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No one likes to feel lonely. We all need people in our lives that make us feel cared for and loved. When this love comes from a romantic partner, you can feel like you’re on cloud nine. But what happens if you break up, and there’s suddenly this new emptiness in your life? You have to find a new normal; a new way to go on living even though it can feel like part of you is missing. Caroline Romano struggles with heartbreak in her new song ‘Grocery Store’. She hopes to feel less lonely in a place surrounded by people, but the memory of the person who made her feel whole still lingers. “Where’d you go/ My empty soul still comes here all alone”. From these first lyrics you’re introduced to Romano’s heartbreaking and hypnotic vocals. Accompanied by only an acoustic guitar during the opening and closing of the song, Romano paints her feelings of loneliness. Her breathy tone adds an element of anguished longing, contributing to the song’s gut-wrenching portrayal of heartbreak. The final lyrics are sung as a desperate plea, one that leaves you with a lasting impression long after the final notes ring out. Caroline Romano is a 20-year-old artist prepared to take on the world. At the young age of 17, Romano moved to Nashville, TN to pursue her dreams. A year later she found herself on the Billboard charts, and that was just the beginning. As a self-described ‘loudest sort of introvert’, Romano takes her personal experiences and turns them into honest tracks. After releasing multiple singles in 2021 Romano’s debut album, Oddities and Prodigies, was released in February 2022. 'Grocery Store' features on the album as well as other standouts 'Panic Attack', 'Ireland in 2009', and 'Dramatic'. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW CAROLINE:

Have you ever made friends with someone who you can sit in silence with and it’s not awkward in any way? The inexplicable peace that comes with that reminds me of ‘With A Song’ by Mallaigh Ashton. Set in a dreamy alt-90s pop energy, you listen as she experiences both faint anxiety and pure excitement in a new relationship. “If I could make you fall in love with a song, then I would write it and sing it to you all night long.” This is a lighthearted story of soulmates; intertwined like melody and harmony! Ashton does a fantastic job setting up her soothing presence. You have a foundation of fluttery acoustic guitar amplifying the passionate moments of electric guitar. As Ashton’s honey-sweet vocals captivate you, they’re also beautifully drawn out so you can really savor each phrase. “I’m not the first to fall for a changing mind; but you said you liked me from the moment that I spoke.” Her mind is engaged in a table tennis match of thoughts. On one side, the lyrics affirm that this love is mutual. On the other, the chords hint that she’s worried about whether it’s going to last or not. In the end, you'll feel ecstatic as the good vibes win out! Inspired by 90s alt-pop icons like The Cranberries and modern-day lyricists like Phoebe Bridgers, Mallaigh Ashton brings an eclectic, yet nostalgic energy to her music. The NYC based artist pens poetic lyrics that really get personal. She’s got this Taylor Swift-like versatility that makes her a powerful songstress! With the help of her producer friend Seth Huff, she’s released ‘With A Song’, which is her favorite project to date. Don’t go away! Ashton’s got an EP in the works! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW MALLAIGH:

Q: “Wild Like the Ocean” is such a beautiful song! What is the story behind this track? Kitson: It’s about me expressing pure feelings and emotion. A love letter that I wrote to myself about a raw emotion that I was experiencing from a relationship. Love is scary, and we all get valuable and fearful of losing something we love. However, if you’re sharing your life with someone is important that the feelings are genuine and authentic. So, this song was my way of expressing what I was feeling. Q: How has living in Liberia influenced you and your music? Kitson: Living in Liberia has influenced me and my music in such a soulful and challenging way. My root has always been the source that kept me in touch with passion and influenced my ability to be able to be a songwriter from an authentic place. All my experience from childhood I try to include in all of my stories and songs. Music gives me that ability to articulate it in an inspiring way. Q: I love the intimate setting of your music video for “Wild Like the Ocean”. What’s one of your favorite memories from filming? Kitson: My most favorite memory was shooting each scene. It was my first professional music visual so every aspect of it was such an inspiring moment for me. Channeling a part of me on camera was another favorite moment. Q: Which song are you most proud of from your debut EP “Dare To Dream”? Kitson: Definitely “Dare to Dream”. It's one my ultimate favorite song. It's one of those songs that really did express my fears and doubts when I first started at age 17 as an artist. I was constantly dealing with doubt and one day I just had this revelation and the words started to pour through. The first song that I created from scratch because I wrote the lyrics before we create an instrumental for it. Q: If you could perform with any artist in the world, who would you pick and why? Kitson: Sam Smith, He’s such an incredible artist. I think he’s phenomenal and I am truly inspired by him and his songs. He’s not afraid to express those raw emotional and I like that. Q: What is your next big goal you hope to achieve when it comes to your music? Kitson: I am currently working on my next EP, completing it and planning on my first show. It’s the goal for me right now. Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW KITSON:

“My Love Is Waiting” is joyfully defiant, a take on 90s rock in the modern era. Blake Morgan soulfully sings for his love, but not the one you’d expect. His love isn’t just a person, but New York. This song oozes in suave, fresh and slick from the bouncing keyboard melody to the explosion of drums and guitar in the chorus. Through this song, Morgan conveys his love for New York, all the growing and learning he had in his city, an ode to his hometown. While he may leave, New York will always be waiting for him, welcoming him back with open arms. The song begins almost like a show tune, anticipation-building as the audience is first introduced to the melody. The song pushes and pulls as the drums and guitar explode in, backing Morgan’s belting of the chorus. The piano remains a consistent pulsating throughout, almost like a heartbeat that accompanies Morgan. With twinkling keys, levitating synths, and Morgan’s soulful chorus, “My Love Is Waiting” reminds us all of our origins, the places and people who’ve made us who we are today. This isn’t Blake Morgan’s first rodeo; since releasing his first album in 1997, he’s signed countless artists under his independent record label Engine Company Records which later became ECR Music Group. Morgan has also historically fought for artists’ rights, spending much of his career in Congress convincing legislators to reform for musicians’ rights, specifically for them to be fairly compensated digitally and on the radio. Now, he’s releasing a new album titled Violent Delights on May 20th, one that seems to be inspired by pop and contemporary rock. A seasoned performer, Morgan clearly has a lot in store for 2022. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW BLAKE:

“To Know I Hurt You - Stripped” is a pensive song that begs for forgiveness while languishing in regrets and despair. Schueler sings honestly and from his soul, letting the listener know how he’s acknowledging the mistakes that he’s made and is trying to learn from them. And despite the hurt and grief in his voice, there’s beauty in this song too; in how he describes what he once had; as a palace, a symphony, a kingdom. The stripped song only adds to this, showing the raw beauty of Schueler’s voice with his words. While the original version had more electronic production, the stripped version removes everything but the basic melodies and harmonies, letting the listener focus on Schueler’s sorrowful voice and lyrics, bringing them on his journey of self-regret and wish to change everything. Delving from a wispy voice to a softer and more intimate one, Schueler shows his depth of grief and regret, taking accountability for his actions. Without the production from the original, his voice here sounds much more intimate, more mature, and more emotional. It touches the audience in a different way, almost as if he’s showing himself without the frills and flashiness of synths or vocal effects. Drew Schueler has spent the past year in Nashville preparing releases and collabs for this year. Drawing on influences like Jeremy Zucker, Lauv, and Jon Bellion, Schueler has slowly but surely carved his place in the indie-pop genre, paying close attention not only to this music he’s making but also to the words and enunciations he’s making on the song. With Schueler, it’s clear that every breath, every word, every chord is intentional, all to create the message he wishes to convey within his song. With many releases to come in 2022, it’s clear that Schueler is ready for a big year. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW DREW:

“Where Are We Going” is a muted and almost melancholic song about purpose. It’s the perfect song for a late-night drive full of contemplations and soul-searching. This song wonders about the path that we’re all on currently, looking for a goal, for going through the motions, for a purpose. This song is a mellow groove, introspective as the background vocals echo “where are we going”. Does anyone really know where their path will lead? This song dodges this question, but offers that maybe, as long as a destination and goal are in mind, that’s enough; just to make it through the “passing of the seasons”. Lead vocalist Danick Coutu sings much of the song within a short register, as monotonous as singing can be, creating a bittersweet song about how one doesn’t know the path they’re on, but as long as they know where they’re going, it’s enough. Accompanied by treated backing vocals, the song feels otherworldly, especially when accompanied by the parts right after the chorus. By combining electronic production with drums and the piano, Apollo Rising sets itself apart from normal pop-rock groups, showing they have the mettle to combine their pop indie rock sound with electronica. Apollo Rising, a duo made up of producer, pianist, and vocalist Danick Coutu and drummer Colvin Gallant, has been making music as far back as 2016. Coutu grew up teaching himself how to play piano, leading him to eventually pursue music with a focus on audio engineering and music production. Growing up in a family of musicians, Gallant picked up the drums and played for a variety of other bands before meeting Coutu and forming Apollo Rising. Citing influences like Twenty One Pilots, Porter Robinson, and Two Door Cinema Club, Apollo Rising is another one to watch in the pop-rock genre as they incorporate their electronica influences. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW APOLLO RISING:

Q: Congrats on your first single of the year! What was the writing process like for “Good to you”? Alana: Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. At the beginning the writing process was quite tricky. Usually when I write, I already have a set theme in mind of how I would like to portray things across to people or how they could relate to my songs. For this writing process, I decided to take my current feelings around the time and mess around with lyrics and melodies to relieve stress. I was extremely stressed over my life as being a young adult and worries over future plans and ended up thinking, this might actually be a good idea! Q: How has growing up surrounded by Caribbean culture influenced your music? Alana: If I was to tell my younger self I would be making music with music from my culture, I wouldn’t have believed it! My family is extremely proud of our culture and I grew up listening to the music, it’s a huge part of my life. We would often go to cultural events too where old dancehall, soca, bashment, reggae, chutney, calypso and so forth would always be playing. I usually listen to a lot of different genres as my music taste but music from the Caribbean will always be one of my mains. As my parents have West Indian accents, I thought it would be weird or out of place to make West Indian music with a more westernised voice type. I’m really happy I could find a mixture between making music with my heritage influence and to use my voice. Q: How did a falling-out with a friend inspire you to start making your own music? Alana: If I’m honest, it wasn’t falling out with a friend that influenced me to start making music but it definitely helped me to progress. I had made an ep when I was 17 for a college project to do with struggling with depression and mental health issues. My music was very dark both lyrically and musically. In the end it was very poorly done and I decided on removing it completely and starting fresh in the future. I started making music again at the ending of 2019 within a gap year I had taken for uni. For the whole year, I had nothing to do and I thought it would be best to get back in the game. I wanted this time around to start making music on things everyone goes through whether that be discovering self confidence, having a friendship break up, worrying about adulthood but at the same time trying to uplift them or help them to dance it out. I didn’t want to be generic and make love songs when I’d prefer to help people through my music and to tell them they’re not alone! I definitely think “be friends” was the one single that sparked up the interest though. Q: I loved listening to all your covers! Which are you most proud of so far? Alana: Thank you so much! I really appreciate you listening to them, not many people listen to them as it’s something I do for fun and for my comfort. My most favourite remix cover done so far would be, the “Woman” Doja Cat remix cover and the “I don’t do drugs” Doja cat, ft. Ariana Grande remix cover. As I usually edit everything, write my own lyrics and record them in myself I think these ones came out best. I really like my melodies and flow on these too! I really love making these all though, it kind of helps me to imagine what it would be like to work with all of these incredible artists and how I would sound on a track with them. Q: This might be a tough one, but what would you say is your favorite album of all time? Alana: It’s really hard to choose as someone who listens to almost every genre haha but, my favourite album of all time would probably have to be “Beauty behind the madness” or “the trilogy” by The Weeknd. I was a huge fan of The Weeknd growing up and would listen to “The trilogy” and “beauty behind the madness” so much to the point that, if I decided to not hear it for another 10 years, I would still know every word to them listening to it for the first time in 10 years! The production and insane melodies (by Abel) were way ahead of its time. Q: Are you going to be releasing any new music soon? We can’t wait to see what you do next! Alana: I will most definitely be releasing very soon! I have a couple of more songs lined up for this year (maybe 3 or 4) so you may get sick of me haha, but some are still in the midst of writing and recording. I hope when they do release that you’ll enjoy them, they will most definitely be different from each other genre wise but still in the pop/rnb place of course! Thank you so much! Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW ALANA:

There are so many moments that I wish I could just go back and do over. If that was possible, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so much regret. But who really knows? The butterfly effect is a marvel of a phenomenon. Change one event and it can lead to a drastically different outcome. There’s a song called ‘Life Like That’ by LNDN that dives into the emotions behind wanting to go back, even if you’re content with where you are now. The artist speaks on a relationship that ended years ago: “Could I get another shot at a life like that?” The “what ifs” here are so relatable that you’ll be ruminating about this powerful song for weeks on end! “I lost my head, 9 years since I left; never found any purpose in the flesh.” Immediately you’ll feel the emotional weight of LNDN’s fervent tale. There’s several eye-opening phrases throughout the song, each revealing another fragment of the artist’s mind. His entire voice evokes a variety of emotions; from the bitter sweetness of his lows to whisper-like cries for help in his upper range. Carefully layered harmonies bring you fully into the dream world. When you start to come back to the present moment, there’s an impalpable beauty in the silence. No doubt you’ll be enthralled by this creative genius! LNDN is an emerging artist from Vancouver Island. He’s dedicated to connecting with his fans and encouraging them to live life authentically. He specializes in dreamy harmonies and a more minimalist approach to pop music. Writing about the mind, self-identity and other rich topics, his quirky, yet intimate storytelling will catch you off-guard in the best way possible. His new single ‘Life Like That’ is a prime example of that playful introspection. Go follow him and see what else you can discover about yourself! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW LNDN:

I don't know about you, but I cannot think of one song with Spanish lyrics that's not sexy (think of any Enrique Iglesias or Jennifer Lopez song). I mean, I don't understand the language AT ALL. Maybe its just the pronunciation or the attitude it said that makes it so spicy. Luckily music is a universal language. Anyway, Novia falls into that sexy category - lyrically its hot. The backstory is about a guy who is obsessed with this chick and how much he wants (or rather needs) her. This señorita must be a kisser of note to make him feel this way - but then again Latinos are just sexy like that. They know how to move on a dancefloor and definitely know how to make you feel the things our writer is feeling in "Novia". As some of you might have noticed by now, I'm obsessed with good base tones. "Novia" starts with a deep base line. When Jake's vocals come in, it has this smooth trippy vibe to it. It almost sends you into a trance, which is on point for the brand of this song. Most of us have experienced a love that sends you into a trance? Well I hope so at least...anyway, he layered his vocals in all the right places. At the song draws enters its outro, he added a subtle electric guitar which rounds the track off beautifully. BRILLIANT! With over 100 million streams and video views, scoring several editorial placements and charting over several platforms on the pop, alternative, and all genre charts, Jake Daniels is not a new kid to the block. And I'm talking iTunes, Apple Music, Shazam and Deezer playlists. His hit "Two Face", has 30 million + streams across all platforms - he went from a local artist to a global star in a matter of months. He's definitely someone to be on the lookout for. "Novia" is no exception - Congrats with this banger of a track Jake! Written By Nicholas Joubert FOLLOW JAKE DANIELS:

Don’t be so hard on yourself! Your mistakes don’t define you. Want to reframe those pesky thoughts and stop the overthinking? I think you need a hype anthem, and ‘Make Sure That I Don’t’ by John Concepcion is the epitome of feel-good music. It’s about taking the lessons you’ve learned from the past instead of focusing on the negative parts of it. “We might just mess it up, but girl with you I’m making sure that I don’t.” This song particularly talks about relationships, but Concepcion’s advice can apply to any aspect of your life! Concepcion’s soaring falsetto is a healing tonic for your anxiety. His effortless vocals help to shift your focus toward what you do have: a second chance. Each day is a new opportunity for growth. So why not enjoy the beauty of it? “I have sobriety when you’re with me, baby you’re the only one.” His impassioned lyrics uplift you as free-flowing guitar strums help you love yourself as you are. The clarity of it all will have you blasting this song on repeat! R&B sensation John Concepcion has already made massive waves as an artist. The 25-year-old has been influenced by contemporary greats such as Chris Brown, Drake and Bruno Mars. Thanks to his father’s encouragement, he quickly developed his musical and break-dancing prowess during his secondary education. His early covers on YouTube have blossomed into a 61,000+ subscriber fan base. His cover of Justin Bieber’s ‘Yummy’ has surpassed 700,000 streams, even reaching Bieber himself. And to top it all off, Concepcion currently has more than 1.2 million streams on Spotify alone. ‘Make Sure That I Don’t’ is off his Valentine’s EP ‘It’s Just Luv’, which is available now! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW JOHN:

Q: I am in love with your new track ‘With A Song’! Can you tell us what this song is about? Mallaigh: This song is about the early stages of a relationship, and finding someone who seems really special. I wanted to encapsulate the anxiety and excitement of that experience - I think the two emotions are very intertwined, especially in that circumstance. When writing this track, I was inspired by alternative pop of the 90s. The songs "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star and "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer are two particular inspirations for the atmosphere of this single. My friend and very talented producer Seth Huff helped me capture the 90s alternative pop energy that I was aiming for. Q: What does your songwriting process look like? Mallaigh: My songwriting process changes a lot of the time, which keeps it exciting and new. I love learning new ways to construct a song, but I do have some methods that I come back to most of the time. Oftentimes, I'll have a theme or lyric I really want to use, then I'll find chords that fit the atmosphere and sound I want to create, and the rest of the lyrics will follow. Q: Who would you say are your biggest music influences? Mallaigh: I have so many musical influences that it's almost hard to keep track! I really admire Phoebe Bridgers as a lyricist; I think she is incredible at using nuance and imagery to convey exactly what she wants with a song. She writes the kinds of songs that give me huge songwriter envy (with peace & love of course!). I also love Mitski's lyrics; she's a poet in the purest sense of the word. Melodically and atmospherically, I've been drawing a lot of influence lately from the Cranberries and beabadoobee. Q: What is your go-to karaoke song? Mallaigh: My go-to karaoke song is probably "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. It's just such a fun song and everyone knows it, so it makes for a good karaoke pick. Q: If you could have dinner with any artist, dead or alive, who would you pick and why? Mallaigh: I would love to get dinner with Stevie Nicks - she's so supportive of a lot of contemporary artists, and I would love to ask her about Fleetwood Mac, and what it was like working with Tom Petty. I actually had a dream last night that she was reading Phoebe Bridgers' astrology chart, so I'd definitely ask her to read mine and maybe have a little tarot card moment. Q: What can we expect next from you? Can’t wait to hear more! Mallaigh: I actually am starting a new track this week; it's another dreampop song that I'm really excited about! Me and producer Seth Huff are starting to build an EP that will have a very 90s dreampop vibe to it. I can't wait for everyone to hear these new projects! Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW MALLAIGH:

“I remember when you were my everything; funny how you just became a memory.” When you recall the people that you used to know, do you still feel a connection to them? Even years later? ‘The Mirage’ by Heather Bond discusses a long-lost relationship with this kind of endearment. She even second-guesses her decision to leave in the first place. That begs the question: do you love them? Or the memory of them? That very relatable conversation is what this song is all about. Bond has this angelic songbird energy that makes you feel like you’re walking on air. You can feel the groovy bass and guitar strums as they add a jazzy beat to the song. As she contemplates her past with this person, she keeps asking herself “did I get it right?” Just when you think she’s figured out the answer, she sweeps you off your feet with more vivid lyricism! Ultimately, you become enveloped in her marvelous mirage as you start to question your own memories. It’s a cinematic masterpiece! Nashville artist Heather Bond is a multi-talented songstress known for her radiant indie-pop music. As a highly praised singer-songwriter, she’s collaborated with numerous industry professionals. Her writing spans a kaleidoscope of ideas, from love and social media to nostalgia and politics. Her work has appeared in television shows like Jane the Virgin , Charmed and Sesame Street . Now, she’s teamed-up with renowned producer and bassist Viktor Krauss to create the Nashville top 100 hit ‘The Mirage’ and the rest of her full sophomore album ‘The Mess We Created’. Go check out Bond and her timeless sound! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW HEATHER: