This new song "Scripts" beautifully tells the story of a young girl at a loss for words, trying to find her voice and courage. What was collaborating on this song like for you two? Becky & Ellie: This was a song that had a lot of back and forth with ideas, and we went through multiple writing sessions to get it right. We tweaked the lyrics a lot from the first draft because we weren't quite sure if it was a Caspar or Meg song at first, and the concept changed a bit as we worked it out. It also started as a ballad, but our amazing producer Jussi took the song in a totally new direction that we loved. I really like that it's a song where I get to sing over Ellie's amazing string arrangement. It feels like the song on the album that most represents us as a pair. What's it like writing a song to go along with a novel? Was it always part of the plan to write "Scripts" to go along with the project? Becky & Ellie: When we wrote the novel, we had some very clear songs and plot moments we wanted to include and others that were more vague. We knew we wanted a song that our lead character Meg and her famous brother argue about. In the story, it is a song Meg writes over a backing track meant for Caspar and all hell breaks loose when he finds out. We wanted a song that reflected both of their stories and Scripts was what came out. Lyrically, it reflects Meg's frustration at always saying the wrong thing, especially to her secret crush. However for Caspar, it's a song about the pressure of fame and an audience. It was great to write a song showcasing how Meg and Caspar are a lot more similar than they realize. It would be fun to do the male version in the future! Becky, how do you balance a writing career with a music career? Does one take priority over the other? Becky: I am really lucky to have multiple passions in my life and I find that the projects I work on ebb and flow over time. With the release of “The Songs You've Never Heard”, book promo has really taken priority and songwriting has taken more of a backseat. But there will be times when the book side goes quieter and I can focus more on music. I like to have lots of different things to work on and I will often follow a path I wasn't expecting. The great thing about TSYNH is that it really blends writing and music together so we can bring live music to book stores and celebrate both! Ellie, how did you get into writing children's songs? Was this always a passion of yours? Ellie: Songwriting, in all its forms has always been a passion. For a long time I was a music teacher, so writing children’s song was part of my job and came naturally to me. When I quit teaching I spent a lot of time in the pop song writing world, where you are always focussing on catchy melodies and hooky choruses. About six years ago one of my best friends created the kids show ’Tee and Mo’ with his animation company and we decided to work together on writing children’s songs for the series. That is how I entered the wonderful world of kids TV! The two aspects of my songwriting came together, as theme songs really need to have catchy pop elements but also be appropriate for children lyrically whilst summing up what the show is about. You both have performed either solo or in other bands in the past. What was one of your favorite live performances you've each done? Becky & Ellie: Becky -When I was in my early 20s I played a lot of acoustic gigs at a local venue called The Cellars – sadly it has shut down now, but it was a really magical place where performances were intimate and personal with the audience. I would often play a comedy song I wrote called “Weird Nerdy Crush” and it always took me by surprise how much the audience laughed at that song and really got into it. I have a live video a friend took once and I can see how much fun I'm having on stage so it always makes me smile. Ellie- I think my favourite live performances have been at Glastonbury. Despite the mud and the wellies there was always such a great atmosphere there - 100% pure music enthusiasm! Years ago I was in a band that headlined the Avalon stage which will always be a highlight memory from the years of gigging and touring! Looking toward the future, what plans do you both have? Are any more collaborations in store for you two? Becky & Ellie: Becky is currently working on new YA projects and Ellie will be carrying on with her work in children’s TV on the shows 'Jojo and Grangran’ and ‘Pip and Posy’. Together we've actually been talking about working on some kind of novella or bonus content for TSYNH to tie up a few of the loose ends and focus on parts of the story readers most enjoyed! We are also planning lots of events, bringing live music to book shops and we are hosting a 'booksical' workshop at YALC in July. It will be great to see what sparks from performing the songs to an audience... Maybe, eventually, the west end theatre or movie adaptation?! We'll keep our fingers crossed! Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW BECKY JERAMS: FOLLOW ELLIE WYATT:

Bonded Jacky takes us back to a time of innocence on their new track "Didgeridoo." The track has an atmospheric feel right off the bat, but this doesn't stick around forever. It is almost like the calm before the storm, as the vibe switches drastically into a drum-led summer anthem. The track feels nostalgic, almost like Jacky is looking back on their past through the lens of home videos or childhood photos. The visual below showcases Jacky pulling themself into a dress and boots, and throwing a tea party in the middle of the woods, looking back on the fun and carelessness we have as children. The track features at the start a slow, atmospheric guitar lead instrumental with the echos of what sounds to be home videos underneath. The lyrics feel like Jacky is sending a message to a younger version of themself in said video, "I wanna tell you everything // wanna show you what you've missed // I wanna know how you've been." The energy soon shifts, with an upbeat tempo that could represent the instant energy change a child has. Jacky describes how everything around them has changed from moving around and changing scenery, to just the random things you could do as a child, "You might catch me playing didgeridoo // or stealing candy just to share with you." In the end, Jacky feels that keeping this blissful innocence would be fun, but the world doesn't work this way "it never stops" moving. Bonded Jacky is a Los Angeles, California based queer singer-songwriter. Jacky describes themself as "a gangly girl with an unmistakable schoolboy energy." "Didgeridoo" is the fourth single from Jacky in 2022. It follows previous releases "Okay," "Brussel Sprouts," and "New Kind of Love." With a beautiful way with lyrics, and unique instrumentals, Jacky has quickly proven themself to be an enigmatic new voice in music. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW BONDED JACKY:

“On Brand” is an encouraging indie pop song about finding who you are. Sidney Bird digs deep into who she is an artist to write this feel-good anthem. Figuring out who you are can be a long and hard journey, but anytime you’re doubting yourself and your “brand”, just remember that you don’t have to label yourself or feel confined to certain interests. It’s okay to like multiple things that most people may not associate with each other. I think there’s such a stigma about certain hobbies and interests, that we often time think that we fit into one category, and one category only. We tend to think that if we’re athletic, we can’t like art. Or if we like country music, we can’t also like Kpop. However, “On Brand” is a reminder that we shouldn’t put ourselves in this tiny box– we can like whatever we want! It’s okay to be free and creative! “I like patterns/ I hate blue” sings Bird during the chorus of “On Brand”. These lyrics perfectly represent the message of this pop jam and reinforce the idea that it’s okay to like and dislike what you want. Filled with synths and a variety of percussive instruments, the real star of the show is Bird’s vocals. Sweetly sounding, yet not too airy or light, Bird creates a powerful sounding vocal ability that stands out to be part of her “brand”. Along with this song, came an inspired music video which captures the vision of “On Brand” beautifully. In the video, we see Bird dressed up as many different personas. While she changes her outfit and makeup, she remains who she is at her core. With multiple passions and styles, she shows how we can go against stereotypes and enjoy whatever we like! Having a passion for music since childhood, Sidney Bird continues to stun audiences years later. Following her graduation from USC as a dramatic arts major, Sidney moved east to NYC to pursue music and songwriting. Quickly gaining the attention of producers, Sidney began her career as a music artist. Drawing inspiration from other musicians such as Maggie Rogers and Halsey, Bird creates her own sound and approach to songwriting that people love. Finding success from her first album “Bad Timing” in early 2020, Bird works hard to create music her fans will love! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW SIDNEY BIRD:

"As It Seems" is a fun blend of R&B and Pop, exuding a chill vibe perfect for the summer. What's the story behind it? Alice: I wrote this song after being inspired by an art exhibition, it was based on a girl who found adult life confusing/ disappointing in the sense that nothing is really ever as it seems. This aligned with my thoughts at the time and so it felt right to put together "As it seems". Who would you say are your biggest influences? Alice: J Cole, H.E.R, Sinnead Harnett, Lauryn Hill. What inspired you to pursue a music career? Have you always been into making music? Alice: I have. I am very naturally creative in the sense that I love painting, drawing, and writing music. I always knew that I would be a musician I just wasn’t sure when the time would come that people would really notice me. I love music and that’s all that matters! If I can make a good career out of it then that’s all I can really ask for. What has your experience been as part of the London music scene? Alice: I went to Uni in London (BIMM) which enabled me to meet likeminded people. I met some of my best friends there who are also into music and the industry. This was amazing as we were able to network and enjoy the scene as much as possible together. I wouldn’t really say I’m involved in the ‘scene’ so much yet, I just kind of do my own thing. How do you begin a new project? Alice: It usually just comes to me, I’m a really deep thinker so my project or track will always come from a deep place. I never just sit down and force myself to begin a project or write something. I like it to be spontaneous. What's in store for you in the near future? Any upcoming gigs? Alice: I have a few performances coming up which will be announced shortly! Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW ALICE ROWE:

You know the quote about how we’re always our own worst critics? Yeah, Erica Manzoli’s song ‘I Would Break up with Me If I Could’ just made that even more heart-rending. Written post-breakup, Manzoli talks about the most toxic relationship she had...the one with herself. “Sometimes she was borderline abusive...pulling at my skin, holding me hostage.” Manzoli hits that feeling of hating yourself where it really stings. It broke my heart all over again being reminded of the times I used to hate myself. She’s so eloquent, yet specific in her experiences that I could relate to her like a million times over as I was listening. And that’s just talking about the message , so just imagine how much more incredible this song gets! It’s evocative AF! This beautiful piano ballad accompanies Manzoli’s comforting vocals, as well as soft synths and strings. It feels natural, effortlessly engaging you with lyrics that’ll have you saying, “Wait, is this about me?” One of my favorite lines in the song is, “When we were young, treated me like a princess, dance round the room...we could care less, then we grew up and fell out of love.” Manzoli not only makes her mind a totally distinct person, but she also provides concrete imagery that refers to the vibrant imaginations we had growing up. She explains self-deprecation in this heartbreaking way that helps you remember who you’re talking to. It’s cathartic, and it inspires you to give yourself some love for what you’re going through! When it comes to crafty, heart-on-the-sleeve lyricism, Erica Manzoli is brilliant at it! The 21-year-old London-based artist records music right from her bedroom. Focused primarily on mental health and self-reflection, she breathes so much liveliness and detail into her personal experiences. She made her debut earlier this year with her single ‘My Best Friend Is My Therapist’ in February. Since then, Manzoli has released her first EP I’m Okay, I Promise as a journal of ruminations about topics like societal pressure and the normalization of "masking your pain." I highly recommend checking it out! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW ERICA:

The vocals in your new single, "When you were mine", are commanding and powerful alongside some equally amazing guitar solos. What's the story behind this song? The Rising: Chantelle: When You Were Mine was created by both of us just watching a lot of movies over lockdown. We grew fascinated with the idea of writing a song like a movie screenplay. Many of our songs come from personal experience. But we thought that it would be nice to try a new approach, a kind of "imagine this" scenario. We stumbled upon the idea of crossing a line with someone close to you, what the consequences would be and how it may change everything with that person. You wouldn’t go back, but for that brief moment in time, that person was yours. Even if it wasn't meant to be. Chris: The song originally started out as a ballad and was quite soft and reflective. But one day I happened to be tracking another song that had really distorted guitars. So I played the chords to "You Were mine" in a really aggressive way. Chantelle joined in with a Debbie Harry meets Haley Williams style vocal. Then, the version of the song you hear before you was born. A true example of letting the song follow its own path and not settling on the first idea. How did you two meet and decide to start a band together? The Rising: Chris: We first met randomly when we happened to be in a Dolly Parton tribute show (things you do for money). I was the guitarist/banjo player and Chantelle was one of the vocalists in the show. The way the show worked we really just passed in the corridor and saw each other on stage, with no real interaction. It was only when I happened to see Chantelle performing one of her own songs at a local open mic night that I found out that she wrote songs. I was really impressed and from then we started co-writing, initially just for fun, then for other artists, and then eventually it was a case of "why aren’t we putting these songs out ourselves". We haven’t really looked back since. How did your move back to Belfast, Northern Ireland impact your careers? Was it disruptive or disheartening at all? The Rising: Chris: It was everything, disruptive, disheartening, depressing, and everything in between. But quite simply, we ran out of money and we had to move back in with our parents in Northern Ireland before we got into serious financial trouble. But, we were faced with two choices: quit music and get normal jobs or move back home and build up our resources again with the goal of moving back. We try to be optimistic about things in life. So we knew that the move would have disastrous effects on our careers. It wasn’t going to be as easy to tour or play live. So knew we had to alter the way we do things. So with lockdowns, we saw an opportunity in harnessing the power of the internet to connect directly with our fanbase. With this, our weekly live streams were born, allowing us to connect with people all over the world and create our own community. In essence, we were thinking internationally instead of locally and regionally. As part of this, we decided that we would release music every six weeks in order to keep giving back to our followers. What was it like releasing a new single every six weeks? That sounds challenging as well as a great strategy for honing in on your sound and skills. The Rising: Chantelle: It was challenging in both a good and bad way. It was a great exercise in keeping creative, writing and recording music to a specific deadline, and also the challenge of getting the music out into the world. Streamlining how we market ourselves and our music. The danger in this strategy was ensuring that the quality never dropped and that each song sounded the best it could be and was not rushed. It also meant that Chris and I had creative heated discussions from time to time, but it felt like such a rush to set ourselves little goals, which really worked for us in the long run. Chris: A few years ago I developed terrible writer's block so I stuck to the strategy of keeping the tap dripping. Writing and recording everything, even if it was just an idea that would get left behind. So this strategy really resonated with me. Although, the idea of writing, producing, recording, and mixing the music was pretty challenging. Requiring quite a bit of discipline when it comes to letting go of the song and saying that it's done. Resisting the urge to keep touching up the song. Before you relocated back to Belfast you all were living in Leamington Spa in the UK. What drew you there? The Rising: Chris: It was a natural fit really. My aunt has lived in Leamington Spa for 30+ years so we would always be over there for family holidays, hanging out with my cousins, and generally doing tourist things such as Warwick Castle, Shakespeare, and all that. So I had a love of that part of England built up from the fond childhood/teenage memories. We were constantly going back and forth from Northern Ireland to England and it got to the point where it was costing us more than we could ever make. My aunt then suggested that we move over to their Granny flat situation. So we moved over and paid them a monthly rent, a very generous one at that, and began to use it as a base. Being smack bang in the middle of England we could literally jump in the car and play all the dates we wanted. When we uploaded our music to BBC Introducing Coventry and Warwickshire (the local Introducing Show), we got more support than we ever thought possible. The Team at BBC Coventry & Warwickshire has been so amazing and really do love catching up with the team, it really feels like a family. So that cemented our affinity with the area. We will forever love that part of England and can’t wait to return. What live performance has been your favorite so far? The Rising: Chantelle: Playing the O2 arena London for Country to Country, which was my first gig with the rising as the lead singer. Just to be on the same bill as Carrie Underwood was such a dream! Chris: For me, it would be a showcase we did with BBC Introducing in the Temperance Cafe in Leamington Spa. It was recorded for broadcast so it had an air of urgency. What really made it so special for me was the fact that it was a small, intimate crowd who all went absolutely nuts. They sang along and clapped, and it ended up being a party atmosphere. It's the crowd that makes a show and the crowd there created something that I will never forget. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW THE RISING:

Classic balladry spills out of this finely balanced duet track crafted by artists Drew Schueler and Kiki Halliday that tugs at the heartstrings as it details the battling emotions of recognizing the love you have with someone and becoming aware "the glorious end" that looms. The phrase "hurts so good" springs to mind as the track paints the picture of lovers choosing to stay on their sinking ship rather than trying to offload water or swimming to a nearby shore. The reckless behavior is justified in pursuit of that weightlessness the lovers feel in those moments where they are truly in love. Most of the track features simple, stripped-back production of acoustic guitar, piano, and simple drums which allows the emotion-rife vocal performances shine. Drew and Kiki oscillate and combine seamlessly with their powerful complementary styles. Electronic production slips in some layered and filtered instrumentation and vocals that lends the song an ephemeral, dreamlike quality that shores the melancholy and contemplative energy that the lyricism brings. The track, reminiscent of the XX, would make itself right at home on any broody, breakup playlist. The duo, who worked together for the first time on 'Ruins', crossed paths in their shared hometown of Nashville, Tennessee before collaborating. Drew Schueler was named a finalist to NSAI's Song Contest two years running, as well as making the list of finalist for ISC's Song Competition. He has some plans for 2022, so stay tuned. Kiki Halliday, originally from LA, has written songs for television (featuring on shows like Queer Eye, The Kardashians, and Selling Sunset) and is now part of a new musical project called KJ Wild. I hope to hear more from the duo, together or not, in the near future. Written By George McSherry FOLLOW DREW: FOLLOW KIKI:

The Songs You've Never Heard is the first 'booksical' that I have come across. A "mixed media form of storytelling invented in the early 21st century", 'booksicals' are books that feature an intertwined soundtrack that plays an integral part in the book's feeling and general narrative. The Songs You've Never Heard is a young adult novel that champions sisterhood, musical talent, and body positivity. The album that accompanies the book rotates the point of view between three of the book's main characters; the protagonists of this story, Meg, Alana, and Caspar are portrayed musically through the vocal performances of Becky Jerams, Megan Tuck, and Cathal Murphy respectively. If you like the idea of Ellie Goulding singing you an audiobook, you might want to check out the track 'Scripts'. Clean-cut, varied, and powerful vocals bolster the emotional story that 'Scripts' tells, backed both by classic piano chords and an upbeat electronic production that anchors the song in its positivity and optimistic feel. The overall feel is adjacent to what I imagine a musical, like Frozen, would sound like if written, produced, and performed by Taylor Swift. The lyricism calls out the lack of authenticity in the media we consume, outing written scripts for lacking the grit that we experience in our lives. The Songs You've Never Heard is a joint venture of Becky Jerams and Ellie Wyatt. Jerams is a young adult author and musician from Portsmouth, UK. Jerams worked to establish herself in the music industry; she now has songs featured in movies and advertisements and works with K-Pop girl-group Red Velvet . Having written a novel and posting it online, Jerams found a new dream to chase after receiving significant praise and support for the project. Ellie Wyatt is a BAFTA winning children's musician from Brighton, UK. A long-established lover of books as well music, Ellie has continued to pair her passions together in this latest project. Written By George McSherry MORE ON THE SONGS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD:

In “Sway My Way,” R3HAB and Amy Shark reflect upon how hard it is to meet someone in a nightclub. I personally do not frequent these places. However, I know that they are vibrant and loud. You have to repeat what you said to your friend dancing next to you at least three times for them to understand what you said. Additionally, you may lose your friend in the crowd until “last call.” I am not saying this environment is bad. Most people need some time to block the world out and dance their cares away. This is exactly what the main character in “Sway My Way” was doing until she “danced” across a person she wanted to know more of. One thing I enjoyed about this song was the instrumentation. It had a noticeable dance sound. At the same time, it sounded light and airy as well. It really captured the sway aspect. Another element I enjoyed was Amy Shark’s vocals. During the verses, it sounded as if she was talking to the music. I think that this characteristic really gives the song a storytelling attitude. With that being said, I would really like to know if our main character was able to find her missing person. She keeps telling them to “sway my way” but never mentions finding them again after the first night. Fadil El Ghoul (AKA R3HAB) has had a successful career in dance music for the past fifteen years. He has crafted remixes for numerous members of pop royalty such as Rihanna and Taylor Swift. His work has accumulated more than 8 billion streams. Amy Shark is a songwriter from Australia. Her hit single, “Adore,” achieved a 5-time Platinum certification in Australia. Shark released her debut album, Love Monster, in 2016. She has toured internationally and made appearances on popular U.S televisions shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW R3HAB: FOLLOW AMY SHARK:

"The Cost Of Being Perfect" is a gentle ballad regarding the strive for perfection and how much it affects a person. Aiming to fit into the unrealistic standards society has set is not healthy for one's mindset and can make a person be so hard on themselves. This piece is near to Sophia's heart as she shared her feelings and experience with the matter on her Instagram: "Perfectionism is something I've struggled with my whole life. As I got older I realized that after years of trying to make people like me I ended up turning into my own bully by criticizing myself." It's true, we really can turn into our biggest critics when we get in our own heads. Sophia revealed that she healed a piece of her that had been hurting for so long by writing and producing this song, and it is a beautiful reminder that being so mean to yourself is not worth chasing after perfection. This piece immediately starts with the question "Why am I so hard on myself?" It's a very powerful realization to come to after so much time being spent trying to change yourself. It's the realization that you don't deserve to treat yourself this way and that you really should be kind to yourself. The rest of the lyrics tell a story of a person's destructive journey of comparing themselves to people on a screen, and how it actually does nothing but take away their self-worth. As for the melody, it stays soft throughout the piece and gives Sophia's voice and message the spotlight. Allowing Sophia's voice to be so heard makes the meaning of the song so much more impactful. Her voice itself is so light and airy, bringing so much peace to this song. As a whole, this song is full of emotion and passionately addresses a topic that almost all endures. Pop singer Sophia Angeles moved to Nashville in 2016 to seriously pursue her music career. Finding inspiration in this musically-inclined city, she debuted her career by releasing her single "Interested" in 2018 and has only grown from there. She has a total of seven released singles including this newest one. Just in the last year alone, her music has gotten a total of 50 million views on Youtube. Also, her single "Miss You More" has been featured on Spotify playlists such as "Fresh Finds" and "Poptronix" and has almost 3 million streams on the platform. Sophia fosters a strong love for pop music and has found inspiration for her pieces through artists including Selena Gomez and Julia Michaels. With her passion and drive, Sophia is an artist who is bound to make a name for herself in the industry. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW SOPHIA ANGELES:

EDIE proves she is not someone to mess with on her 2022 debut single “Blame Me.” The fuzzy guitar laced track is for anyone who feels they've lost themselves in a relationship. It’s the feeling of giving up part of yourself and having to shudder that away for someone else to please them. EDIE lets us know that you shouldn’t have to give up those pieces of yourself for someone to like you, and to not let someone break you down or underestimate you. “Blame Me” is about taking the control back and letting the world know to not underestimate you. “Blame Me” has a guitar heavy instrumental that stays tame during the verses, but when the chorus comes in, it roars to life. The track also features very blunt lyricism about the different sides of a situation in which someone is trying to dull you, “I can’t look at my own reflection // I can’t listen to my voice // You made me see all my imperfections // Red flags were just noise.” But, in the end finding a way to get back what you’ve lost because of them, “I’m gonna make you sorry that you ever loved me.” EDIE is here to let this person know they’re “not their doll.” EDIE is an artist based in Australia. “Blame Me” is her first single, which was independently released, and is the first of many to come. This is just the start of her career, but EDIE comes equipped with a roaring pop-punk sound, a soaring voice, and unabashedly unapologetic lyrics. Keep her on your radar, as she is definitely going to be an artist on the rise. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW EDIE:

"Easy" is a song describing the utmost relief that one gets by finally calling it quits on a toxic relationship. It really is a sad thing to think about the fact that some relationships are so harmful that it's the best move to just end the relationship entirely. The pain and pure unhappiness that such a relationship brings makes the ending more freeing than it does painful. Breaking up has to be one of the hardest decisions to make in life, but it must be done if there's more crying in the relationship than there is laughter. Daisy The Great produced such a gentle-sounding piece and graces listeners with their sweet voices singing on this topic. This song is nothing but elegant and brings so much peace, even while describing such a melancholy topic. The song begins with an ethereal melody, setting the dreamlike tone that carries on throughout the entire song. The drums and guitar have a light and airy sound, mixing perfectly with the vocals of the piece. Mina and Kelley's vocals complement one another extraordinarily well and hold the same airy tone that the melody possesses. Both artists sing in different octaves but relatively hold the same delicate pitch. I have never been exposed to such calming vocals before and am absolutely in love with both of their voices. In the last minute of the song, the pace slows down a bit, making the guitar and vocals a lot more prominent. As for the lyrics, they beautifully express the story of getting out of the trap which is a toxic relationship. The lyrics heavily emphasize the serenity that comes with removing such a harmful situation from one's life. Due to the calming nature of this piece and its beauty, this song is absolutely addicting to listen to. Daisy The Great is a pop indie band comprised of Kelley Dugan and Mina Walker, two musically inclined friends who met at NYU. Dugan has always lived in New York while Walker moved to New York from New Orleans. They decided to come together to form their band in 2016, and released their debut album I'm Not Getting Any Taller in January 2019. They have opened for artists including the Indigo Girls, Sidney Gish, and Samia. They are currently on tour until the end of September and are working on their second studio album. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW DAISY THE GREAT: