The vibes of your new single “No Love” are unmatched, I am obsessed! Can you share the story behind this track and a glimpse into the writing process? Jeyaia: Thank you so much, I appreciate that! I wrote 'No Love' back in 2019, inspired by a connection I was in at the time. I had this feeling inside that needed to burst out of me, and the lyrics and melody were the avenue for that story to leave my body. The song describes those relationships where everything starts amazingly, the attraction is undeniable... but then all our inner securities start to get triggered, and we watch as the connection crumbles around us, due to our own fears. My favourite lyrics in the song are "I've forgotten how to breathe" as that was the feeling inside that I wanted to let go of and heal, through the music. When was music first introduced into your life? Was it something you always knew you wanted to pursue or did the realization come later in life? Jeyaia: I had music playing all around me when I was still in the womb. Both of my parents were in a blues band while I was growing up, and music has always been my everything. It's the air I breathe. We also spent a lot of time at my nan & pop's house where they would play all the jazz greats on the vinyls. That's when I fell in love with Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald. I always wanted my life to revolve around music, but for a long time I didn't think I had any musical "talent". My original music is the result of me evolving into my own self-discovery and expressing my truth, as a woman, a soul, an artist. I am a huge concert buff, so I always love to ask this question...what is the best concert you’ve ever been to? And is there an artist you hope to see perform live that you haven’t gotten around to yet? Jeyaia: I am dying to see Cleo Sol and Pip Millett in concert! I really enjoy small intimate performances like the Sofar events. As for the best concert, I've seen Mariah Carey in concert 4 times, as she was probably the largest influence of my childhood and a huge inspiration for me vocally. As a child, I used to sing her songs on repeat to practice her riffs and crazy octave changes! Is there a song out there you wish you’d written? Like every time you listen to it you think, man, why didn’t I think of that first? Jeyaia: Ooooh good question... I mean, I would have loved to written and performed 'Promises' by Cleo Sol, but it's her energy, her unique expression that makes the song; so likewise, I would have written it differently anyway hehe. That's the thing about music; each song is a manifestation of our unique frequency, which can never be copied. Also Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' is one of the greatest songs ever, in my opinion. What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t pursuing music? Jeyaia: Not possible! Ha, I wouldn't be on this planet. However, my second greatest love is spirituality & mindset, and I'm an energetic alchemist and psychic intuitive channeller so that plays a huge role in my life. I help awakened souls with big dreams to awaken their psychic abilities and superhuman healing & manifestation powers. I love it!! Anything else planned for this year that you can share?! After these last couple releases, I can’t wait to hear more! :) Jeyaia: Thank you so much! Yesss, I have some spicy releases upcoming! My next release is a very exciting collaboration with an incredible producer, followed by more of my originals... watch this space! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW JEYAIA:

“I gave you all my love, how am I not enough?” This lyric fragment from ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’ by MisterWives is like heartache in a glass box; so transparent that we can't deny its existence any longer. This funky 80s-influenced tune revolves around the emotions we unleash when trust is broken. The fear of getting hurt again is very distinct; rooted in worthlessness, jealousy and pure anger. In the eyes of frontwoman Mandy Lee, you shouldn’t try to suppress these feelings or run away from them. It’s much healthier to make space for them. This song is that space; a disco night paradise where your flitting emotions can simply fly into the wind! I’m stunned by Mandy Lee’s effortlessly strong vocals. They’re supercharged by the surrounding sound of effervescent synths (reminiscent of ABBA!) and guitar. Moving between emotions at every step, the writing perfectly encapsulates each one so it stands out. “Every time I think it’s fine...to let you in and trust again, you go ahead and change my mind.” The sheer exasperation here in the bridge is incredible, and it feels like your thoughts are festering beneath the surface. Slowly but surely, MisterWives hits a powerful climax and then closes on a high note that’s pure bliss. I’m obsessed! Returning with their new duet of singles, MisterWives have really outdone themselves! 'Where Do We Go From Here?' compliments another impressive song 'Easy' (which has also been reviewed on our blog!) to usher in the band’s new era. They’ve also created their own label, Resilient Little Records, in partnership with PhotoFinish Records/Virgin Music. They’ve previously opened for popular bands like Paramore, Panic! at the Disco and Twenty One Pilots. Now, the five-piece band is currently headlining their biggest tour yet! Go follow them! And be sure to check out their website for tour dates and tickets to their upcoming shows! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW MISTERWIVES:

With her first single in two years, Laken Lambson creates a song around the feeling of the world moving so fast around you. In "Bored," Lambson discusses this feeling of fear by questioning if she's being stagnant, "I live in fear // of standing still // that I can't do // what I said I will." It's this fear that motivates us to continue working on things important to us, but as we do this it feels like the world around us is moving so fast we cannot cope with how we are feeling. We ask ourselves the question, are we wasting our time? The song is a moody alt-pop track with very drum pad heavy production. The track opens with an almost droning like synth that reintroduces itself in the chorus. The lyrics are brutally honest about this fear of wasting time, "So afraid to waste my life // that I do it in the meantime // and when everybody's sleeping I stay up all night just to stare at the ceiling." Lambson mourns the loss of boredom, as she's constantly working to make sure she's not wasting time. Lambson also discusses the idea of putting faith in someone to help make her plans a reality, "The map's in your hands // It's not healthy // Can't rely on myself // To make my dreams come true." It's a fear of trust when you physically cannot do it all, you feel a loss of power over your own destiny. Laken Lambson is an Utah based alt-pop artist. "Bored" is her first single of 2022, and is the first release since "Game" in 2020. Lambson has reinvented herself from the days of recording in her bedroom, and working with producer Nate Pyfer. Lambson's lyricism is beautifully poetic and raw, discussing issues from deep inside of the human psyche. With a voice that feels effortless, she almost croons over her production. Lambson is one to watch out for. Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW Laken Lambson:

Alessiah’s song, “Summer Feelings,” is a bright pop tune about the comings and goings of the summertime. I remember being in school and enjoying my summer. Before I knew it, I would be watching TV and JCPenney’s back to school advertisement would flash onto the screen. Even if you’re not in school anymore and have to work, you can still get a kind of mini summer by taking a vacation. You’re just as sad, if not more so, when the vacation ends, and you have to face the real world again. Whatever the situation is, I am sure we can all relate to the sadness that Alessiah is singing about. I enjoyed the overall instrumentation of the track. The happy mood made it a great musical representation of summer itself. I also enjoyed how Alessiah reflects on her summer memories. The lyrics do a good job of appealing to the senses. For instance, the opening line on the second verse is, “I just need one more taste of that lemonade.” Similarly, the chorus has a lyric that goes “…laying in the field under purple skies.” The fact that Alessiah remembers what the lemonade tasted like or the color of the sky ensures that the memories will be stored forever in her mind. This way, she can always remember those good times. If you liked “Summer Feeling” and want more upbeat jams, you should check out Alessiah’s other song, “Darling.” It is even more upbeat than “Summer Feeling” and reflects on the feeling of being in love. The songs kind of relate to one another because romance definitely heats up in the summertime! I hope you feel inspired to go make some memories! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW ALESSIAH:

”SIRENS” is a lyrical masterpiece of a song, discussing the topics of trauma and how it effects people and those around us. Past events impact us more than we think, and often times our feelings can be skipped over and made to feel invalid. “SIRENS” opens up the discussion about what it’s really like to deal with traumatic memories in our lives. Ahern‘s single is a song that has the intention to bring hope of healing to those who can relate to having some sort of problem in their lives. ”Please don’t get to close to me/ I’m not ready yet to explain to you…”, were my favorite lyrics in this single. Not only powerful and relatable, but also comforting in a way I felt. So often after we experience something traumatic, people in our lives tend to brush over feelings and have a hard time understanding why we might change or be cautious. I felt like these phrases showed how healing has no timeline. There is no rush for someone to recover or “get better”, our emotions and trauma have their own timeline and it’s okay to not necessarily be ready to talk about it or to resume how your life used to be. I felt like “SIRENS” created a safe place for me in way. Opening the doors to have conversations about these topics and doing so in a way that approaches it not as something to turn away from, but something to embrace and work through. Songwriter and musician, Ally Ahern continues to bring her fans relatable and heartfelt music. Many of Ahern’s music is a reflection of her own life and personal trials. The young artists likes to share her advice and perspective through the medium of her songs. With powerful vocals and the use of many instruments, including drums, guitar and piano, Ally creates hit after hit. More new releases are in the near future for Ally Ahern, so keep your ears open for more great music! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ALLY AHERN:

"Blue Jay", one of your new releases, is an uplifting ballad that has a beautiful message about hope. What inspired this song? Katy: This song was inspired by my own story of recovery battling severe postpartum anxiety and depression after my second child was born. During my healing journey which took about 6 months, I would see Blue Jays during my day-to-day activities and these sightings always came at very precise moments where I found myself needing encouragement to keep moving forward. Sometimes I'd happen to just glance outside my window and right at that moment, a Blue Jay would land on a branch right then and there. Seeing them honestly felt like hugs from the Lord and overall just gave me a sense that He saw me in my struggle and reminded me that I wasn't ever alone - that He was right there with me and that despite all the crippling circumstances I would fly again. This song speaks to my story's lament and pain but also the hope and beauty of watching how the Lord carried me and sustained me through just as He promised. How do you balance your music career with your duties as a worship leader? Katy: I view both of these facets of my path in music to ultimately serve under the umbrella of ministry. Whether writing and releasing songs of worship for the Church or leading music for actual worship gatherings, the purpose for both of these is ultimately the same and that helps prioritize the two as different opportunities for service come along. For me it's basically trying to go back to the "why" behind everything that I'm doing - I'll be the first to admit that it's so easy to get distracted and lose sight of the main mission which is serving God and others through music. If I get too caught up with some of the superficial stuff like stream counts, ratings, and the like - then I've lost sight of the role I've been called to. Overall, it's practicing prioritization and trusting that the Lord will direct my steps. You mention on your website that you struggled with postpartum depression following both of your pregnancies. How did this shape you and your music career? Has overcoming postpartum depression helped you face other challenges? Katy: My struggles with mental health issues after each of my 3 pregnancies have definitely sharpened me and I've learned so much through these trials. The experiences have given me something to write about and a heart for using music to help minister to others. The truth is we are all struggling at some point or another and the truths that were my anchors walking through some dark times are the same truths proclaimed in my music to remind others who are in the trenches with their own life's trials. Overcoming postpartum mental health issues has definitely equipped me to face other challenges and not give up when things get really hard. I've learned so much about God and how faithful and trustworthy He is in every situation, no matter how dire. Who are some of your biggest influences? Katy: The Word of God is definitely my biggest influence in life and some theologians I absolutely love include Charles Spurgeon and A.W. Tozer. In addition, the writings of the Apostle Paul in the Bible have totally influenced how I continue to walk through struggles. My High School sweetheart - now husband of 11 years, Jonathan, has and continues to be a major influence in my life, always there to encourage me and cheer me on. What is your songwriting process like? Katy: Much of my writing materials stem from things I'm experiencing in my day-to-day and that coupled with scripture that speaks to those circumstances is my overall recipe for songs. I typically write the lyrics first and pair those with one of the many melodic ideas hummed via voice memos on my phone. These melodic ideas sometimes strike at the most unlikely moment, so I've gotten in the habit to pull out the phone and just record it for future use. That way I have a nice sort of catalog of options when I sit down to tie everything together. I've been told I'm a pretty methodical writer and yes, I've been known to use a thesaurus when I write. For me, the songwriting process is a puzzle, and lots of tweaking and fine-tuning of the words to get the perfect lyrical interpretation of what I'm trying to say. Looking toward the future, what are your hopes for your music career? Katy: Looking forward, I'm hoping that I continue to get more and more opportunities to lead worship and perform music for people as a way of serving. I hope to continue writing and collaborating with others in the industry who can sharpen me and make me better as an artist. I also want to release more projects in the future as well and would also like to perhaps transition from being an Indie artist to partnering with a label and publisher if it was the right fit for both parties. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin FOLLOW KATY WEIRICH:

With "Hurt or Heal" L.i.E expresses her feelings of being absolutely in love with someone who builds her up as well as tears her down. It hurts, but sometimes the people that we love the absolute most are the ones who hurt us the absolute most. She has finally come to the realization that this person may not have her best interest at heart, and is pleading with them to change their ways. She wishes for them to realize what they are doing to her and hopes for them to change their ways for the better. As her official third released single, L.i.E showcases how she is able to express such deep feelings through her work. As this song begins the listener is welcomed with a soft and borderline somber tone to introduce the theme of this piece as a whole. The melody contains deep piano keys, some bubbly sounds, as well as some of L.i.E's background vocals. Slowly, more and more sounds get added to the mix such as a more prominent beat as well as some guitar strums. L.i.E keeps this piece interesting by keeping this level of variety throughout the entire song. As for her vocals, L.i.E keeps a soft and soothing pitch during the entirety of this song. Her voice is truly calming and meshes with the soft melody extremely well. With her lyricism, the lines talk about what it's like to finally realize that the one you love is not treating you the way that you deserve to be treated. Lines such as "You're my heartbreaker, home wrecker, heart mender" and "conflicting sides, why can't you just decide" all appeal to the feeling of wanting nothing more than for that person to start treating you with only love and respect. As a whole, "Hurt or Heal" is an audibly calming piece with deep-rooted emotion. Growing up in a musically inclined household from the Sunshine Coast Australia, L.i.E had harnessed a deep love for music at a very young age. She began writing pieces of her own at age eleven and began to devote more and more time to her craft beginning in 2020. Now with being homeschooled during this time period, she has written over 50 songs and has even released three of her singles. As a fifteen-year-old artist, L.i.E has so much time on her hands to make a name for herself in the industry and already has plans to further her career. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW L.i.E:

"What Can I Do" is a heartfelt ballad about reassuring someone you love that you are always near to support them in their times of struggle. It is always very comforting to know that someone you deeply care for is ready to pick you back up at any moment. The tone of this piece as a whole perfectly encapsulates that level of comfort. I feel that there are many songs about romantic love, but it is rare to come across pieces directed toward platonic love. Isabelle does an amazing job of appealing to this aspect of love by creating this ode to strong friendships. Platonic love really is such a beautiful thing, and it's always a good feeling to be reminded that you have a strong support system when things in life don't necessarily go your way. Every aspect of this song brings about such a strong sense of comfort. Starting with Isabelle's voice, she has some of the most calming vocals I have ever heard. When she sings, the words just melt into the space around you. Her voice matches the energy of the melody perfectly. The piano and guitar strums are heavily highlighted in this piece and are played in a deep, yet soft tone. The instrumentals set an excellent vibe for the sense of comfort that Isabelle brings with this song. The idea of this song really appeals to emotion, so having the vocals and melody match the deep comfort that one gets from such a strong love is what makes this piece so well thought out. The lyrics themselves really lock in that soothing feeling. "I'll be close, always be near" and "anything you ask I'll give" are just two of the many uplifting lines in this piece that tie in the theme as a whole. This piece is such a graceful ode to deep companionship; Isabelle truly created an amazing piece of art with this single. Isabelle Fries has always had a relationship with music, starting with performing as young as eight. She finds inspiration from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Sir Elton John, The Lumineers, Tame Impala, and Maggie Rodgers. Isabelle fuses modern pop and alternative genres with a classic twist to create her sound. While performing in Uganda for GLI, she announced and founded the Bulamu Raise Your Voice Community Foundation. This foundation implements schools' academics, athletics, and music curriculums develops recycling initiatives and teaches water safety on Lake Buyonyoni. One of Isabelle's main goals in life is to use her platform to help those in need all over the globe. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW ISABELLE FRIES:

Worry is a powerful emotion. It has the power to consume you from the ground up. It begins with as a mental phenomenon with a racing mind. It turns physical when symptoms such as stomach aches and sweaty palms take effect. I am speaking from experience as I am not particularly adept at the skill of “just letting it go.” I share this trait with Thea Wang. In her song, “Word on the Street,” she is worrying about a rocky relationship. Wang uses the song as a way to unpack her negative feelings and attempt to give herself reassurance. The music and lyrics present opposing forces. The primary instrumentation used in the song is a peaceful acoustic guitar strum. In contrast, Wang is singing about worry which is anything but peaceful. I thought these elements fit well together. It is an illustration of the phrase: “opposites attract.” Another aspect of the song that I enjoyed with Wang’s voice. It was rich and blended with the melody. Additionally, I liked the track’s usage of harmonies, especially the “oohs” that occur after the third verse. I know they seem insignificant. However, I feel that they could indicate the slow passing of time. Immediately before the harmonies, Wang asks, “how long?” It is as if she is waiting for the worry feeling to go away. If you want to hear more of Thea Wang, you should check out “Tell Me About It.” It is similar to “Word on the Street” in that it contains a peaceful guitar strum and Wang’s rich voice. Even so, its mood is a little more positive because she is looking back on fond memories rather than worrying. She sings about summer and how short it seems. I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe it is already June! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW THEA WANG:

Do you ever just know that someone’s meant to be in your life? That first meeting is often a surreal experience. It reminds me of when I met my first college roommate (who’s now my best friend) and how we matched each other’s energies almost immediately. I’ll never forget that moment! Jake Scott captures this feeling romantically in ‘Green Eyes’. In the song, he recounts how he fell for a girl while giving her a car ride as a favor from a mutual friend. Backed by a star-studded feel, he takes you along on this unforgettable ride through his love-enveloped mind! The first part that jumps out at me is the open feeling of the first chorus, which is a great start to the song. Vivid lyrics draw you into a stunning visual of driving down the beachy west coast, and Scott attributes that beauty to his love interest. “Never out loud but in my mind; knew one day, wanna make you mine.” His fervent desire for her manifests itself in this “all-or-nothing" confidence he sings with. Later in the song, he brings out these blissful guitar licks that make you want to permanently move into Scott’s dreamy universe. Taking it all in, there’s no doubt that he loves this girl unconditionally. What a gratifying thought to end on! Dedicated to remaining 100% independent, Jake Scott has been inspiring independent artists everywhere since 2013’s debut EP, ‘Of Life and Love and Longing’. For several years, he was an important figure in LA’s songwriting community; working alongside Grammy-award winning producer David Hodges. In 2018, he came back to the spotlight in full force with his “song-per-month" challenge. For 2 years straight, he cranked out singles that garnered unfathomable crowd appeal and led to his first headline tour. ‘Green Eyes’ is only his second single of the year and I already want more music from him! Go check him out! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW JAKE:

Midnight Village brings in the summer vibes right away with their new track "All You Gotta Know." The synth filled track is a message to a past lover, letting them know that "I'm better without you." It's feels almost freeing in a way, letting someone go that held you back and knowing that it was for the best. It's all about removing the toxicity from your life, and taking back control of it. The track feels breezy, kind of like a warm summer day which the visual for the song below showcases. The track is a synth-lead track full of light and airy vibes and sounds. It's very reminiscent of early 2000s synth-pop. The lyrics delve into the idea of letting someone go who was never good for you in the first place, "You only call when you need me for something // Thinking we're good, always making assumptions // Don't waste my time // I'm not your guy." Instances where that individual tries to come back into your life, "You miss my company // And you want some love from me // But honestly, there's nothing left for you and me." However, in the end you realize that it was all for the best, "All you gotta know is I'm better without you // Taking my time, yeah I'm doing it right." Midnight Village is a Los Angeles, California based alt/pop duo. The members include Sean Kolar (singer, songwriter) and Tyler Lyons (instrumentalist, producer). The two have together been releasing music since 2021 and have been headlining venues from locations in L.A. to Nashville. "All You Gotta Know" is the follow up to their single "Catch A Flight," both of which will be featured on their debut EP due out July 1, 2022. Keep these two on your radar! Written By Kyle Stiver FOLLOW MIDNIGHT VILLAGE:

In "Guilty Pleasure" Ariana Fig expresses her desire to embrace the things that make her happy, even if they are seen as "bad for her." This song essentially focuses on falling for the wrong man, but the high she gets from loving him is enough to keep her around. She recognizes the dark side of being with someone who always leaves her feeling hurt in the end, but she is willing to stay around him. This situation is one that many can relate to for many different reasons. No matter how badly someone's lover treats them, maybe their lover is the best they think they will ever get. Maybe there are just so many memories with them that it's impossible to let go. Maybe they feel that the few good moments are just enough to keep them around. No matter the situation, the hurt is never quite enough to drive them away. Ariana brings a 70s-esqe feel to this piece with the melody she selected. The dreamy guitar chords and drum beat give this piece the same ethereal feel that the music of that decade possesses. Her vocals possess similar qualities as well, as her voice brings extra warmth and an airy feel to the piece. The theme of this song revolves around chasing after strong emotions and Ariana's voice strongly emulates the emotions that she wishes for her audience to feel. This piece as a whole just feels so celestial and brings back old-school sounds that shouldn't be forgotten in today's music scene. Ariana Fig was born and raised in southwestern Canada and has been devoted to music her entire life. She began playing violin and performing in musical theatre in her youth and moved on to writing her own pieces at the age of 13. Ariana was heavily influenced by the sounds of the 70s, finding inspiration from artists including Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. She creates her music all on her own, so the lyrics, melodies, and vocals her fans listen to are all produced by her. She began releasing her music in recent years, including her first EP Taboo, and has steadily released pieces since her debut. With all of the musical talent and experience that Ariana has, she is sure to continue making great content for her listeners. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW ARIANA FIG: