Toxic relationships happen a bit too often in our society. It's easy to get attached to someone when they pretend to be someone they're not. After a while you start to notice things about them that you didn't before; things that would be a deal breaker for you if you weren't already head over heels in love with them. It's hard to break free from their web once you're in it. They manipulate you into become who they want you to be until you don't know who you are anymore. You stop doing the things you love and you stop hanging out with your friends just to satisfy the wants and needs of the person who is supposed to love and care for you. 'Delora' by New Divide is the characterization of all the people out there who love to be in control of their partner. 'Delora' is haunting and cinematic experience. The indie pop and alternative rock influenced soundscape puts you into a hypnotic and ethereal state. It's the perfect song to lay in bed, put your headphones on, close your eyes and blast when you're in the angry stage of a breakup. The darkness of this track carries throughout, eventually feeling even more distorted and heavy by the time you get to the outro. This song encourages you to get all your frustration out as lead singer Charlotte's inviting vocals has you singing along "why can't I be your drug instead". New Divide is an indie band based in Manchester, England. Inspired by the likes of The 1975, Pale Waves and Wolf Alice, the trio released their first single 'ALL I AM' in 2022. Their impressive debut gained attention from BBC Radio, BCC Introducing and Amazon Radio, leading them to begin performing live shows across their country. Now after their very active year in 2022, playing numerous festivals and notable venues such as Gullivers, Bread Shed and The Night & Day, New Divide is back with their first single of 2023, 'Delora' and are ready to rock your world. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW NEW DIVIDE:

There’s no lonelier feeling than being in a room full of people and still feeling alone. There’s no feeling sadder than going out, hoping to see one person, and being surrounded by strangers, although they all seem to look like them in a quick flash. It doesn’t matter if you’re laying in bed, driving down the street, or at a party, somehow everything reminds you of them and your mind can’t help but take you back in an instant. People ask you how you are, and you smile and nod while your mind plays a movie of the first time they kissed you. The flashbacks are the only thing we have to hold onto, and when we close our eyes, just for a moment, it feels like the memories are happening for the very first time. No matter if it’s been a day, a month, or a year, those flashbacks give us hope of reminiscing, even if we know deep in our soul that person is no longer the right fit for us. We have changed; we have grown; we have “moved on”, but we still wonder if they’re wondering about us. Do they lie awake at night unable to sleep because our story plays in the projector of their mind? Do they see my face in every crowded place? Are they really over it or just really good at pretending they are happy? Did I ever matter at all if they’re not heartbroken and lonely right now? Do the flashbacks stop them in their tracks? These questions consume us and we just want to know the truth. Although the truth is never black and white. Sometimes two people miss each other just the same, and they both live in fear of reaching out and trying again, so they both do what they can to heal, move on, and put on a happy face. We will never know what they’re thinking or feeling unless we ask, so for now, the flashbacks will wrap us in a warm blanket and bring us back to a time when love wasn’t so scary. The flashbacks, as frustrating and gut-wrenching as they are, become our favorite movie, and healed or not, we will always be first in line, ready to watch again. “Flashbacks” by Lorelei Marcell and Hardcastle is a relatable new alternative-pop single. This song is based on true events, and you can hear the raw vulnerability through your speakers. The soft, melancholy lyrics meld perfectly with the angsty guitar. Every person listening to “Flashbacks” will be taken through a flashback of their own; we all have that one ex our mind can’t seem to let go of. No matter how much time or distance extends, every sad song, every crowded room, every one shot too many takes us right back to them. Sometimes we don’t even wish to be back in their arms; we know we made the right choice through our head and our gut instinct, but sometimes our heart takes a little longer to get to the same conclusion. We want someone new to fill a void, and we get excited by first date invitations and flirty text message exchanges, but in an instant you’re looking at them through the dark and see the one person you’re trying so desperately to forget. There’s no correct path to healing; we do the best we can, and if it takes a month or 3 years, that is our journey and it’s the one we’re supposed to be on. Flashbacks can be comforting when the world turns a little too lonely. One day they’ll stop, and we’ll look back fondly and with reverence for what that was and how it got us to where we are today. Lorelei Marcell is a singer/songwriter from Boston, and she now resides in Los Angeles. Hardcastle is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, and he also resides in LA. Lorelei has over a million streams on music platforms, and she continues to gain astronomical views and streams through her social media. Hardcastle charted on Spotify’s Viral 50 charts nationally and globally due to pure talent and an amazing fan base. Together, this pair created a safe space for a topic that can be harrowing. Their talents, experiences, and dedication combined turned into an introspective insight into the secrets we keep locked away inside the four walls of our mind post-breakup. This is a song we will continue to have on repeat, and Lorelei and Hardcastle are two artists we won’t mind having constant flashbacks of. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW LORELEI MARCELL: FOLLOW HARDCASTLE:

Niky Pasolini’s, “ My Turn ”, is a pop song about a love interest. We’ve all gone through the experience where there was a person we’ve had our eyes on, but were a bit too shy to make the first move. The title of the song is Niky’s way of saying that she feels as if it's her turn to let this person know that she wants them to be in her life. She refuses to let life “ drift by ” without having this person by her side. She wants them, and she's determined to make it happen. In this song, she reflects on the emotions and process of trying to find the courage to go up to them and admit her feelings. We get to hear her break down the rollercoaster of emotions, as well as the continuous overthinking that we all get when it comes to trying to speak up to someone we like. “ My Turn” is one of the most relatable songs I’ve heard when it comes to having crushes, and I guarantee that anyone listening will be able to tune in and connect with the nerves and butterflies that Niky was feeling as well. In the very beginning of the song, we hear an instrumental play. The guitar and piano are heard for a bit, but then the violin comes in alongside Niky’s angelic vocals, sending chills down your body. She kicks off the song by sharing that she likes someone, but is overthinking about how she’s going to tell them. She’s tired of the thoughts and pushes it to the side, saying that she no longer wants to “figure it out.” With this part of the song, we still hear the violin, making this part of the song a little dark. She was considering not admitting her feelings to someone she wanted, knowing the risk of having life pass on by, which she knew was the wrong thing to do. However, she then comes to the realization that with the fear of making the first move and not making any progress with this person, her life will continue to go on and she will miss the opportunity of spending life with them. So, she says “ now it's my turn to tell you that I’d like to get to know you better, so stop time turning .” Her realization here has the sound of the violin removed, and is instead joined with a lighter and more uplifting vibe to the song. She now understands and has admitted her feelings towards them. By doing this, she feels like she " stopped time ” from “ turning. ” She finally “ figured it out .” Niky Pasolini is a singer and songwriter from London. “ My Turn” is the first of 9 tracks from her newest album titled, Update. This album was released about a week ago on January 20th, and is definitely a calming album with every single song sounding very angelic to the ear. In Update , you’ll catch various instruments, such as the banjo, piano, violin, and guitar that give off a fun and poppy vibe to each song. Along with this, Niky grew up playing the piano, cello and guitar, so it's wonderful to catch these sounds spread out throughout her album and her long experience in music showing off in her great tunes. Make sure to check out Niky’s new incredible album “ Update” on Spotify and Apple Music now! Written By Sneet Efrem FOLLOW NIKY PASOLINI:

"Masterpiece" by Asy Saavedra is the self-love anthem of the year. This uniquely crafted song will give you the confidence boost you need when you're feeling down on yourself. As described by Asy, this song gives off 'God Energy.' Wipe away all your insecurities and embrace yourself for who you are. Our flaws and features are what separates us from everyone else in this world. There's no one else out there like you and that's what makes you a masterpiece! Asy wrote this song when she wasn't feeling so great about herself, and now it's her go-to song to sing whenever she needs her spirits lifted. This song has the power to do the same for anyone else who listens to it or decides to sing along. We all need that reminder to be proud of ourselves every once in a while. "Masterpiece" has a incredibly catchy pop influenced beat that is hard not to dance to. The electronic based instrumentation is abstract and captivating from the second it begins to play. Synth arpeggios and electro-beats fill the galactic themed soundscape. The raw and emotion-filled rhythmic vocals fit in with the alternative vibe that is uniquely Asy Saavedra. The music video gives me a mixture of Lady Gaga and David Bowie with the futuristic and art-pop aesthetics. Asy shows that she authentically herself and she doesn't care what anyone else thinks of her, and she hopes this song will make you feel the same about yourself. Asy Saavedra is a musician and composer, and is no stranger to music. Before becoming a solo artist, she had written music and toured with her sister in their band Chaos Chaos as well as other collaborations. Her most recent projects include composing the soundtrack for the indie video game, Trover Saves The Universe. She has decided to expand her horizons and showcase her unique talents, releasing her first solo album in the year 2020. Another album is yet to come, so keep up with both Asy's solo and collaborative journeys by following her below. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW ASY:

Watching someone you're close to go through a difficult time is one of the hardest things to deal with. All you want to do is help them, but nothing you say or do gets through to them. They're not themselves anymore and are trapped inside of a darkness. You want to pull them out but sometimes they're in too deep. Their hurt is now your hurt, because you can't bear to see them so sad. 'violet' by Lexie Carroll is an encouraging song that can be the perfect 'pick me up' for anyone fighting themselves internally. Lexie reminds listeners (and her close friend that she wrote this for) that the bad feelings won't last forever. Whatever you're dealing with right now will eventually stop, so don't give up on yourself. Whether it's you or someone you know, most of us have been 'violet' at some point in our lives and can relate to this song. One of my favorite things about Lexie is her soft-spoken vocals. They are so lovely and easy on the ears. I can't help but smile every time I listen to her sing. Her heart-grasping and unique lyricism is relatable for just about anyone. Every song she writes is like listening to a story and you're captivated within the first word. "I don’t know what happened between playing in your mothers kitchen // now everybody’s asking where you are // and heaven knows I hate the ghosts that wore you down and took you over // promise it won’t feel like this for long". It's so thoughtful, vulnerable and poetic; you can't help but admire Lexie's incredible mind. Though Lexie has been known to play around with her unique sound, 'violet' is next level with it's strong and upbeat indie pop vibes - ringing in the new year with a fresh new sound. Lexie Carroll is an indie 18-year-old singer/songwriter from London, UK. Although she has been writing for as long as she can remember, Lexie officially started releasing music in 2020 with her song 'Paint Me in Colours' and debut EP 'Birthday Cake'. After releasing 4 singles and an EP, 'when the sun came up' in 2022, Lexie has grown tremendously as an artist; gaining attention from Spotify, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio, and even going as far as selling out her first ever headline show. There's so much in store for us from Lexie in 2023. Newly signed to indie record label Seven Four Seven Six, Lexie has a brand new EP coming this May with other singles to come. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW LEXIE:

CeCe’s latest single is a fiery pop-rock track that was made to be blasted in the car while driving down the highway with the windows down. “Problems” conveys the vital message of “taking your power back from anyone who has ever done you wrong.” CeCe accomplishes this by spending the entire track exposing her former partner for the toxic person they truly are. Throughout the song, she reveals their harmful behavior through witty lyrics and the catchy hook where she sings, “Problems// I got ‘em// And you’re number one.” She then continues the chorus with the cheeky lines: “Somebody better call up your mama// Tell her ‘come get your son’// Cause I’m about to air out your laundry and laugh while it burns.” CeCe reveals that she is holding nothing back, and is willing to do anything to restore control of the narrative that is rightfully hers. Now that she has the power back in her grasp, she is free to reveal to the world the true nature of this toxic partner. “Problems” is a cathartic release for anyone who has ever been done wrong by someone they thought they loved and provides them comfort in their own heartbreak. “Problems” is the epitome of an angsty pop-rock track that pumps up listeners and replays in their heads. The track kicks off with muffled vocals paired with a soft electric guitar strum that immediately catches the audience’s attention. The vocals start to build, becoming clearer, before CeCe’s lead vocals begin and the full track completely commences. The guitar continues, paired with the drums that guide the listener through the candid storytelling. At the pre-chorus, the drums become muted, drawing focus on CeCe’s voice and the guitar. Then with a unique transition, the full production kicks off at the chorus, enhancing the high energy atmosphere. Throughout the song, CeCe’s powerful voice is filled with an unmistakable fury that displays her strong passion toward the words she is singing. “Problems” is an intense track that showcases CeCe’s clever songwriting and her mesmerizing vocals. CeCe Frey, best known as just CeCe, is a singer-songwriter from Decatur, Illinois. She was a contestant on season two of The X Factor (U.S.) with Demi Lovato as her mentor, and finished 6th place in the competition. Two years later in 2014, she released her debut single “Dead 2 Me”. After releasing one more single in 2017, she went on a five-year hiatus. Then in May 2022, she returned to social media to announce her return to music with her single, “FUEO”. Including “Problems”, these two tracks mark her newest era, introducing her upcoming project. CeCe has a dedicated fanbase that has stuck with her since her X Factor days and anticipate her comeback to music. Written By Karlee Skipper FOLLOW CECE:

Success doesn't come easy in the Music Industry, but there are some things you can learn that can make trying to "make it" just a little less stressful. Indie music is bigger than it has ever been before. Less and less artists are caring if they get signed at a major label and rather be in control of their own careers. As someone who has a lot of experience with music business and the behind-the-scenes of the industry, these are the tips and tricks I've learned that make your musical journey on your own just a little more smooth. All of this advice has come from highly experienced people in the industry. Tip #1 - Learn to Take Criticism One of the most important things when it comes to being an artist is that you have to be able to take criticism. I'm going to be completely honest with you - professionals in the industry aren't going to beat around the bush to not hurt your feelings. If they don't like something about you or your music, they're going to tell it to you straight. Even though it can be hard to do, you have to be able to just say, "Okay, thank you for your feedback". It is not productive to get upset, be rude to the professional, or to slow down your career because you're scared of rejection. Everyone faces rejection and we have to learn from it and move on. Once you're able to swallow your pride and take critical feedback without being insulted, it can become on of the most important things when it comes to improving your music and your artistry. In fact, you should be purposely asking for criticism more often. Although you're allowed to disagree with what some may say, learn what others think about your sound, take their words and use it to better yourself. Tip #2 - Network Knowing others in the industry is crucial when it comes to success. Don't be afraid to talk to people and make friends! Get yourself out there and mingle with whoever you can that could help you get higher up in your career. If you're ever in an environment where there's important industry workers, make your name heard and known. You might find someone who is willing to help you. Send your music to blogs, radio stations, influencers and indie labels to help market yourself. Chat with these companies if you can and leave a good impression because they will remember you and want to help you again in the future. Get to know other musicians and talk to each other about your experiences. Heck, do a collaboration on a song together if you want. If you have the time, do an internship at a PR agency, label, management company, marketing agency or music blog and gain experience around other industry professionals. Impress them with your hard work ethic and participate in everything you can to make a name for yourself. Tip #3 - Never Stop Creating You can't be a musician without music. Whether you're a singer-songwriter, producer or instrumentalist - never stop making your art. The most successful artists are ones who are constantly coming up with new songs. Even if they're songs that no one will ever hear, you're getting yourself in the groove of being a full time artist. Some musicians will write a hundred songs within a year, and only 15 of them will make it on their upcoming album. You have to get all the mediocre songs out to be able to pick out the masterpieces that you want people to hear. So write and practice as much as you can! Tip #4 - Perform Live as Often as Possible Performing live doesn't only help you gain experience, but it builds your fanbase. Even if you only play at local coffee shops and bars, you should perform as much as your time allows. Do a setlist that consists of both covers and originals and make sure you tell the crowd when you're going to play your own song. Repeat your name at the beginning and end of your set. If you impress anyone with your talent, they'll for sure be looking you up later on to find their favorite song you played for them. Don't be afraid to also have business cards on hand that have your name and Spotify QR code to make it easier for the crowd to find you. Tip #5 - Build Your Social Media Presence Social media is incredibly important now-a-days. It could be the key to your success and you just don't know it yet. You need to be on every social media platform possible. Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and so on. Post as much as you can and as often as you can, and don't forget to use hashtags! Make sure your photos and videos are high quality, professional and aesthetically pleasing. Show off your personality and your music to the best of your ability. If you're lucky, a video of you singing your original song will go viral and give your music career the boost that you needed. Tip #6 - Spread Your Music Everywhere Make sure your original music is available everywhere it could possibly be. Once you've filed your song with the copyright office and registered with a PRO (Performing Rights Organization), sign up for Distrokid and get your song distributed to all of the important streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio and so much more as well as social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. This way no matter where listeners get their music, they will be able to find you and listen to you. This goes hand in hand with your social media presence. Post singing videos everywhere, even if they're just covers. Make your voice heard and show off! Tip #7 - Be Yourself Last, but certainly not least, is be 100% completely and authentically yourself. Listeners and labels want to find something new and unique, not something that already exists. Don't try to be just like your favorite artist. It's okay to be inspired by someone in your music, but it's not okay to be a copycat. Find things about yourself and your music that is unlike anyone else and write them down. What makes your song more special that the thousands of other songs that released today? Take what's different about you and flaunt it like it's nobody's business. Being yourself is the best way to grab people's attention and gain new followers. Have any other tips and tricks for success you'd like to share? Follow us below and tell us what you think! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube

Certain periods of time can leave us feeling invisible. As if everything around you collapses into a never-ending cycle of unfamiliarity and you are left grasping for any shred of normalcy. This feeling was successfully portrayed in Ginger and the Peppers’ new single, “Out of Phase”. The band’s five members share a desire to reach people on an emotional level through art and music. With each new release, they hope to create tracks that represent and illustrate the raw human experience. “Out of Phase” contains well-constructed lyrisism that can be deeply analyzed to determine a metaphorical meaning. For instance, the lines “The talking, it’s jading” and “Can you even see me?” evoke a sense of nothingness and its repetitive nature. Ginger and the Peppers combined electric instrumentation, crisp vocals and purposeful lyrics to create a stunning rock anthem that not only pleases audiences’ ears, but also touches their hearts. “Out of Phase” features thrashing drums, intricate guitar riffs, and powerful vocals. Julia Dillon’s impressive voice ranges from deep and raspy, to high-pitched belts. Her striking long, drawn-out notes, paired with the band’s exhilarating drum and guitar beats, make for a wild piece of art, reminiscent of 70’s classic rock. On January 13th, Ginger and the Peppers released the “Out of Phase” Official Music Video, which has already earned over 19k views on YouTube. The video features warm-toned lighting and stabilized camera movement, creating both a vintage and cinematic vibe. The inclusion of bizarre or unexpected visuals, make for an almost “indie” production style. These peculiar scenes pair nicely with the song’s messaging of being lost in an unusual state of mind. Originating from São Paulo, Ginger and the Peppers is a Brazilian rock band aiming to showcase a true, diverse representation of modern Rock ‘N’ Roll. The five-member music group is comprised of Julia Dillon (vocalist), Alê Masili (guitarist), Paulo Gonzaga (guitarist), Itto Menezes (bassist) and J.P. Masella (drummer). Each artist brings their individual musical experiences to the group, forming the band’s unique sound. Ginger and the Peppers were officially formed in 2020, with their debut single, “Out of Phase” releasing in November of 2022. The band has already amassed over 22.9k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, with “Out of Phase” garnering 97.8k streams and counting. Their second and most recent single, “Plastic Time”, released on January 20th and features more stellar vocals and intense instrumentation. It’s clear that Ginger and the Peppers has the captivating voice and musical capability to fulfill their dreams of helping to revive the rock genre. Written By Julia Hooper FOLLOW GINGER AND THE PEPPERS:

These days it feels like those sappy, kissing in the rain relationships are closed off in tight-sealed glass shields, only for people to look at and not touch. Those glass shields are usually movies and books, outlets that people use to escape reality in order to fill their desolate romantic gap. So, when you do find someone who is just like Noah from “The Notebook” or Ally from “A Star is Born,” it feels liberating. Cash Cash co-wrote their wonderstruck electronic song, “Anyway” featuring RuthAnne, relishing on the feeling of finding someone who loves you despite your flaws; something that is sadly rare in today’s dating culture. The heartfelt synth-pop song is about finally breaking through the glass shield and taking what is rightfully theirs: unconditional love. No matter your company and situation, “Anyway” is the perfect track to dance the night away to on a lit-up cubed floor. Magically optimistic, “Anyway” is heavily saturated in synths, beaming up the technicolor of both the track and the lyrics. Wholly romantic, the catchy pre-chorus sets up the stage, “Seeing through your eyes/Making me feel like that all my wrongs/ They might be right,” preparing for the triumphant chorus, “No matter what I do or say/ You love me anyway/And every part I wanna change/ You love me all the same.” RuthAnne has the perfect rich vocals to make the lyrics soar with the music, allowing the listener to look through rose-colored glasses. Cash Cash also showcases their impressive production skills, transforming the song into a world of bursting color. Forming in Roseland New Jersey, Cash Cash is a high-energy EDM band that first began with friends, Jean Paul Makhlouf and Samuel Frisch. Around 2007, Jean Paul’s brother Alex joined the group, establishing the group to a solid three. Throughout that year they began working on demos and creating rough cuts, while landing on the name Cash Cash and signing with Universal only a year later. After building a loyal fanbase from their 2008 album, “Take It to the Floor,” and their 2012 album, “The Beat Goes On,” they began spreading their wings slowly through hits. Their single, “Take Me Home,” pushed them to take flight in 2016 and they have remained global favorites since. Over the years, Cash Cash has collaborated with a plethora of well-known artists like Julia Michaels, Wiz Khalifa and Fitz & the Tantrums. Now, they are back to business releasing their newest single, “Anyway,” the first since their 2021 album, “Say It Like You Feel It”; a promise to fans that new music is on the way. Written By Amanda Palacios FOLLOW CASH CASH:

With the release of their latest single, "Everything I'm Missing," The Thing With Feathers effortlessly marry their alt-rock sensibilities with the style of 2000's pop-rock. The result is the most nostalgic sound in the Nashville band's catalogue, but with the same immediacy of their other work. It feels less like looking back on the past and more like realizing you're living in it. The instrumental leans on the band's strengths: bittersweet bass, punchy drums, and memorable hooks all rendered in a clean and clear mix. The writing, however, softens the track into something more aching than forceful. As soon as one section builds momentum, it releases into free fall. Everything gorgeously rolls like waves, allowing the soft but dominant vocals to coast. The central emotion of "Everything I'm Missing" is much more difficult to pin down than on first glance. The poetry of the lyricism (among the group's best to date) suggests something more nuanced than FOMO. "Lately I'm drawn to this constant commotion / I can't afford to start to settle down." The words skip like a smooth stone over water, threatening to sink to the seafloor. The foreboding sense that everything might suddenly be plunged into darkness at a moments notice is prevalent in the sound and lyricism. Remarking on how disconnected life can make you feel, especially when its changing so fast ("stuck in this daydream, and it keeps going on and on"), the whirlwind of touring and performing is undeniably a driving force behind this song's subject. It's exciting to be caught up in the commotion, but it can also be difficult to process. The Thing With Feathers have made a name for themselves in Nashville's underground music scene for their unapologetic alt-rock jams. Equally as dedicated to introspection as dance, the band's discography is connected by their visceral appeal. "Everything I'm Missing" is just the latest single teasing towards their upcoming EP. 2022 saw the band kicking into high gear: releasing multiple singles, touring, and being featured at South By Southwest. With the forthcoming release, this year is undeniably going to be even bigger for The Thing With Feathers. Written By Andy Mockbee FOLLOW The Thing With Feathers:

“I Will” is a stunning and soulful ballad about how hardships can serve as the catalyst for change and growth. Newman’s writing is startlingly poetic and refreshing - his employment of natural beauty like the sun and sky in accordance with his ever-changing moods adds a second artful layer over the track. The rawness in his voice lets listeners fall prey to his breathy delivery, opening the track to our own interpretation while keeping it true to himself. Newman’s heartfelt and delicate voice captures all the quieter moments of tranquility without sacrificing its highs and lows with its rousing chorus. The flowing sound of overlapping revert guitar lines with the layers of piano, electronic bass, and wide drums add layers of texture over his smooth voice. With subtle moments of experimenting production and a warming sense of honesty alongside melancholy as the piece draws to a close, Newman creates a pleasant and engaging atmosphere to remind you to open yourself to change, to welcome growth and new perspectives. Bertie Newman, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter born and raised in Hackney, London, has seen a gradual but undeniable rise to stardom. First achieving buzz with his most recent single “Seaside Eyes”, Newman was featured on BBC Introducing London. Going viral with his recent cover of “IDK You Yet”, Newman shows his versatility with his delicate handling of a serious topic. “I Will” is only the beginning of Newman’s inevitable climb, offering thoughtful lyrics combined with raw emotions. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW BERTIE:

“Billy” by Daniel Herr is an emotional ballad about a little boy who dreams of being a ballerina. When we are young, some of us have dreams of being the president, or an astronaut; some kids dream of fitting in, and some dare to stand out. We can tell that Billy was special from an early age, and sadly other kids don’t like to let others shine. Life as an adolescent can be such an enigma. In the walls of our bedroom, we feel free and envision ourselves dancing across a Broadway Stage; our parents sit in the living room with beaming smiles as we do the same routine over and over. Then, we get to school and are harassed and beaten down for the same thing we are celebrated for at home. It’s not a coincidence that the one thing we get torn down for is the one thing that brings us back to life. People, adults and kids, who don’t have a passion or deep love for something will try their damndest to make you lose your zest and talent. Jealousy is truly a disease, and these bullies wish so bad to have an ounce of the confidence we exude, so instead of working hard and finding their thing, they’d rather sit back and laugh to mask their deep insecurities. As hard as it may seem to fight through the laughs, the pain, and the hurt, we can not let the outside noise drown out our inner-monologue. We must stand tall, and proud, and remind ourselves the only voices that matter is that of ourself and the people who support us. We will have the last laugh one day, and so will Billy, when they announce his name and he takes the stage by storm, and the world knows him by name and embraces him for all he is. Daniel Herr is an incredible, chilling storyteller. This song plays like a movie in your mind. You can feel the emotion and depth from the moment this song begins to much later because it’s the type of music that sticks with you. It’s the type of music that makes you want to jump through your phone, find Billy, and give him a hug and support. “Billy” is such an important message that is crucial for the world to hear. We just celebrate each other and each others’ differences. The world would be a much better place if people had Daniel Herr’s open heart and outlook on life. Daniel Herr is an American singer/songwriter who was raised in Paris. He has an angelic, calming voice, and he sang lead vocals in the contemporary worship band of the American Church in France which greatly inspired him to begin songwriting. Daniel even taught himself how to play guitar and piano. He returned to the United States to chase his dreams of writing and recording music, and was signed within a year. Daniel has a deep soul and a unique perspective on the world, and with songs like “Billy”, he is going to change the world one song at a time. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW Daniel Herr: