people I did reach really seemed to love it! People still reach out to tell me they loved the vibe and the message and it brings me to tears every time. What advice would you give to listeners who are caught up in difficult relationships like the ones described in your songs? Alex: Personally I think we hold on to those types of relationships when we don't get closure, and we fault the other person for not giving it to us. Ask yourself what the lesson is. Difficult relationships in my experience - whether it is friends, lovers or family - inspire growth. Every challenging experince comes with a lesson, and through them all it's been up to me to decide if I'm ready to learn that lesson. I think that's when you get closure, when you've learned and grown from it. What kind of music did you listen to growing up and how has it inspired your work? Alex: I was a true y2k-kid, and my mp3 player was loaded with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child and Black Eyed Peas. I think I lived on the cusp between pop and hip-hop and really appreciated a good beat. These days I still reference back to my y2k-playlist in the studio when I'm looking for a specific sound or vibe, and still value a good production. When did you first know you wanted to be a musician? Alex: This makes me giggle, cause I can clearly remember announcing to my mom that I would be the next Britney Spears when I was about five years old. Music has been a big part of how I define myself from a really young age, but I don't think I realised that I wanted to do it professionally untill I was in high school. Since then it's been a really bumpy and challenging road, but I'm commited to it now, and will ride out this wave as far as it takes me. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW ALEX:

What life experiences inspired you to write "Like You"? NEZZY: I was on holiday in Corsica and I listened to some US rock bands while chilling on the beach, artists like Blink-182. When I got back to the studio, I tried to create strong guitar gimmicks and Like You came to light thanks to this more "pop-rock" mood than I usually have. If "Like You" had a music video, what would you want it to look like? NEZZY: That would probably be a video based on fans' footage, where people would show some of the coolest actions - activities they like sharing with their friends. Because the song says it all: "nobody does it like you". By the way, a lyrics video is now available on my Youtube channel. I saw on your YouTube channel that you have a home studio with a lot of instruments. If you could only play one instrument for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? NEZZY: I’m very familiar with my piano but I’d choose my guitar for sure because this instrument is more in phase with my state of mind, probably more charming, too... What is your best memory of performing live? NEZZY: I’ve got two in mind. First would be performing Green Fest post-summer in Avignon because it was my biggest crowd ever, it was amazing and I felt a lot of deep emotions when I dropped my songs in front of these thousands of party people. I also can mention my French tour with Trinix, we were on the road together during two weeks so when it was the last show, in our hometown of Lyon, we were totally overwhelmed by emotions. For me, it was such a special moment to share 100% of my own music LIVE in front of hundreds of fans, including my close family and childhood friends. I read in your Spotify bio that you're from France! How do you feel the music scene in or near Lyon has influenced your personal taste in music? NEZZY: French scene has always influenced me because our artists have been so talented in terms of electronic music. I was born with Daft Punk in my ears, since I’ve listened to music, French electronic artists have always been part of my culture and then I was also blown away by the international success of these new artists like Petit Biscuit, Kungs, and Madeon, who literally exploded while they were young, so I’ve tried to follow their path… If you could tour with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be? NEZZY: It's a very hard question so I'm gonna share my top five with you: DJ Snake San Holo Daft Punk Michael Jackson Billie Eilish Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW NEZZY:

The lyrics of "Solo" are so inspiring and relatable. What was your favorite aspect of writing this song? Fran: Thank you! I think my favourite aspect was writing the line “I think I’ll just keep feeling golden” - it just felt like a really good fit but almost TOO good to the point when I looked it up to make sure I wasn’t stealing it from anyone haha. Overall it’s just made me feel really good to write a song that keeps me uplifted and can do the same for other people too. What advice would you have for your listeners who may be struggling to find their "solo" identities? Fran: Take yourself out on dates. It doesn’t have to be expensive if you don’t have much money to work with, but just make sure to make time for yourself to do fun things. Take yourself on nice walks, out for coffee, on days out to beautiful places. Don’t wait to be in a relationship to do everything you’ve wanted and give yourself the love you’ve been waiting for right now. "Solo" is the first single from your new EP "Conversations with Ground." What can listeners expect from this upcoming release? Fran: I would say to expect the unexpected. I’ve really pushed myself in terms of production and also the topics I’m covering in this EP. It lays out a journey from being in an abusive relationship, the anger and helplessness in the aftermath of that, followed by the desire for revenge and finally the growing into an acceptance and joy that is reflected in Solo. I saw on your YouTube channel that you have posted a lot of covers over the years. Who is your biggest musical inspiration? Fran: Although I haven’t actually done any covers of her work, I’d have to say Regina Spektor. I love her willingness to tell stories in so many different ways and to be so honest in her lyrics - the way sometimes she’ll lay it all out for you plain as day and leave it mysterious at others. She’s such a unique and wonderful artist. When did you know you wanted to be an artist? Fran: It’s hard to truly pin it down but I have always adored singing, even before I was any good at it. I started writing songs in my early teens (not particularly successfully) but knew that I wanted to do it. It just took me a while to have the courage! If you could talk to your younger self, what would you tell her? Fran: I would tell her to sleep more! And to put herself first. We all deserve to be taken care of beautifully, especially by ourselves. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW FRAN:

The lyrics of "Chlorine" are so beautiful and relatable. What served as the inspiration behind this song? Ella: Thank you! This song was inspired by the frustration of moving on from someone who was clearly bad for you, thus the metaphor of liking the smell of chlorine. It's a smell that is nostalgic and reminds you of fun parts of your life, but at the end of the day, it’s toxic. I feel like that is applicable to so many friendships and relationships because we find ourselves so caught up in the fun times we have with someone that we are willing to neglect each red flag and accept every apology. If "Chlorine" could be added to the soundtrack of any movie, what movie would you choose and why? Ella: I love this question! It’s hard to pick just one, but one of my favorite movies is The Breakfast Club, and I feel like the coming-of-age vibes match some of the themes in Chlorine. A lot of its feelings are relevant to the high school experiences we get from cliques and toxic people. What do you want listeners to take away from "Chlorine"? Ella: I hope that listeners can relate to it and feel seen. One of my biggest goals in the song was to tie together all of the negative feelings with a slight twinge of relief from leaving a toxic person, so I hope this song captures that for them. If you could spend a day with one celebrity, who would it be, and what would you want to do with them? Ella: There are so many people that come to mind, but I’d love to spend a day with Joni Mitchell just talking about music. I mean, she is one of the most successful female songwriters in history and is a huge inspiration to me. When you're not working on music, what do you like to do? Ella: When I’m not working on my own stuff, I love listening to music and going to concerts. But aside from that, another creative outlet of mine is clothes! I work at a boutique on weekends and I love going thrifting with friends and building my outfits every morning. I see personal style as an opportunity to show your personality to a stranger, which I think is a cool opportunity. What can we expect from you in 2023? Ella: I have some things in the works for 2023 that I’m excited to share. I’m hoping to have a few singles and an EP out soon, so stick around if you like Chlorine! Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW ELLA:

This song is so relaxing to listen to. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind it? Reina: Embracing independence and finding the confidence to live one's life can be tough for young women, particularly those of my age. Friendships and relationships that do not support your individual growth can be really hard on you. The song expresses an empowering message of moving fast, having self-confidence, and never looking back. It's also about letting go of those who doubt us, so we can move forward. You're a big musical theatre lover! What is your favorite musical and why? Reina: I love Hadestown. I just admire the storytelling, the underlying message, and the music so much. It’s such an amazing show, and the cast album is always on repeat for me. What has been one of your favorite moments of performing in a musical? Reina: It has to be the end of the opening number on opening night. It’s such a surreal feeling to finally be performing the show in front of an audience and I love it so much! How do you feel that the music you're working on now has been inspired by your performance background? Reina: I feel like I’ve gained a lot of insight by portraying different characters. I always learn a lot when I’m in a show and learn different perspectives on different topics. I think this has impacted my music because I’ve been able to convey things I may have never experienced. What is your favorite part of the songwriting process? Reina: My favorite part of the songwriting process has to be the end result when you know that everything is how you want it and perfect. What is the best advice you've ever received? Reina: The best advice I’ve ever received was that you can’t imitate another person’s success since a lot of the entertainment industry is based on luck as well. You have to find your own journey to “make it.” Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW REINA:

"Far From Home" is a great song! Can you explain what inspired you to write it? CIAN: Thanks so much, I appreciate it. At the moment of writing the song I was going through a tough breakup and was feeling pretty down. I felt lost and that's when I decided to grab a pen and express my feelings as best I could. It all started with the first line "Feeling cold and lost walking on my own." You were born in Bogota, Colombia, and grew up in Florida before moving back. How do you feel that growing up in both cultures affected your approach to music? CIAN: It has definitely made me more flexible in terms of making music. I can write a song in Spanish one day and another song in English the next so it's pretty cool. I get to express myself in two languages and reach two huge audiences which is something most artists never get the privilege of having. For you, what is the best part about creating music? CIAN: The feeling of getting lost in the moment. It's amazing. I don't know if words can describe it but when you're making music nothing else matters. Its really something and I hope I get to do it the rest of my life. I love the music video for this track! What is a fun, behind-the-scenes moment you can share with us? CIAN: Thanks! I have a crazy behind-the-scenes story. We recorded the video on a railroad and there weren't supposed to be any trains going through that morning. WELL.... As it turns out there were. We had a big cart on the track with all the cameras and everything and were shooting when all of a sudden out of the darkness this huge train started heading our way. Some people started running while me and others started lifting the cart to get it out of the track ... it was very very heavy .. Everyone was screaming .. pure chaos. In the end between eight of us we managed to pull it aside at the last moment before the train passed by horns full blast. Crazy. What would you like your fans to take away from your work? CIAN: That I give 100% of myself in my work. I write my songs, produce, record vocals .. and do pretty much everything else. I dont have a manager, label, record company, PR, promoter, Creative Director, community manager etc. What is the best advice you've ever received? CIAN: This too shall pass. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW CIAN:

Some interactions have overflowing chemistry. Baby Pink’s new single, “Take Notice” is an alluring hip-hop and pop tune, featuring romantic tension and rising energy. The song transports audiences to a dance floor, where they can visualize a blooming relationship. Together the captivating lyricism and groovy beat create an infectious listening experience, evoking endless hip swaying and head-bopping. For instance, the lines “And we keep dancing round these funny games we play” and “You’re still frontin’ like I’m not up in your sights” illustrate a playful connection between a pair with undeniable heat. “Take Notice” is the perfect song to blast at a club or party to draw people to the dance floor and get them moving. Baby Pink’s hypnotic vocals, along with the songs energetic instrumentation make “Take Notice” an immediate hit. “Take Notice” opens with vibrant percussion and vivacious synth noise. Baby Pink’s alluring and crisp vocals add to the song’s mesmerizing nature. The single’s upbeat chorus features her wide vocal range, hitting beautiful high-pitched notes. The utilization of intricate vocal layering showcases enchanting harmonies and interesting notes scattered underneath the main track. Baby Pink’s subtle rasp and soulful voice separate her from other pop and hip-hop artists of the moment. The single’s flirtatious lyrics, charismatic beat and honest lyricism make it an iconic bop. Luckily for fans, “Take Notice” is only the second single off Baby Pink’s upcoming EP, “Crocodile”. Based in East London, Baby Pink is an alternative R&B singer-songwriter with Hip Hop influence. Her 2018 debut single, “Timing” is an enchanting tune, featuring her angelic vocals and ability to hit ethereal, soprano notes. Since then, her discography has grown exponentially, with hits like “Heartless”, “Milk and Sugar”, “Unbothered” and “Reckless” which has amassed over 37k streams on Spotify alone. Baby Pink partnered with Hurricane, a talented music composer from Luton Town, to create their 2021 single “Peace of Mind”. Likewise, she collaborated with Kieran, a London-based artist, to create their 2023 single, “Crocodile” which is a vibey R&B tune featuring hypnotizing vocal runs from both singers. In fact, both Baby Pink and Kieran are featured in the “Crocodile” official music video which premiered on January 31st, 2023. The video showcases film style videography, beautiful colorization and stunning natural light which makes for an aesthetically pleasing and vintage-like viewing experience. Her eclectic style and talented musical abilities secure Baby Pink as a rising star in the R&B genre. You can see Baby Pink perform live at her launch for her second EP, “Crocodile” at the Colour Factory in London on February 23rd. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW BABY PINK:

One’s early 20’s are often a time of self-discovery and immense confusion. Margo eloquently captures the feeling of being lost in space in her new single, “Astronaut”. The artist’s beautifully crafted lyricism provides a sense of relatability to listeners with verses such as, “I’m stuck in isolation, I have no destination”. Living through Covid-19 offered a time of seclusion and left many feeling light years away from their desires and dreams. Margo reminds audiences that they're not alone in this constant search for a fulfilled future and that each person is on their own, introspective journey through life. Margo’s angelic vocals and haunting instrumentation make “Astronaut” an indie-pop anthem that presents themes of escapism and bliss. A groovy drum beat and mystical synth audio signals, introduce the otherworldly vibe of “Astronaut”. The single’s dreamy chorus features Margo’s crisp, soprano voice contrasted by deep bass lines. Harmonious vocal layering and ethereal runs help add to the song’s hypnotic nature. Margo is able to provide airy vocalization while simultaneously maintaining a strong, powerful volume. The single has already reached 1.2k streams on Spotify alone. “Astronaut” is Margo’s first professionally produced music video and has performed exceptionally well, with 8.4k views on YouTube since its release on November 26th. The video features cinematic videography, with diverse camera angles and immersive video motion. The music video’s beautifully crafted set showcases a moon landscape that transports viewers to outer space. The use of smoke, lighting flares and video distortion illustrate a sense of magic and establish an unearthly vibe. Based in Cologne, Germany, Margo is a 22-year-old indie-pop artist. Her 2022 debut single, “Pink Vision” has garnered over 5.4k streams on Spotify and the song’s accompanying music video has received 5.3k views on YouTube. Margo has a deep love for songwriting and playing the piano. She draws inspiration from 70’s legends like Stevie Wonder and David Bowie. She is further influenced by modern musicians, such as Arlo Parks and Alice Phoebe Lou. The singer’s TikTok account is a platform where fans can discover her song covers, personal style and fun personality. Margo has accumulated over 1k monthly listeners on Spotify and frequently performs live at local music venues and bars. In fact, tickets are available now for her upcoming concert at Blue Shell in Cologne on December 20th. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW MARGO: