What life event inspired "I Tried"? What did you learn from it? Leon: "I tried" is not really inspired by one event, but by multiple. All those times in life when you need to give up because there is a different path for you to follow. You are a young artist who began performing at the age of 4 by going up to adults at the playground and singing for them, now you are 15 and have done live shows, as someone who started at such a young age what do you think 4 year old you would think of yourself today? Leon: I think 4 year old me would be proud of the well rounded musician, producer, songwriter, and performer I’ve become. I’ve improved in every aspect of myself. You have Synesthesia, a phenomenon that causes you to be able to see colors when you hear music, what colors did you see when composing this song? Overall how has synesthesia affected and inspired your songwriting? Leon: Synesthesia gives color, feeling, and life to music I listen to and write. With "I tried" I put myself in that feeling of ok I tried and it didn’t work out. You’ve been performing almost your whole life, where is your dream place to perform? Leon: I don’t really have a dream place to perform, my goal is to travel the world performing for crowds that appreciate my music. On your website leonvincentmusic.com under the videos tab, I found a video of you doing different covers from "Piano Man" by Billy Joel to "What’s Up?" by 4 Non-Blondes. What about these older classics do you like? Is there different elements from these songs and others that you would want to implement into your own music? Leon: These older songs are great for live performances because everybody knows them, I like the feel of these songs and maybe one day I’ll implement some styles from them but for right now I’m just going to keep writing what comes out of me. As a young songwriter who is slowly finding themselves as they grow up, what is the biggest lesson that you have learned throughout this whole process and how are you hoping to grow as an artist? Leon: I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is practice, practice, practice, is power. The more you practice the more confident you become which creates an overall better show. I hope to one day inspire many people with my music. Right now I am producing several new ones again and I’m excited to see how people like those. They will be available for streaming soon and want to have a new album ready by summer! Interviewed By Sophia E. Henry FOLLOW LEON VINCENT:

Natalie Clark reminds us the sky is the limit with her new single, "How High." This catchy new pop anthem leaves us with an optimistic outlook on life as she challenges listeners to chase and pursue their dreams. There's a world of possibilities before all of us and it is up to us to decide 'how high' we want to go. This single is perfect for anyone needing a bit of inspiration or a song to make them feel good. Focusing on the ups and downs in life and keeping a positive outlook no matter what, "How High" makes you feel like there's nothing in this world you can't accomplish. "How High" begins with Natalie Clark's dreamy vocals, taking us on a journey of self-discovery. Clark combines her lush, airy vocals with upbeat indie pop sounds, creating a work of art worthy of playing on repeat. Showing off her impressive lyricism, "How High" features uplifting lyrics, encouraging listeners to go after their full potential and not let anything hold them back. Between the energetic music and the cheery lyrics, "How High" radiates happiness and good vibes, a song capable of brightening anyone's day. Natalie Clark is a Scottish singer-songwriter and certainly someone to keep on your radar. She was selected as a Mercedes Benz KTLA "Artist To Watch" after moving to the U.S. and has been featured in the Mercedes Benz commercial campaign. This campaign also included her performing at the famous Roxy Theatre on Sunset and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Clark was handpicked to open for the Indigo Girls on their tour and received critical acclaim from artists such as Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton when she appeared on The Voice. Since her move to the States, Clark has opened festivals, toured the country, and has recently made Music Connection Magazine's "Hot 100 Live Artists" list. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW NATALIE CLARK:

Everyone has heard the age old saying, “time flies when you’re having fun.” On the other hand, time seems to slow down when you hit a bump in the road. Lily Kincade’s song, “3 months,” is a real-life example of this situation. It is a slow and reflective pop ballad about a blissful romantic relationship that ended too soon. Even though the relationship has ended, Kincade is still grateful for the time she had. This goes to show that we need to live in the moment, for we will miss out on the present if we look towards the future too much. One aspect of the song that I really enjoyed was the storytelling quality of the lyrics. In the first verse, she talks about the breakup. The second verse mentions seeing her ex with a new girl and talking about the fun times they would’ve had if the relationship lasted longer. The chorus does an excellent job of pulling these flashbacks together, as it says “look how much damage three months can do.” The instrumentation of the song was rather simple. It was a really good choice for this track because it let the storytelling quality shine through. I liked how the piano and guitar seemed to flow together creating a calming mood. Despite the song’s sad situation, the music itself was really satisfying to listen to. Some of Lily Kincade’s biggest musical influences are Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves. These two women write ample songs about love and relationships, so they are great to draw inspiration from. If you liked “3 Months,” you should check out “LA Doesn’t Miss Me.” It is the title track of Kincade’s 2021 album. It also has a storytelling aspect, but it is not about romance. Instead, it talks about Kincade’s move from Los Angeles to Tennessee. If you want more songs about love though, you should listen to “Real,” another track off of that album. While it is still about a breakup, it looks at it in a more positive light. It could be a great addition to your pick-me-up playlist! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW LILY KINCADE

Starting over is always the hardest part. But sometimes it takes going one step back in order to take ten steps forward. ROSIE takes that backstep by delving deep into her mind in her enlightened new single, “Startover,” which shows her realizing that she needs to let go of certain parts of herself that no longer serve a purpose. Optimistic, yet nostalgic, the song’s production itself guides the listener through her conflicting thoughts, questions and decisions; almost as if it’s revealing her path towards redemption. Although she had to go through the growing pains that come with change, wisdom blossomed from her experience. Ultimately allowing her to provide a powerfully rich message for those who struggle with negative mental health dictatorship. So yes, starting over is hard, but ROSIE shows that by doing so, you are making room for a new life to bloom. “So can we start over?/ Maybe letting go is how we get closer/ And if letting go is how we get closure/ Let’s say goodbye and then we’ll start over.” The comforting chorus highlights ROSIE’s elated epiphany to start a new relationship with herself. One that enables her to see life through rose-colored glasses instead of through the hazy gray abyss her mind was once at. The buoyant beats and mellifluous piano chords bring these lyrics to life, creating a vibrant aesthetic that fulfills the track’s ambitious aura. Even ROSIE’s vocals exude translucent triumph, which act as a promise to her listeners that she is going to follow through with her plan to end her toxic self-relationship. As a river of hopeful fruition, “Startover” overflows with words and instrumentation that are sweet for the soul. Based in New York, ROSIE is an established singer/songwriter known for her ethereal vulnerability and melancholic rawness. Setting her musical sights on somber themes—as heard in her 2021 album, “20mg of Happiness”— she has since veered her path towards creating work that reflects honesty and spreading motivational messages. Her newest single, “Startover”, represents this as she sings about fighting with her mental health and her pursuit to end it. Artists like her are well received within the industry. Thus proven by her Spotify track-record of over 900,000 monthly streams and her large social media presence. Dipped in 100% unfiltered relatability, ROSIE is as real as it gets. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW ROSIE:

ALEJ is making it hard for you not to know his name with each new music release. The young Miami based artist has been busy making music for his listeners ever since he released his first single in 2020. ALEJ makes his presence known once more with the single, “King of Brooklyn '' featuring on his debut album “Luxe.”. His 10 track album explores themes of love, passion, and heartbreak with songs like “Infectious” and “Vanity in the Broken Heart”. The 6th featured track on the album, “King of Brooklyn” takes you inside ALEJ’s mind to a dream he had where he found himself in one of the Boroughs of New York City almost confessing his feelings for his crush. You can feel the passion pour out of his voice while he tells us about these feelings he has for this person as he tries to find the right moment to tell them before it's gone. If you’re looking for a song to listen to on Valentine's day look no further than ALEJ’s energetic new pop song. The single “King of Brooklyn '' is for those who have the desire to share your feelings for someone you really like. There were so many things I liked about this track as it is a well written and beautifully arranged piece that any lover of pop music will enjoy. His single sets the scene with the lyrics, " You asked me who was the one who drove me mad, I wanted to say you". At this point, the person he likes just asked him who he likes and his lyrics lets us know he didn't admit his true feelings there because he didn't wanna risk what they had. ALEJ's emotions shine through as we discover later in the song he never got to tell this person how he actually felt as he woke up from a dream. The upbeat tempo and high energy reminded me of his single, “Hopeless Romantic", a song that describes the feelings of wanting to be in a relationship with someone but at the same time knowing it will never happen. “King of Brooklyn” is yet another single on track to follow his successful releases so far. With this latest release, ALEJ is letting others know that he is here to make waves in the pop music world. Don’t be surprised to be hearing his name more often in the upcoming year. ALEJ is a singer and songwriter based in Miami Florida. He knew he wanted to be involved with music since the age of 13. ALEJ was first recognized for his single “Too Famous For Me” back in 2020 and he continues to release music steadily since. The young artist now has a wide discography covering more than 6 singles, a debut EP, and more recently, his first album featuring 10 songs. Following his single “You’re Everything I Ever Wanted”, his new album “Luxe.” was released on platforms at the end of 2022. "King of Brooklyn” is currently the 6th track featured on the album, and has quickly found itself as his most popular song on his Spotify in a short period of time. Written By Jenna Barton FOLLOW ALEJ:

Alt pop songwriter and American Idol star, Fritz Hager, starts 2023 off with a catchy new single called "Caroline." "Caroline" is a quirky, comical song about a one-night-stand gone wrong. Hager spins a fictitious story in this single, creating a sitcom-esque drama centered around the one-night-stand. In the song and video, the main male character forgets the name of his acquaintance and is confronted by the "morning after." During this, he tries to discern if he is experiencing apathetic amnesia or a less-than-humorous nightmare. "Caroline" is full of alt pop attitude and memorable melodies. The single features fun guitar licks, irresistible pop beats, and comical lyrics, creating an entertaining addition to our current state of music. Between the guitars and Hager's fiery vocals, this song is a lovely mix of alt pop and indie rock. The lyrics alone are hilarious, but are complimented with a captivating music video. Hager sings, "Going out with you on Monday/I'll take you to my favorite café/Coffee on the counter and they're/Calling out your name/ And they say Caroline/I can't believe I guessed it right," as the main male character falls to the floor in relief that he got her name right. The video is filled with hysterical moments like this, sure to put a smile on anyone's face. Paired with this cheeky music video, "Caroline" is a light-hearted indie masterpiece. Fritz Hager is a self-defined "indie guy," spanning genres from rock to pop to punk and whatever Matt Healy is considered. Hager attributes his love for music to his Texan upbringing. He grew up as a typical preacher's child and participated in his church's choir. Through his church choir experiences, Hager developed his ear and voice, later picking up his first guitar in sixth grade and beginning to write music. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was faced with the choice to either abandon his career aspirations or indulge them. Hager chose the latter and auditioned for Season 20 of American Idol, becoming a fan and judge favorite. He peaked in the Top 5 on the show and songs from his debut EP topped the iTunes charts while he competed. Independent by nature, the self-titled project was completely crowd-funded. This success was quickly followed by Hager's single, "Hearts Align," reaching #5 on the alternative charts. Since his time on American Idol, Hager has taken to the road, supporting acts like Maddie Poppe and Leah Marlene. He has also been devoting time to the studio, writing and recording new music that we can all look forward to hearing. Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW FRITZ HAGER:

Ferester’s “Here Right Now” is all about reminiscing, reminding, and remembering. Reminiscing on times when we weren’t so consumed with distractions; reminding ourselves to focus on the important parts of life; remembering that time is fleeting, and we should live every moment like it could be our last. It can be difficult to be present in the here and now, but the past is gone, and the future is tomorrow’s problem, so when life gets overwhelming, it’s best to stay grounded, plant your feet firmly, and run wherever the moment takes you. Life should be lived through the eyes of a child. Before distractions like social media and relationships, life was about having fun. The only care in the world was the impending sunset that would send us inside and end our day of play. The best self-care around is taking back control in your own life and doing the things you want to do with the people you want to spend time with. Life is too short to worry about yesterday or fear tomorrow, all we have is today, and there is simply nothing better than being here right now. This epic-sounding, self-produced, Alt-Pop track is a captivating song with an astounding message. Everyone feels overwhelmed at times, and “Here Right Now” is the perfect song to bring you back down to earth and remind you to be present, and enjoy the current moment you’ve been gifted. This song highlights Ferester’s enchanting vocals that are at the forefront of this song. The music begins minimal but the intensity gradually grows just like the optimism you feel while listening. This is a pump-up song that is apropos for every day. No matter what you’re feeling, or what you’re fearing, “Here Right Now” is an essential track to remind you that life is what you make it, so turn it up to 10 and take back the power in your own life. Ferester, also known as Spencer O’Grady, is a 23 year old British/American singer/songwriter and producer. He is from Aberdeen, Scotland and is now based in Glasgow. His passion for music took off from a young age, and his craft and vision improve with each and every song he creates out of his living room. Ferester melds modern pop and organic instrumentation to create art that is both fresh and new and nostalgic.You can feel the good energy and dedication through his music, and he is only getting started. With songs that are seeped with quintessential life lessons, Spencer is going to take the world by storm, so follow him on social media below, and be a part of the positive movement. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW FERESTER:

If "Late Night" were to be described as a meal, then contradictions are the secret ingredient that make it truly worth five stars. Both dizzying and smooth, tormented and clear-eyed, sultry and internal—these conflicting qualities only serve to elevate the whole. Featuring production from YANAGUI, the latest offering from Lisbon-London-based artist, y.azz, is a glossy, pop ode to giving in to the moment. Merging RnB and modern pop, "Late Night" sounds distinctly current in style and flavor. The chorus shores up progressively vibrant bursts of energy partitioned by moments of startling restraint. The effect is similar to a bustling party freezing in time as your gaze fixes on an old flame; time unfreezes as you down a shot and choose to enjoy the present. Many of the lyrics land in territories of intimate specificity, impenetrable without context we're not privy to. "Foolish of me to think you'd be at a loss," she remarks inward, coming off more shrugging than sheepish. As enigmatic as the subject of her lyrics is, y.azz appears to have been about as uncertain. There are enough details to make out a tantalizing portrait of an on-and-off relationship: noncommittal attitudes, being blown off, playing games, and complacency. "I keep wasting my time / letting my heart on the line for you." It's the perfect encapsulation of having spent too much time and energy trying to get someone to respect you. Thankfully, she finds a more satisfying conclusion in the present moment. "I'll save my love for someone that isn't you." Love can be messy, challenging, and contradictory, but the greatest mystery will always be how we're able to submit ourselves to it all over again. Y.azz is the creative project of Lisbon-London-based artist, Mariana Prista. "Late Night" was written shortly after the completion of her 2022 EP, "Heartbreak Mixtapes," and originally conceptualized as an introduction for a concert instead of a single. Y.azz started as a collaborative project with b-mywingz, with the duo notably receiving a win at the EDP Live Bands 2019 festival. After releasing their debut album, "Cycles," in 2021, Prista chose to explore y.azz as a solo project. Since "Heartbreak Mixtapes," Prista released the single "Drip," followed by "Late Night." The latest single is also accompanied by a stunning music video. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW y.azz:

EMMY redefines what it means to “be cool” in her latest single, “COOL GIRL”. Throughout the song, she analyzes her own life and how she views herself compared to the rest of the world. Before, she was self-critical, pointing out all her flaws and insecurities. Now, she has chosen to be comfortable in her own skin and embrace what makes her different. The clever lyrics found in the track describe this change within herself. In the chorus, EMMY sings: “Now I’m looking in the mirror and// I, I can finally see// That I’m a cool girl// Just cause I wanna be// I always do what I please// And I don’t care what you think// Cause anything is cool// If you want it to be.” EMMY has reached the point in her life where she chooses to do what makes her happy, not what she thinks other people will think is “cool.” In the end, that is truly what makes her cool—that she is confident in herself and not afraid to be authentically Emmy. She spreads this positive message to the audience and encourages them to love themselves for who they are as well. “COOL GIRL” is an exceptional track that serves as an important lifeline for listeners who struggle with self-love and confidence. “COOL GIRL” is a carefree track that accentuates EMMY’s innate talent. The track kicks off with a soothing verse led by EMMY’S compelling vocals. Her voice is paired with the hypnotic bass melody that immediately intrigues the listener. In the pre-chorus, a subtle guitar is heard, leading the transition into the chorus where the music intensifies. At this point, the synth production takes control and the steady beat is added. This continues for the remainder of the track until the end of the bridge, where the music starts to transition back to the final chorus. The beginning of this chorus isolates EMMY’s angelic vocals with an acoustic guitar, drawing focus on the vulnerable lyrics, before switching back in to the full production. “COOL GIRL” is an unforgettable track that will have listeners singing along in no time and playing on nonstop repeat. Emmy Hartman, stage-name EMMY, is a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. After going viral for crying over a traffic violation in 2017, she began posting acapella covers of Lorde and Billie Eilish. With these covers, she garnered a larger fanbase, leaving followers anticipating her inevitable introduction to the music industry. In December 2021, she released her debut single, “STUPID BIG TEETH”, which has over 8.5 million streams on Spotify alone. She has over 2 million followers on TikTok and nearly 400 thousand followers on Instagram. She has quickly gone from an adored TikTok star to a beloved musician, as followers continue to anticipate more incredible releases. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW EMMY:

Listening to “Waste of Time” is both a cathartic and empowering listen. The song blares with confidence due to Liliana's confident singing and writing. Her confidence brings an empowerment to not only the song, but to the listener. The song seems to be a warning towards a particular person who has mistreated her in the past. It also serves as a future warning that Liliana does not settle for anything less than she deserves, which is to be treated like she is worth the time. After listening to "Waste of Time", you are sure to leave the experience knowing your worth. “Waste of Time” has a modern sound that fits into the contemporary pop scene. The song most resembles the style of pop artist Dua Lipa. Similar to Dua Lipa, this song has both a power and softness to it. The authenticity of “Waste of Time” stems from the vocal styling of Liliana through the song. The song begins strong with an enticing beat and hooks listeners from the start. The instrumentals progressively get more intricate and exciting as the song leads up to the chorus. Arguably the best part of the song is when it enters into the bridge. In the bridge Liliana shows off her vocal range, and gives the song an intense shot of more emotion and confidence. Liliana is an 18-year-old singer and songwriter. She released her debut single “What Are We Now?” in 2021 and has been working on releasing more music ever since. At a young age she drew inspiration from artists like Demi Lavato and Miley Cyrus. Now her influences more reflect artists such as Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo. She finds much enjoyment in writing and creating music. Through creating music she hopes to connect with others and put smiles on many people’s faces. Her latest song “Waste of Time” is a testament to her dedication and talent for song-writing. Written By Alison Holst FOLLOW LILIANA:

Anyone who has been in a relationship before knows that breakups are hard, especially if they are one-sided. For the person who wants the relationship, it’s best to just accept it with grace. However, that’s easier said than done. It is also not healthy to bottle up your emotions because they will boil over. In the case of Claire Nichols, she ends up kicking and screaming. Instead of taking her feelings out on the other person though, Nichols channels all her energy into an upbeat pop tune. There were a lot of aspects of this song that I enjoyed. The first one that stood out to me was the progression of the music. You can hear the calm strumming of a guitar as Nichols sings "tell me it’s not over yet." The music builds until she asks the question, “do you even care?” Right then there’s a full on electric guitar and the beat stays fast until the end of the song. It’s almost as if the music is illustrating a tantrum. Along with the instrumentation, Nichols sings some really memorable lines. Specifically, I liked the one in the very beginning of the song that goes, “headlights on the walls of my apartment, you’re running from the scene of a heartbreak.” This was a really strong illustration of her sadness, as she’s comparing her breakup to a crime. This line and the song itself were beautifully delivered. You can hear strong emotion in Nichols’s voice. Claire Nichols has been writing music from a very young age. She was raised in Colorado and is now based out of Los Angeles. If you liked “Kicking and Screaming” and want to listen to her similar songs, you should check out “Aperol Spritz.” It is still upbeat like “Kicking and Screaming,” but it sounds more jazzy and smooth. Also, instead of being mad over a breakup, “Aperol Spritz” is a song about being young and in love. If you want to hear a different side of Nichols, you should listen to “Corners.” It is a slow, reflective song about the pains of growing up. All of these songs show that Nichols displays all aspects of her life through music, whether it’s good or bad. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW CLAIRE NICHOLS:

"The Moon" is such a beautiful and heartfelt song. What was the inspiration behind the lyrics? Ellie: During lockdown 2020 is when I wrote my song “The Moon”. At this point, I felt overwhelmed with the world, as I’m sure we all did. I was in writing mode during this time, and I thought to myself, imagine if we could find a place where we can get some peace and quiet when the world becomes too loud, or too overwhelming. I love space, so I wished I could go to the moon! The aim of the song is to allow people a space to relax or have a minute to themselves. "The Moon" is your debut single. How does it feel to have people hear it for the first time? Ellie: It feels amazing having people listen to my song! It’s what I’ve always wanted. I want to impact people through my music, I would love my music to be a place where people can go to when they feel overwhelmed, just like the meaning behind “The Moon”. I want others to relate to my music as well, therefore, having listeners feels amazing to me and I’m very grateful. For you, what is the best part of creating music? Ellie: The best part of creating music to me is how fun it is! I love expanding my creativity and working with other likeminded people, as well as expressing myself the best way I can. I’ve always loved singing and performing, so I am so happy I get to do it every day! I loved the Sam Fender cover you posted on your YouTube channel! Who are your biggest inspirations for your sound? Ellie: Sam Fender is a big inspiration of mine! I love how he writes about real life that the regular person can relate to. Another artist who writes relatable music is Sasha Sloan, she is also a big inspiration for my song writing as well as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Dean, Harry Styles and so many more that I could name. I also saw that you used to be a busker. Do you have any favourite memories or funny stories from performing? Ellie: Busking is a great way to gain confidence and experiment as a musician, it’s great practice for gigs! I love gigs when the audience sings along and really interacts. I think my favourite gig was when I was in a band years ago with my friends. We performed at a mini festival on Everton Hills called ‘The Spring-heeled Jack Festival’. I loved this as it was themed, so we got to dress up and play to a big crowd. What is one milestone you're determined to hit in your career? Ellie: I aim to be an established recording artist who releases albums and tours! It has always been a dream of mine so I will try my best to make it. I’m slowly finding myself as a musician but there is still a long way to go and I’m excited for the journey! One milestone I want to hit this year is to possibly play a festival or two and sing my music as much as I can. Interviewed By Tessa Brainard FOLLOW ELLIE: