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Kelsey Kindall has a powerful voice, and even more powerful lyrics in her newest single, "Do Not Disturb". Her latest release is an empowering pop anthem, sure to evoke some strong feelings, with lyrics like “I found my peace and then my power” and "I want the same for you, but you're a coward". Kelsey wrote "Do Not Disturb" for herself and for others in similar situations. This song captures the journey of Kelsey discovering her own voice, and she hopes others can do the same. Kelsey opens up in her newest single by sharing how she's sick of getting hurt and as a result is blocking out the world. Her song “Do Not Disturb” tells the truth of overcoming hardship and speaking up. The track lays it all out on the line with a catchy baseline to follow. You can't help but feel empowered after hearing Kelsey sing, "Finally found my own voice". Kelsey is a 26-year-old musical artist based in San Francisco, CA. She uses her music as a way to share her story, and inspire others. In 2020, Kelsey released her first single and EP named “Couldn't Be Bothered”. The upcoming artist now adds “Do Not Disturb" to her impressive list of releases. Kelsey demonstrates her talent as a singer and songwriter throughout her music. This artist is not afraid to open up about heavy hard-hitting topics that may be difficult for others to talk about. Currently, Kelsey has over 3,000 monthly listens on Spotify. Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW KELSEY KINDALL:

Artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer ICEBERG is someone to keep on your radar. Her newest single, “Can't Forgive Me” shows off her many skills in these areas. ICEBERG is a heavy hitter artist for those that listen. Her vocals and thoughtful lyrics are bringing life to her distinctive style of music and “Can’t Forgive Me” is no exception. ICEBERG's latest single starts out In an engaging and powerful way that highlights her unique vocals and emotional perspective. After hitting play, the track quickly fills with amplified vocals and a symphony of instruments. "Can't Forgive Me” is one of those songs that once you listen to it, you can't stop. Music where you can feel the emotion pour out of every lyric, even if it is something unrelatable, is something this track does very well. “Can't Forgive Me” feels very personable, and at the same time something you can feel right alongside the artist. One of the best things about this song is the feeling and emotion behind every lyric. ICEBERG is not an artist who is afraid to put themselves out there. There are many different working parts coming together in perfect harmony throughout. Not to mention a stunning instrumental break around 2 minutes in. “Can’t Forgive Me” is a truly captivating song that is certainly one to get lost in. ICEBERG is an emerging artist with a unique Indie rock sound. Originating from Pennsylvania, the artist ICEBERG is making her way for all to hear her music. ICEBERG is not new to the music world as she has been producing and songwriting in London for the last four years. “Can’t Forgive Me” was released in August 2022. This is ICEBERG'S third and most recently released single, followed by "Swim" earlier in 2022, and "Noise" in 2021. ICEBERG has many talents as seen in her producing and songwriting abilities. This artist's unique and inspiring music with a sound like no other should make anyone excited to see what she does next. Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW ICEBERG:

“Pool” by Kiki Wera is perfect for summer and warm weather. The track starts with sounds of acoustic guitar and upbeat lyrics to capture the essence of being poolside. The track “Pool” tells a story that may be all too familiar to those who listen. With lyrics like “You only want to kiss by the pool when you're in the mood”, this song is all about exposing unsuccessful relationships with a hypnotic melody and super catchy lyrics to follow. Kiki Weras's storytelling ability through her music will leave you hanging on to every word. “Pool” is one of those songs you can't help but sing along with and just enjoy. After hitting play, you can expect to be taken away by Kiki’s strong and stunning vocals. Not only is the chorus to “Pool” rather catchy, but the track opens with high energy and remains that way to the end. One of the many highlights of this song is the thoughtful wordplay and honest relatability the artist uses to create a narrative of the past. The lyrics of "Pool" take you through a whole story, for two minutes, and ten seconds. Whether you're relaxing in the water, hanging out with friends, or driving around with the windows down, "Pool" fits the vibe. Kiki Wera is a promising up-and-coming Aussie artist who is making waves with her newest release “Pool”. Kiki sings, produces, and writes all of her own music. The pop artist grew up in Melbourne, but more recently studied contemporary music and songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston. The song “Pool” was released in August 2022. This is Kiki’s third and most recently released single, followed by “Stay Anywhere” and “All my Blue '' released in 2021. Kiki Wera’s music is being discovered on Spotify New Music Friday AU & NZ, along with Fresh Finds AU & NZ. "Pool" just might be your next summer anthem. Written By Jenna Barton Follow Kiki Wera:

Photo Credits: @photosbylindsayann "i wanna fall in love for the night," is the newly released single from singer-songwriter ellakate. ellakate expresses a passion for music, which becomes evident after listening to her newest single. "i wanna fall in love for the night," is an alternative pop ballad, about reaching for love, while afraid that it could also hurt you. Overall, the song really encapsulates the range of emotions that occur when falling in love. In doing so the song touches upon the sweetness of it, as well as the negative side affects that often arise as well. Whether describing the positive or negative feelings that arise from falling in love, both are done so with great passion from ellakate. Another story element of "i wanna fall in love for the night," is time and the harm time can cause to relationship. The complexity and range of emotions displayed in this song, makes it both an enjoyable and cathartic listen. Click Here to Listen to "I Wanna Fall In Love For The Night" The center piece of "i wanna fall in love for the night" is ellakate's voice. Her voice and lyrics do an excellent job at propelling both the story and melody forward in an effortless way. Her ability to emphasize certain lyrics of the song, gives the song a very complex and personal touch. It sounds as though only ellakate could sing the song is the exact moment it takes place. Her vocal range and variety is really put to use within "i wanna fall in love for the night," as it adds depth where the piano lacks. The song being structured as a piano ballad, generates strong emotions that listeners become easily receptive to. Both the simple piano melodies and harmonies, combined with her haunting and gentle voice, orchestrate a vivid picture. Through this vivid picture, listeners are able to pick up on the passion ellakate presents to "i wanna fall in love for the night." ellakate was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Now still based in Atlanta, ellakate works on singing and songwriting. Ever since she was a child ellakate displayed signs of passion for music. She often found herself creating music as well as performing it. This passion fostered itself as she grew older, leading her to write and perform music today. The songs she creates, go beyond personal experience, as they often venture into the imaginary. In this way ellakate shows she is a true artist with a knack for writing. Her haunting and bold sound paired with her skills as a writer, make ellakate a fresh talent within the alternative pop genre. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW ELLAKATE:

Photo Credits: Jacques Jay Loots Summer Nights is a song full of feeling alive and dancing, how do you want listeners to feel when listening to it? Lisa: I wish that people feel only pure bliss when listening to Summer Nights. You are a young, beautiful 17-year-old musician, what do you want your listeners to take away from your songs? Lisa: I do not wish for anything specific when people listen to my music, only that they enjoy themselves. Music has been a comforter for me my whole life and I hope to create songs that other people find comfort in as well. You’ve been open about your surgery to have a cancerous tumour removed from your thyroid, that must’ve been so scary. How did this time in your life affect your music? Lisa: I did make a conscious effort not to let my negative thoughts about the surgery affect the mood of my music too much, as I aimed for a more uplifting tone to represent my whole experience as a teenager and not just one aspect thereof. However, I always wanted to stay honest in my writing and channelled my feelings about the situation to create the song “Quicksand” which describes how I felt trapped during this time period, just waiting for the inevitable to happen. You are from South Africa, how does the culture there influence your sound? Lisa: My first album had more of an international pop sound however I am busy working on an Afrikaans project influenced heavily by local artists. Photo Credits: Jacaranda FM Why did you name your album “the eleventh hour”? Lisa: People often say they’ve done something on the “eleventh hour”, meaning the last minute. I didn’t have much time before undergoing an operation that had risks of damaging my vocal cords and wanted to have done something with my music before then just in case something went wrong. Due to the nature of the situation the entire album was written, recorded and produced in the 6-week time period before my surgery and the album’s name came as a result thereof. Fortunately the operation was success and my first album won’t be my last. You must be so excited about the future, what are your plans? Lisa: I plan on finishing my matric year, as it is a very busy year I won’t be able to release as much content. I am however taking a gap year before going to university and hope to make lots of music then. Interviewed By Sophia Henry FOLLOW LISA:

photo cred: Billboard/Getty Images When someone mentions love songs, there are always a few that immediately come to mind. From classics like "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis to more modern hits like "Love On The Brain" by Rhianna, there are a plethora of popular love songs that people go to for their romantic moments. But what about the love songs we don't hear enough of? What about the love songs some people have never heard? There are so many beautiful, romantic songs that fly under our radars. Here are 10 love songs I believe deserve some extra limelight this Valentine's Day. 10. "Waiting" - Jake Bugg ft. Noah Cyrus "Waiting" by Jake Bugg and Noah Cyrus gives all the retro vibes, seeming to draw inspiration from 50s and 60s ballads. This song is a pleasant cocktail of blues, jazz, indie rock, and pop, featuring Jake Bugg and Noah Cyrus' sensual voices. The duo share romantic lyrics and deliver them with a softness that creates a tender atmosphere. The slow, rocking rhythm driving the song is perfect for slow dancing, a great choice for a romantic moment. Between Bugg and Cyrus' sultry vocals, their exquisite harmonies, and the lush music accompanying them, this song is criminally underrated and deserves a spot on anyone's Valentine's Day playlist. 9. "I Get To Love You" - Ruelle This song is one of the most romantic songs I've ever heard. "I Get To Love You" is a song Ruelle wrote as a surprise for her husband. The song was played for their first dance at their wedding and is an honest reflection of her feelings for him. "I Get To Love You" reflects the realization that Ruelle doesn't have to love her husband, she gets to. The song is beautiful and simple, consisting of Ruelle's soft voice, piano, and tender strings. Even if you aren't in love, this stunning song makes falling in love sound so tempting. 8. "When You Fall In Love" - Andrew Ripp Andrew Ripp captures the beauty of falling in love perfectly with his song, "When You Fall In Love." The song is full of sweet lyrics and optimistic melodies. It contains a simplistic beauty, featuring Ripp's lovely vocals, which are supported by piano and cello. The song highlights some of the sweetest feelings that come with being in love. Ripp sings, "You'll drive all night/Cause you don't wanna miss even one little kiss/And you couldn't sleep anyway," showcasing some of the cute little things people do when they fall in love. Between the lyrics and the way Ripp's voice soars singing the chorus, it's enough to make anyone's heart flutter. 7. "Yours" - Ella Henderson Ella Henderson gives us another soft, gentle ballad with "Yours." This song is featured on her debut album, Chapter One, and was co-written and produced by Josh Records. "Yours" expresses how Henderson is ready to be in a relationship with someone and is ready to accept the love being offered to her. Henderson's wispy, smokey vocals take us on a journey of learning to love. "Yours" is warm and comforting for anyone who is scared to let themselves fall in love. 6. "Put It All On Me" - Ed Sheeran ft. Ella Mai Not every love song has to be a ballad. "Put It All On Me" is a peppy, upbeat love anthem from Ed Sheeran and Ella Mai. This song isn't the first to come to mind when thinking about the love songs Ed Sheeran has created. If you were to ask someone which love songs they associate with Ed Sheeran, their responses would probably range from "Thinking Out Loud" to "Dive" to "Perfect." "Put It All On Me" deserves its time in the spotlight as one of Sheeran's best love songs; it sends a positive message about leaning on the person you love and being there for each other. This uplifting pop track is featured on the album, No. 6 Collaborations Project. It brilliantly combines Ed Sheeran's pop aesthetics with Ella Mai's R&B vocals. 5. "Dance With Me" - Phillip Phillips Phillip Phillips gives us another perfect song on this list to slow dance to with his song, "Dance With Me." This song is a beautiful pop ballad featured on Phillips' album, Collateral. Phillips' tender vocals are supported by a lush combination of strings, piano, guitar, and light percussion. The lyrics are full of sweet moments with Phillips expressing his love for his partner. With poetic lyrics like "I have seen a sunset in the western sky/Ain't nothin' like the brightness in your eyes," it's enough to make anyone swoon. 4. "Unbreakable" - Jamie Scott Jamie Scott's "Unbreakable" is cute little indie pop ditty. The lyrics of the song reflect a touching love story, where Scott sees the woman he's pining after go through a rough patch. He expresses his innermost desires to protect her and help her pick up the pieces. The lyrics are sweet as he confesses his love for her. "Unbreakable" is primarily indie pop, but with a hint of folk reminiscent of Mumford and Sons. The song features an acoustic guitar-led melody with Scott's earnest vocals. 3. "Strawberry Kisses" - Amber-Simone London-based singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Amber-Simone gives us the grooviest song on this list. "Strawberry Kisses" is an upbeat, synth-laden track. It features a stunning blend of disco, soul, and pop sounds. "Strawberry Kisses" was released as a single in 2018 and is a playful take on Amber-Simone's gooey feelings for a relationship she was in. With its funky sounds and light-hearted lyrics, "Strawberry Kisses" gives all the feel-good energy and is impossible not to dance along to. 2. "Hunger" - Ross Copperman Ross Copperman hits us in the alt-pop feels with his love ballad, "Hunger." This song is full of sweet lyrics and reflects the feelings of love setting your soul on fire. The way the song dramatically builds to each chorus makes love feel so epic. It features a rich instrumentation, supporting Ross' passionate vocals and is reminiscent of a power ballad. "Hunger" was released in 2015 and accompanied a romantic dance between Damon and Elena on The Vampire Diaries. 1. "Impossible" - Nothing But Thieves Words cannot fully express how much I adore this song or this band. "Impossible" is a gorgeous ballad by Nothing But Thieves, featuring Conor Mason's powerful vocals and the band's signature indie sound. The song is a single from Moral Panic and serves as a relief from the dark, pessimistic themes on the album. "Impossible" was released in 2020, a time where the world needed to feel a little more love and hope. The lyrics express finding release in love—whether it be with someone else or through self-love. Between the huge melodies, soaring vocals, and epic soundscape, "Impossible" can ignite even the most lost soul and give us the hope that through love, anything is possible. Did any of these songs help you "feel the love" this Valentine's Day? Were there any you would've liked to have seen on this list? Follow our socials and let us know what you think! Written By Cheyenne Johnson Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Breakups can be difficult and so bittersweet. Sometimes they don’t go well and are tough for the individuals involved, but still hold good times to look back on. In some cases, we still wish the other person well, even if things didn’t work out the way we had hoped. Chris Bates’ captures this perfectly in his new single, “Edinburgh.” Bates describes the song’s meaning by saying: “I wrote this song fairly recently about a breakup. Things didn't go so well and the breakup was rough, but the song reflects on the good times and ultimately wishes her well, and hopes she receives all she wants from her new life after the relationship.” From this experience, Bates has created a beautiful song that many of us can relate to. The song’s instrumentation is simple, yet beautiful. It features just piano and Bates’ dreamy vocals to showcase his wonderful songwriting and voice. “Edinburgh” is a ballad reminiscing on Bates’ recent breakup. The mixture of the slow tempo, bittersweet lyrics, and soft vocals create a melancholy mood that would be expected from a breakup. An example of these bittersweet lyrics come from the chorus: “I hope you like it in Edinburgh/I hope it’s all that you wanted/I hope that it’s not too cold in the winter/I hope you like it in Edinburgh/Here it’s lonely without ya/But whenever a violin plays I’ll think of ya.” These lyrics perfectly convey the emotions many of us have felt in a breakup like this, ranging from wishing the other person well to reflecting on the times we had with them. The combination of lyrics like these and the simple beauty of the song’s composition, “Edinburgh” is sure to pull at the heartstrings. Chris Bates, a rising pop star from Auckland, New Zealand, dropped his debut EP, they don’t know a thing about me, in 2020. In October 2021, he followed this with they don’t know a thing about me 2.0, the EP’s sequel. “November (No Hard Feelings)” was the EP’s standout single, garnering 150,000 streams and hitting Spotify’s New Music Friday AU/NZ and Peaceful Pop playlists. New singles, “Lose My Mind” and “Tired of This,” start a string of new releases that will extend into early 2023. “Edinburgh” is the most recent standalone single, being featured on the New Music Friday AU/NZ, Peaceful Pop, and Pop n’ Fresh playlists. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW CHRIS BATES:

In her new single “Pasteis De Nata” Saachisen reflects on better times, or rather, the time she spent seeking them. It sounds like a fairytale but, with a different version of a happy ending. No, she doesn’t get the prince, but she’s content on her own. She recognizes her own ability to be happy, the simple pleasures in her life beyond the grandiose ideals she had for her relationship. The sweetness she found in her relationship is not undermined but instead, mourned. With her whimsical and honest voice, “Pasteis De Nata” feels as though Saachisen is telling the story of an old love over a serving of the dessert and a “glass of tap water”. In its simplicity, the song is captivating. Her imagery and refreshingly cinematic approach to songwriting draws in the listener. This makes it not a painful story, but a satisfactory and relatable one. Her hurt is not dwelled on, it is only a conflict in an otherwise sentimental lesson. Saachisen has said she’s found closure within creating the song itself, her emotional ties to the piece are clear and they make it all the more enchanting. The song begins with outright regrets. Saachisen reflects on what she wishes she had done instead. But, she quickly offers herself sympathy. She remembers how she felt, and why she chose what she did. Over a simple strumming guitar, this offers some clarity on what may otherwise feel overwhelming and leave her lost in confusion. When her words become more introspective “I think I like sweet things ‘cause they mellow the bitter taste” the music swells to match her emotion. After the first chorus, the song doesn’t slow, rather, it picks up into a beautifully synchronic period of instrumentals where Saachisen’s own voice is used as an instrument. Each note, each aspect of the song, comes together perfectly and Saachisen’s logical and mathematical understanding of music is made obvious. This theme continues throughout the rest of the song until, with a breath of relief, Saachisen concludes “at least I’ll know better from now”. Saachisen is new to the industry in terms of her released songs, but the industry is not new to her. Her parents met in a band and supported her through her youth as she explored her interest in music early on. She went on to study engineering, but never let go of her passion for music. She joined a band and participated in the industry wherever possible, and her critical intelligence has proven to be highly beneficial in expanding her creative endeavors. Now, she has been nominated for a long list of awards including the Abbey Road Studios ‘Topline’ Competition, the UK Songwriting Competition, and Eastern Eye ACTAs. She’s been featured by Atwood Magazine, BBC, the Disney Channel, and many others. She’s, deservingly, being noticed more and more, earning the status of “finalist” in much of her competitions and receiving nothing but compliments in her interviews. I imagine we will only see her status grow with the uniqueness and pure talent found in “Pasteis De Nata”. Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW Saachisen:

We've all experienced or at least heard of those sweet summer loves. The ones that are so passion filled yet never seem to make it to the fall. Manta's new single, "Clementine" is a vibrant blend of hip-hop, pop and indie that communicates the warmth and romance of the summer and our desire for the season to never end. Manta uses sound and storytelling techniques to transport listeners to a warm, sunny day, spent with a flirtatious love interest. The single's intricate lyricism conveys the overwhelming joy felt when a new romance blooms and the simultaneous fear that surrounds the potential loss of that connection. For instance, the line "I've spent too long in the dark without another lover that I can call home," establishes a prior yearning for companionship and the immense happiness that can be felt when you finally meet someone you can feel safe with. The ethereal vocals, lively instrumentation and creative lyrics make "Clementine" passion-filled, Summertime anthem. Airy acoustic guitar introduces "Clementine" to audiences. An assortment of natural sound is included under the lead instrumentation such as snapping, whistling and vocalizations, giving it that carefree element that makes "Clementine" the perfect Spring or Summer jam. Between Manta's subtle rasp and English accent, his voice has the perfect indie vibe. He has incredible vocal range, using his higher register for effortless singing, harmonizing layers and beautiful vocal runs and his lower register to hit those deeper notes during his rap verses. The single's chorus is fun, energetic and warm, perfectly balanced with the fast-paced rap portion, offering an exciting change in tempo. In preparation for the release of "Clementine", Manta took to the streets of Manchester to break the world record of the most oranges eaten in an hour. The footage of this excursion became the visualizer and lyric video for "Clementine". Born in Japan, raised in Skipton and currently based in Manchester, Manta is a rising singer-songwriter, performer and producer. Starting from his bedroom, Manta has worked to create a successful career in music. In fact, the self-made artist has directed, edited and graded all of his music videos, alongside producing all of his own music. Due to his involvement in every step of the creative process, it's safe to say that Manta's work fully represents his unique artistic vision. Manta's 2022 debut EP, "Confined Spaces" contains five groovy tracks, most notably "Dream World" which has amassed over 132k streams on Spotify alone. "Confined Spaces" was dubbed "undeniably brilliant" by Dork Magazine. After his first EP, Manta released two singles, "F.O.M.O" and "God Complex" both of which were accompanied by beautifully shot music videos. Manta has been taking on live performances as well, from his debut performance at The Great Escape in Brighton to supporting Rejjie Snow on his sold-out headline show in Leeds. Luckily for fans, you can catch Manta live at The Deaf Institute in Manchester on April 27th. Keep an eye out for Manta's highly anticipated, upcoming EP, "Roundabouts in Therapy" set to release on April 28th. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW MANTA:

Kenzie Cates is an artist who uses both listening and writing her music as a way to work through her emotions. For many, this is extremely relatable. In her newest single called “Right About Me” Kenzie is addressing the way it appears an ex-lover of hers handled a breakup, and how she fears that they might have been right about her. She is overthinking after everything went down and racking her brain for what actually happened while she also explores how the series of events made her feel. The depth of the song is paired with a very upbeat and catchy tune that makes a listener want to put this song on repeat. A stunning guitar melody coupled with Cates' soft voice in the background is how the listeners begin to get a taste of “Right About Me”. The first verse follows a similar pattern, but Cates' vocals take the foreground as more soothing sounds from the guitar are layered throughout. In the chorus, a very vibey ensemble of guitars and low beats ensures that this tune will be stuck in everyone's head. At the bridge, Cates’ voice is layered in two tones harmonizing with one another as she continues to lament how she feels she is losing her mind and how she wishes she could just go back in time. The chorus once again picks up at the end of the song, reiterating Cates’ procession of emotions with a contrastingly upbeat musical tune. Kenzie Cates was originally born in Kamloops, BC, Canada. Cates has always been very passionate about music, writing and recording her first song as young as eleven years old through her full-ride scholarship to KISSM. Her love of writing and producing songs only grew from here, and she went on to become a finalist in Yangaroo's “New Indie Artist” category at the Canada Music Awards in 2019. Two years later, she was also a finalist in CBC’s Toyota Searchlight annual talent show. On Canadian radio, she even charted at number three on Bellevue Radio’s Indie Chart. Cates has directed, shot, and edited her own music videos in the past, notably for her single “Ruin It”. We are ecstatic to see where her career goes! Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW KENZIE:

Sometimes no matter how hard you attempt to withstand life’s battles, the hardships stack up and create a relentless feeling of defeat. Michael Blackwell’s new single, “Nothing Makes Sense” captures this feeling of failure and the seemingly everlasting impulse to give up when faced with immense difficulty. Michael's impactful song-writing abilities add immense emotion and relatability to the single. Lyrics such as, "I wanna scream at the top of my lungs, but I just hold it in, keep on smiling" convey the common struggle of maintaining your composure and optimism in times of overwhelming distress. "Nothing Makes Sense" reminds listeners that they are not alone in their feelings of frustration and disappointment. Michael Blackwell's well-constructed lyricism and passionate musical abilities blend together perfectly to create a beautiful sounding song that communicates the important message of trying your best in the presence of failure. “Nothing Makes Sense” is introduced with mellow electric guitar bars containing heavy reverberation. An exhilarating guitar riff and drum beat precede the song’s opening vocals. Michael’s soothing voice beautifully contrasts the hard core, rock instrumentation. The single’s grunge/metal foundation blended with emotionally charged, raw, male vocals is highly reminiscent of the early 2000’s music scene. Michael's voice maintains its clarity, lure and power as he ascends to higher registers throughout the song. The chorus is packed with energy and emotion, begging for audiences to sing-along at the top of their lungs. “Nothing Makes Sense” was mixed by John Catlin (Inhaler, The Killers, Crows, Foals) and mastered by Brian Lucky (Liam Gallagher, Royal Blood, The Last Shadow Puppets, Artic Monkeys). Intense instrumentation, touching lyricism and pure vocal ability make "Nothing Makes Sense" a standout jam, communicating the pressure and uncertainty of life. From County Durham, Michael Blackwell is a talented singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. While “Nothing Makes Sense” is Michael’s debut single as a solo artist, he is no stranger to the music industry. He has made a highly successful career for himself as a session musician, touring with well-known artists such as Lewis Capaldi and Amber Run. Not to mention, he is currently the guitarist for Louis Tomlinson. At just 10-years-old, Michael began playing the guitar after discovering his father’s record collection and connecting to bands such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Police and The Beatles. Later his music inspiration shifted to 90’s artists such as Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Nirvana. His current sound is a blend of classic rock, 90’s grunge, 00’s indie and modern alt-pop. Released on February 24th, “Nothing Makes Sense” has already amassed over 26k streams on Spotify alone. In honor of his first single’s release, Michael held his first headline show on February 23rd. Tickets sold out two weeks before the performance. After seeing the achievements of Michael Blackwell’s debut single, it’s safe to say that his talent, experience in the music industry, passion for songwriting and strong fanbase are all crucial factors pointing him in the direction of great success as a solo artist. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW MICHAEL:

Photo credit: Tristian Parks “Baby Come Back” is such a heartfelt and relatable tune – I think at some point each of us has to come to terms with ‘the one who got away’ and are haunted by the memories of what once was. Can you share the story and inspiration behind this song? Thomasina: The writing process for this song was very different from any song I had written before. Most of my songs are very personal and are a way for me to work out my own feelings or deal with something going on in my own life. When I wrote this song I actually wasn’t heartbroken. But I think this gave me a unique songwriting perspective I haven’t had before. It let me build a character from scratch and decide what they are feeling and why and how they act on those feelings. I loved the imagery of being haunted by someone else so while I was creating the narrator’s character, I had to sort of make up this other character. I had to understand why the narrator was so deeply upset and convince the audience this other person is worth being upset over. Overall I learned a lot about myself as a writer with this song and it might be one of my favorites! What was studying at North Vermont University like, and what are some of your favorite memories from that time? Thomasina: I loved my time at Northern Vermont University! I made some really cool friends and learned a LOT from the projects I worked on there. Only one of the songs I created in college ever made it out of Vermont and that is Break My Heart which was part of my final senior project. Creative people thrive around other creative people and being surrounded by people who love music and want to make as much music as they can, was one of the best parts of college. My favorite memory from college was probably every time I realized I had no idea what I was doing. I booked so much time in our campus studio and just messed around with the board trying to figure out how everything worked. I spent hours trying to mix a song before the first semester ended and I wouldn’t have ProTools for a while, just to get in my car and realize it sucked. But what was so fun about that was being hungry to learn as much as I could. Also, my professors were amazing. The most supportive and brilliant people I could learn from! Producing and engineering your music is an impressive feat – do you hope to encourage other up-and-coming female artists to do the same? Thomasina: When I chose to major in Audio Production in college, I knew I mainly wanted to be a musician. But I also knew how easy it is to be cast aside or looked over as a woman in this industry. I decided I never wanted to give someone a reason to look over me, so I would soak up every aspect of the industry including producing and engineering. I love collaborating with other producers and seeing what we come up with together. But I am also a major control freak and want to be in the room for everything. I always want to be able to articulate the end goal or the vision for a song and being familiar with the engineering side of music is vital for this. What was it like working with FLAK on the acoustic version of “Not Over”? Thomasina: I loved working with FLAK on "Not Over!" I had never collaborated with someone before in this way and had no idea how it would go. I sent him a demo of me singing with my piano a song that I had just quickly come up with to see if he liked it. He did and he quickly sent back his spin on it with his production style. After the release of the original he sent over the acoustic version with his piano and I fell in love with it. I love putting lyrically sad songs to fun upbeat pop productions but I also love when you can strip back a song and see what it’s really saying. "Not Over" is actually a pretty sad song about two people desperately trying to make their relationship work and not believing that it’s really over. But you can forget how sad it is when FLAK is making you dance! Photo credit: Christian Kapoukranidis Would you say that moving to LA has influenced your music and sound? Thomasina: I’ve only been in LA for a few months so I don’t think it has changed my sound too much yet. But I am collaborating with more musicians in LA and am starting to pick up on the style for sure. I totally believe “you are what you eat” as it applies to music. If you listen to a lot of one style, you’ll start to notice that’s what you’re creating. Also, if you surround yourself with great music and great musicians, you have to grow and that’s what I am always trying to do. What’s next on the horizon for you, what should fans keep an eye out for? Thomasina: First on the agenda is the music video for Baby Come Back! This music video is a vision brought to life, I am so excited to share it. It’s out now everywhere so definitely give it a watch. I got to collaborate with two of the most talented dancers I know and my close friends, Kirsten and Cam (Kirsten and Cam Creative Duo). The music video lets you into the mind of the narrator of Baby Come Back and it is just the coolest project I’ve ever worked on. There is more music on the horizon! I have so much music on deck that’s ready to go this year, I can’t wait! Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW THOMASINA: