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“This Party is A War Zone” is an upbeat twirl-around-your-living-room pop-rock song about enjoying fleeting moments in the present. Written in mid-2021 as music venues were beginning to open up again, Gloomy June speaks about the air of desperation at these shows, a feeling of celebratory and chaotic. This subsequent song is about partying like your life depends on it, but also with an underlying understanding that partying can’t last forever, but, enjoy it while you can. Lead singer Alexi Belchere’s infectious energy that she brings to the hook really draws in the audience right from the get-go. Gloomy June balances between letting her voice and guitarist Devin Nelson in the spotlight. Though this song is high-energy, it also turns melancholy for a moment, giving a range of emotion and sound to showcase. This song is an ode to the joy of venues coming back, but also a reminder that any concert venue could shut down for a number of reasons, so enjoy this night out while you can. Beginning out as The Y Axis, the band finally decided to change their name to Gloomy June, named after the cold fog that grips San Francisco during the early summer known as “June Gloom”. Like the fog, Gloomy June’s music is perfect for a night out but with a tinge of tragedy. Their upcoming EP Popsick is their first release under Gloomy June, and it’ll explore social woes with almost a nostalgic tone. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW GLOOMY JUNE:

There’s a quote that says, “mistakes have the power to turn you into something better than you were before.” My mom is a frequent painter. When she starts a painting, she is nervous about how it will turn out. In the end, she is satisfied with her work. The same logic can be applied to our mistakes. They may seem daunting in the moment. However, when you look back on them later, all you will be able to see is the lessons you learned and how they’ve helped shape you as a person. Cooper Phillip writes about creating a “masterpiece” from the setbacks in her life. I loved the jazzy guitar in this song. This instrumentation gives off a chill vibe. At the same time, it makes you want to get up and dance, especially on the chorus. Moreover, Phillip’s velvety voice fit the sound perfectly. Her harmonies on the chorus definitely made the song memorable. I also enjoyed her numerous Ariana Grande style runs. My favorite lyrics were, “my true colors will never fade.” Even if you make mistakes, do not lose yourself in the process. Get right back up and keep on going. If you liked “Masterpiece,” you should check out Phillip’s equally as empowering song called “Perfectly Original.” The only instrumentation used is the piano and Phillip’s vocals. This means that you get to hear even more of the depth in her voice. My favorite lyrics in this song were, “If you doubt you’re good enough, know that you’re a diamond in the rough.” Embrace your true self! Don’t let anyone tell you different! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW COOPER PHILLIP:

The third time’s a charm. Right? After you’ve tried and tried, you’d think the next time would be better—that maybe something would change—but it never does. In her latest single “Third Time’s A Charm,” Charlotte Waltz depicts the feeling of going “down a long road of the same patterns” and feeling as if you’ve given the wrong people too many chances. Her lyrics suggest that it’s time for you to move on from any toxic energy in your life and focus it elsewhere. The song begins with a suspenseful “here comes the dark,” gradually transitioning into heavy percussion sounds coupled with airy vocals and carefully-orchestrated pauses. Power and emotion drive the flow and rhythm of the song, leaving listeners with feelings of empowerment. Waltz demonstrates her amazing vocal range by varying between high and low pitches, bringing listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions. A rising musician from North Carolina, Charlotte Waltz discovered her love for music and singing at a young age through choir. After graduating high school in 2019, she pursued singing independently and began growing as an artist. Her main goal is to resonate with people through music and the stories she shares as a talented lyricist. As a young adult experiencing the ups and downs of youth, Charlotte Waltz draws upon themes of relationships and loneliness, releasing music that is not only catchy, but also relatable. Written By Chelsea Luo FOLLOW CHARLOTTE WALTZ:

Your new single, “Like I Do”, has a powerful message about self-love that is well done. What was your experience like writing this song? Melanie: It was an emotional experience writing this song, almost like writing an apology to my younger self. I remember that Karl-Frederik and I started writing the song in Denmark and we just felt that it was a special song right away. We later finished it together with my close friend Patrik Jean back home in Sweden. "Like I Do" was the second song written for my EP so it was beautiful, in a way, to start writing about the relationship with myself and not just focus on my past lovers, for example. I’ve been longing for a couple of years to release the song! What motivated you to pursue a music career? Who has been some of your biggest inspirations along the way? Melanie: I’ve always had a gut feeling that I’m gonna work with music somehow. It became my language, my safe zone when I was 14 and since then music has been the easiest way for me to express myself. My biggest inspirations would be life itself, all the experiences I’ve had so far along with other people's experiences. Musically I’d say that my teenage years kind of shaped my way of writing, Paramore (sidenote who did not have a crush on Hayley Williams?!), Kelly Clarkson, Jessie J, Frank Sinatra, and in my later years, I’ve listened a lot to Shura and Niki & The Dove. Brilliant artists. How has the Swedish music scene shaped your career so far? Melanie: I’ve been a songwriter in the industry for over 10 years and I’ve learned that there are too many opinions regarding everything. That’s why it’s been so important for me to finalize my debut EP independently. I’ve learned so much about myself during this process and I think it’s super important to be confident in who you are as an artist when you throw yourself out there. It’s a journey and it’s important to stand on a good platform. What kinds of challenges have you faced breaking into the music industry and how have those impacted your experience? Melanie: I would totally call the TIKTOK era a challenge. How labels nowadays push their artists into being something they’re not. I totally get the whole PR thing and the importance of being out there, I just hope we find a way to be on social media and still be authentic. Another challenge is my own choice of releasing music without a label, it’s crazy how much work it is but I’ve learned so much during the process. What can your listeners expect from your upcoming EP? Melanie: If you’re doubting yourself, having a bad day, need some comfort, or just extra energy I would definitely recommend you listen to my upcoming EP. I would describe the EP as a musical journey to find self-acceptance, your inner strength, and to bloom as a person. The majority of the songs are mid-tempo. I’m a sucker for mid songs and the listener really gets to know me after hearing the EP, lyrically and melodically. As you look toward the future, where do you hope your career will go? Any specific dream collaborations or locations you would like to perform at? Melanie: I have my dreams and goals but I’m one of those who don't share it until it really happens I’m just glad to be in a place where I fully focus on my artistry. I’m still writing music for others but I’m learning how to prioritize and make room for my own project. I can’t wait to release this EP and then continue releasing more music. I’d love to perform in Iceland, from what I’ve seen it looks beautiful there. Interviewed By Hannah Conkin Photo Credit: Magnus Ragnvid FOLLOW MELANIE WEHBE:

An author named Ally Carter had this to say about secrets, “I thought about how there are two types of secrets: the kind you want to keep in and the kind you don’t dare to let out. The first type of secret can be good. For instance, Miley Stewart did not want to tell anyone that she was Hannah Montana in an effort to maintain a normal life. However, the latter has the potential to wreak havoc on the people involved. Jules Brave sings about a forbidden relationship in her song “She Can’t Know (No).” The secret that Brave is keeping has to do with her dating a best friend’s ex. She reflects on the pressure of keeping the secret using a fast-paced dance beat. The track sounds like it could be played in a nightclub on a Saturday night. Moreover, the harmonies on the chorus make the song even more danceable. At the start of the chorus, Brave tries to justify her actions by saying “it’s not like I went for him on purpose.” The main part of the chorus is Brave singing, “she can’t know.” She is trying to downplay the severity of the situation. At the same time, she does not want to ruin a friendship. When Jules Brave first entered the music industry, she wanted to be a songwriter. After she captured the attention of big names in music, she decided to sing her own songs. This was definitely the right decision as she acquired more than one million Spotify streams on her debut single. Brave moved from New York City to Los Angeles to pursue music. Her musical style is all over the map, so there is something for everyone! Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW JULES BRAVE:

Even as prices soar in this inflationary wave, one thing still holds true: nothing could be more valuable than our relationships with others. On that thought, I’d like to introduce you to ‘Priceless’ by Grayson DeWolfe. It’s a love song that romanticizes the experiences that money could never afford. “Five stars, fast cars, weekends in Paris...wouldn’t mean s*** without you.” It’s so unbelievably invigorating to spend time with those you care about. The energy, the laughs, the blissful nature of making memories that last...DeWolfe evokes all of that and more out of you! From the start, you get an alluring Earth Wind & Fire-inspired feel with groovy synths and slap bass. Now add DeWolfe’s phenomenal pop-star vocals (and fun “do doos”) to that and you're jamming out in a heartbeat! His storytelling sums up the best that life has to offer. “Everything is gold when you touch me like Midas...never ask for more when what we got is priceless!” I’m obsessed with how DeWolfe mixes ingenious lyrics like this with the radiant energy in the room. He takes you back to fond memories, while also giving you the most exhilarating vibes to come back to for years to come. His tastemaking just screams Bruno Mars! Grayson DeWolfe is a Minnesota-based pop artist who's frequently performed sold-out shows in the Twin Cities. Before his solo career took off, he was the frontman of the alt-pop band Time Atlas, who won Minnesota’s Go 96.3’s Battle of the Bands in 2017. By the time he turned 21, he had toured with acts like Bishop Briggs, Alec Benjamin and Why Don’t We. Taking inspiration from artists like Jon Bellion and Prince, DeWolfe’s music is beautifully anthemic. From his vibes to his voice, DeWolfe is talented AF! ‘Priceless’ is 100% a hit in my books! I’m so excited that he’s got 3 more releases lined up for 2022! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW GRAYSON:

One way to catch the attention of this generation is naming your song after a pop-culture figure. Nico Collins did this in the most unexpected, yet brilliant way. His new single is entitled “Hannah Montana”. As in Miley Cyrus’s alter-ego from the hit Disney Channel show of the same name. Hannah Montana was a staple in many young people’s childhood. But like Hannah herself, her millions of fans have grown up and so has Collins. He sings about the difficulties of being a young adult in Los Angeles trying to make it in the entertainment business. He expresses his deep loathing of the shallow, vain aspects of the industry and how you have to change yourself to fit the mold. He then goes on to sing about how “talent’s overrated, and morals are dead” because in the industry, you only need to sleep with someone who has connections to get ahead. Hollywood has shattered Collins’s self-confidence and mental health. The bridge ends with “L.A. fucked me up”. He sings that he is living like Hannah Montana, because he feels like he is living a double-life where he does not even know himself anymore. “Hannah Montana” is not only nostalgic in the name, but in the lyrics and special sound effects as well. The song begins with Miley Cyrus’s infamous melody of “oohs” and “aahs” heard during scene transitions on the show. The song ends with her infamous laugh in the theme song, “Best of Both Worlds”. A lyric in the second verse even references the theme song, stating others are telling him that “Hollywood is dope! It’s the best of both worlds”, even if he does not believe it himself. Collins made sure to include these details to excite fans of the show, while getting his point across that he is not actually living the best of both worlds as a pop star. This song is pop with an element of alternative rock that the listener will have stuck in their head for days after listening. Nico Collins is a 25-year-old American singer-songwriter. He is best known for his YouTube channel where he posts his original singles, as well as remixes to popular songs. He has over 263,000 subscribers on YouTube and nearly 1-Million-month listeners on Spotify. In 2021, Collins released an acoustic EP of 5 of his stand-alone singles. He describes his music as pop, with influences of other genres such as alternative rock, hip-hop, and R&B. Written By Karlee Smith FOLLOW NICO:

Running away from your problems is equivalent to digging a hole. The farther you run, the deeper the hole will get. Since avoiding it is not the answer, might as well face it. The problem is that facing problems is difficult, and can be discouraging enough for us to never actually face our problems. It would be so much better if we could have someone else pull us out of this rut so that we wouldn't have to feel so stuck. "Help Me Out" is an enrapturing single by Conal Kelly about the woes of being stuck in the vicious cycle of not being able to cure your own problems. Despite the cheerful melody, this song is a plead for anyone to yank him out of this standstill. All aspects of this song blend so beautifully. The pitch of Conal's vocals matches the electric guitar and melody so perfectly that it makes the song very audibly pleasing. There is so much passion in Conal's voice allowing for the message of the song to have an even bigger impact. The melody of this piece is really fun and gives the same energy as a warm summer day. Every aspect of the piece, whether it's the instrumentals, the beat, or the vocals, gets the spotlight at one point or another in this song. This allows for every layer of the piece to be heard in its own light at random points to captivate listeners. Beginning in 2016 Conal Kelly made his way in the music industry with his band Watercolours. After a few years of creating music, he and his two bandmates decided to disband in 2019. Conal realized that he was too passionate about music ever to stop, so he became a solo artist in the alternative/indie genre despite his fears. Since this breakaway, he has released singles such as "I Wanna Be So Much More Than Your Friend" and "Really Don't Like You." Conal's pieces have an intense electric sound to them that instantly brings the mood up, and he easily keeps listeners captivated throughout each song. Written By Melina Darlas FOLLOW CONAL KELLY:

“Ordinary” is a seductive summer pop song about doing ordinary things with the one you like. While the world has put emphasis on huge and extravagant romantic dinners and outings, sometimes, the most fun is when you’re doing ordinary things together, like watching “Netflix until it’s 3”, doing laundry, or just lounging around. The song emphasizes how you need to be present in your own life; otherwise, how can you experience it? Besides the infectious hook and impressive production, the spotlight on this track shines on its ambiance The seductive visuals in the music video, the way singer Nekane’s voices shift from smokey to seductive, and the general assembling of wispy background vocals together with pulsing electropop. This whole song serves a very specific seductive atmosphere as lead singer Nekane looks to seduce her audience into ordinary life with her. Rye Catchers is the dynamic and ever-evolving amalgamation of unique talents across the United States and abroad complied by songwriter and producer David McClintick Robers. With this song, Rye Catchers worked with Spanish songstress Nekane and Nigerian DJ duo Maze X Mxtreme. Though they generally have an electropop focus, Rye Catchers has also branched out into EDM and lo-fi/chillhop. It’s exciting to see the new avenues that Rye Catchers runs through as they work with such diverse artists. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW RYE CATCHERS:

I am loving the pop-punk vibe of your new single “Second 2 Breathe”! Can you share your inspiration for this new track and what the writing process was like? AIRPORTS: Thank you! Musically I've been listening to a lot of my fav bands from childhood - Blink 182, Linkin Park. But the song itself didn't really have a hard reference, it was topically inspired by needing a break from artistry over the pandemic and from various frustrating people/situations. When did passion for music begin? And what inspired you to take that passion and become an artist yourself? AIRPORTS: My dad's a country/rock&roll musician, so from him and from getting up at gigs with him definitely although I found my own passion for pop, punk, hip hop & electronic music early on. If you could meet any other artist, dead or alive, who would you pick and why? AIRPORTS: MJ - I think experiencing his creative process in the studio would be another level. Who would you say are your influences when it comes to your sound and writing style? AIRPORTS: Oooo. Well it's a healthy dose of influences from a few genres (pop, pop punk, EDM & hip hop).. I would say Skrillex has been an enormous influence on my production, Blink-182 melodically and guitar wise, vocally I can't be sure but writing style I grew up listening to lots of battle rap so I always try to incorporate good flow, punchlines and sometimes multis. If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would you pick and why? AIRPORTS: I don't think I have a particular goal Venue at the moment but something with amazing nighttime scenery would be cool, or Redrocks. Are you able to share any of your upcoming projects? I can’t wait to hear more from you! AIRPORTS: YES, more songs from a body of work coming out very soon! Next up is a deeper dive into my pop punk roots. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW AIRPORTS:

Do you feel like it takes more effort than usual to reach out to others recently? Especially if you’re in your 20s, communication lines can snap as quickly as you can fire a bullet. It's a prime catalyst for loneliness, and who knows for how long? In modernlove.’s new song ‘Islands’, they illustrate relationships coming apart like islands separated by oceans, making them harder to maintain over time. They also explore how people tend to cope with loneliness, oftentimes downplaying their own emotions with distractions. At some point, you have to grin and bear it and say “‘I can’t be like this...I can’t take it.” This song helps you to console yourself and realize that not every relationship is meant to last. The pacing of the lyrics plays a key role in this song’s catchiness. Lo-fi-esque verses represent the best times in a relationship that you just want to live in. Then, modernlove. comes in with a rapid-fire chorus, where there’s a desperate attempt to try and save a relationship that’s quickly dissolving. On top of that, there’s an incredible counterplay between hard-hitting emotions and a snazzy electric guitar-rooted groove. It works like magic to keep you coming back for more. In a way, modernlove. encourages you to cherish the positive memories of a relationship, even after it fades away. Four-piece Irish band modernlove., made up of Barry, Cian, Barry and Graham of Drogheda, bring a glossy ‘90s ambiance to indie pop. As their name implies, they explore the complex lives of twenty-somethings in their music. They’ve received strong support from BBC radio, Spotify and Apple Music for their debut EP ‘monochrome blue’. Their vibrant new single ‘Islands’ comes off their upcoming 7-track EP ‘Oh My Mind’. Expect great things from this band as their iconic sound and relatable themes continue to empathize with young adults everywhere! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW MODERNLOVE.:

Your new single “State of Mind” is incredible! I’ve had it on repeat for days! What inspired you all to make this new track? And what was the writing process like? Moontower: Thank you so much! State of Mind was the last track we wrote for our debut album. When we delivered the first cut of the record to our team our manager (Carina Glastris) really challenged us to inject some live energy into the album. We started making the record in quarantine and a lot of that contemplative energy was really at the forefront of the first cut of our album. The music we want to make is the kind that makes you dance at first listen and maybe cry a second or third, we wrote a really beautiful record that might make you shed a tear but it was time to take care of the first part. We kept the songs but re-produced a lot of our record after that but before we did we wrote State of Mind and that became kind of our North Star for the rest of the record going forward. That some came together in about 15 min. I was almost frustrated sitting down at the piano, I was tired of feeling stuck and I wrote this tongue-in-cheek song about waking up to find everyone had gone to heaven without you and finally having the freedom to let yourself be exactly the person you wanted. I think for me the undertones of this song are about coming to terms with the confusion around my own gender identity & expression but more broadly it's about giving yourself permission to be selfish as long as you are kind and take care of others. How did you all meet? And what led to you making music together? Moontower: We met at USC (University of Southern California). Tom and Devan were producing music for our friend Thad, and then Thad and I started writing together. All of a sudden the three of us (Tom, Dev, and I) found ourselves sitting in the studio working on Thad's music and this wonderful creative partnership started to emerge. After that, it was countless late late night working on music at Tom and Dev's apartment. We started writing for other people but slowly we found ourselves happier just working with each other. We are family, it's so easy for us to be ourselves around each other and we have such different things we bring to the table. Starting a band was never the plan we just kind of found ourselves with all this music and at a school that was really friendly towards house shows/parties so we saw a place for ourselves to see if anybody would like what we were making. You guys always have such amazing visuals at your shows that I’d love to check out in person one day! Do you have a dream venue, anywhere in the world, that you hope to bring your vision to eventually? Moontower: I hope you are able to! You're welcome anytime :) Hmmm I know Dev really wants to play Slane Castle, Tom would love to headline Del Mar Hall in St. Louis. It would be a very full-circle moment for me to play Coachella one day...but we really just love any show we get to do. Something about getting to see the world the way we do makes you feel at home no matter where we are, it makes the world feel small. We absolutely have aspirations of being one of the biggest bands in the world, of headlining arenas around the world, but we know that may take time and will be a lot of work so we're doing our best to enjoy every step along the way. We're living the dreams of our younger selves and isn't that always the goal? How is your tour going so far?! I was checking out the videos and pics on your Instagram and it looks like such an amazing time! Moontower: We're having the time of our lives out here. We did a really big US Support tour with The Driver Era in Nov/Dev playing to 2000 to 5000 people every night and almost all of those people had never heard of us before. Now we're still opening but half the room knows every word to our songs and the other half is singing and dancing with us by the time the show is over. We feel a real community being built that has the power to do some incredible things together. People are so ready to spread love and acceptance and make people feel like they can let loose and be themselves. If you guys could collab with any artist, who would you pick and why? Moontower: I think we'd all die to make a record with Daft Punk...Brian Eno...We always talk about our music trying to be the middle point between Daft Punk and Coldplay or Daft Punk and The Strokes. We have a deep love and respect for French House, that's a lot of what Tom brings to the table, a deep knowledge of and passion for house music, especially in the rhythm and bass. Devan is a huge Coldplay & U2 fan and that's where the inspiration for a lot of our harmony/instrumentation comes from. So working with Daft Punk or Brian Eno who produced some of our favorite records would just be the top of the mountain for us. What can we expect from you the rest of the year? I can’t wait to hear the new album! Moontower: It's gonna be a busy year. Debut album, our first headline run, hopefully some more support tours, an album film, a filmed live show experience for the album...we've built a world for this music and we're excited for everyone to see it unfold. Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW MOONTOWER: