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A breakup can result in one of two feelings: a person embraces a newfound freedom or mourns the end of an era. A lot of times, we are not honest with the other person about these feelings because it would create an even deeper conflict if they did not share the same ones. With that, it is not healthy to bottle up negative emotions because they eventually explode like Diet Coke and Mentos. Music is a great way to release negative emotions. Believe it or not, artists craft some of their best work out of pain and heartbreak. In “never knew a heart could break itself,” Zach Hood uses music as a coping mechanism for a breakup. He writes a passionate song in which he reflects on memories of his relationship. I liked the strumming guitar melody that the song starts out with. It is simple, but it allows for a great buildup to the chorus. I also liked Hood’s voice. You can tell that he’s singing from personal experience because you can hear his sadness throughout the song. It really shows when Hood sings, “reality’s frozen, ‘cause I can’t take the photos of us off the shelf.” These are my favorite lyrics because it is such a rich metaphor. Photos are essentially moments frozen in time, whereas reality is the present moment. Hood can’t bring himself to accept that his relationship is over in the present, so he is living an alternate reality through photos. I’m an English major, so you know I read a lot into words. Zach Hood is from Daphne, AL. He later moved to Los Angeles for music. If you want to hear more of him, I recommend “13 Missed Calls.” This song is about being pulled back into a bad relationship. Along with breakups, this is another relatable theme. Compared to “never knew a heart could break itself,” it has a much more gritter and defiant sound. We all need sad breakups songs in our lives. At the same time, we also need tougher breakup songs to build our confidence back up. Zach Hood supplies both!! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW ZACH HOOD

I can’t stop listening to your new single “Sweet Talk”! What inspired you all to write this fun track? Alpha Street: The original beat was written by Adam during lockdown. He was going back and listening to A LOT of 80's tracks and wanted to write a simple pop song based on a synth bass line and chords. Penny came up with the verse and main hook straight off the bat before we met up for a writing session and we all loved it straight away. You seem to have a really great dynamic throughout the group! How did you all meet? Alpha Street: Pat and Adam have played in a number of metal and hardcore bands together as guitarists, but found themselves wanted to delve into the electronic and pop music world. They started making tracks and really wanted a strong female singer to join the band. They put a call out through a local musicians page on facebook and got a response from Penny. When they got together for a trial everything just clicked. Funny enough, Pat and Adam's previous band Old Ghosts had played a show with Penny's punk rock band, Across the Atlas, a few years before and Pat had already stalked her online remembering her awesome performance from that gig. So basically we are all Emo's from the old scene who want to make the shift to pop music now What is your favorite part about performing live in front of an audience? Alpha Street: Coming from more traditional heavy bands we all really love to play live and rock out a bit. Penny basically has her live alter ego who is super confident at performing and always brings 100% to each performance. If you've seen our Sweet Talk music video that gives you a bit of insight to the charisma she has live. For Pat and Adam the shift to an electronic set up has always been a fun challenge. We play multiple synths, bass, guitar, electronic drums and backing loops live which means a lot of instrument swaps and the risk of something in the set up not triggering properly. There are plugs and leads going everywhere we play live but we have gotten pretty good at making it work! You guys have such a unique blend of genres and amazing energy on stage. Who would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to songwriting and performing? Alpha Street: One of our biggest influences starting out was the band CHVRCHES from Glasgow. They had this really unique, synth-pop sound that I (Pat) just couldn't get enough of. Adam was also heavily into the NZ electronic duo Broods. Penny, coming from the punk background, was influenced by bands like Paramore, including their more recent work which had headed in a more indie/pop direction. If you could recruit any other artist in the world that you think would be a perfect addition to the group, who would you pick and why? Alpha Street: It would have to be musician and producer Jack Antonoff. Not only for his work in own band Bleachers, but also his ability to write and produce amazing pop music e.g. songs from Taylor Swift's 1989 Album and Lorde's Melodrama album. Antonoff always has a bit of an 80's vibe to his songs which we love. What is next on the Alpha Street bucket list? We can’t wait to see and hear more from you all! Alpha Street: A 5 track EP is definitely on the cards for this year, as well as another Music video for the next single release. We hope to play some bigger and better shows also, potentially some festival spots or interstate shows. We are currently working on adding a live drummer to our shows which should bring the energy and dynamic up even more. Hopefully live music starts to return to its former glory soon! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW ALPHA STREET:

Everyone has their own way of handling a breakup. Some move on quickly, finding new love in a matter of weeks. Others need several boxes of tissues and a pile of comfort food before they try to find someone new. In Haiden’s new song, ‘Sorry To Your Next Ex’, he’s reached a point where he’s moved on. His ex though - she still lingers on what the two used to share. Haiden knows his ex is twisting the facts of their relationship, changing things to fit her own narrative as she tries to find a new partner. He uses this song as both an apology and warning to that next person. Certain songs require you to take a drive, roll your windows down, and scream the lyrics into the wind. ‘Sorry To Your Next Ex’ is one of those songs. An infectious pop-rock beat pulses through the song. The beat ebbs and flows, working with Haiden’s vocals to express his different feelings. Softer moments focus on Haiden’s vocals before the instruments layer and build to the chorus. In these soft moments, you get a sense of Haiden’s indifference towards the way his ex speaks about him. The chorus is where he lets his passion ring clear, the increased intensity in the music helping express this emotion. He knows that he put a lot more into the relationship than his ex and can’t help but feel bad for the next person she dates. ‘Maybe she’ll be different, I wouldn’t quite expect it/But for your sake I hope I’m wrong/ ‘Cause maybe then I was the cause’. These last lyrics sum up what Haiden is trying to say throughout the song. He hopes that, for the next person, things will be different for them than it was for him and his ex. Are you a fan of Shawn Mendes? If so, Haiden is the next artist you should add into your music rotation. Fun pop beats and catchy lyrics can be found throughout his growing music catalogue. This young artist is working hard to promote himself and his music on social media. A video he posted to promote, ‘Sorry To Your Next Ex’, currently has over 2.3 million views on TikTok. Appearing on numerous Spotify curated playlists, Haiden is an artist who has much more in store for his growing fanbase. If you liked, ‘Sorry To Your Next Ex’, you should check out his other single, ‘Can’t Hurt Me’. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW HAIDEN:

There are certain songs that make us cry within the first thirty seconds. For me, heartbreaking ballads always require at least a few tissues. For a friend of mine, it’s an old country song that her grandmother used to love. Regardless of what genre makes each of us weepy, these songs reach inside our hearts, bringing out our deepest and rawest emotions. thea wang’s newest release, ‘While He Is Still Asleep’, is one of these songs. Her melancholic ballad chronicling the end of a love story is one many can relate to. This song is wang’s goodbye to the person, the relationship, and everything that came with it. Something devastatingly beautiful flows through, ‘While He Is Still Asleep’. Throughout the song, wang is accompanied by an acoustic guitar. Her gentle vocals mixed with the calm instrumentation help illustrate her sense of defeat. In the beginning of the song, you hear the lyrics, ‘Drowns the floor in her tears/Dresses up in her fears’. These lyrics were heartbreaking with their emotion, but beautiful with the way they paint the scene. I could see wang saying these words to herself in the mirror, trying to muster up the courage to get through another day in a loveless relationship. The lyrics, mixed with wang’s almost haunting vocals, break your heart for the girl who is trapped. As the final lyrics fade away, you hope that the girl finds her courage, and leaves. Singer-songwriter thea wang is an artist who hit the ground running, writing for herself and others while also playing in various bands. She’s currently releasing music while working on a Music Performance degree at the Rhythmical Music Conservatory in Copenhagen. With mystical vocals and a knack for lyrical storytelling, this artist is one whose songs draw you in and make you feel as though you’re peering into someone else’s life. ‘While He Is Still Asleep’ is her second single and is currently available to stream on Spotify! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW THEA:

Are they just friends? Or something more? ‘Friends, Right?’ by AMWIN delves into the fear of confessing love and possibly ruining a friendship as a result. Is the feeling really mutual? If I admit my feelings for them, will they view me the same way? I get it. No one likes rejection. Plus, you don’t want the existing friendship to become awkward if the other person isn’t ready. “We’ve been doing it so many times, crossed every but the final line; but we’re just friends...right?” AMWIN exposes her heart as she tries to navigate a difficult choice: continue playing along in silence or risk the friendship by speaking on her deepest emotions. AMWIN beautifully expresses this painful indecision with a tranquil, uplifting melody. “Kissing having fun, but only when we’re drunk; nothing in the daylight, ’cus we’re just friends, right?” Maybe it will work out! There’s a sense of hope brought in as the acoustic guitar brings you much-needed stress relief. Silky-smooth vocals depict AMWIN going with the flow, not wanting to rock the boat of this friendship. The outro is like an introspective phone call, where she musters up the courage to face her fear head-on! While you don’t know the outcome of this endeavor, she hints at the benefits of taking risks like this. You never know what will happen, but maybe that’s not a bad thing! Amanda Winberg (AMWIN) is a Swedish pop artist who grew up with a love for music. Fascinated by the distinctive sounds of Missy Elliot and Sinead O’ Connor, she forged her own path by building self-confidence around a music career. At 18, she made it onto Swedish Idol and subsequently began defining her hypnotic, yet minimalist pop sound. She’s even devised her own videos, which showcase her cinematic prowess. AMWIN is truly a self-starter who isn’t afraid to chase her dreams! Go check out her debut EP ‘AMWIN in Wonderland’ for another glimpse into her fascinating mind! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW AMWIN:

Congratulations on the release of “My Love is Waiting”! Can you share what inspired you to write this track? Blake: Oh, thanks so much. The song is a favorite of mine, and was the first I wrote for this new record coming out in May. Pain or anger are, I find, quite easy to write about––but joy is harder. It can take some defiance (certainly these days) to write a song about joy, and it’s a songwriting challenge to do so with some abandon, and authenticity. “My Love Is Waiting” is a love song in which I sing, “I’ve had to fall through broken branches, but now at last, I’m finally on my feet. My love is waiting for me.” That, I hope, says it all. I’m sure with all the success you’ve had around the world you’ve had some amazing experiences along the way. What has been the most surreal moment in your career thus far? Blake: It’s been quite a ride, I’ll admit. The surreal moments for me are usually when I find myself in a place of great importance, one that I’ve read about or yearned to be in (a hallowed recording studio, or a particular concert hall or stage for example), or I find myself working with people I’ve admired tremendously (an artist, a producer, a writer), and I suddenly realize I’m doing the thing I’ve dreamt about. Working at Compass Point Studios with Terry Manning (Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Shakira) in the Bahamas for example, or performing at my residency at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC where I’ve had collaborations with special guests like Michael Leonhart, Josh Dion, Tracy Bonham, David Poe. Those moments, and those friendships born from those moments, mean the world to me. What would you say is your favorite place you’ve played live? And where do you hope to play next that you haven’t been yet? Blake: Rockwood is certainly at the top of the list. It’s my home, and I hope it always will be. But there are others like The Lost Church in San Francisco (a jewel of a little theater), or 20 Front Street in Lake Orion Michigan (one of the most beautiful, and beautiful-sounding venues I’ve ever performed in). Gorgeous venues all, each with gravitas and intimacy, where you can still see the whites of the audience’s eyes. Where do I hope to play at some point? Am I allowed to say The Beacon Theater in New York? Hell with it. The Beacon Theater, there I said it. What is your favorite memory from studying at Berklee College of Music? Blake: I met a teacher there (on my first day of classes in fact) who helped change the course of my musical life, and what’s more, my understanding of music itself. His name was Roy Okutani and I’ll never forget him. He was one of those magical teachers, like in movies or in books, who indelibly affects students positively for the rest of our lives. He died last year from Covid-19, prior to the availability of vaccines. I’d stayed in touch with him, and I while I mourn the loss of him, I will continue to celebrate who he was, and what he gave to me. As a fellow New Yorker, I hope to go to one of your renowned Rockwood concerts one day! If you could pick any artist to join you on stage there, who would you pick and why? Blake: I hope you do join us at the next one! I’ve had incredible special guests during this six-year run, with more on the way. If I could pick anyone, I’d pick Chris Thile––from the band Punch Brothers––whose music has hit my music life like the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs. (I actually told him that once, and he loved it.) Oh yeah, I’d also settle for Tom Waits (swoon). If you could go back and give younger Blake one piece of advice, what would it be? Blake: I’d tell him it’s going to be alright. I’d tell him it’s going to take longer than he thinks, it’ll be harder than he thinks, but it’ll turn out better than he thinks. I’d tell him to keep his chin up, his eyes on the prize, and to ignore everything that distracts him from that. I’d tell him not to trade his future for anybody’s. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW BLAKE:

"Never felt this shaken, cause' my heart got taken." is the feeling that we get when we have gotten to a dead end with someone we loved AND it just doesn't feel compatible anymore. On ear candy's new hot single "over you," stepping into the aftermath phase of a crumbling relationship can become a two-faced experience: with the happy thinking yet the regret and sadness that comes from the trials and tribulations of love. This song is super conscious-heavy yet energy-inducing. The energy of this song makes you want to float away on a cloud! Untouchable from getting heart-broken again! The mixing on this song is so clean and the instrumentation is so organized yet multi-dimensional with the trigger-happy tempo of the drums in the chorus and the crisp guitar riffs really helping to progress the sonics of the song as it gets into the bridge. Jamie's high-pitched vocals really blends well into the happy-go-lucky attitude of the song as well as the fuzzy vocals he utilizes in various parts of the song to represent the sad side of being over who you loved. Jamie Jordan is a music monster who produces, writes AND does the vocals for all of his songs. Jamie has invested countless hours into making indie-pop and alternative-pop songs that pack a punch and also bring in an introspective message at the same time. However, he is only getting started as he begins his journey as a solo artist and is planning on making major moves including touring AND releasing more music under "ear candy." This guy is awesome! Go give him a shot! Written By Miles Tutor FOLLOW JAMIE:

“Another Falling Star” is a beautiful ballad that’s about wondering what happened to a person you used to know. Abraham sweetly sings of a girl who he now has all these questions for– “Is it everything you were dreaming of?” People come and go through our lives constantly. Abraham captures that longing feeling we have toward someone after they’ve left. We can’t help but be curious about how their lives turned out because we have a very exact image of them in our mind that will never change. But what happened to them, what changed, and how are they now? Ben Abraham sings about all of this as he wonders if the girl he knew is “Another Falling Star.” Right from the beginning, the song sets a melancholy and reflective mood– which is fitting for the lyrics that dive into things of the past. After the introduction of the calm melody line, Abraham sings with the most sweet and captivating voice. His deep vocals are beautiful– making the song have an even deeper emotional feeling. As he sings, you naturally feel relaxed and yet focused on the sound of his voice. You can’t stop listening to his smooth words. Ben Abraham truly has natural talent that shines through in this song. Ben Abraham is an experienced artist who has been releasing music since 2014. Since then, Ben has collaborated with many artists including Sara Bareilles, Demi Lovato, and Macklemore. He has multiple albums out, as well as singles– of which included in this is his newest album ‘Friendly Fire’ which features “Another Falling Star.” Ben also is the receiver of APRA Music, ‘Overseas Recognition Award.’ We can expect many more great singles and albums from Ben– he’s a name to remember. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW BEN ABRAHAM:

Lately, the news has been profoundly negative. First, we were faced with a worldwide pandemic where news people talked of sickness and the world shutting down. As the pandemic was coming to an end, the rekindled conflict between Russia and Ukraine took center stage. On a smaller scale, we also experience misfortune in our own lives. The pandemic could’ve taken your loved one away. You could be left without a job and unsure of future plans. Whatever the situation may be, it is important to stay hopeful. This is obviously easier said than done, but it can make obstacles more manageable and easier to conquer. In her inspirational ballad, “Time,” Roveena sings about holding onto hope. The first thing I noticed about the song was Roveena’s voice. It was really strong and added onto the existing passion of the words. My favorite lyric was: “when all the good gets left behind, you’ve gotta give it time.” Even though the whole song is about holding onto hope, these words seem to sum up the point nicely. They also give the listener a motto to take with them. I also liked how smooth the piano melody was. It was relaxing and complimented the lyrics. The simple melody also allowed the passion in Roveena’s voice to shine through. Roveena was born in Sri Lanka and lives in Toronto, Canada. If you liked “Time,” Roveena sings another inspirational ballad, “Fearless.” This song is really motivating and powerful. It is no surprise that it was featured in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. I did not think it was possible to do it a third time, but her other song, “Fly” will inspire you to be yourself and block out the haters. These are songs you need to add to your pick-me-up playlist! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW ROVEENA

As a kid, did you want to become friends with everyone? Chances are, you’re now a people-pleaser. May I present to you ‘Keepintouch’ by Love You Later; a song about reconnecting with yourself and learning to enjoy your own company. “I’m losing touch with everyone else; trying to keep in touch with myself.” Love You Later confronts the overthinking and discomfort she experienced as her friends started to move on. Some friendships are seasonal, and that’s okay! You can make peace with that truth and learn to accept yourself as your own best friend, just like she did! I strive to write catchy and brilliant lyrics like Love You Later. "Try to slow down, but still don’t know how; I’m overreacting, and nobody knows it.” She knows how to CALL YOU OUT! At the same time, dreamy guitar riffs and ethereal vocal harmonies are like medicine for your deepest wounds. They’re beautiful, just like you are! She understands that these intense emotions aren't just a phase. It takes time to heal. The passion with which she sings is cathartic in itself. This up-tempo alt-pop jam is exactly the infectious melody you NEED for a summer glow-up! Meet Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lexi Aviles, the genius behind Love You Later. The 23-year-old alt-pop artist has proven to be a master marketer in teasing her latest single ‘Keepintouch’ on TikTok (@heyloveyoulater). Her music is filled with dreamy synths and melodies that will resonate with you on every level. She’s opened for notable acts such as OneRepublic and Dayglow, and she’s even made an appearance at SXSW. Without question, Lexi is an incredibly relatable artist who’s quickly rising to the top! She teased some BTS of a fun music video for ‘Keepintouch’ back in January, so get ready for that to drop soon! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW LOVE YOU LATER:

“To Know I Hurt You” is such a raw, emotional song. Can you share what inspired you to sit down and write it? Drew: I wanted this one to be from the perspective of the person who has hurt the one they love the most. A song where you really can feel the regret and pain. We've all been hurt by people we love. And we've all hurt those we love. These words are either what you'd say to the person you hurt, or what you wish someone would've said to you after they hurt you. You can insert yourself to either perspective depending on what you are currently going through in your personal life. How did music find its way into your life? Drew: Music has been interwoven into every thread of my life since I was a child. My dad is in an 80s cover band and my mom used to work in radio, so I was able to witness so many aspects of the industry. I began writing songs at about 10 years old and have been since. Congratulations on being a finalist for NSAI’s Song Contest two years in a row! What do you think is the key to being a successful songwriter? Drew: Thank you so much! There are many aspects to being a successful songwriter but the key is repetition. Just like any skill, the more you do it, the better you get. I have a catalog of hundreds of songs that are decent at best. I also think that listening and analyzing music critically is massive. Listen to enjoy first but when you hear a song you love, study it. Look at the structure, the tension and release, the melodic hooks and repetition throughout. Music is absolutely subjective but there are techniques you can utilize that can immensely enhance a song. After spending the last year working in Nashville, I’m sure you know the best spots to hit when visiting! Have any recommendations? Drew: Nashville has so many incredible spots. I'd recommend checking out The Gulch, Music Row, and 12th South. What would be your dream venue to play? It could be anywhere in the world! Drew: Dreaming big is the only way I know how, so I'd have to go with Wembley Stadium. After such a successful 2021, we can’t wait to see what 2022 brings for you! Is there anything you can share about what to expect later this year? Drew: This year is going to be amazing. I have so many new singles coming out, including the follow up to "To Know I Hurt You" which will be released in early April. Some really incredible things coming up soon. Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW DREW:

“Teach U How 2 Love Me” is the epitome of a feel-good song. It’s impossible not to dance to this groovy hit when you hear it. This song talks about showing someone in a relationship how to love you the way you want to be loved– and does so in a disco-like way. The throwback type vibes of this hit are immaculate, you feel like you’re back in the 70’s listening to ‘this weeks top disco artist’ when you hear the song. This is the perfect tune to listen to on a night out on the town with some friends. Listen to "Teach U How 2 Love Me" here! Curran’s hit song starts off with some fabulous electric beats and then features Curran’s vocals right after. Curran expertly combines vintage sounding vocals with pop lyrics to create a groovy retro-pop vibe. Holly’s singing really shines through later in the song as she sings solo with no background. Her vocals are focused in a higher range of singing and she hits her notes with ease, creating an effortless sounding voice. “Teach U How 2 Love Me” also includes backup singing that is the perfect touch to make the song have that 70’s disco-pop feel. "Teach U How 2 Love Me” was released as a part of Holly’s first EP, Chapstick in 2022. She currently has 2 other singles released as well. Holly is an experienced actor, singer, and songwriter and can also play guitar and ukulele­– talk about multi-talented! The up-and-coming artist hasn’t released any upcoming projects yet, but we can expect more great, upbeat, and groovy tunes from Holly! If you liked “Teach U How 2 Love Me”, check out the rest of her EP to hear more iconic jams! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW HOLLY CURRAN: