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Brian Walker is starting off 2023 strong with his new single, “Red Flags.” This catchy new song focuses on a subject we all can relate to—red flags and toxic relationships. Attraction can be a monster, causing us to be involved with people giving off toxic vibes. No matter hard we try to manifest positive, healthy relationships, there’s always someone to come along waving their red flags. Drawing inspiration from a past relationship, Walker explores the feelings that come with being involved with a toxic lover. Walker pairs the song with a stunning music video, driving home the message of the song. Walker has created a masterpiece, a song worthy of adding to our playlists and playing on repeat. Sticking to his commercial pop style, “Red Flags” is composed of synth beats and memorable melodies. His intoxicating vocals deliver lyrics describing the toxic tendencies of his former lover. Walker had this to say about the song: “I wrote this song based off of one of my past relationships. Over the summer a few years ago, I was hanging out with this girl, and there were a lot of red flags that came up. I found myself in a lot of lose-lose situations, and I was getting a lot of toxic vibes while hanging out with her. Months later I came up with this beat and was going through my lyric concepts (I now have over 600 unreleased lyric ideas on my phone), and I felt that this "Red Flags" concept was the lyric idea that felt most naturally fit with this beat.” Using these sexy melodies and infectious pop beats, red flags never sounded so good. Brian Walker is a rising pop star known for his extravagant, self-directed music videos. He writes, produces, and records his music in his home studio and often draws from his personal experiences for his lyrics. While Walker’s melodies lean more toward commercial pop, his beats and harmonies draw inspiration from many genres and time periods. Walker released his first single, “Conflicted,” in 2018 and has since been featured on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds,” “Fresh Finds Pop,” “New Music Friday Indonesia,” and “Fresh Finds Indonesia” playlists, as well as 92.5 The River. He has also collaborated with DJ/producer, Eskei83, on Walker’s single, “My Letter.” Walker is constantly on tour and has performed over 550 shows since 2017. He is a “one-man-band,” singing some songs with his guitar and piano, some with a looper, and some with backing tracks during live shows. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW BRIAN WALKER:

“Sleepovers” by Sofija is a self-empowerment anthem. We don’t need validation from someone else once we find it within ourselves. It’s nice to hear compliments, but it’s better to look in the mirror and see them for ourselves. Love can feel like a checklist. Find someone. Check. Make them fall for me. Check. Get compliments. Check. Go to bed and wakeup every morning together. Check. Convince myself I’m actually happy… Check. Love should not be a forced thing or something we strive to accomplish. It should be organic and real. We should spend time with someone because we choose to and not because we feel like we have to to seem relevant or important in the eyes of society, friends, family, and social media. Sofija takes the ultimate independent stance and says that she is good on her own. She won’t settle for less than what she deserves, which is everything, and I think this is a very important lesson for everyone to comprehend. Sure, you can still crave a good conversation or feeling desired, but pretending to feel a connection is lonelier than being alone. The relationship that ultimately matters is the one we have with ourself. We will never spend more time with anyone than ourselves, so that’s the relationship we must nourish and cherish. Some people just aren’t meant for us, and we have to put them to bed… alone. The moment this song begins, you feel like you’re drifting away into a dream. There’s a calming energy to coincide with the powerful lyrics. Her words are all the thoughts we think when our head hits the pillow that we hold secret and wouldn’t share with anyone else. This song feels like she’s reading out of our diary. She wraps us in a warm blanket of comfort and lets us know that we are not alone with these thoughts, dreams, and fears. Her lyrics are dynamic and compelling and they lay perfectly over the ethereal track. This is a song you will have on repeat, and it will be a constant reminder to remember your worth. Sofija is a 24 year old powerhouse. She is a R&B artist from Portland. She offers a fresh perspective to the music industry. Her lyrics are soulful, and her music is catchy. She combines the greatest elements of R&B and Pop to create a unique experience for her listeners. Sofija is a rising talent, and she Is taking the indie music scene by storm. She is wise beyond her years and she’s someone you not only want to listen to, but learn from as well. She’s just beginning her journey, and with her raw talent and captivating energy, she is truly one to lookout for. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW SOFIJA:

VIVIAN’s latest single is one of the most relatable tracks to impact the music industry in recent years. “105” is a vulnerable song that divulges her inner struggles with anxiety, drawing focus on how present it is in her life. The track was written in 2019 after the singer began joking that her resting heart rate was incredibly high and that she was constantly nervous. VIVIAN immediately dives into this when she opens the song with, “Yeah, it’s pretty hot// My resting heart rate’s like 105// And that’s on a good night.” These candid lyrics depict how stress and anxiety rule her life, and that she is in a perpetual state of worry. This provides the audience an insight on the inner workings of her mind. However, in the chorus, the song transforms into a “love song” toward her anxiety—an ode to the one constant in her life. She sings, “You never leave me baby// I, I, I think it’s love.” Similar to a lover that will always have your back and never desert you, anxiety will never fail to show up for VIVIAN. The clever track resonates deeply with listeners, making “105” an instant favorite for her adoring fans. “105” immediately kicks off the track with VIVIAN’s compelling vocals which are shortly met with the ethereal production. The verse utilizes keyboard sound effects that provide an enchanting element to the song. After a few measures, the drums make their entrance and the track begins to intensify. Once the chorus hits, the guitar and bass are added and the track reaches the full production. VIVIAN’s mesmerizing vocals guide the listener through the song, transporting them to another world. The whimsical sound effects used throughout the track paired with the infectious beat are the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable dance song. “105” is a flawless illustration of VIVIAN’s remarkable songwriting and her outstanding ability to captivate listeners with her relatable lyrics and catchy hooks. Vivian Paige Luther, best known as VIVIAN, is a pop singer-songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona, now based in Los Angeles. In May 2020, she made her debut with her first single, “Intimate”. She has released several singles since then, marking “105” as her fifth single. VIVIAN is not only a songwriter for herself, but for other artists as well. She has worked with artists from London, Germany, and all across the United States. In addition to her artistry, VIVIAN is also a stylist, offering her services to help clients find the perfect wardrobe for their upcoming projects and photoshoots. VIVIAN is a triple-threat in her own right, and is ready to take over the entertainment industry. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW VIVIAN:

A thrilling mix of butterflies and awkwardness can often characterize a new-found romance. Quiet Houses new single, “Hot and Clumsy” perfectly captures this feeling of fresh, exciting love. The song’s descriptive lyricism transports audiences to a party that seems to be pulled straight out of a coming-of-age film. With lines such as, “tryna find a room that’s empty” and “I can hear the smokers” the artists construct an all too relatable scene for listeners to imagine. These sweet details bring a strong sense of realism to the track. “Hot and Clumsy” tells a whimsical story of young love and desire, from nervousness to intimacy, it covers all the bases. This lovely tune’s upbeat instrumentation and ethereal vocals evoke feelings of freedom, excitement and nostalgia. “Hot and Clumsy” is introduced with a fast-paced, energetic beat and soft vocals. The inclusion of synth beats, piano and guitar provides a wide range of instrumentation that helps create a fantastic and playful vibe. The single’s breathtaking chorus showcases the singer’s angelic voice with beautiful and feminine drawn-out high notes. The song’s haunting bridge provides a break from the otherwise energetic song. It is almost as if the singer and the audience are slowing down to assess whether this interaction could develop into real love or if it is simply a one-night romance. Before we can fully stop and think, we are thrown back into the magical, lively chorus. These genius storytelling tools distinguish this song as a unique and well-written reflection of a blooming relationship, with the realistic inclusion of both love and fear, two emotions that are ever present when choosing to trust a new person. Based in Edinburgh, Quiet Houses is an indie dream-pop band whose discography and fan base has grown exponentially over the past two-three years. The duo has amassed over 58k monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Their 2021 hit single, “Cold Water Swimming” has garnered over one million streams. Quiet Houses released their first EP in 2021, titled “Big Town”. The band’s new track, “Hot and Clumsy” is already reaching mass audiences, being included on multiple of Spotify’s highly followed curated playlists such as, “New Music Friday” and “All New Indie”. Likewise, the coming-of-age bop was featured on BBC Radio Scotland. Fans can catch more of Quiet Houses' magical music as they embark on a UK tour with the Glasgow based band, Tide Lines this coming March. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW QUIET HOUSES:

Back at it again with a new single, Sarah Anne Fernandez released "Nightmare" today on January 13th for all to hear. According to the artist, "This single explores the idea of finding confidence and being just a little petty after a messy breakup”. With her new release, Sarah is turning a breakup anthem into something powerful. "Nightmare" takes those feelings of anger and pain that others know all too well after a breakup and fuels them into a song that leaves listeners empowered. With lyrics like, “You can go and daydream with someone else but know that I'll be in your nightmares to give you hell”, Sarah has a powerful electronic pop song with a haunting chorus and a catchy melody. Following her debut single “Drowning” comes this up-and-coming pop artist's second original single. In "Nightmare" Sarah is letting others know to watch out because their nightmare might just be her. Sarah's powerhouse vocals take the lead in this single along with Intimate and vulnerable lyrics that help capture post-break-up feels. One of my favorite things about this was the clever use of angry lyrics throughout. "Nightmare" opens with “I wanted to be your dream, but nothing with you is as it seems”. Sarah continues this narrative and creates anticipation for the chorus to follow. Her new release covers all ends of an unsuccessful relationship as she acknowledges If you want her back it'll be too late and you won't find another like her before her hard-hitting line at the end of the song as she sings, "Every day without me is living hell”. Sarah is often recognized for her Broadway-style singing, however, there's no doubt that she can also provide impressive vocals and range for pop music as seen here. Sarah Anne Fernandez is a singer, songwriter, actor, and musician based in New York City. Sarah's powerful vocals have been heard across many stages and live performances throughout the years as she has played leading roles in many Musicals over the years. Most recently she toured the country starring as Elphaba in The North American Tour of “Wicked”. When it comes to her own music, Sarah is known for her storytelling and honesty which relates well to those who listen. Her music style is influenced by artists such as Taylor Swift, Paramore, Lady Gaga, and Phoebe Bridgers. It wasn’t until 2021 when she was first recognized on Spotify for her pop-punk remix of Olivia Rodrigo's well-known single “Deja vu”. Almost exactly a year later, Sarah released her first original song, “Drowning”. Each of these singles gained thousands of streams on the platform. Her latest single “Nightmare” is Sarah’s third release on Spotify and you can listen to it now! Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW SARAH:

“Lights Out” by bludnymph is the ultimate coming for you anthem. Come at me once, and i’m coming for you twice as hard. The angel and devil on your shoulders are both advising very different things. The angel says be a good girl and let it go. The devil says make them run for their life. Suddenly the angel is drowned out by our car door slamming and our hype up song before we cause some trouble. Hurt people hurt people. So when you hurt the person who would do anything for you, all their love can turn into anger on a dime, and you know what they say about payback. The moment this song begins, it is impossible not to move your body and bang your head from side to side. It’s reminiscent of a superhero movie when the villain has just created the perfect plan of destruction, gets his goon squad al together again, and are skipping down the street laughing with malice and weapons. It’s the song for all the bad girls and boys who feel like embracing their power rather than trying to succumb to societal standards. Karma is on the side of truth and justice, so when you do us wrong, it’s only fair that we’re coming for you. This is the song you want to listen to before a big meeting, a crazy party, or just in your car on repeat to remember who you are and what you will and will not tolerate. This song is unapologetic, and it gives us the strength to never forget who we are, and never forget what we deserve. bludnymph is a captivating, innovative alt-pop singer who accumulated well-deserved fame from TikTok. She is a Canadian native who began making videos online in 2019. Along with music, she is popularly known for her beauty, lip sync, and transition videos. Her music is game changing and her creativity is unmatched. She has found the perfect recipe to create magic within her work: spooky, sexy, silly, and magic. “Lights out” has all of these components and just the right amount of sinister and mystery to keep you coming back for more. bludnymph is just getting started, and we can’t wait to watch her journey to stardom continue. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW BLUDNYMPH:

‘Bare Minimum’ is a lovely song, those moments of realization where one first starts to see that they deserve far greater than the effort they have been given in a relationship. What is the story behind this song, and what does it mean to you? Wendy: 'Bare Minimum' is the story of that moment of realization that you are nurturing one-sided relationships. You’re the one everyone turns to, but who do you turn to? I wanted to capture this moment in a song because it’s a significant turning point in your life. 'Bare Minimum' is a reminder to myself and anyone else who wants to value themselves. You deserve to be treated the way you treat people. Has hailing from Boston and being of Portuguese American descent influenced your musical style? Wendy: When I was growing up, my parents would play a lot of Portuguese music in the house. I remember listening to Mariza’s Fado. I do think my exposure to different genres and cultures has influenced my music. I love mixing genres and adding different elements to my music. I see that you are a multi-instrumentalist and the guitar features among them. What else do you play, and do you have plans to learn anything new in the immediate future? Wendy: My favorite thing to do is sing, but I do play piano and a little guitar. I just bought a mini bass that I’m excited about, so I’ll be learning how to play that asap! I’d love to rip a bass solo one day at a gig. 'Bare Minimum’ definitely has an R&B/Soul vibe to it. If you could go on tour with or collaborate with a band or artist, who would you choose and why? Wendy: If I could go on tour or collaborate with anyone, I’d choose H.E.R., John Mayer, or Lizzy McAlpine. I love H.E.R’s melodies and voice, I love John Mayer and his legendary writing and guitar timbre, and I love Lizzy McAlpine’s lyricism and harmonies. These are all attributes that I aim to include in my music. If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, where would your interests lead you instead? Wendy: In college, I minored in speech-language pathology, and now I work in childcare on the side. I love working with kids and building them up. If I weren’t a musician, I’d probably be a teacher or a speech-language pathologist. Aside from your own, what is your favorite music to sing? Wendy: I love singing anything with soul and good lyrics. My favorites to sing are 'If I Ain’t Got You' and 'Fallin’' by Alicia Keys, 'Best Part' by H.E.R. and Daniel Caesar, and 'Ceilings' by Lizzy McAlpine. Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW WENDY:

"WHEN MY BREATHING SLOWS," the fiery collaboration between LA artists Riley Lynch and Ron Geffen, brings feeling to the forefront and allows its brutal heat speak for itself. The rolling drums blast through with booming clarity in every moment, casting the dread and panic in stark shadow. Underneath the explosive percussion and sharp lyricism, bass sizzles like a lit fuse. Guitars crack open the chorus, releasing every once of pain and passion in a fast and catchy hook. The two artists perfectly mesh in this glorious pop-rock display, pulling from grunge and punk of the 2000's and early 2010's. It's stadium-sized sound perfectly serves as an anthem for those who feel like they have nothing more to give. In a way, it's an exorcism: hope burns, bodies fly, and the feelings we fight to keep inside are purged. Recent memory has approached mental health from a more reflective route, but what it's missing is what makes "WHEN MY BREATHING SLOWS" so impactful. What if you aren't okay right now? Lynch and Geffen's collaboration is notable not only for its incredible songwriting, performance, and production, but also as a sort of return to form for the genre: a present tense. The first verse sets the scene. "The second my alarm goes off, my chest begins to tighten," reads the opening line, but its the delivery that makes the verse so notable. Each line chains together, a seemingly insurmountable gauntlet of grievances. "I'm terrified that I won't find my stride until the day I die," perfectly encapsulates the acute dread of never feeling truly better. "WHEN MY BREATHING STOPS" is chock-full of these striking expressions condensed into punchy one-liners ("Feel like I can't form one coherent sentence when I go up to the counter to pick up my new prescription," reads the song's most vivid scene). Exhaustion finally catches up with them in the bridge, where the song's title is repeated to remark on how these present feelings will appear upon reflection. If this pain is a part of our story, how will we feel when the book closes? "WHEN MY BREATHING STOPS" is not the first collaboration between Riley Lynch and Ron Geffen. Back in September of 2022, the two released the single "ICARUS." Riley Lynch's discography holds many punk gems with catchy hooks and booming production. Many songs, like "I WISH," dissolve the borders of genre as they incorporate a variety of flavors, such as electronic and acoustic. Ron Geffen has made a name for many pop-rock collaborations recently. Both artists, based in LA, prove that the underground scene of music is as talented, inspired, and valuable as ever. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW RILEY: FOLLOW RON:

There's nothing better than a song that you can't help but dance to. "Dancing With The Dogs" by Connor Kirk features abstract, poetically written lyrics about single nightlife. Referring to boys as 'dogs' in this scenario, the storyline of this song is of a lonely woman who just wants to have a night out and enjoy herself. But the night ends how it usually does - a stranger in your bed and a morning full of regrets. Although there's a darkness to the meaning of this song, it still brings an upbeat and energetic energy, making it impossible to sit still when you listen to it. Haunting chords and harmonies ring in the air of 'Dancing With The Dogs', giving it the theme that Connor describes as 'dystopian'. Fuzzy vocal effects give the song it's classic feel. Though the progression gives spooky vibes, it's still incredibly catchy in nature and is reminiscent of nostalgic 80's pop and rock. It's giving hints of Michael Jackson, but with the modern dance punk twist of early Panic! at the Disco and the darkness and distortion of Gorillaz. 'Dancing With The Dogs' is what I would describe as the perfect concert song. It's catchy, easy to sing along with and it will get you moving. Connor Kirk is versatile art pop artist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He's a unique songwriter and is an incredible live performer, having opened for acts such as Ceramic Animal and Young the Giant. If you like this style of 'Dancing with the Dogs', you may also like his song 'Hunger City' which has similar vibes. We also did an Interview with Connor back in January 2022 where we discussed his song, 'Party Down', which you can read here. Make sure to give Connor a follow below! His next single, 'Strangers on a Train' comes out January 20th! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW CONNOR:

I love "Pressure", the lyrics are so heartfelt and relatable. What did it feel like to express your thoughts and feelings through this song? Ellie: Writing songs is like therapy for me! When I write a song I have to be truthful for the lyrics to really stand out and make an impact. Especially with ‘PRESSURE’ I made sure to just be honest with myself and talk about the invisible pressure that everyone feels. The song is designed to talk about the mental struggles in everyday life and explore feeling not good enough or having expectations set for yourself, by yourself. I wrote the song so quickly and easily so I think tapping into that other side of me was really helpful and helped me learn a little bit more about my feelings. You're only 14, you have so much talent at such a young age! What is your earliest memory of music? Ellie: Music has been such a major part of my life for so long that there isn’t one memory I can think of, although singing myself to sleep when I was a baby might’ve been my earliest start!! You were recently on an exchange program in Spain, how do you feel your time there impacted you? Ellie: It was such an amazing experience for me as it just set boundaries for my life. I realised that I’m literally functioning in another country and speaking in another language on my own and if I can do that then I can do so much more!! The exchange also taught me that the world is so much bigger than just my house and my school and that I should never care what other people think because there is so much more out there that is more important than someone's opinion. You've gotten some attention from talent scouts for the West End. What has that experience been like and do you see yourself pursuing theatre in the future? Ellie: Although I don’t see myself pursuing theatre, it’s always an option - when I was younger I trained in a theatre company so I do have some of the skills it takes BUT I can’t dance!! Jokes aside, it was crazy to open my emails and see that the West End Musical Theatre company wanted to me audition, there was a few processes that I needed to go through first but, in the end I decided that performing my own music was what I really wanted to do. When you're not working on music, what do you like to do? Ellie: I’m either sleeping because I love my sleep or I’m doing school work as I have quite a lot at the moment - it’s not great. What things are you looking forward to in 2023? Ellie: I’m just so excited to record new music. 2023 has already been going so well. I’ve been on BBC Radio Solent again with my new song ‘PRESSURE’ and in a few weeks I’ve got a very exciting meeting with a management company so we’ll see how that goes!! I just want my music to evolve this year, now that I know what I’m doing - maybe play some more gigs and gain a bit more exposure. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW ELLIE:

I love the sound of ‘Mess With My Man’ and your voice is incredible. Do you mind sharing the story behind the tune? Presley: Thank you so much! When I first heard “Mess With My Man” I was instantly hooked. I feel like every girl has gone through the feeling of another woman trying to take her man. It can be so frustrating when it happens, but ultimately you gotta put your foot down and stand your ground! You were on The Voice at just sixteen years old! What was that experience like for you? Presley: The Voice was one of the most incredible experiences. I was surrounded by so many incredible musicians, got to work with the house band who I swear are magicians, as well work with my idol Kelly Clarkson. Every little bit of the process was like a dream come true. I went into “The Voice” with an open mind and wanted to take everything in, so I did just that! You’ve shared the stage with some phenomenally popular artists in the industry, including the likes of Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, and more. What have you learned from some of these seasoned industry veterans? Presley: It’s so insane knowing that I’ve gotten to share the stage with so many incredible artists. It doesn’t seem real so I’ve learned to seriously take it all in and live in the moment. I appreciate and fully support your love and interest in supporting animal organizations. Can you tell us how Riffs & Rescues was born? Presley: I am a very passionate lover of animals and feel so strongly about them. It breaks my heart to see our furry friends in shelters and rescues when they deserve a loving home. These animals are our best friends and we need to be the voice that advocates for them! Who are some of your biggest musical influences and inspirations? Presley: I grew up listening to so many different artists of all different genres but I definitely gravitate more towards powerhouse vocalists like Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Chris Stapleton to name a few. What would you say was your best live performance and what was it like? Presley: My best or most memorable performance was probably getting to sing with Kelly Clarkson at her show in Las Vegas. She’s part of the reason I started singing…She was my first concert ever, I sang her song “Because Of You” at every little singing competition around my hometown and she was my coach on The Voice. It was also my 17th birthday so she sang me happy birthday and brought out a cake after we sang “Because Of You”! Interviewed By Vanessa Siebrass FOLLOW PRESLEY:

"I Wanna Be With You" is a catchy bedroom pop banger. The vocalist details being drawn to a friend romantically, singing about wanting to further their relationship even if it risks their friendship. Chris James describes the beauty in falling in love and the anxiety that comes with confessing feelings. It's scary when you want someone who may just only see you as a friend, but sometimes you just can't help yourself. Although the singer discusses a personal matter, he does it in a fun and relatable way. Overall, this track has a playful and cheeky feel to it. Chris has such a smooth voice that compliments the dreamy instrumental and allows the song to shine. A highlight of the single is the "cool interlude" as the artist states in the lyrics video. This moment enhances the lyrics that follow and has listeners appreciating the bedroom pop instrumental. The chorus is another standout "I Wanna Be With You". In the hook, the musician layers harmonized vocals that are incredible and a delight for audiences. Chris James is a singer songwriter and producer based in Berlin, Germany. He's played guitar since a young age and started showing off his talents on YouTube, since then gaining a large following. He has over 900,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and has over 800 million total streams. On social media, James has risen to popularity and has gone viral for his snippet of songs and his incredible talent. The musician released his first single in March 2018 titled, "I Know You Can Dance", another playful song that has an upbeat melody. Chris is also known for co-writing the RIAA Gold-certified Billboard Hot 100 #1 (and Global 200 #1) song, “Life Goes On” by BTS. Make sure to keep track of Chris and his continuously growing career by following him below! Written By Stephanie Berning FOLLOW CHRIS JAMES: