Your new single “WALK OF SHAME” has such an amazing vibe to it! What inspired you to write this new song? ELKEEN: Thank you very much. I think I like putting myself in others’ shoes. I’ve seen and heard too many stories about people feeling guilty about something they were obviously not guilty about. They were ashamed of what happened to them because we are told not to talk about it. And it’s a shame. That’s what this song is about : it isn’t your walk of shame, it is theirs. When did your love for music start? And when did you know you wanted to pursue music as a career? ELKEEN: I’ve always loved music, since I was able to sing I would cover songs at home, trying to reproduce melodies. And then I noticed that I was particularly good at remembering melodies, lyrics and keys, mainly because this is the only thing I was doing at that time ahah. Concerning my will to pursue a music career, It started when I had the chance to meet Denis Clavaizolle who is a professional musician and the music producer for Elkeen. He really is the one that told me I could do it. Who are your influences when it comes to your original music? You have such an infectious sound that I can’t get enough of! ELKEEN: I listen to all types of music, really. So I get influences from everywhere but I would say that I listen to pop and funk music the most. I also listen to a lot of rap and trap music :) I loved scrolling through your Instagram and watching all your covers! Which cover are you most proud of? ELKEEN: Thank you ! I love covering songs from my favorite artists and make it my own. The one I am the most proud of is Hotel California because it brings back so many memories or Still got the blues because my dad loves this song and I made him proud :) When you’re not making music or performing, what else do you love to do? ELKEEN: That’s interesting. I like learning new things at all time so right now I’m mostly trying to learn a new language by myself and trying to learn how to use video editing softwares so I can edit some short videos myself or even work on music videos just like I did for the 2 first title track of the new album. I am such a huge fan of your music, and I can’t wait to hear more from you! What else do you have planned for the rest of the year? ELKEEN: Thank you very much ! A third and final single is coming out in June and the full album is supposed to come out right after, during summer ! Of course we keep working on new songs all the time :) Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW ELKEEN:

We all have moments where we feel overwhelmed and a little lost in life. “Personal Hell” is about when we feel like this, and we find it difficult to keep going on. So many times, we get stuck and convince ourselves that we’re okay living the way we are, but in reality, we aren’t. Callen goes deeper into these feelings by singing about how we can sometimes look to other people for help or empathy as a way to feel okay. He sings, “All I need/ Is someone to get/ In between/ Me and my anxiety.” While people can provide a distraction for our confusion and problems, it’s not always the best solution. Listen to "Personal Hell" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/572lyU0ieaU1xIravbbkhZ?si=f0ccac5bb93e404a “Personal Hell” is a mellow tune that lets you focus in on your own problems. The melodic line relies on short repetitive phrases to create a smooth background for Callen’s vocals. The usage of plucked strings adds a unique and interesting touch to the calm bass and allow for this pop song to really come together as something new and fresh and not just be a slow, melancholy, acoustic pop tune. The simplicity of the rhythms in Callen’s song is a nice change of pace from some music we’ve seen in the industry lately. I think the fact that it has minimalistic bass lines and synths makes it a hidden gem within the world of pop. Nothing is too overwhelming and in your face, you can really focus on the meaning of the song and enjoy a nice beat. Callen is a Nashville based singer and producer. Callen was involved in music from an early age where he started to replicate songs and artists he liked in Ableton. His inspiration for his songwriting today comes from the early 2000’s pop scene. He recently released his debut album, “Ghost Reflections”, where “Personal Hell” is a featured. If you like artists like Shawn Mendes and Charlie Puth, you’ll love Callen. Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW CALLEN:

Your new song “Digging for Diamonds” is such a catchy, genuine pop song! What inspired you to write these lyrics and this song? Matilde: Digging for Diamonds talks about a complicated relationship where he is hurting her by not respecting and playing with her feelings, and she expresses her emotions, sadness, frustration, and anger to the notes of this song. I love the meaning behind it. I feel like it is very relatable for people. It is also powerful, with a chorus that explodes to the heavens. The inspiration always comes from real life, because I love to share with my fans my thoughts and genuine feelings. What made you want to pursue music at such a young age? Matilde: Music has always been a passion running through my veins. From the very first note I knew music was going to be my life. I started teaching myself piano from youtube videos from the age of 6, then started singing and it all started from there, a Hannah Montana song at a school showcase. Music Is my way of expressing myself and my feelings, of sharing with people my experiences, my life and my thoughts. When I was twelve I started studying music seriously and making a collection of good experiences, growing up between festivals and rehearsals with the band in the garage. I have invested all of myself for it and to be honest I don't have a plan B for my life. Wish me good luck! If you could perform live with any artist in the world, who would you pick and why? Matilde: If I could perform with one artist I would definitely go for Charlie puth. His songs are incredible, his voice would match with mine very well and he is very hot. Would love to sing with him! Congratulations on 1M views on your music video already! I love that you showcased your aerial aerobic skills! What was your favorite part about filming the video? Matilde: I’m so excited about this result and I feel really grateful to all my fans who are watching it on repeat. I personally wrote the visual representation of this music video in the form of “Diamonds” and “Dust”. It capsulizes elegance and sensuality through aerial acrobatics and it shows empowering acting scenes in a giant cage. I personally designed and created the white and black wings and I adore the scenes inside the National Gallery Singapore where I wear a stunning red dress (Hayden Boutique Singapore) in contrast with the black and white stairs of the CourtRoom. This music video reveals my passion for fashion, makeup and hair style. It was so much fun! I loved every second of it, from the planning of the shooting to the selection of the outfits to the final product. Learning aerial for this music video was a struggle but I discovered this new passion I have and I’m excited to put it in use in other music videos or performances as well. How was your experience at Sanremo Giovanni? Congratulations on being one of the finalists, that’s awesome! Matilde: This experience was awesome! I got the opportunity to work with and meet people with my same passion. Got the chance to improve my skills and learn from a professional environment. It also gave me the opportunity to go back to Italy after so long (due to covid) therefore it was a double win! Sanremo is the biggest Italian music festival, and I was the youngest of the 46 selected artists. If you could give young Matilde who’s just starting music some advice, what would you tell her? Matilde: The music industry is tough. There are a lot of people that know how to sing out of there. What makes you unique in this world is your personality, ideas and feelings you express through your music, your project, your vision. I would suggest defining her artist personality and to work on strength, because you need a lot of it during this journey. Find it and use it to push through and achieve your goals. You are going to fall over and over and over again, but what matters is how you get up. Take every fall as an example of what not to do or do better, and always stay positive and strong headed. You can do anything you put your mind to, I promise. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW MATILDE:

"123 (feat Joe Bills)" is a beautiful song about the passionate love that takes form in dance. The lines "won't you dance with me" and "will you hold me close" shows the heartfelt confession of this hurting soul who just wants one dance. A bittersweet sentiment, the line "you're out of my league and everyone knows" introduces a feeling of worthlessness that can be hard to shake off. However, I sense a lot of hope from this song: despite the pressure and expectations weighing down, the courage to ask "Can I have this dance?" is inspiring to say the least. It's an interesting use of text painting: there is only one goal and that is to dance with this person. The song starts with a motif panned right with the reverb on the left; creating a sense of echo and space. The mood of the piece is set up instantly as background vocals accompany the sense of space and elusiveness created from the motif. The vocals come in softly (not out of control or disrupting) and the instrumentation plays well to this. As the melodic line progresses to the chorus, the mood is slowly intensified with the addition of a more complicated rhythmic section, a driving bass line, and background vocals that shoot from ear to ear (making it seem like there are voices behind/next to you). I thought it was particularly clever how the motif was used as the main melody of the chorus instead of just looping it in the background. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Washington DC based singer/songwriter Becca Rogers is a new and talented artist in the electro-pop genre. A dedicated musician with a bachelors in neuroscience and music (with a focus on Alzheimer’s) Becca strives to explore the benefits that music has on dementia. In 2020, she started a music duo called Strawberry Aqua which released two singles “Last Dance” and “Walk Away” in 2021. Her latest single “123” features guest artist Joe Bills. Check out her music on her Spotify and YouTube or find out more about new releases and information alike on her social media handles. Also make sure to check out Joe Bills using the links below! Written By Aaron Soltis FOLLOW BECCA: FOLLOW JOE:

Have you ever fell so hard for someone that deep down you knew they'd never feel the same? We try and try to get them to want us in the same way we want them. We dress how they like, we do favors for them and we give them all our attention. 'Overnight' by Kaiyra expresses the thoughts of someone who finally got a chance with the one they've wanted for a long time, but come to the realization that this probably won't last forever considering this person clearly doesn't have romantic feelings towards you. "I know I've tried to be how you want me to, it'll just never be enough for you; I want it to be for a billion times but I know that you'll go overnight." This song has a strong electro-pop beat that makes you want to get up and dance. Meanwhile, the lyrics portray heartbreak making this song a perfect example of lyrical dissonance. In a way, the happy music is a poetic hint that Kaiyra is hiding her true sadness from the person she's in love with. Kaiyra's powerful, raw and emotional vocals make you want to listen to what she has to say all while giving you the perfect beat to jam to. I suggest giving the music video a watch! Kaiyra is a singer and producer born in Italy who is now based in London, United Kingdom. 'Overnight' is her debut single in which she self-produced along with the collaboration of Dan MacKenzie as well as Danny Y and Maryn Knevitt. Kaiyra is for sure one to watch. Check out her socials below and give her a follow! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW KAIYRA:

We all have our ‘tomorrows’. Tomorrow I’ll do this, in a few years I’ll do that. These aspirations give us something to work towards. While it’s good to have goals, it’s easy to get sidetracked. In his newest single ‘Fooling Myself’, Callen is having to be brutally honest about his ‘tomorrows’. He isn’t content with his present and is always saying “one day I’ll move into a better place”. He knows that one day things will get better. So, what’s the problem? Callen’s unhappiness with his present is preventing him from working towards his better place. ‘Fooling Myself’ is Callen’s reality check to himself. He’s recognizing that, to reach his dreams, he must change his mindset. If I had to put ‘Fooling Myself’ into a genre, I’d place it in indie pop-rock. The track draws from both pop and rock influences, with Callen adding his own indie flair to pull everything together. The song opens with the drummer counting down and clicking his drumsticks. After the countdown, the rest of the band joins in. A distinct bassline combined with clapping beats help create an indie-pop sound. This steady indie-pop feel continues through the first verse and pre-chorus. During the chorus is where the rock influences take center stage. The guitar becomes more distinct, and the drums increase their intensity. Callen’s vocals, which are calm and steady throughout the verse and pre-chorus, also up their intensity. The song goes back and forth between an intense chorus and calmer verses until the last chorus, where Callen lets the rock influences fully take over until the last notes fade. This back and forth helps give a look inside Callen’s head. The steadiness of the verses reflects the complacent place he’s locked himself into. The intensity of the choruses represents Callen being brutally honest with himself. By ending with the chorus, the listener is left with the impression that Callen is going to try and change his ways in the future, repeating that he needs to stop fooling himself. This unique look at introspection makes ‘Feeling Myself’ a standout for Callen and the indie pop-rock genre. A love for music has always been present in Callen’s life. At a young age the Nashville based artist would replicate his favorite songs in Ableton. Over the years he’s refined his skills and now produces his own music. Callen draws a lot of his inspiration from the alt-pop scene of the early 2000’s. His music is featured on numerous Spotify curated playlists, and he currently has over fifteen-thousand monthly listeners on the platform. ‘Fooling Myself’ is one of the tracks off his debut album ‘Ghost Reflections’. Stream ‘Fooling Myself’ and the rest of the album now! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW CALLEN:

Most people seem to think that you need to go to outer space to experience weightlessness. Turns out, all you have to do is be in love. During the so-called “honeymoon phase,” the affection between two lovers is at an all-time high because everything is fresh and exciting. If any hardship is set fall on the relationship, it is miles away. You have control, but you let go at the same time. Steffi Jeraldo sings about this zero-gravity love feeling in her song, “Shotgun.” The first thing I noticed about the song was the music itself. The lyrics are accompanied by a soft acoustic guitar. This instrumentation is paired with Jeraldo’s rich vocals. Both of these elements contribute to the musical representation of weightlessness. Another detail I liked was the way Jeraldo sang the words, “Head, head and “red, red on the chorus. When these words were sung, it kind of sounded like an alarm. The lyrics tell us that Jeraldo is definitely not heeding these warning signs. Steffi Jeraldo was born and raised in Sweden. After winning a Swedish music competition, Jeraldo decided to move to the United States to pursue a degree in Songwriting at Berklee College of Music. In 2016, she made another move to Nashville, TN. While being in “Music City,” she has had the opportunity to collaborate with many artists. Jeraldo is currently working on an album to be titled, My Head and my Heart. If this single is any indication of it, I can’t wait to see what else she has in store! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW STEFFI JERALDO

You are such an incredibly talented songwriter, and your new single “familiar stranger” is further proof of that. What happened in your life that inspired you to write this song? Lexie: Thank you!! Ooh this song wasn’t one where I drew from my own experiences but it’s a story that I’ve definitely seen play out a lot- where people end up having to cross paths and be around an ex again and it always seems so awkward so i thought it would be fun to write about. There are definitely a lot of bits of me in there though like my inability to say things I don’t mean and “play cool”. What inspired you to start writing your own music when you were younger? And congrats on being all your success in the Song Academy Songwriter Competition these last few years! Lexie: It’s so strange because I can never pinpoint when I started writing and why but I’ve just always been writing bits of songs for as long as I can remember. I think what really got me into it properly though was Ed Sheeran because I just loved the way his lyrics all flowed together and were so satisfying to sing. I love the music video for your new single. The use of the balloon is absolutely genius. What was one of your favorite memories from shooting this video? Lexie: Ahh the whole day was so fun, I did it with Ruby Ballantyne who’s such a great person with the coolest video ideas. It was quite funny because it was really windy when we filmed it and there's one shot near the beginning where the balloon blew and wacked me in the face but it worked so well because it looks like we bumped into each other and adds to the weird awkward first date-ness. Also I got to go on a load of fairground rides and won a dinosaur ! I can’t wait to listen to your new EP ‘when the sun came up’ on April 22! What song are you most proud of and can’t wait for your fans to hear? Lexie: definitely the last single, the sky looked nice today- the song is so special to me and it’s a very happy song about finding strength again. How was your show at MAP Studio Café last week? It probably felt great to perform your work live in front of an audience! Lexie: It was so fun !!!! To be honest though it was such a blur, I was so overwhelmed by all of the kind people there, my face felt so weird for days after from smiling so much haha. I can’t wait to do another one. You are so extremely talented and I’m so excited to hear your new EP! What do you hope people take away from your music? Lexie: I’d really like my music to be comforting in some way, I’ve always found so much safety and warmth from certain songs so it would be wonderful if I can contribute to that feeling for people. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LEXIE:

“Nothing ever went wrong/ We just died out.” Love doesn’t always end in drama and tears, sometimes it simply fades away. Estella Dawn’s latest single explores the idea that it’s possible for a relationship to do just that– fizzle out. This pop hit keeps an upbeat vibe when talking about what usually is an extremely heartbreaking and emotional ordeal. However, Estella reminds us that it’s okay for love to fade away and be left with happy memories and good times. Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean it was a waste of time. “Easy to Fall” starts off with simply melodic lines that rely heavily on synths and a shaker to create the bass. Estella takes on a slightly new vocal sound as she sings with more of a country-pop voice. This pairs well with her calm beats at the beginning of her song and make for a perfect combination once the chorus hits. Strong guitar lines and drum set enter the scene as the chorus approaches and the song picks up. Overall, this single combines powerful vocals with a calmer bass line that creates the perfect tune to let loose and dance to. Estella Dawn returns with “Easy to Fall” following her success with her single “Buzzcut”, which was released recently this past March. Estella continues to sing passionately about topics related to love and heartbreak and does so in a way that is always empowering to her listeners. She continues to live a fun life and her songs encourages others to do so too. She is currently working on a full-length album that is set to be released in 2022. We can’t wait to hear Estella Dawn’s upcoming project. Make sure to keep an eye out for more great hits! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW ESTELLA DAWN:

The way we deserve to be treated should never be a compromise. Our self-worth isn’t negotiable. Unfortunately, some relationships can make us feel as though we should be bending our standards to make things work. It can be frustrating when you know you deserve better but aren’t sure how to change things. Greta Isaac’s new song, ‘PAYRI$E’, is the push you need to stand up for yourself. Isaac is taking charge, being unapologetic about her demands. She knows her worth and is done settling for less. This pop anthem gives you courage to lace up your boots and demand to be treated the way you deserve. Isaac does a phenomenal job at creating a catchy track for everyone’s empowerment playlist. The song opens with a bang; explosive pop beats instantly drawing your attention. By the time Isaac’s vocals come in, the listener is already hooked. Her opening lyrics, ‘I don’t think I like you anymore’, had me excited for what was to come. I was intrigued by the relationship we were being introduced to. This isn’t a breakup song, nor is it a storybook romance. Instead, Isaac brings us a relationship that started out great but has since turned into something she isn’t happy with. While there is heartache, the relationship isn’t over. ‘I think that you’re worth it/ but so am I’. These lyrics exemplify Isaac’s stance. She doesn’t want to give up, but if this relationship is to continue, things will have to change. I liked this spin on a romance story and the fact that it didn’t fall into a cliché. The relationship is rocky, but Isaac is being honest with her partner and expressing her changing needs. By telling this story, ‘PAYRI$E’ avoids typical romance tropes and adds something unique to the pop genre. The UK has brought us countless pop powerhouses and Greta Isaac is another example. Mixing relatable stories and ear-worm melodies, Isaac is carving her own place in the pop music scene. Her explosive and powerful music is quickly garnering a worldwide fanbase. She currently has over three million streams on Spotify and a hundred thousand monthly listeners. Already gaining praise from notable sources such as Wonderland and BBC Radio 1, it seems that we’re just seeing the beginning for Greta Isaac. The music video for ‘PAYRI$E’ is out TODAY! Click the link in the article to watch now. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW GRETA:

Have you ever met someone and had an instant connection? As soon as you met, you felt something deep with a stranger. It’s odd, considering you knew nothing about the person. Who knew what the connection could mean or where it could lead, but it sat in your head and your heart, begging to be explored. Victoria Anthony knows a thing or two about these feelings in her new song, “Kinda Into You”. It’s been a week since she’s met someone, but she feels herself falling for them. She’s aware that they hardly know each other – she knows that things might not even work out - but she has to follow her heart. This person has taken over her thoughts and she needs to see what this connection could be. For those of us who believe in fate, this song is sure to get you excited by the possibility of love. As warmer weather quickly approaches, I’m on the hunt for fun songs that fit my summer playlist. “Kinda Into You” is definitely making the cut. An upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics make you want to get up and dance along. Whether you’re in a relationship, single, or somewhere in between, this song can bring a smile to your face. The song is exciting, with Anthony fantasizing over what a connection could be, but her mature vocals keep the song from becoming too fantastical. With lyrics such as, “yeah I don’t really know you and I don’t really care” and, “Doesn’t have to be love/ might not even be right”, the song creates a young and carefree feeling. It made me think back to high school where couples fell hard and fast. Most of those relationships were chaotic, but people were willing to dive headfirst into connections, regardless of what the potential outcomes could be. If you’re looking for something exciting and romantic to jam out to in the car, “Kinda Into You” is the perfect addition to your song rotation. At just sixteen years old, Victoria Anthony is building a name for herself. The Vancouver based singer-songwriter has over two million of streams on Spotify and that number keeps growing. In 2020, Anthony released her first album ‘Real Life’. In the following years she’s released a series of singles and acoustic recordings. In December 2020, Anthony was contacted by The Recording Academy to be a part of the GRAMMY “Press Play at Home” series. She’s also performed at New York Fashion Week and has been featured in various media outlets including J-14 and MTV. If you liked what you heard from Anthony and want to see her live, you’re in luck! She’s opening for Hey Violet at some of their upcoming west coast dates. Check out her Spotify to stream “Kinda Into You” and get more information on her live shows. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW VICTORIA:

Imagine that after many failed Tinder dates, you seem to have finally found your princess or prince charming. You have the same quirks, you listen to the same bands, and you hate the same foods. You almost feel as though you could finish each other’s sentences. This seems to be an ideal situation for everyone. Is it really a good thing? Can two people be too similar to the point where they’re not right for each other? The answer is unfortunately yes. Natalie Shay writes about it in her song, “Two Sparks.” When I initially saw the title for this song, I thought it was going to view love in a positive light. After I listened to the song, I found that it was actually viewing love from a negative standpoint. With that, the analogy of “two sparks can’t make a flame” described a relationship perfectly. Two sparks can’t make a flame because they need a match to keep the fire going. Similarly, people who are too much alike do not have any contrast to balance out the relationship. As for the structure of the song, I liked the inflection in Shay’s voice of she sings. I thought that it was well-fitted with the instrumentation. Twenty-one-year-old Natalie Shay was born and raised in North London. In 2019, she sold out two headline shows. Her growing popularity has landed her in notable publications such as Billboard . Additionally, her other single, “Yesterday,” has been on the Spotify New Music Friday playlist in nine countries. If you want to hear even more of Natalie Shay, her new EP, Naked, was released on April 17th! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW NATALIE SHAY