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Have you ever been in a bad mental state? In Night Acclaim’s single featuring Myah Marie, the artists discuss supporting others when they need support. The vocalist sings about how whenever a person in her life is in a dark mindset, she will be there to be the neon light that makes their day a little better. Although the message may seem a little heavy with the discussion of mental health, it is an overall uplifting song about being there for each other. In “Neon (feat. Myah Marie)”, the creators show that there is strength in reaching out and asking for help from others. This lighthearted theme is complemented by the upbeat, and catchy melody. The song begins with some light guitar chords before Myah Marie begins to sing in an enchanting voice. As the song continues into the chorus, there are quick and catchy drums that are added which compliment the upbeat and encouraging lyrics. The highlight of the song is the bridge which consists of the singer repeating “I’ll be there’ll’ be there”. She ends the bridge with a breathtakingly gorgeous belt to emphasize her support. Before the single ends, the chorus is repeated with layered vocals that show the singer's wide range. Overall, this is an unforgettable song that needs to be added to your next playlist. Night Acclaim is a New Jersey-based artist that was surrounded by musicians, growing up. Being around artists and listening to his favorite musicians such as Katy Perry and Betty, he was inspired to work on his passion, and this motivated him to cultivate his craft. Night Acclaim’s pursuit of music led him to release his debut single in December 2021 titled, “A Little Bit” which has garnered over 4,000 streams on Spotify and set the tone for the fun pop songs that the artist will release. Although the songwriter has not released an album he has released multiple singles since his debut, earning him over 13,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Written By Stephanie Berning FOLLOW NIGHT ACCLAIM:

Elizabeth Winterbourne released her first single of the year on February 24th for all to hear, and it's called “Evergreen ''. With forest imagery, Elizabeth has another dreamy song to take you away and get lost in. This new single follows her debut EP from 2022 and explores themes of nostalgia, triumph, and loss of innocence. Elizabeth is often known for writing emotional music about her own experiences in life, and draws inspiration from the world around her. The cover art of “Evergreen” was taken from one of the artist's favorite spots, Telluride Colorado, a place that reflected these themes and ideas of her new song. As she shares on social media how much this song means to her along with the excitement to share with her listeners, after listening myself I can definitely understand why. When Elizabeth picks up an acoustic guitar it’s mesmerizing and it’s one of the many highlights of “Evergreen”. From beginning to end listeners can hear stunning guitar melodies and riffs from the artist. Her new single opens with a catchy drum melody, that beautiful acoustic guitar, followed by Elizabeth’s sweet vocals. Her voice reminded me of singers like folk pop artist Madison Cunningham and Nashville artist Katie Pruitt. Throughout the track, the stacked amplified vocals that can be heard as the chorus builds was just another thing to like about this track. The tone of the lyrics and message is quite personal, but the authenticity pouring out is enough to leave you hanging on to every word. Not to mention the production and arrangement here works so well together to create this peaceful feeling while listening. The artist's music has often described as “Folky Dream Pop” and it’s an accurate representation here. With her roots in folk and the addition of her new pop sound, "Evergreen" represents the best of the two genres that music lovers will appreciate. Elizabeth Winterbourne is an up and coming pop artist based in New York City. Her songs often explore hard hitting and relatable topics covering life, love, and identity. Elizabeth has been involved with music since she was only 12 years old, and for her, writing music is how she moves through life. She released her first EP, “Christina’s World” in 2022, along with an autumn dream version of her single “Evelina” from the same EP. With only a few releases to her name, the young artist has already made some huge accomplishments to her music career. Having just played New York Fashion Week last month, and recently winning New Jersey Arts Council Battle of the Bands as a solo artist in 2022, I have high expectations for her future with music. Catch Elizabeth on one of her upcoming live performances in March and April around the New York City area. Check out her socials through the links below for upcoming performances and more! Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW ELIZABETH:

photo credits: Sergy Babcock, Tony Pracek Wanna play a game? We all know monopoly as the dreaded board game that tends to ruin friendships. On this track, it means something a bit different. Jerusha puts a sexy spin on the classic board game in her new song. She uses monopoly as a metaphor to cleverly play with the intimate side of both polyamory and monogamy. Jerusha is the narrator, taking us in pursuit of a partner who seems to be playing hard to get. She uses gameplay references such as "pass Go” to tease this person. They both know where the chase is leading, yet the game continues. The beat is intoxicating. A conglomerate of 808s and blasting Latin horns transform this song into a flirtatious pop track. The beat makes you feel sexy, allowing you to feel the same confidence Jerusha exhibits. The song opens softly, teasing the ear with Jerusha’s softly sung lyrics. Almost as if she is whispering into your ear. The song then explodes into the chorus where we find the Latin influence. Trumpets and trombones bring forward the beat while the drones of 808s and snaps tie the entire instrumental together. Jerusha is playing a cheeky role in this song; her soulful voice is a perfect addition to this masterful instrumental. The lyrics never escape the gameplay metaphor but you never lose sight of what Jerusha means by playing a game of monopoly. Jerusha is already a star. She has appeared on Broadway as well as in the hit show Atlanta with Donald Glover. She is consistently putting out banger after banger. From her first track Aquafina to her most recent she is proving herself to be a force in the industry. Jerusha is making space for herself in the big leagues. Her name would look fantastic in lights for sure. Jerusha has always wanted to perform. Her distinct voice and compelling storytelling abilities give her an edge over the rest. Though she started her music career in 2020 she has been building toward greatness her entire career. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW JERUSHA:

If you’re looking for a danceable track that feels retro but has hints of modernity to be new and fresh, the search has ended. “She Drives Me Crazy” is the latest song by Australian duo, President Street, and is a cover of the original 1989 track by British pop rock band, Fine Young Cannibals, but this new rendition by President Street has a life of its own that steps away from the original. This track is the perfect song to dance to on a Friday night with all your friends around you, or just simply, the perfect song to sing in the shower when you’re thinking about that special someone. No matter the situation, this song will definitely put a smile on your face and send you into a bubbly frenzy. While it still keeps that 80s sound, the song’s use of electronic elements gives it that fresh new sound that transports the original song into the 21st century. The subject matter of the song is simple, but it works. It’s a classic love song, lyrics filled with longing and that youthful drive to be with the person you love. Starting off with the intro of the song, the instrumentals in the start give a dramatic beginning and the use of the main melody on its own really reels the listeners in. During the verses, the singer keeps the listeners in with her sweet, yet passionate voice. It's a passion that keeps the listeners excited. The chorus comes in quickly and loudly, and it creates this fun environment. It’s catchy and the beat is the perfect rhythm to dance to. The production of this song especially shines during the chorus, and it’s what makes this song stand out from the original. The bridge of the track relies more on a guitar and it’s a quick moment where everything becomes quiet, it builds the perfect amount of suspense for the final chorus of the song. “She Drives Me Crazy” is the perfect song to play next time you want to feel happy and bubbly about someone. President Street is a musical duo consisting of Ruby on vocals and electronic drum pad, and Pete on other instruments. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, the duo has gained a lot of popularity in the UK, having three Top 10 Hits on the Official UK Music Week charts. They’ve also been featured on the BBC’s The Beat and Introducing. They had a big year in 2022 as they opened for musician Roachford on his National UK tour. The group is known for their very vibrant sound that mixes instruments and electronic sounds, but they also like to experiment with other genre elements, such as R&B and rock. This is what gives them their nostalgic sound that still feels very fresh and lively. When it comes to what to expect from President Street this year, just know it will be exciting. Written By Chantal Charles FOLLOW PRESIDENT STREET:

“girlfriend” by Luci is a song about wanting a girlfriend (hence the title), but it can be a lot of work to have one. Having that feeling of someone next to you and doing romantic things with them sounds amazing, right? But it can be a lot of responsibility because their feelings are in your hands. We all have that longing for love and sometimes want that perfect relationship, but the possibility of it not working out may make you want to stay single. There’s this back and forth about having that desire to be with someone because it makes you feel good when you're loved by someone. There are pros and cons when it comes to being in a relationship, but also with being single. Luci describes that being alone is okay but also having a relationship is great too. The first lyrics that start the song can be relatable for many people: “I kinda want a girlfriend / But I kinda don’t ” which is the main focus of the song. Luci made great points about wanting a relationship but also not needing it, but she misses the moments of being in one. Her vocals are raw, and the listener can really feel and hear her being indecisive about what she wants. At the end of the song, she says, “ But I kinda want a girlfriend / but then I don’t ” with a chuckle, and it creates a bit of sassiness because it shows that she is still undecided. The instrumental music of this song is minimal which helps us focus on the lyrics, and it’s easy to because her vocals are clear to understand. Luci’s vocals in “girlfriend” are different from her other single “narcissist” which shows that she knows how to control her voice and create a different sound through each individual song of hers. You can tell that in “girlfriend,” her tone of voice has emotion with a mix of seriousness and attitude. Luci is a queer singer/songwriter, producer, and performer based in Los Angeles. She first started off in the music world as an electronic music producer, producing her bass-boosted soundscapes for crowds of people. Luci explored her artistic capabilities and dug into singing and songwriting. She’s now expanding her artistic skills with EDM using them to enter into the pop music world and showcasing her voice. Still preserving her musical past, dance music and alt-pop music have a major influence on her sound. She has over 200K monthly listeners on Spotify who love her diverse variety of music. If you want an artist with a mix of EDM and strong vocals, Luci is your girl! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW LUCI:

Top: Conan Gray via uDiscover Music; Maisie Peters via Facebook; Bottom: Charlie Puth via Insider; Sia via Fashion Gone Rogue You'd be surprised how many singers out there don't write their own songs. Though it's becoming more popular in the indie music community to write your own music, there's a lot of legendary names that are just singers and are singing songs that were written for them by other people. This list is the opposite of that. It's a list that highlights the best singer-songwriters of our time. These people take pride in singing songs that they've written for themselves, and some of them have also gone behind the scenes written for other artists as well. 10. Jason Mraz If you haven't heard his name, you've definitely at least heard one of his songs. Jason Mraz is one of those rare gems whose first single in 2002, The Remedy (I Don't Worry), became a hit. If you haven't heard that one, you've 100% have heard I'm Yours or I Won't Give Up; and if you haven't, you need to! Jason Mraz isn't one of the biggest names in the industry but he's an unbelievably great songwriter. His sound is so diverse that no matter what you style is, you will love his music. His most recent song 'I Feel Like Dancing' is infectiously catchy and a must-listen. Check it out right now below! 9. Sia Despite her controversy in the recent years, Sia is one of the best hit pop song writers in our day and age. Other than her own music, she is known to write songs for the legendary artist Rihanna; Such as the mega hit songs 'Diamonds' and 'Stay' as well as 'Don't Stop The Music' and 'Only Girl (In The World)' - plus others. She's written for so many big names, but just to name a few - Beyoncé, Jessie J, and Britney Spears are on the large list of singers Sia has been involved with. If you hear a tropical-influenced dance pop beat with crazy high-range vocals, there's a big possibility it was written by Sia. Her sound is very distinct and she herself has a beautiful voice. 8. Lauv Lauv is probably one of the most underrated pop songwriters on this list. The amount of music knowledge this person holds is probably more than most of us have in our pinky finger. He is not only a fantastic writer, but he's also a producer and multi-instrumentalist, uniquely starting with viola as a child as well as piano and then later on guitar. Lauv went on to study all aspects of music from recording and producing to singing and songwriting before moving onto college and studying Music Technology at NYU. He's had the opportunity to collaborate in his music with incredible names such as wolrd famous K-Pop band BTS, Troye Sivan, Anne-Marie and Julia Michaels. He's also written top hits for other artists, such as 'Kings & Queens' by Ava Max, 'No Promises' by Cheat Codes and Demi Lovato, and 'Boys' by Charlie XCX. 7. Conan Gray We as the human race don't deserve the incredible talent that is Conan Gray. He is another highly underappreciated artist and is so wise beyond his years. He was raised on Taylor Swift's music so it's no surprise that he's able to create both catchy pop hits and sad breakup anthems. His lyricism is modern and relatable and his voice carries his melodies so smoothly that it's not possible to not like his music. He's one of the most original and raw artists out there today which is hard to find in this industry anymore. If you're active on TikTok, then you've heard Conan's trending song 'Heather'; but if you've never listened to much of Conan Gray, I suggest listening to 'Overdrive' below as well as 'Disaster', 'Memories', 'Maniac' and 'Family Line'. He is guaranteed to capture your heart. 6. Sara Bareilles Sara Bareilles has been in the music industry for quite some time now. Although she never became a household name, she is hands down one of the best songwriters of our time. Not only do her lyrics slip right off the tongue, but her melodies and groove are captivating and uplifting. She's a graduate from UCLA and has a unique mixture of pop, soul and contemporary in her sound. Also a sucker for musical theatre, she wrote the entire soundtrack for the critically acclaimed Broadway Musical, Waitress. Her songs are so timeless and that's a trait that is needed for good music. 5. Maisie Peters I would argue that Maisie Peters is the most underrated pop artist right now. Her songwriting is on another level when it comes to modern pop music. Her sound is youthful and euphoric. Her voice is probably the sweetest voice you'll ever hear, and her lyricism has the greatest story-telling. Her music is more than just songs, it's an entire universe full of stories that will keep you on your toes. What makes a great songwriter is not only their ability to help listeners visualize a great story, but to express emotions through their words and sounds. Maisie Peters has this skill down to a T. If you've never listened to Maisie Peters, I suggest listening to 'Cate's Brother' below as well as 'Psycho', 'John Hughes Movie' and her most recent single, 'Body Better'. 4. Brendan Urie (Panic! at the Disco) Brendan Urie (also known as Panic! at the Disco) is not only one of the best songwriters from the past 2 decades, but one of the most unique writers as well. His music isn't quite pop, but it's also not quite rock either. His sound is his own and he delivers it in such an authentic and raw way. His odd pairing of words and cryptic lyricism style is unlike anyone else. They're very poetic in nature and it may take you a couple listens of one of his songs to get a full understanding of what they mean. A couple of my personal favorite songs of his are 'Victorious', 'LA Devotee' and 'Dying In LA'. 3. Ed Sheeran I wouldn't say Ed Sheeran is underrated. He's written so many incredible hit songs and chart-toppers; heck, he's broken streaming records. But something I've noticed a lot when I ask someone if they like Ed Sheeran, they usually say no. As a musician myself who can appreciate his talents, I'm not able to understand why so many people like to hate on Ed Sheeran. Maybe it's because his song get overplayed on the radio; maybe it's because he doesn't fit into the mold that society wants pop artists to be; whatever it is, it doesn't change the fact that Ed Sheeran is one of the best songwriters in today's music. Don't lie - even if you're not his biggest fan, you've found yourself jamming to one of his songs before. (It was Shape of You, wasn't it? lol!) 2. Charlie Puth If I'm jealous of anybody's musical talent, it's Charlie Puth. This dude's abilities are insane and on a genius level. He has what is known in music theory as 'perfect pitch' - which means he can sing any note correctly off the top of his head without having to hear it first. He's been playing piano since he was 4 years old and earned a full-ride scholarship from Berklee College of Music where he graduated with a degree in Production and Engineering. His versatility and natural abilities has led him to writing some of the catchiest pop songs of our generation. He's able to create a hit song in his head within minutes. I recommend follow him on social media so you can witness his musical super powers when it comes to writing a new song. 1. Taylor Swift Well, this probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone. Taylor Swift is one of the best songwriters - probably of all time. Her lyricism is unlike anyone else. It's commonly said that there's a Taylor Swift song for everybody and everything, which I believe to be true. She's able to stay relatable while also using poetic and distinguished words to create a cathartic experience in every song she writes. Not only is her lyrical writing on a genius level, but she also has the rare ability to fit in with a variety of styles and genres. Many artists experiment with different sounds, but Taylor Swift does it effortlessly. For this article I'm highlighting what I feel to be one of her most underrated songs, 'The Last Time' (Taylor's Version of course) featuring Gary Lightbody from the band Snow Patrol, which was featured on her 4th studio album, Red. Did it surprise you that any of these artists write their own songs? Do you feel there's someone else belongs on this list? Follow us below and let us know your thoughts! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.

Anna Bea shows her listeners a different style of her music in her single, “The Other Side of Me”. The newest release is an emotional pop song layered with a deeper meaning hidden in its lyrics about self worth. When it comes to the new single, the artist has said, "It's about hiding part of yourself to please someone and never letting the other side of you show”. Her song centers around the idea of losing control in a one sided relationship, where one partner may find themselves staying silent and hiding who they really are. The authenticity in the lyrics may be relatable to those who find themselves in similar situations. With lyrics like “ I'm one step ahead, you think I'm way behind, but you can't see what's going on inside my mind,” Anna’s new track speaks up for those who may find it hard to be their authentic self by using an infectious pop melody, hard hitting lyrics, and a voice you won't be forgetting anytime soon. Anna released a music video along with her track which has already been viewed nearly 20,000 times in under a week. In the video, you see two opposite sides to the artist as the screen splits throughout the video as different situations come up. Scenarios like finding your partner flirting with another person when you leave the room and controlling how much food you eat are some of the situations played out. During the split screen, one of those sides you can see Anna showing her true self with real emotional responses and on the other side you find her less authentic side reacting how the other person wants to see and hear her. Anna's visual performance ties in perfectly with her track and it's message while she smiles and nods away the truth. Her clever use of lyrics was the highlight of this track. Opening with Anna singing, “I've been giving up, you've been giving in, is it a sin to let you go or let you win”, she continues this narrative with lyrics that pack a punch as you listen. Her song writing cover aspects of being one step ahead, smiling to please, and trying to hide the other side of her as a secret. With the release of her new single, "The Other Side of Me", Anna want her listeners to take away the moral of the song, which is to not hide your self in order to please another person. Anna Bea is a Singer and Songwriter from London. She first started releasing music during the COVID-19 lock down in 2020 with her first single, “Bleeding Heart” and has been performing and releasing music ever since. Anna currently has over 23,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, over 400,000 streams on Spotify collectively, and over a million views on TikTok. Anna first got into performing live while attending Bristol University a few years ago and now performs regularly around her hometown. She often writes songs to connect with other people that draw from her own thoughts and feelings. Her music is influenced by artists such as ASH, and FINNEAS. At a young age, the up and coming artist already has an impressive list of accomplishments in her music career so far. From her music reaching hit No.1 on Itunes Chart in Luxembourg, to landing interviews with radio stations like BBC London, and even hearing her own music being played on BBC Radio. Recently, Anna has working on new music so you should expect more releases in the upcoming year from her. Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW ANNA:

photo credits: Rachel Sweeney Ali Diane’s modern style brings us an honest outlook on modern relationships in her new release “High Hopes”. Ali intends to tell a love story, to sing a love song. Yet, every time she begins it circles around to her disappointment once again. The desire for love and connection is a very human one that is being lost day by day. Or at the very least, is being hidden and undermined. Ali rejects this. She expresses her love and want for more, but is nevertheless another victim of a societal shift towards apathy. Even she is aware of this risk, “I think you're gonna be my mistake” she recites several times throughout the course of the song. And she is unfortunately correct. She is let down again and again. This is a song for hopeless romantics who are beginning to feel the burden of such a title. In “High Hopes” Ali manages to say what most people in the modern dating world want to with unwavering confidence. The song begins with a magnetic beat that captures the listeners attention before Ali immediately begins singing. “We walk through the seasons” she says. This sets the context for her desired love story. She continues to describe the beauty of it, dedicating this portion of the song to explaining those hopes which she so wishes to maintain. The beat is slow but strong and sure of itself, heavily percussion based and recorded at almost the same volume as Ali’s own voice. That is until a new melody wipes it away and softens the tone of the song. A gentle piano paired with the impressive heightening of Ali’s voice tell the listener of the disappointing aspects of the relationship. Lying and regret are whispered before the beat drops into the strong and beautifully hypnotic chorus. The listener is under the impression this is the peak of Ali’s vocals, and the chorus in itself is very impressive, but it is the verse following her second rendition of it that is truly nothing short of breathtaking. After this incredible display of her range, the chorus begins again and the song ends with the same bold abruptness with which it began. Ali Diane began singing and performing at a very young age. In school, both college and otherwise, she participated in activities that offered her the chance to express her talent. Music has always been the center of focus for Ali, in 2016, she graduated with a degree in it from Skagit Valley College in her home state of Washington. Not long after, in 2018, those choirs and musicals she was so dedicated to quickly turned into her own, independent, stages when she began performing in a band. She traveled with her college friend between local venues, performing for family, friends, and eventually her now producer Jake Crocker. Her popularity has only grown since. Her original song “Magic” was featured in a Disney+ show, she’s gained hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify, and collected thousands of followers on Instagram. I have extremely high hopes for Ali Diane so go stream “High Hopes” now! Written By Hailey Schap FOLLOW ALI:

Lois’, “ Strange Men ”, is a song about losing yourself in a relationship where the effort wasn’t reciprocated, but not realizing that until the break-up. The title of the song is used to indicate how these types of men in relationships are indeed strange. They want things done a certain way, they’re selfish and tend to not match the effort that their significant other, or in this case Lois, is providing for them. This song is used as an outlet for Lois. She uses it to reflect on what happened leading up to the break-up, the things she did that her ex wasn’t deserving of, and how she realized that she lost herself during that time. Relationships like these are often stressful. You want your person to be happy and satisfied with the way you're treating them and providing for them, but sometimes you just don’t realize how one-sided it is until it's too late. Lois specifies a couple of things that felt “off” during their time together. She says, “ I put my heart on a plate for you. I'd sit there and pray for you. But would you do the same? I opened my mind to you. Did my hair how you liked me to. But would you do the same? ” These examples show how she did anything to make him happy, whether it was making herself look a certain way that he preferred, praying for him, and fulfilling other things just to see him happy. And although she asks if he would have done the same to her, or matched the effort, the answer is clearly no. She put him first, before taking care of herself and making sure she was happy. However, she felt that the relationship was definitely one-sided and that she was losing herself while being with him and caring for him more than she should have. He didn’t appreciate her and her efforts at all. In the song, you can catch the guitar and drums. In one particular verse, after breaking down her ex’s lack of efforts, she says “ losing myself ” six times. This part sounds as if she's in a daydream, with lots of harmonies and things slowing down. It sounds dreamy and beautiful, but she’s actually being vulnerable here. This also might be her way of showing how she was ignoring the red flags and signs around her, and losing focus of what was happening during their time together. She didn’t realize how she was being done dirty and losing herself until the very end of their time together. After this verse, her voice projects again, we hear the beat pick back up, and we hear the return of the drums and loud bass. She deserves better than what these Strange Men were giving her. This is Lois’ story and I’m sure many women around the world can relate to her situation and appreciate her honesty. Lois is an alternative-pop artist from Leeds, United Kingdom. Her most popular song is “ The Way You Are ” with over 145,000 plays. She also has one other song released that you can check out titled, “ Twist in the Wind .” This song is about acknowledging your negative thoughts and feelings then restarting again, so you can grow into a better person. According to her Spotify page, she has over 6,000 monthly listeners. Make sure to follow Lois on her musical journey with the links below, and check out her latest single, “Strange Men'' out now on all streaming platforms! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW LOIS:

Photo credits: Elfesya Canimana Congratulations on the release of "That's Life"! What has been the best part about having it out for everyone to hear so far? Chris de Sarandy: Thank you!!! It’s an amazing but yet daunting feeling releasing new music but the reactions so far have been really great! The best part of having it out for me has actually been the opportunity to remind myself of the deeper meaning of the song which is that not everything is meant to be which I try and carry into other lanes of life outside of love. This is such a beautiful, heartbreaking song. What advice would you have for fans who are finding themselves haunted by a past relationship like described in the song? Chris de Sarandy: Thank you that's really cool to hear! I have to admit I’m not the best at giving advice on these topics as writing songs about it may not be for everyone haha…But I would suggest they think about what was good from that relationship, what they learned about themselves and try to use that in a positive way moving forward You describe yourself as a "small town boy with a big man's voice." Having grown up in the suburbs of London, moving to the Cornish coast, and now living in Berlin, how do you feel each place has influenced the way you approach music and given you your voice? Chris de Sarandy: Growing up in the suburbs of London has been really influential in the music I listen to and began to make and this is where I guess I found some sort of ‘sound’ which then developed further a lot whilst living in sleepy Cornwall as there was far more mental space for me to write and nurture the sound if that makes sense. I love being in and around the countryside and I find escaping city life provides a whole different outlook for reflection! Especially important in a city like Berlin. I read that you inherited the worldview of believing in fate from your father. What is one serendipitous moment you can share with us that made you think it was fate? Chris de Sarandy: haha yes I did, thanks Dad! Moving to Berlin!!! Photo credits: Elfesya Canimana What strengths do you believe make someone a great musician? Chris de Sarandy: Motivation, commitment, patience and self belief What is one goal you have for yourself musically this year? Chris de Sarandy: To get out and play my upcoming debut e.p that’s being released in April as much as possible! Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW CHRIS DE SARANDY:

Julia Alexa’s “alone with me” mirrors a diary entry we sadly know all too well, the loop in our mind that only stops when we finally fall asleep, or the long text in our notes app we probably won’t ever send. This chilling track of melancholy encapsulates the deep feeling of loneliness when you put your whole heart, soul, body, and mind into someone, and they let you down. It’s the indescribable feeling of emptiness after you’ve let yourself slip away to fulfill someone else’s idea of the perfect person, and when they leave, you see no resemblance to the old you as you stand in the mirror. When you loved someone harder than you even imagined possible, and they break your heart, it’s easy to blame yourself and convince yourself you’ll never be good enough. We hold on to the past because we build walls higher and higher after every heartbreak, and we think back to the optimistic person they met who was naive enough to give her soul away to help him find his. We can’t fathom a world in where it’s not us together again in the end because the pain and suffering has to be worth it, and we don’t think another love like that exists in our story. We wish for one more phone call, one more night together, and just one more chance to prove we are worthy. We will take him in any dose he wants to give us because we want to feel something other than sorrow, even for just a night, even for just a moment. “alone with me” is an emotional, raw alt-pop song. Julia Alexa based it off a real experience of feeling lonely and empty after somebody broke her heart. The vulnerable storytelling seeps over the crestfallen piano, and you feel the weight of every word she utters. Julia offers comfort to her listeners in a time when nothing makes sense. She wants her audience to know that she has been there and understands just how hard it can be to even get out of bed when you’re trying to mend your own heart that someone else destroyed. Aside from her awe-inspiring voice and lulling, soulful music, she has created a safe space for 3 minutes where we find solace in knowing we are not alone in feeling alone. “alone with me” contains all the words we wish we had the courage to say, and it lets us feel all the things we’ve been stifling. Healing begins the moment you hit play. Julia Alexa is an independent artist from Switzerland. When she’s not singing and songwriting, she’s studying pharmaceutical science at ETHZ. At just 21 years old, she has such a grasp on life and love, and her old soul seeps into everything she creates. Julia has been playing the piano and perfecting her craft since 13, and her passion for music and raw talent has only improved with time. She is inspired by other small online creators and began posting covers and original music on Youtube. She started to write, produce, and release her own music in 2019 where she was welcomed into the lofi community with open arms. Julia has really found her niche in the sad, chill pop scene, and her songs have garnered over 40M streams on Spotify alone. After many successful collabs and an EP that showed her talents as a songwriter and producer, Julia is taking 2023 by storm and planning to release her full album, and "alone with me" is the first single from it, so we can only imagine what's to come. Follow Julia below to become a part of her incredible journey, and be the first to know when she releases new music! Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW JULIA ALEXA:

"Don’t Give In" has a hopeful and magical feel that is undeniably uplifting and serves as a gentle reminder to keep persevering through life’s challenges. What message and feeling do you hope your listeners gain from it? Simone Elisa: Thank you! Writing “Don’t Give In” was in some ways a therapeutic process. It definitely serves as a reminder that as long as you have that fire in you, you can get to where you want to be. There have been times in the past when I had to remind myself of that and pull myself back up to keep going. I hope that I can help anyone else needing that message to feel their power again and to remember that it’s not up to anybody else, it’s up to you. As long as you keep going, you’ll get closer to where you want to be in life. Can you describe your songwriting process and what you need in order to get your creative juices flowing? Simone Elisa: I usually start at the computer or piano depending on my mood. If I’m at the computer I’ll start with a few synths most likely and a beat, to see what kind of energy the song feels like, and then let the ideas start flowing melody-wise. Usually, it feels like I fill in the blanks lyrically and let the melodies dictate the experience first before really diving into the lyrics. If I start at the piano, I’m usually (definitely) feeling moodier and use that as a therapy session to get out anything I’m feeling and then move it to the computer afterward. Who are some of your biggest musical influences and inspirations? Simone Elisa: Definitely Tove Lo, Marina, Taylor Swift, and Ashe. All of their writing styles are different and unique to them and I like to stay true to myself as a writer too. What first got you into music, and when did you realize that you wanted to be an artist? Simone Elisa: I got into music as a really young kid. Before that, I had always been singing random melodies about anything I could think of, and my parents eventually hinted that I might want to learn piano too. I ended up really getting into piano and songwriting in high school, but I wanted to be an artist since as early as I knew musical artists existed. My mom always played Celine Dion and Whitney Houston and I’m pretty sure those iconic artists as well as The Spice Girls, and Britney Spears, made the connections for me as a kid that it’s what I wanted to do with my life! Aside from your own, what are the three top songs you currently enjoy singing? Simone Elisa: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, “Chronically Cautious” by Braden Bales, and “No One Dies From Love” by Tove Lo are three songs that are an immediate dopamine hit to my brain and I can’t stop singing them! If you weren’t pursuing a music career what would you be doing instead? Simone Elisa: I wouldn’t do anything other than this, I’m completely obsessed! Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW Simone Elisa: