Search Results

After a year since her last release, pop artist SHN has new music for her listeners. SHN is kicking off 2023 with a song that any young adult can probably relate to. Her new single, “27 in a 7-Eleven" was released on January 13th and as the title suggests, this track is about reflecting on your age inside of that famous convenience store that you or someone you know has probably been to. With hints of nostalgia, you can find this artist looking back on their past while making passes at growing up and watching the world moving forward. As SHN puts it, this track was made for “The ones that feel like they are caught in-between, not quite grown up but can no longer call themselves naive”. Through catchy melodies and acoustic guitar, SHN's new single paints a picture of finding yourself inside (and outside) of a 7-Eleven while thinking about life and wondering where it all went wrong. We all grow up at some point, and becoming an adult isn't always an easy thing to do. SHN makes it even more relatable by opening up about it in her track and singing what we’re really feeling inside at this age. The honesty in her lyrics is one of my favorite things about this track because thinking about life can happen anywhere, especially on a late-night run to the convenience store. The lyrics in her new single take you through the different sections of the 7-Eleven as you find her moving from the freezer section to the counter as she repeatedly sings “Too young to be this tired/too old to play along/where did I go wrong?”. SHN's vocals are stunning and bright throughout this track, despite the natural tone of the lyrics. “27 in a 7-Eleven” is going to be my new life anthem on repeat. SHN, pronounced “ten”, is a Singer and Songwriter based in Asia. The up-and-coming artist has currently reached an impressive 114,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and her music has been streamed millions of times on the platform. Her #1 song on Spotify, “The Idea of Us” has been played over 2 million times alone. SHN has had a wide discography consisting of releases since 2018 which features 12 singles (14 with remixes) and 1 debut album titled “SHN” that came out in 2019. Her newest release, "27 in a 7- Eleven" will be the first one since her year-long hiatus which followed the release of “Dark Places'' (with Gareth Fernandez) in December of 2021. SHN writes “it’s a new era” on her Spotify and with her in it, it sounds like it will be. She is definitely an artist you want to keep on your radar. Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW SHN:

Zoe Sparks's latest release is a jazzy pop song that analyzes Gen Z’s unique experience of growing up in the age of social media where overnight fame is no longer unheard of. “Famous” explores her personal experience with this and the impact it has on her career and social life. The song immediately begins with her singing the hook: “All my friends are famous.” She then starts to compare herself to those around her, reflecting on their luck within the industry. Her friends have earned their big break, blowing up on Instagram and TikTok, while Sparks is still waiting on her moment. In the final chorus, Sparks changes one of the previous lyrics from “All my friends are famous//And it’s like I never existed” to “All my friends are famous// And all I get is rejected.” Both of these lyrics are heartbreaking, yet the shift catches the listener off guard. The first represents her reasonable resentment and jealousy toward her friends, but the second shifts the focus towards the hurt caused by the industry itself. Despite her clear talent and passion, Sparks has not received the big break she deserves. That overnight TikTok fame has not hit her like it has hit her friends, but it is not their fault. Or hers. It is the broken industry that often overlooks natural talent—including Triple Threats like Sparks. Throughout the track, the audience can sense her strong devotion to her craft and empathize with her frustration. With any luck, “Famous” will be Sparks’s breakout single and she will finally get the spotlight she deserves. Despite the emotionally charged lyrics that leave listeners brokenhearted for Sparks, “Famous” is an upbeat, jazzy pop song that plays on repeat in their minds. The track begins with a bass and steady drum beat that sets the tone for the song. Sparks’s strong vocals lead the audience through the track, keeping them hanging on to her every word. The song continues through the chorus, where the saxophone is added, further boosting the lively atmosphere. In the verse, the saxophone takes the back seat, only making its appearance between lines, pulling a greater emphasis on the honest lyrics. Then, as the chorus picks up, the saxophone is more apparent. Every instrument works together to provide an upbeat, cheerful melody that beautifully contrasts the despondent lyrics. With “Famous”, Sparks showcases her unmistakable talent with the infectious melodies and relatable storytelling. Zoe Sparks is a singer, songwriter, and bassist from Los Angeles. She is now based in Boston, where she graduated from Berklee College of Music. Her sound is a genre-blending mix of funk, soul, R&B, and pop. She made her debut in 2020 with her single, “Admit It”. Then in 2020, she released her first EP, I Need a Win. Sparks marks her seventh single with “Famous”. She is known for her live performances in the New England region, and has opened for artists such as Lawrence, Del Water Gap, and Victor Wooten. Her winter tour on the East Coast began on January 14th and will end on January 29th. Check out her socials to find out if she is coming to a city near you! Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW ZOE:

Sometimes falling in love is harder than it needs to be. The more we get our heartbroken the harder it is to trust and open up to others. ‘Open Hands’ by Zach Paradis describes this feeling of wanting love but having trouble getting your guard down after going through many bad experiences. The anxiety that the singer faces is finally met with acceptance. Paradis realizes that no matter how much he stresses or wishes that his relationship will work out, things will turn out the way they are supposed to, despite his worrying. This single has a similar sound to Ed Sheeran and Lord Huron. Paradis begins the track with gentle and soft guitar strumming and stunning background harmonized vocals. In the verse, the low intense bass is amplified and reflects the dark and deep emotions that come with the internal struggle of what it’s like to be afraid of falling in love again. During the chorus, the singer showcases his vocal talents while singing “Now I know what’s meant will be” in a breathtakingly gorgeous falsetto. The conclusion of the song is similar to the beginning with vocals and instrumental that seem to symbolize the overarching theme of the single, which is that despite the anxiety the singer feels, things will happen as they are meant to. Zach Paradis was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio but is now Los Angeles based as he pursues music. Throughout his musical journey, the vocalist has incorporated the best elements of hip-hop and alternative to elevate his pop music. In December 2018, Paradis released his debut single titled “Mine This Year”, a festive Christmas song that showcases his talented voice. His debut single has a vulnerability and depth that goes beyond most holiday songs. This catchy pop single is the first of eight songs that Paradis is releasing for his upcoming highly anticipated sophomore album. Written By Stephanie Berning FOLLOW ZACH PARADIS:

“paranoia” by vara perfectly encapsulates our late night thoughts when the world seems a lot scarier. Our mind is on a one way train down a path we do not wish to be on, but there seems to be no way off the ride. We can admit things in the four walls of our bedroom and mind that we wouldn’t dare speak aloud, or even think, around other people. We answer questions of concern with nervous laughter and polite smiles. We say we’re okay because we want to speak it into existence. There are some secrets we even keep from ourselves; ones we wouldn’t even dare let the thought come out in full. We know ourselves better than anyone in this world, but we also lie to ourselves and rewrite stories to fit the narrative we wish to see in the mirror. We fear if we say it, it becomes gospel. There shouldn’t be fear in honesty, and admitting something doesn’t mean it’s permanent. We’re paranoid of what others might think; we’re paranoid it’ll stay like this forever; we’re paranoid it’s too far gone… but the only thing we should be paranoid of is not being honest with ourselves and not trying to ask for help and find some resolution. Vara mixes vulnerability and apprehension beautifully in their new dark pop single, “paranoia”. They have a tight, introspective grasp on the oceans of secrets we wish would wash away from our mind. They give us an intimate glimpse into their mind, and they had a candid conversation about mental health and depression. They remind us that there is no stigma or fear in admitting you need help. “paranoia” is reminiscent of our favorite early 2000’s punk hits, and vara mixes that nostalgia with an important message that could help so many people. They say the things out loud that we try so hard to keep close, and those open, raw statements are going to create a plethora more of those crucial conversations. Vara is a singer/songwriter and social media influencer. They are signed under their own label, Kefe Records, and “paranoia” is the first single. Vara has gained traction and fans from social media, and that is only going to flourish with their unique and honest influential music. Vara is reminiscent of a young Billie Eilish or Lana del Rey. They are only beginning the journey to stardom, and with their captivating, powerful, and insightful story-telling, we are rest assured they are going to change the music game for good. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW VARA:

Once upon a time, there was a friend who humble bragged about their dad’s Benz, pulled drama out of thin air and hated on people because they felt like it. Alexa Villa lays all of her angst out on the table in her new song “Bored”, featuring Colie Hutzler, a hardcore punk rock anthem that threads together a story many are unfortunately familiar with: a tumultuous friendship. One that causes unnecessary stress from drama that was struck up on one side and instantaneously put out by the other. Throughout the single, Alexa and Colie narrate what it was like going through friendship torment and indicate that the only plausible reason for such hatred to surface is because that person is bored. Her song is an open book, calling out those who have wronged her in the past, allowing listeners to relate. But it’s not to be mistaken as a pity song, because just like the first line of the song states, she does better in the end. Angsty pop/punk music is now reminiscent of the past with its popularity being in the early 2000’s. But like every trend, it came back around, and “Bored” is one of the many that pays a great tribute to that genre. In their true pop/punk fashion, Alexa Villa and Colie Hutzler have the powerhouse vocals to match the song’s energy, capturing the ears of listeners from the first lyric. As the instrumentals meet their voices and the lyrics, the anger is shown in the hearty chorus, “Don’t hate me cause you’re bored/ Misery’s a chore/ If you could focus all that energy on yourself instead of me/ How pretty your world would be.” Music is a form of venting for people, and with its hardcore drums, convulsive electric guitar and irritable lyrics, Alexa and Colie do just that in her karma-lit single, “Bored.” Born and raised in San Diego, Alexa Villa is a Mexican American singer, songwriter and producer now based in Los Angeles. Coming from a family of dreamers, Alexa grew up in a musician household that followed their dreams, performing in bars and clubs throughout San Diego. Her upbringing has encouraged her to also follow her musical desires and chase after her passion. Since releasing her first debut album in 2017, she has released many singles and has composed songs for other artists, commercials and films. She has also opened for many well-known musicians such as Alec Benjamin, Ryan Cabrera and The Darkness. Not only can she write, sing and perform, but she also has instrumental talent —playing guitar, synth and is classically trained on piano. Alexa Villa is definitely a name to have on your radar, as she is a laser beam burning through the walls of the music industry and climbing her way to the top. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW ALEXA VILLA:

Chill with a flair for the dramatic—that’s the perfect way to describe ill peach’s new single, “HOLD ON.” The song is mellow with the right amount of intensity to appeal to any lover of indie sounds. ill peach tastefully melts Jess Corazza's smokey vocals with eclectic synth sounds to create this masterpiece. Written for the new season of Ginny and Georgia, "HOLD ON" is featured in episode 3 ("What Are You Playing at, Little Girl?"). The featured portion of the song plays over one of the most dramatic moments in the show thus far, flawlessly reflecting the moment on-screen. ill peach starts the year strong with their latest concoction of vibrant sonics. "HOLD ON" is a powerful new addition to the dark pop world. The song features melancholy vocals, synths, and melodies, coming together to create a moody atmosphere. Starting soft and suspenseful, "HOLD ON" begins with a quiet intensity. The song slowly builds energy, arriving at the chorus. Once at the chorus, "HOLD ON" unleashes into an electrifying, soul-stirring sound—something anyone can feel epic listening to. A Los Angeles-based, grit-pop duo, ill peach is a worthy group to be on your radar. The duo is comprised of artists, Jess Corazza and Pat Morrissey. ill peach formed after some major moments for the artists. Corazza realized they couldn't support themselves as a cowgirl and Morrissey found themselves burnt out as a competitive tap dancer. This led the two to move to New York and then LA, embarking on ill peach's journey. ill peach debuted in 2021 with the EP, EXCUSE US WHILE WE FIND OUR MINDS. The EP features stories from their New York to LA move. They have since released other singles, including "COMATOSE," "BRIGHT LIGHTS," and "DANDELION." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW ILL PEACH:

"Keep Me From Falling Apart" by Brainheart and Dorel is a heartfelt collaboration that will make you think of the relationships you cherish most. This pop track is wonderfully done in all categories. Production is attractive and sleek, lyricism is simple and sweet, and Dorel’s voice is rich and experienced. It’s a song about being open with the person you love and how they are one of the only ones who can stop you from falling into a rut with your emotions, when they leave it all falls apart. This song is a must-add to your love playlists this year. My first thought while listening to this track was that I was reminded of the mid-2010s. Specifically, I thought of indie R&B pop artist Jaymes Young. This track tells a story of conflict and hopeful resolution. Maybe you and the person you crave are occasionally rocky, but they are the first person you think to go to when you feel yourself slipping. You can admit that maybe you are challenging, but you are incredibly grateful for this person. You have no idea what you would do without them. Roi Zohar, who you probably know as Brainheart, is a well-versed music artist. He produces, writes, and DJs. He first used music as a distraction from school, which he loathed. It quickly became much more than a distraction, and he fell in love with the art. He has an impressive 90,000 monthly listeners and a couple of tracks that have amassed more than a million streams. He released his first track on Spotify in 2019 and has kept creating since then. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW BRAINHEART:

Photo Credits: (top) Carly Rae Jepson via Discogs. Gayle via People Magazine [photographer-Acacia Evans]. (bottom) Maisie Peters via Instagram [photographer-@shotbyphox]. Zara Larsson via The Guardian. Everyone knows the music industry is tough. So many incredibly talented people go unnoticed - whether it's because of finances, location, or lack of resources, there's thousands of artists who deserve to be at the top but struggle to reach it. This list of pop stars are the ones that are so close, yet still so far away. They've got their name out there but their talent still isn't appreciated as much as it should be. Instead of being the 'A' Listers that they should be, they're still struggling to get people to notice not just their name, but listen to and appreciate their music. There are thousands upon thousands of artists that deserve to be recognized, but these Top 10 are what I consider to be the ones that really should've made it by now. 10. Gayle Gayle is obviously known for her viral TikTok song, 'abcdefu'. When a song gets overplayed in the industry, listeners tend to get annoyed. This is exactly what happened with Gayle, and unfortunately because of it she wrongfully got a bad reputation. People assume 'abcdefu' was her first song, her only song, and they don't want anything to do with her anymore. But if someone would just take a few minutes out of their day to look up Gayle and all of her music, they'd realize she's been releasing music since 2020, a year before 'abcdefu' was even a thing. She also has come out with an incredible EP since then, 'a study of the human experience part two' that features 6 songs that really show Gayle as the amazing artist she really is. I highly recommend giving her a chance. Listen to her other songs and then try to tell me she doesn't deserve the attention! 9. Conan Gray Conan Gray has been writing songs since he was 12 years old. At the age of 15, he began a YouTube channel where he shared music as well as daily vlogs. He was recognized by Republic Records and was signed in 2018. Inspired by Taylor Swift, Conan is not only a phenomenal songwriter, buy he has a beautifully unique voice as well. He has such a rock-star quality, it baffles me that he is not a household name yet. Although he has had a few viral TikTok moments, like with his song 'Heather', his full discography still doesn't get the traction it deserves. 8. Mike Posner Whether you realize it or not, you know a Mike Posner song. Everyone knows 'Cooler Than Me' and 'I Took a Pill in Ibiza'. In fact, 'I Took a Pill in Inbiza' has gotten over 1.6 BILLON streams on Spotify. Though Mike has written some of the greatest hits we know and love, his name still doesn't come to mind when you think of global superstar. Mike's debut studio album, 'A Matter of Time' came out all the way back in 2009. Since then, he has released an additional (and impressive) 9 albums! He has been open and honest about struggling with his success, always feeling pressured to come out with the next big song and then being disappointed when it doesn't take off. He definitely deserves a lot more attention that he gets. 7. Tate McRae Although Tate McRae is mostly known for being a dancer on the TV show 'So You Think You Can Dance', making it as the first ever Canadian finalist, she is also an incredible singer. Her song 'you broke me first' had it's viral moment on TikTok, gaining over 1 Billion streams on Spotify, but since then Tate hasn't been getting as much recognition for her newer music she's been putting out. She's able to gain streams from her already dedicated followers, but hasn't been able to make it back into the top 20 on the charts since 'you broke me first'. To me, Tate deserves to be a household name and should be playing arenas by now. She's unbelievably talented and really deserves it. 6. Carly Rae Jepsen Carly Rae Jepsen has been around for a very, very long time in the music industry. So why isn't she playing stadium tours yet? Her music is incredibly catchy, her voice is beautiful and unique, what's the hold up? Carly had her hit song 'Call Me Maybe' back in 2012, another one of those songs that played non-stop on the radio, but she's been around since way before. Back in 2007, she was 3rd place on Canadian Idol. If every person who knows 'Call Me Maybe' listened to Carly's discography, they'd probably find a lot more songs to fall in love with, especially now since releasing 4 albums. In Carly's instance, I feel that her label and marketing team just don't try hard enough to get people to listen to her. But of course, we can never truly know what happens behind the scenes. One thing I do know, is 'Run Away With Me' is probably one of my favorite songs of all time, and it got blacklisted from radio play due to the featured saxophone sample being used in the song without permission. But let's be honest, this song just wouldn't be the same without it. 5. Maisie Peters Maisie Peters legitimately has one of the sweetest voices I've ever heard in my life. She knows how to write lovely melodies that will captivate you from the moment you hear it. With recognition and praise from household names like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, you'd think she would've taken the world by storm especially after being signed to Ed Sheeran's record label, Gingerbread Man Records. To impress 2 of the greatest songwriters of all time, that has to mean something. Maisie hasn't been given her chance to shine as bright as she can and her music definitely deserves more attention. She has yet to be on the billboard charts although she has come out with some impressive songs these past few years. 4. 5 Seconds of Summer 5 Seconds of Summer formed in 2011 and posted videos on YouTube of them playing. They were discovered by One Direction's Louis Tomlinson, soon being invited to open up for One Direction's 'Take Me Home' tour. 5 Seconds of Summer has always appreciated the recognition that 1D had given them, but they've always lived in fear of having to live in the shadow of the world's biggest boyband. 5 Seconds of Summer have gone through some incredible moment's in the their career and have be unapologetically themselves. Though they're incredibly talented (and even better live), they still haven't reached the ability to play a stadium tour and have a No. 1 song on the charts. It's always been clear that they deserve more than they get credit for. 3. Little Mix Little Mix is technically the biggest girl group in the entire world. They've been breaking records ever since being the first girl group to win 'The X Factor UK' in 2011. They're the best selling girl group of all time, selling more than 60 million records in there 11 years as a band before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2022. Despite this, they never reached higher than No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. I can confidently say that these girls are some of the best singers I've ever heard in my entire life. Jade Thirwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock have the craziest ranges and control, it'll blow your mind. Not to mention their tear-jerking harmonies. I think the stigma of liking girl bands (and boybands!) being "uncool" needs to be broken, because Little Mix has always deserved more attention than they received! 2. Zara Larsson Zara Larsson has one of the most captivating voices I've ever heard. She's had 2 songs go over 1 Billion streams - "Lush Life" and "Symphony" with Clean Bandit. Even with her impressive amount of streams, she still has yet to make it to No. 1, or even the top 10 on the charts. At only 10 years old, she won the talent competition 'Talang', the Swedish version of 'Got Talent'. Her range and pitch are like none other, and though she is Sweden's pride and joy, she still hasn't gotten her name in lights in America. 1. Sabrina Carpenter Sabrina Carpenter seems like one of the most kind and genuine people, but has had a bit of bad luck. Her talent is undeniable; she's both lyrically and vocally gifted. It doesn't help that she started as a child actor on Disney's 'Girl Meets World'. It's fairly common for Disney actors to often pursue a music career as well, but to me, Sabrina is different. She writes her own music and she does it well. She's 100% authentically herself and has not used Disney to amplify her music career. Sabrina has 5 studio albums, her most recent one being 'emails I can't send' which is extremely underrated. A lot of it has to do with the horrible hate she had to endure after the Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett drama. Even though she was an innocent bystander in a story blown out of proportion, she is still treated like an enemy all this time later. Put the past in the past, and give her music a chance. Her sound is so classic yet unique, and she deserves all the love! What do you think of this list? Do you have any disagreements or think we missed someone? Follow us on our socials 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.

I love the way ”This Life Is Not Mine” begins with echoing background vocals, what life experiences inspired this song? ADT: I love sounds that shiver timbers. That is normally how I start projects, finding a sound or a combination of sounds that make you want to listen to it over just because it left an impression that only that sound can leave on you. What would a music video for “This Life Is Not Mine” look like? Is there a video planned for the future? ADT: The song is rather mellow so I’ve always pictured that a music video would follow suit. The drop however would be a bit more energetic especially the second one with the vocals layered over top of it. At this moment a music video isn’t guaranteed but I’ve definitely been looking into it. So who knows maybe it will happen soon. Out of all the music you have composed, which song is your favorite? ADT: My best song is without a doubt “This Life Is Not Mine” however my favorite is “I don’t want to see your face again”. I think it was actually a really good track overall but it’s also got the perk of being what you could consider like my first professional release, in the sense of putting my projects on more than just SoundCloud. In your Spotify biography, I see you’ve been making music since 2015, what got you started in producing music and how do you think your music has evolved since? ADT: I remember the exact moment when I was interested in trying this music thing. I was traveling to a store with my mother, and music was playing and was just curious about how it was made. Looked it up and this lead to a free daw called LMMS and now here we are. I definitely think that my skills as a musician have improved massively, from my first ever project that I did. I still have my first project up on my SoundCloud just so others can see where I started and where I am at this moment. I also feel that it’s evolved in just the sense of knowing what genre it’s supposed to be. Originally it was just trying to find the genre that I enjoyed making the most, but with the newest release it’s definitely solidified now. What inspired the cover art to this song? ADT: The artwork represents that feeling of your life not belonging to you, the smoke being able to freeform from other elements. The colors are a bit more subdued to represent the vibe and tempo of the song. How has living in Southwest Florida influenced your music and what can we look forward from you in the future? ADT: With Miami right on the other coast, music is a huge thing down here. It’s all styles of music as well, ranging from hip-hop, to country, to traditional pop, to Latin, to EDM/Dance, and so on. Interviewed By Sophia E. Henry FOLLOW ADT:

I love this song! What life experiences were you able to draw from in order to write "HATER"? STEVANS: Thanks! It was a guy who always criticised me and the band STEVANS, every time I heard people reporting his critics toward me, and being hypocrite when in the same room. I finally told him to stop his "suppose to be nice guy" act and of course, as all HATERS, I came to realize that so many people had the same experience with him. These people tend to destroy things rather than create things, they don't take any risks and are jealous of other people's success. When you understand that, you are confident, that's why I wrote "I'm higher now, thanks to you", meaning him and other HATERS will always stay in their same shit while we evolve. This song was a collaboration with Fanny Leeb. What was it like working with her and how do you feel your songwriting process differs when collaborating with another artist? STEVANS: I actually wrote the song and Fanny performed the singing of her part. I've always loved her voice and definitely makes me want to collaborate with more artists. I am currently writing songs for other singers, I love it. Yvan, you started STEVANS during the era of MySpace. How do you feel that the evolution of social media has changed the way music is enjoyed since then? STEVANS: Big question! The positive part is that an unknown indie band can become super popular in a day, the negative part is there are soooooo many artists, all mixed up in a jungle, it's hard to make it happen. Everything is focused on numbers, likes, followers... it's crazy. People don't judge the music, they judge the followers... you can have the same quality of music, but not have the same impact if you have 5K or a million followers. That's finally like Myspace if you think about it. After four albums, what has been your biggest lesson about writing music? STEVANS: Don't try to imitate other styles from other artists. They will always do it better than you. Do what you have to do, let yourself be influenced, yes, but decide precisely that THIS is going to make you groove on stage, or not. People around will always give their opinion, hear them, select the best out of it, and throw away the rest. As a European-American group, how do you feel the mix of two cultures has influenced your writing style? STEVANS: On every step and every instrument! Yann (the guitarist) and me can listen to Kendrick Lamar, Frank Sinatra, and Coldplay in the same day. If its good, whatever the style is, we just love it. In the end, STEVANS music is a mix of everything our ears loved hearing. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW STEVANS

You’re walking into a club right when a choir of synthetic instruments beam from the speakers and the words, “See you in my head when I turn the lights off”, surround the room. What do you do? The electro-pop single “Last Time” is a collaboration between well-known British producer and saxophonist, Brendan Mills, and up and coming producer and writer, Coppermines. Though their work is the production, the music amplifies the song’s lyrics written by songwriters Jamison and Anna Kline, which are about a person missing someone and trying to get them out of their mind by drinking them away. The pre-chorus explains it all, “Like I’m living in a flashback/ Tryin; to throw it back/ Like the liquor in my glass,” and is augmented by a soft, up-beat clap, increasing the anticipation. With its energetic instrumentation and the desire saturated lyrics, the song will leave you no choice but to get up on your feet and dance. Collaborations between two artists usually means that the product they create is going to flourish with a creative uniqueness that can only be done when two or more come together. Brendan Mills and Coppermines are the perfect example of what it means to take two artists that specialize in certain things and gather them in a room to make something inspired. “Last Time” is the dreamy outcome, frosted with heavenly synths while the lyrics are the cherry on top, pining for something that could never exist since the beginning: a meaningful relationship. Coppermines is a dance-pop producer and the artist project of EDM producer, Tim Chingos. From an early age, music has played a big part in his life. Throughout high school and college, he became involved in various musical groups by playing the drums and DJ’ing parties. Making his debut, Coppermines has made his first label release on Soave Records with “Last Time,” collaborating with world renowned producer and saxophonist, Brendan Mills. Based out of London, Brendan Mills is one of the most sought-after musicians. He is regularly invited to the capital’s premium venues from the Dorchester to Westminster Park Plaza and has played all over the world for celebrities. Globally acclaimed, Brendan Mills has the world on a string, achieving being the most streamed saxophonist in the world. Helping Coppermines with his first official debut, “Last Time” is hopefully the first of many collaborations between the two. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW COPPERMINES: FOLLOW BRENDAN MILLS:

“Dancing With The Dogs” is insanely catchy. I will definitely have this in my head for the next couple of days. What was the inspiration behind it, and what emotion do you hope it evokes in your listeners? Connor: Thank you so much. The musical inspiration was to try and combine the energy of beat-driven pop with the grittier aesthetic of lo-fi punk music. Lyrically it was inspired by dystopian novels that I was reading at the time. Which song of your own is your current favorite – you can only pick one! Connor: It's always the one that I write tomorrow. Has your recent move to Philly had any impact on your musical style? Connor: Absolutely. I've been getting to play in front of a crowd almost every night in Philly, and that's altered the way I write. I've been thinking more in terms of what a particular sound or lyric will do in a live context. I'll often visualize myself playing the song in front of a Philly crowd as I write it. Exploring the underground art scene in Philly has been fascinating as well. You meet a lot of characters who end up in the songs in one way or another. How long have you been playing guitar, and what made you first want to play? Connor: I've been playing guitar for roughly ten years. I was always very shy as a child, and as I started growing toward adolescence I began searching for ways to explore my consciousness and express what I found. There was a cheap old acoustic guitar lying around the house, and around that time I began feeling powerfully drawn to it. What do you find is the biggest difference between acoustic and electric performances? Does your musical approach or mentality differ when playing one versus the other? Connor: The difference is in the tools you have to work with--the kinds of energy. They are very different skills, but each informs the other. You're required to be compelling in different ways, as you can't make a chalk drawing with oil paints. But you can make a damn good oil painting if you know how. I've been practicing a lot and have so much room for improvement in both areas. Of your live performances, which would you say has been your most memorable thus far? Connor: I recently got to open for the band, Ceramic Animal on their summer tour at a venue in Lancaster, PA. That was particularly thrilling, as I'm a fan of their work. My band was together, the crowd was enthusiastic, and the stars seemed to align that night in a unique way. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW CONNOR: