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Witches, witchcraft, and covens, oh my. It is officially Spooky Season, and Rachel Philipp’s “Spell on U” is the perfect soundtrack for it. This song is the next anthem for women everywhere. As women, we have a few secret superpowers. We captivate men; we cause controversy; we can tell when you’re lying; we have intuition that leaves men caught before they even make a mistake. Some would insist those powers make us magic. Some would even say we are witches… but we are women, and that makes us the most powerful beings on this green earth. People are always talking, and a lot of time it’s nonsense. Philipp parallels the treacherous cycle women go through for just being women, and in the reflection we are taken right back to Salem, 1962. The tenebrous, yet fascinating, time in history when a woman was burned at the stake, or hung for her sins. Men thought pure juvenile delinquency meant undefinable power stemmed from the devil himself. If a woman acted strange they came for her throat. As a woman, life can feel like a witch-hunt. We are supposed to be strong, independent, but God forbid we get too powerful. We are supposed to be beautiful, flirty, but God forbid we express our sexuality for the world to see, or even multiple men at a time. It is a trying time to be everything society wants and yet be shamed for the same things we were forced to become. In the trials, women confessed to wicked behaviors just to shut the men up, and give them the answers they tortured out of them which resulted in mass murder. Does that say anything about how men handle a woman with power? Rachel Philipp perfectly mirrored modern day society to our worn out history books that condemn women and celebrate men for the same actions. This is the song you want blasting in the car, windows down, as you drive anywhere on a crisp, eerie Autumn day. This is the song you and your girls will play on repeat as you get ready together, dancing in front of the mirror and drinking a spiked apple cider. Our power is our power, and no man, no matter how hard they try, can take that away from us, and that is our greatest magic of all. The tempo of “Spell on U” is pure captivation. It is reminiscent of an early 2000’s Halloween movie about a teenager who turns 16 and wakes up with brand new powers, and she hops on the broom found in the laundry room, puts on her favorite black dress, and is ready to takeover the world. Her lyrics are dynamic and compelling. This is the type of song you want playing every second of fall. This is the type of song that hypes you up on the way to an interview, or a breakup to make you feel the power from within. “Spell on U” is the essential message that women need to hear everyday to be reminded that the superpowers we crave, have been inside of us all along, and it is up to us to not dim our light for a man. If they can’t handle us, in all our glory, they don’t deserve our magic in the first place. Rachel Phillip is a creative, influential singer and songwriter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has an ample music background, which is conveyed through all of her commanding work. She is not only the vocalist, but the composer and producer of all her work. She is a truly powerful woman more so than just the magic captivated in “Spell on U”. She embarked on her musical journey at 14 years old, when she picked up a guitar and taught herself how to play and write songs that she began to perform at open mic nights in high school. She earned her degree in the arts with a Music and Voice Performance degree. Now, she writes hits for not only herself, but hundreds of other artists. Her mesmerizing voice and innovative writing skills are a true gift that is lucky to be shared with the masses. Regardless if it is a broom, a guitar, or just herself, Rachel Philipp is pure magic, ready to compel the world, and her voyage is only beginning. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW RACHEL PHILIPP:

If you ever felt like you can't speak your mind and everything or anything you say or do is wrong or disrespectful then, "Burden to Bear," by Sam Marke is the perfect song for you. With the combination of the beautiful, heart-tugging melodic lyrics with the somber, enticing piano and electronic accompaniment it truly makes this song an anthem to those who have autism or anyone who feels nervous/scared to say/do something with the thought of being judged based on their own uniqueness. Click here to listen to "Burden to Bear" ! "Burden to Bear" by Sam Marke is song that highlights the struggles that come with being autistic including being shy or nervous to talk to another person, due to the fear and reasoning that whatever they say/do is inconsiderate and wrong based on physical or mental attributes or disabilities. The beautiful cathartic vocals combined with the satisfying chord progressions from the piano and other instrumental accompaniments truly makes the listeners feel connected and able to relate to the emotions portrayed and given to by the artist. Sam Marke is a singer/songwriter who writes honest or sad music on experiences that happened or are happening in his life. His debut single, "Burden to Bear," is a song that touches on his own personal experience with the struggle of having autism and how it feels like a burden to others. If you are interested in following Sam Marke's musical journey be sure to follow his socials down below! Written By Troy Sica FOLLOW SAM MARKE:

This soothing piece from Ella Ruby's debut EP pulls the lock mechanism on the passenger door and intimately ushers you in to find a warm, curated comfort, providing shelter from the percussive October showers that tap on the steamed windows and silver chassis. That vanilla-tinged aroma of old books nestles amongst the tussled blankets that caress the mattress atop the hand-fashioned, pine support frame. Pieced together to rival the intimacy of the forts of pillows and sheets from your childhood, the soundscape of In My Car begs for the crackle of a thick-wicked candle and just might be worth the fire hazard. Listen to "In My Car" Here The initial stripped-back production brings you close to each pluck of Ella's six-string that lifts the soft, indie vocals while the instrumental bolsters depth. The languid trip through the Pacific Northwest sews in bass, strings, and percussion as sunbeams break pillars of rain to expose a diverse, shifting landscape along the highway, before arriving at a vista fit for postcards. The track features poignant lyricism that pacifies, tilling the fertile soil before planting seeds to unsettle, making ominous use of negative space to form that lump in your throat - " in my car my body is mine, but, as it turns out, not all of the time". Seattle-based singer-songwriter Ella Ruby provides warm, cinematic imagery of the Northwest United States through indie/folk melodies that present themselves much like 35mm film. Featuring production that grounds you like walking barefoot through the morning dew, Ella's work avoids pandering with a raw lyricism that stirs, balancing the settling comfort provided by the rich, fine-tuned instrumentation. For more of her ethereal sound, inspired by the likes of Brandi Carlile and Billie Marten, follow the links to find her new EP, "Baby Blue". Written By George McSherry FOLLOW ELLA:

In her latest release "Swimming with Sharks", iconically pink-haired Kitty Rae aims to metaphorically empower listeners to face their fears. Using allusions of self-advocacy in comparison with taking a deep-sea dive produces unique messages that are both relatable and encouraging. Cover art portraying the artist jumping into a pool of sharks contrasted against a cotton candy, lightning-filled sky invites listeners to take the plunge with her. Captivating listeners with deep messages of strength through a unique alt-pop sound is a specialty of rising musician Kitty Rae. While "Swim with Sharks" utilizes a collaboration of deep synths and chilling layered vocals to embody an ominous mood, lyrically the song encourages bravery to show others you are confident in your capabilities. Promoting independence while maintaining an edgy vibe, Kitty Rae's latest single puts a twist on the modern-day confidence anthem. Kitty Rae is an Australian-born dark electropop singer-songwriter akin to the likes of Billie Eilish or Halsey. The independent artist has achieved several accomplishments in the short time she's been active, such as being featured on various Spotify playlists, supporting several various acts on tours, being named a 2021 Featured Artist at the Indie Music Summit, and impressively selling out her own slew of shows in Melbourne. By emitting radiant, confident energy through her image and art, Kitty Rae will continue earnestly entertaining her evolving fan base. Written By Zewdi Cass FOLLOW Kitty Rae:

I am so in love with your new single “Hold On”!! It’s soooo vibey, as soon as it ends, I start it right over again!! Can you share the story behind this new track? Lobster: Thanks a lot ! Hold On is a very particular song for us, Brice (singer) wrote it in a few minutes on a sunny, pretty happy day. Then we worked on it in as a band and started arranging it. Fun fact, the melody before the first verse was supposed to be played by an oboe but we gave up that idea and played it on a synth, to get some summer vibes. That’s what we wanted for this song How did you all meet and start making music together? And where did the name ‘Lobster’ come from? Lobster: We’ve all been making music for a long time. Brice (singer) and Ghislain (keys) started playing together about ten years ago, and played in the same band for 7-8 years. When Brice started Lobster, he naturally wanted him to join in ! Brice met the other two musicians of Lobster at concerts, he really liked the feels and skills of Greg on the bass and Tom’s on the drums. So he asked them to complete the band ! The name Lobster is bound at Brice’s musical story : he played with his first band on a lot of big stages and once this project ended, he created Lobster. As you may know, the lobster shed his skin and rejuvenate as a result (kind of like Brice when he created Lobster, after his previous musical project ended). Above all, we love the sound « Lobster ». Try it at home, say « Lobster » and listen how sweet it sounds! What would you all say is your favorite thing about performing live? And what would be your dream location to perform? Lobster: So many things, one among so many others is to be on stage together. There is so much love and so much respect between us, it always results in cool stuff on stage. Also the communication and the sharing with the audience means a lot to us. It’s an unrivaled feeling to see people dancing or singing our songs. Because we are dreamers, it will be so cool to perform on the moon 🌙 On a more serious note, it will be a big dream for us to play at the Olympia. It’s a legendary stage in France and it represents so much for us, it would be magic to play there. The music video for “Hold On’ is absolutely incredible! What inspired you guys to take this direction for the video? Lobster: This video was so cool and fun to make. We are lucky to have a beautiful place in Besançon downtown that have an incredible and large view above all the city, this place is really inspiring. And we worked with this incredible dancer who is Mathilde Roy. It was amazing because we met her the day of the shooting video. We wanted to have a form of spontaneity and freshness during filming, and we asked her to improvise over the music. Hold On speaks about moon and sun, so we had this idea that Mathilde would symbolize the sun with her radiant dance skills, while Brice would incarnate the moon with his peaceful nature. When it comes to your music and overall sound, who would you say are your biggest inspirations? Lobster: We all come from different musical universes, thus this melting-pot that is Lobster has a singular sound. We are big fans of funk, pop, jazz and electro. On top of that, it was very important for us to have everyone singing in the band. We really like to work on 4-voices arrangements for our songs. We are inspired by bands like The Beatles, Parcels or Half Moon Run. What can we expect next from you all?! I hope to hear some more new music real soon!!!! Lobster: To perform near your place :) ? Our next EP « Find Myself » is coming soon and we’d love to hear your opinion. « Hold On » is out so for now we are working on our next tour. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LOBSTER:

“Tonight Contigo” is a sexy, sultry, and summertime fun anthem to pump anywhere you are. Whether you’re on the beach, in the car, or lounging at home, Rose brings spice and flavor to the Latin pop-inspired track. Tonight contigo can translate to tonight with you. Rose sings about a woman who’s careful about who she spends with, unwilling to settle down but then meets a person who makes her want to surrender her carefully guarded heart. It doesn't matter how many people you meet, the right one is the one who inspires you to be better, settling down in a domestic life together. The Latin-inspired track is summer anthem-worthy, something to bump constantly without it ever getting old. Rose’s carefully crafted narratives add a new dimension while showcasing her fun and expressive vocals. Rose flawlessly blends Spanish and English together in the song, promoting and normalizing bilingualism, or Spanglish. It’s clear that Rose is very connected with her roots, and determined to show anyone and every one the community that she’s a part of. Ariel Rose, a singer/songwriter based in Miami, became an award-winning arist at the age of 15 with her single “My Perfect Day”. Her love for Latin multi-cultural sounds and classically-trained background caught the attention of multi-Latin Grammy-nominated Colombian producer, Juan Vicente Zambrano, who produced her first album, “Rhythms of Life”. Starting off by posting Spanish covers, she released her original single in May 2020 to raise funds for the Miami Pandemic Response Fund. Effortlessly combing and celebrating Spanglish in her music. Ariel Rose pushes the frontiers on music and how language fits into it. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW ARIEL:

“Vampire” is a beautiful blend of synths, beats, and electronic devices. Marlenarium has just recently come out with this single to invite strangers into this blissful ignorance and escapism that is music. The sounds that Marlenarium has made are dreamy and pop-electronic pieces that seamlessly come together to make a song that is sure to be a hit in the community. Experimental sounds coming together to create something harmonic is what Marlenarium specializes in. This song especially takes a step down that road and with the vocals to the synths, it creates this sound that is electronic at heart but excellence at its core. The chorus is something beautiful and the verses are wonderfully produced. This electronic piece is a masterpiece in its genre and Marlenarium knew what she was doing when she produced it in the first place. Marlenarium, or 22 year old Marlene Heger, is a solo electronic artist from Germany, taking inspiration from some other artists such as Grimes, Brockhampton, Charli XCX, and The 1975. It’s Marlene’s mission to remove some of the stigma around mental health and create a safe space for herself and the ones around her. Marlene is a wonderful person and an even more amazing artist under Marlenarium, and it’s exciting to see what will be coming out next. Written By Alyssa Gallardo FOLLOW MARLENARIUM:

Taking the step to create music as a full time career can be scary. There are so many factors in the world around us that can prohibit us from following our dreams, like money, family, and the feeling of being discouraged. These feelings are what drove Darrian Gerard to create her latest single, "Explosion." It's a massive pop-punk track that lets you know that it's okay to pursue the things you want, even when things around you are trying to work against you. Gerard creates an atmosphere that brings to life the pop-punk aesthetic of the song. With roaring and distorted electric guitars, and a full drum kit, Gerard creates this vibe which predecessors like Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morissette paved the way for. Gerard's voice closely reminds the listener of a young Avril, but it also has its own flare that makes it unique to her style. The lyrics delve into the topics of being a struggling artist looking for their big break. Gerard sings in the first verse, "I'd stop right now I'm a loaded gun // My mom lies about me and tells everyone // Epitome of a wash-up gone wrong // I never knew what I wanted so I went along," describing how people view her for wanting a music career. We also find out that Gerard might have some familial trauma that's causing her anxiety. The chorus is a massive blow to the listener, and a big middle finger to those who think she can't achieve what she wants, "I'm cold hearted // Don't distract me // From the end goal // I'll start an explosion." Darrian Gerard is a pop-rock singer/songwriter based in British Colombia, Canada. She has been making waves since she was young, writing songs about boys who treated her wrong at the age of eight. "Explosion" is Gerard's first single of 2022. It comes after a long strain of singles that were dropped throughout 2021. Gerard is a self-created artist, who has done everything from the production, recording, and writing of her music. Gerard even has a talent behind the camera as she also directed the music video above for "Explosion." With a raw talent, and a dream to make it big like her inspirations, Gerard is ready to make waves in the industry. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW DARRIAN GERARD:

In his newest single “2am,” artist Daniele Alan-Carter explores a range of emotions as he delves into loneliness and feelings of being trapped, eventually showing listeners that there is hope to be had within optimism and chasing their dreams regardless of the circumstances. The song is expertly produced, creating an ethereal tone that beautifully complements Alan-Carter’s effortless vocals. It’s an immersive experience that elicits feelings of hope and wonder, grounding the listener in the reality of their possibilities while retaining an almost otherworldly sense of genuine freedom. “2am” is wholly cinematic with an atmosphere reminiscent of numbers featured in musicals similar to “The Greatest Showman.” Its production, along with Alan-Carter’s impressively wide vocal range, draws the listener into a hopeful, dreamlike soundspace where anything feels possible. In lines such as “Only 2am/I’m writing down a song for you/Lost my sleep/Lost the reason/How to dream,” Alan-Carter wistfully touches on loss and loneliness but turns it into something greater instead of dwelling on the hurt it can cause. This is evident in the lyrics, specifically when he sings “Here tonight/We can still feel alive until the morning rises/We can change our world not sleeping on it.” Here he implicitly focuses on the importance of staying optimistic and chasing your dreams instead of allowing loss or setbacks to control you. “2am” promotes hope more than anything, making it a refreshing addition to the music world. Daniele Alan-Carter is an Italian-born singer-songwriter and actor. He started to perform when he was 14 years old, working in major international musical theatre productions in leading roles. The demands of the musical theatre industry made him a versatile singer, shaping him as a very communicative, open hearted performer with a strong stage presence and charisma. During the pandemic, the period of forced distance from live entertainment pushed him to finally write his own music, collaborating with music producer Tokøta. His musical taste unites a sonic blend of Pop, Soul and EDM, with warm and soulful vocals. He loves to explore the boundaries of styles and genres, creating new alternative sounds. He supplied guest vocals to a tropical dance remix of "Too Good at Goodbyes" by STRIKE reaching over 300k streams which led him to sign with Sana Music Management and to start to collaborate with other international artists and signed by rising independent labels such as Reload Music (Sony IT), Toneville Records. Written By Adelae Norwood FOLLOW DANIELE ALAN-CARTER:

‘lesser degree’ is so catchy! What is the story behind the song? Evan: Appreciate that! The original idea was very acoustic and stripped, but once I got into the studio with Steven, quickly we went in a different direction and I was loving it. The song (for me) encapsulates those moments when you find yourself thinking about an ex, past friend, past drama, etc., but realize it’s not affecting you the way it used to. We thought it’d be fun to kind of amp up the tempo and the dancey vibe to show that you’re on the right track of getting over it/them and you’re almost there. Not every breakup song has to be sad and slow lol What does your songwriting process usually look like? Evan: My main focus is always lyrics and melody. If a song can sound great just over piano over guitar, great production can only make it better. I’ll usually start with a cool riff or chord progression on guitar and build verses and choruses around that. Sometimes I have song title or lyric idea first and build a story around it. And sometimes, I just find a progression and freestyle over it based on what’s in my head, just letting stuff flow and keeping the good lines. If you had to pick a favorite from the songs you have released, which one would it be? You can only pick one! Evan: Overall, I would say my favorite song I’ve put out is halfway. I think the production, the lyrical flow, the aggressive vocals, vocal performance, etc. are really the closest I’ve come yet to my ideal sound and genre moving forward. I love everything I release or I wouldn’t put it out, and lesser degree truly is a really fun pop track that is very honest and authentic and I think clever. And catchy lol. But the song I’m releasing in November may pass up halfway for my top spot. Hopefully I keep replacing my fav song or I’m doing something wrong! Who has been your biggest inspiration? Evan: Without a doubt, Ed Sheeran’s career and early stuff has been what’s shaped my mindset and musical inspiration to this day. Other pop singer-songwriters like Quinn XCII, Chelsea Cutler, James Arthur, etc. are up there too. Even some old OneRepublic, J. Cole, and more. Anything with great melodies, honest and real lyrics and some flow and I’d love it. I try to stay diverse and listen to as much distinct music as I can to learn more and stay inspired. What are some of your hobbies outside of music? Evan: I am a huge Philly sports (and Yankees) fan. I love watching baseball, basketball, football, etc. and going to games in South Philly. I love hitting the gym and working out as well. As I grow into my early to mid twenties, I want to travel as much as possible and explore different parts of the US and the world, and eat some fire food. Marvel/Harry Potter type movies and shows are what I watch more than anything as well. What are you most looking forward to in terms of your musical career? Evan: I want to wake up everyday and grab my guitar or head to a studio, instead of putting on a shirt and tie and driving to an office. I want to be able to take care of those who have supported myself and my dreams for years. And I want to create timeless music that I can share with people all over the globe, through the internet and performances in-person. The freedom, the ability to truly do what I love for a living, and steering my own life in the direction I want it to go are some of my biggest motivators. Interviewed By Kendall Koval FOLLOW EVAN:

Cassidy King sings about a free-spirited love interest who is unparalleled, flighty, and rebellious. It isn’t often you meet someone who wears shirts with collars or crafts ceramics in their LA residence; so naturally, these details only lure the audience even more. “Matcha Tea” by Cassidy King finds a way to balance the familiarity of falling in love with the unconventionality some individuals possess. You can’t help but feel enamoured by this mysterious yet enchanting soul, and the spell they seemingly have the singer under. At the start of “Matcha Tea”, Cassidy King paints a story about a lover and her uniqueness that not only captivates, but troubles the singer as well. The song is similar to that of a diary entry that spills about a partner that is hard to encapsulate and decipher. We learn about this directly from the lyrics: “She don’t need nobody (nobody) / She's better on her own / Got me runnin' 'round in circles / Cuz she don’t know what she wants”. From King’s raw vocals alone, listeners get a better understanding at just how deeply in love the singer is with this potential love interest. “Matcha Tea” highlights the insatiable thirst for someone who is unapologetic and nearly unreachable; something many of us are pleasantly (or unpleasantly) familiar with. Cassidy King is a singer/songwriter from Chardon, Ohio. The singer currently has two EP’s released called Concrete Walls and Not so Picture Perfect. King is a proud, queer artist whose passion is not only to share her personal stories and experiences, but to be an outlet and inspiration to fans and aspiring artists alike. To follow Cassidy King on her journey, consider following her social medias below! Written By: Kasey D. FOLLOW CASSIDY:

"That's Such A Girl Thing To Say" by British alternative band The Pretty Ugly is a must-listen, in my opinion. This song had me smiling and bopping my head the second it started. I love it! The production of this song is incredibly good on the ears, and the melody is ridiculously catchy. I am already unconsciously singing along to the chorus of this song. The vocal delivery on this track is impeccable; the singer has a very unique and refreshing voice. Indie rock is a genre I can't say I get into often, but when I do, I absolutely love it. There are so many wonderful and whimsical influences in the sounds on this track. Having obvious 80's influences, the style of this song also reminds me of Artic Monkeys and the indie rock band The Brohbecks. The song is short but sweet and packs a punch despite the length of this track. Lyrically, this song is about a relationship where one is constantly lying to the other. Your partner is claiming someone is "just friends," but you are well aware this is not the case. But despite this, you hold back and let the fib continue for too long. Now that it is over, you can't believe how long you played along. Resigning in Yorkshire, UK, this band of four is self-claimed "80's obsessed," and that shines through beautifully in their music. The cover art for many of their tracks is also retro, with a select number also depicting baseball memorabilia. They have played a wide variety of gigs across the U.K., and the four enjoy it. You can see their witty sense of humor; it especially shines through on their TikTok account. Written By Emma Kimberli FOLLOW THE PRETTY UGLY: