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Life isn't always easy; it's full of ups and downs and can be a difficult journey. It's easy to feel lost along this journey, or like you will always be misunderstood. You get stuck in your own ways and struggle to find the way forward. Indie-pop artist Magz reflects on this in her latest single, "For Good." The song is a vulnerable take on some of the struggles she has experienced in her 25 years. "For Good" tells the story of a young woman who feels she will always be misunderstood and stuck in her old habits. This beautiful single is the second track from Magz' upcoming EP, which is set to be released in Spring 2023. Click here to listen to "For Good"! Magz creates a mellow atmosphere with her latest single, "For Good." The song features Magz's soft, warm vocals, delivering lyrics that contain a mental health narrative. The indie-pop artist shows her vulnerability in her lyrics, outlining her own mental health journey. She had this to say about her latest song, "It's been said to accept the things you cannot change. You keep on moving, though nothing stays linear. Somehow you find something to hang on to, even when nothings left. Somehow you're strong but also fragile. But there is strength in fragility, and fragility in strength. My mental health has not been a journey, but an odyssey. I never thought that I would make it to age 25, yet here I am. I hope with this song that people feel less alone in this darkness." "For Good" features wispy, quiet vocals with a gentle, guitar-laden soundscape. The brilliant combination of the music and the song's message forms a softness that feels both strong and fragile, creating a peaceful solace. Based in NYC, Magz is an independent singer, songwriter, and producer. She is known for showing her vulnerability in her songwriting and wears her heart on her sleeve. She hopes that through her music, she can connect with others who feel lost and alone in the world. Magz isn't afraid to tell her story and showcases her full honesty in the music she creates. It is her sincerest hope that with her music, some can find solace within themselves. As Magz says, " You are not alone. If we're gonna be sad, let's be sad together." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW MAGZ:

“Gas Station Bouquet” is a hauntingly beautiful groove, captivating the listener with its raw emotional intensity and dreamy atmospheric soundscapes. Beginning with a sparse and minimalist arrangement of guitar and vocals, Naia sings about tender and genuine love, romanticizing everyday actions that mean the most. Lika can’t be bought with fancy chocolates or expensive dinners; she values the effort and earnest love that any partner can give, as long as they’re willing to. Her spicy, funky, and spirited vocal performance is straightforward and to the point, waxing poetry about love that is not shown with material gifts, but with her choice of love language. As the song progresses, the instrumentation slowly builds and becomes more layered, adding complexity and depth to the already mesmerizing melody. Lika’s rich and soulful voice delivers poignant lyrics with heartfelt sincerity, striking a sense of melancholy and longing with a particularly impactful chorus. The light-hearted, immersive single possesses a stunning piece of artistry that showcases Lika’s considerable talent as a songwriter and performer, highly recommended for fans of indie-folk genres. Lika is a breath of fresh air in the industry, and her polished and confident charisma is the perfect calm before the storm. Naia Lika has been making waves as an innovative yet nostalgic artist, dabbling in pop, soul, and R&B. Even in the womb, her mouth was moving with distinguished, vibrato-like motions, and Naia’s love for music only started there. Carving her own creative path, she wrote music for the first time during the pandemic, the first time she felt that she was actively pursuing music rather than blindly following in the path of her family before her. Inspired by the likes of Remi Wolf, Dua Lipa, and Leon Bridges, Lika gracefully begins the start of what is sure to be an illustrious career with a light-hearted single, crafting the character of who she wants to be. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW NAIA:

Kid Travis just came out with a single that you'll find yourself singing along to after just a few listens. “Buttercup” is a light and happy song; a love song to a girl full of sweet compliments. Sometimes, you just have to tell the person you like how into them you are, and Kid Travis does not hold back with showing his interest in this girl. All he wants to do is spend time with her, expressed cleverly through his lyrics and very positively in the upbeat tune holding throughout the whole song. It’s so catchy that it’ll quickly become stuck in your head, and it makes for a very easy and fun sing along with your friends. You could even send it to your crush as a way of shooting your shot. Kid Travis would definitely approve. In the intro of the song, you can hear a light instrument chiming and the strumming of a guitar creating a beautiful lead into the first verse. This verse features the same rhythm established with a soft beat in the background complimenting Kid Travis’ voice beautifully. All the good and mellow vibes from this song continue throughout the whole chorus as well, with the introduction of even more instruments layering beautifully behind the vocals. With the bridge we can see the instrumentals we have grown used to begin to die down a bit in order to highlight the rich tones that Kid Travis’ voice can hit in a song. His voice is further highlighted when we get to hear a very well done vocal run in the middle of the final chorus. A new up and coming artist producing music with indie punk and trap undertones, Kid Travis is coming in hot, surpassing 150 million streams on Spotify. He was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania and began making music in 2013. In recent years, he has blown up on YouTube by covering songs by popular artists, the most famous one being a mashup of “Sad” by XXXTENTACION and “XO TOUR LIFE” by Lil Uzi Vert. Some of his covers have even been recognized by the original artists of the songs, notably Post Malone and Bryson Tiller. His subscriber count on YouTube surpassed 480,000 subscribers to date. He has since begun to focus more on creating his own music, with his song “Strawberry Shakes” having almost 70 million plays on Spotify. His career has really taken off, and to Kid Travis the sky's the limit. Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW TRAVIS:

In the contemporary, pop landscape, artists responding to the "grindset" burnout might feel pushed towards a grimmer representation to appease some melancholic zeitgeist. Boldly, the latest single from American alt-pop band, RAGS AND RICHES, embraces a brighter palette to outshine '9-to-5' monotony. Immutably carefree, the two brothers tap into a rare jubilee that feels genuinely capable of triumphing over even the most muted resignations. The outer space motif present throughout provides stark contrast to the grounded, corporate reality the sibling duo wages war against. Joyful silliness becomes an even more impactful weapon than scornful disavowal. Fashioning buoyant synth-pop into a irresistibly danceable anthem, "holiday." (humorously titled with a monotone period) sounds instead like every line was punctuated by an exclamation point! Listening on a Monday, you might forget it's not Friday. Beyond the catchy hooks and breezy synths, the Whitt brothers use their anthemic songwriting and production as a humorous call to action. "Gonna trade my desk for a podium," they sing with as much exuberance as their words imply. What are they petitioning for? According to the bridge, it's to announce their title as "the new space president." Their first decree: quit your job, take a vacation, and boogie down! If this all sounds a little—ok, maybe a lot—silly (or even crazy), that's because it's meant to be. But the nonstop, joyless grind of corporate lifestyle should be seen as the truly irrational tune to live by. "Get me away from this crazy place / It's only Monday!" Amen to that. If "holiday." is unhinged, then I don't want to be sane. RAGS AND RICHES is the creative project of brothers Tanner and Peyton Whitt. The Kentucky natives began releasing music in 2019, with their debut single "speed of sound." Since, the band has played over 200 live shows, won awards, and charted college radio charts. Last year, RAGS AND RICHES released their debut album, "Always Gold." The music video associated with "holiday." is hilarious: an acoustic drum set being inaudibly wailed on, inflatable suits, a space presidential campaign, and a cast of inflatable astronauts and alien. Oh, and that's just describing the scenes set on the moon. It only gets more ridiculous from there. "Holiday." is just the beginning of 2023 for this alt-pop band on the rise. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW RAGS AND RICHES:

“Daffodil Floors” by Mandi Mapes has a refreshing and calming vibe in it's soundscape. I imagine running through a field of daffodils and enjoying nature in the outdoors. The song has an uplifting mood, and Mapes hoped this song would be a healing balm for people. I can see myself listening to this song when I need inspiration or motivation. “Daffodil Floors” is one of those songs that lifts people up and makes you feel free and hopeful. It’s the perfect song to play while watching the sunset or sunrise with headphones on and inhaling the fresh air. Starting off with a catchy melody on the piano, Mapes comes in with her soft and beautiful voice on the ninth second mark. The song has self-encouraging lyrics which holds the meaning at its highest, and it's very motivational. There is also a violin instrumental with ad libs by Mapes which ties it together and creates a beautiful and euphoric sound. The lyrics, “I’ll be running free as a child” feels nostalgic because it reminds me of how free we were as kids without any worry in the world. Mapes paints a lovely picture with “Daffodil Floors” with her eye-opening lyrics and relaxing melody. Mandi Mapes is an indie-pop, singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. “Daffodil Floors” is a song from her upcoming debut album called Leeves that is to be released on March 10th, 2023. Mapes has a unique, uplifting and lovely voice that has caught her over forty thousand Spotify monthly listeners. Back in 2014, she released a single EP with five songs that had Country influence in it's sound. Throughout the years, her music shifted more towards Indie Folk, but she still has the same nice voice and lovely vibe that she uses to create her music. Look forward to her debut album coming soon next month! Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW MANDI MAPES:

photo credits: Jude Morris Congratulations on the upcoming release of "Running!" What was the inspiration behind this song? TJ VIola: Thank you! Running is a song about the addictive obsession that develops when you have feelings for someone. It was inspired by a girl I liked at the time, and also by a couple of friends who were in similar situations. When the energies of you and the other person just match and it's nothing compared to anything you've ever felt before, it will seem as if the other person is "Running through your mind." I read on your Spotify bio that you've mastered many instruments. If you could only play one instrument for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? TJ Viola: That's a tough question since I like most of them! I don't consider myself to be a master of any instrument, but if I had to pick one or two to play forever, I would pick either the piano or the french horn. Those are the two that I've been playing the longest and have had the most memorable experiences with. What was your favorite aspect about creating "Running"? TJ Viola: My favorite aspect was probably how naturally the song came out of me. It just felt super easy to write the lyrics because it was such a genuine feeling that I had. The music itself spawned from me just messing around with techno-synths on my Juno keyboard, and I had also been listening to a lot of Dirty Loops lately so that had served as inspiration for the sound and melodic structure of the song itself. What are you most excited about when this song is released? TJ Viola: I am most excited about everyone hearing the song when it's out. People will finally be able to hear all the time and hard work that everyone put into this track, and I couldn't be more grateful to share my art with not just the people who enjoy it, but also the people who create it as well. photo credits: Jude Morris What was your first music teacher like and what lessons did you learn from them that you still use today? TJ Viola: My first piano teacher, Chuck Speicher, was a huge influence on the fundamental aspect of my musicianship. He taught me essentially everything I needed to know about theory, introduced me to my first musical influences, and while I had only taken lessons with him until I was twelve years old, he had given me every piece of training that I needed to continue my piano and keyboard studies on my own What is the one thing about music that makes you so passionate about it? TJ Viola: Music has the power to do many things. It can make you feel emotions physically and mentally. It can make you dance, cry, laugh. Music influences crowds, builds core memories, and helps people work out among other things. It is an everyday life force that is needed by the human race. My favorite part about music is being able to make people feel this strongly about everyday aspects of their life on such a strong, emotional level. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW TJ VIOLA:

Emily James gives us an optimistic new song with her single, "Happy For Me." This upbeat, electropop anthem dives into mental health and feelings of anxiety. "Happy For Me" sends an empowering message, encouraging listeners not to give in to feelings of self-doubt and self-loathing. The catchy single is paired with a fun, expressive music video. Throughout the course of the video, we see James let loose and unapologetically be herself. James had this to say about the video: “I really leaned in to the notion of letting go of all my worries and fully embracing the joy and celebration of the moment. I had such a blast filming this and I think the arc of emotions within the video really captures the lyrics of the song.” The positive energy that radiates from this song and its music video is contagious and will put any listener in a fantastic mood. Emily James once again proves herself to be a pop powerhouse with "Happy For Me." Her new synth-laden single is energetic and uplifting, featuring inspirational lyrics, lush harmonies, and memorable melodies. James wrote "Happy For Me" to remind listeners to celebrate themselves and not let anxiety steal their joy. The song starts off with high energy, but builds even more into an epic bridge section. James' crisp, gorgeous vocals soar over the bridge, creating a feeling that makes your soul take flight at the sound of it. The feel-good aura this song emits is addictive and will certainly have us listening to it on repeat. Music has always been important to singer-songwriter, Emily James. Some of her earliest memories include her singing in the backseat of a car as a toddler. She'd belt out anything from radio hits, to classic rock, to her favorite songs from Wicked and Annie. She began her music journey by singing and taking piano lessons. By the time she was 10, she began writing her own songs. A few years later, she picked up the guitar and through it, found a fresh new outlet for her melodies and lyrics. As an early teen, James began performing her music at open mic nights in New York, later gigging in Nashville. She went on to spend two years in Nashville, where she recorded her self-titled EP. This was later followed by her second release, Til The Morning. After her time in Nashville, James decided to follow her calling for the west coast and relocated to Los Angeles. There, she began to produce her own music. James has since written and produced many of her subsequent releases from her west coast bedroom. Over the recent years, James has released a number of independent projects while attending UCLA. Soon after her college graduation, James has signed with Nettwerk Music Group and has gone on to release the EP, Illuminate, in July 2022. She ended the year with the release of her self-written and self-produced single, "For An Evening," which landed on Spotify's New Music Friday playlist. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW EMILY JAMES:

Liv Nicholson reminds everyone that it’s ok to be unapologetically honest in her single “TMI”. Oversharing information in your day-to-day life is a very common thing to experience and more often than not can lead to feelings of embarrassment. But Liv is encouraging everyone not to let this slip of information get to them, even if it’s to the point where your grandmother knows your sex life. As she puts it in her song, yikes! However, this tune of hers preaches positivity and confidence no matter how much you may accidentally share. The song is a bright reminder that things may get awkward, but you should always stay true to yourself and stand behind your words no matter what accidentally comes out. The song's beginning showcases a captivating electric guitar melody with Liv’s voice in the background in a chorus of O’s that lead into the first verse. With the start of the first verse, listeners can hear a steady inclusion of more and more instruments as the verse ticks on. It goes from a simple, steady beat backing her voice to the reintroduction of the signature electric guitar melody that grows louder and louder until the chorus. The chorus is upbeat and chock full of many different instruments producing a wonderful and catchy tune. When the song comes to its bridge, the electric guitar is playing a different tune that is equally ear-catching to the rest of the music produced in “TMI”. This part of the song is particularly gritty in comparison to the chorus and verses, showing off the rock component of Liv’s voice and music. Most of Liv’s childhood life was spent in New York. Come 2016, Liv moved to Nashville, Tennessee and began to cultivate her music career. Being in New York catered to the development of Liv’s songwriting, as she started pushing out content that she loved and allowed her to connect with her audience. She graduated from the Belmont University songwriting program in 2019 and has been writing songs inspired by all her favorite artists, including Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Miley Cyrus. You can hear this inspiration in her music, which is a beautiful pop and rock combination paired with very relatable lyrics. Written By Molly Schiff FOLLOW LIV:

There is something so enticing about an inner circle. Though it may not seem that interesting on the outside, there is something to say about the stories that come out of it. Tana’s new track Hollywood Problems highlight the dynamics between a lost girl and the people around her. The magnetism of a damaged girl, someone who has it all but yearns for something real. Tana is being drawn into her life and watching as the mask slips off. This LA girl keeps a brave face but Tana knows the truth. The fake smiles and the Instagram post all give the façade of a lifestyle many dreams of. But she's begging to be truly heard. She has Hollywood Problems and that's something only she can solve. The song begins with muted drumbeats and melodic hums accompanied by Tana's velvety vocals. She invites the audience into her story with the opening lyrics, “I met a girl last week she was evergreen// she had big brown eyes and lips so sweet” The use of her lyrics to create a sort of cinematic storyline immediately transports the listener into the world she is building. Her description of this girl sounds so perfect you begin to sympathize with Tana and want to hear more. Tana’s pen never fails to evoke vivid images in the listener's mind. As the instrumental begins to climb and the energy increases. The lyrics and bolstering instrumental place the song into perspective. The climactic chorus lets us know the type of girl Tana is describing. Suddenly, we realize who this mysterious LA Girl is and what she wants. Falling for someone toxic yet mysteriously glamorous is so intoxicating she can't help but stay around. And the LA Girl can't help her Hollywood Problems. Tana is an up-and-coming artist with insane amounts of talent. Her voice and production combo is never a disappointment. Her roots are diverse which creates interesting and powerful art. Coming from an Italian-Nigerian Home and moving to London is one of the many things that influence Tana to be the artist she is today. Hollywood Problems is just the first song to be released this year and certainly an incredible way to come into 2023. Written By: Kaiana Lee FOLLOW TANA:

Have you felt alone in the world and think that no one understands you? I know I definitely have. I constantly try to remind myself that I’m not alone, but I have those days when I do. “If Only You’d Love Yourself” by Dustin Paul has a beautiful, constant reminder to love and care for yourself. If you don’t love yourself first, who will? How can you be able to love someone else before loving your own body, mind, and soul? This song holds a powerful message for self-love and not giving up. It’s hard to do that sometimes, but that’s why Paul made this song for those who struggle with that. The song starts off with beautiful and gentle piano music until the twelfth second mark before the first lyrics come in, “Life is simple / That’s what they say;” It was a great start to the song because of how true it is. The lyrics in the beginning already told us this song was going to be emotional and raw. The lyrics hold true meaning and are relatable to a lot of people. The song title, “If Only You’d Love Yourself” is constantly sang after the first and second verse which flows perfectly after the powerful and motivational lyrics of self-love and self-improvement. The last clear lyrics “Won’t you love yourself” before the echoed ad libs and “yeah” was the perfect touch to end it. It’s uplifting and inspiring for the listeners like myself to feel motivation through the song. From singing in studios and live audiences since the age of 14 and prior from being a solo artist, Dustin Paul used to be the front man of a band that attracted a lot of views. He began writing and collaborating with other artists as a soloist. Paul, Diego Miranda, and the Le Twin’s collaborative song “Believe in Love” that came out in 2019 reached over a million streams on YouTube after a week of release. His song with Michael Teixeira called, “I Keep Coming” charted top 10 on iTunes and Spotify and won an International Portuguese Music Award. Since then, Paul has won many awards with other artists. Now, he is about to release solo EPs and collaborate with other DJ artists. Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW DUSTIN PAUL:

“Orange Afternoon” by The Astronomers has a nostalgic feel to it. The song gives us a gentle and warm reminder to enjoy the life and moment we are in right now. There is a sense of not wanting to miss the moment because it’s beautiful as it is. Living in the present time and not focusing on what’s to come next because we should learn how to embrace our current state. “Orange Afternoon” is one of those songs that bring listeners in to encourage them to enjoy every little second we have before moving forward and enjoying the next. Life can be stressful but slowing down and enjoying it will make it calm and relaxing. There are beautiful guitar strums in the beginning before the lyrics come in on the eleventh second mark. There are claps that accompany the lyrics and guitar. The claps really add into the rhythm and feel-good vibe of the soundscape. The unique addition of bells make you want to move your body and nod your head with their catchy groove. The lyrics are nostalgic and simple, but they hold so much meaning. They tell us to live in the moment and with the next day coming, there will be new, exciting things to look forward to. The lyrics, “Lot of people want this life” show that many people may admire the life you have, but they may not realize the struggles that comes with it as well. The Astronomers is an indie-alto pop duo that consists of the members Ben Baker and Michael Stensland who are from Fond du Lac. They recently signed with Paladin Booking agency and have played at many festival shows. Their lead single, “Overthinking” and EP “Guess It’s Just Life” played on Wisconsin’s radio and reached #1 on the top nine. The duo released their debut album back in 2022 called The Occasion , with their song “Bad Type” that has charted on WIXX 101.1. They performed at venues, Titletown Green Bay and The Terrace in Madison that had over 500 people that came. At the start of the new year 2023, The Astronomers went on a Headline Tour over the Midwest. Written By Lyndsey Cheng FOLLOW THE ASTRONOMERS:

Emei’s “Scatterbrain” is what happens when we grab a pen and let all of our intrusive thoughts out on paper. This high-energy track is a relatable anthem for anyone who might not know exactly where their life is heading. Being a scatterbrain can have a negative connotation, but why should it? Having a one-track mind can be boring, and having a plethora of thoughts with no rhyme or reason is what makes life exciting. No one knows what they’re supposed to be doing at all times in life, but that’s when the magic happens. The best journeys begin when we’re at our most lost. It’s easy to be hard on yourself and let the negative thoughts consume you, but having a tornado in your mind means you’ve lived a lot of life, and you’ve learned a lot of lessons; lessons people go their whole lives without learning. When you meet someone who makes your brain pause and helps you catch your breath for even a second, they can become like a drug. They become synonymous with hope for a better life. It’s the same feeling as when you’re driving through a downpour and go under a tunnel; for a moment it’s quiet; for a moment you’re free. “Scatterbrain” is an upbeat, vivacious track with colorful lyrics. The instrumentals perfectly match what it's like going on in a highly-active mind. You simply can’t help but get up, move your body, and escape for a few minutes. Emei gives us scatterbrains a temporary reprieve where all we are thinking is when we can hear this song again. Emei overlays deep, striking lyrics over a catchy beat that creates the ultimate alt-pop track. Her quick wit and clever intellect becomes abundantly clear with lyrics like, “Sleepin’ in my head like a Motel 6. Hold it all together with a little duct tape.” This is a song for any occasion, whether you need to get up and dance, or roll the windows down, take the long way home, and play this over and over. Emei is an incredible singer/songwriter who has rapidly built up an army of fans over the past year. She lets the audience get a look inside her head, her world, and she creates hyper-relatable songs for young adults. Emei initially developed a knack for performing from her time competing on Chinese Idol. After coming in third place, Emei began writing and releasing her own music. Her debut single, “Late to the Party”, garnered over 6 million streams and 10 million views on TikTok and Instagram. After the overnight success of her debut EP, End of an Era, we are eagerly waiting for her sophomore EP, and “Scatterbrain” is the perfect taste on what’s to come in this breakout year for Emei. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW EMEI: