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“I can’t compare anything to the way you make me feel; you got me hooked, I’m the bait and you’re the reel.” Imagine if your crush (real or fictional) said that to you. Those butterflies in your stomach would never cease. ‘Beautiful’ by Fayzone captures the crazy love bug everyone’s talking about, but it’s no small creature. Heck, it might drive you to do unfathomable things for your special someone. This song expresses the unrequited love and admiration you have for that person. “It’s the way you touch me...you trust me...you love the most unlovable parts of me; give me that breathtaking, earthshaking, life-making thing called love.” Inner beauty is harder for us to find, but others see it crystal clear! Fayzone makes use of delayed gratification to amplify the grandeur of his lyrics. Orchestral runs accentuate the dramatic sound and emotional outpour of the chorus. The prevalence of guitar and looped drum tracks brilliantly weave classic R&B and contemporary pop together. Fayzone’s emboldening voice, extending from a seductive lower register to a beautiful falsetto, expands a story of passionate, kindled love. Fayzone is an up-and-coming artist known for his romantic storytelling and smooth, sultry vocals. The Las Vegas native is influenced by a wide scope of stars, from The Temptations and Michael Jackson to The Weeknd and Justin Bieber. Dedicated to his own unique sound, he mixes classic R&B with his own spin on New Age Pop. He writes songs alongside his brother Christopher Feazell to create timeless, honest lyrics. ‘Beautiful’ is just one of several amazing songs on Fayzone’s new album ‘Ocean’ so go explore what else he has to offer! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW FAYZONE:

Q: ‘Gold’ is such a catchy song! Can you share what inspired it? WINDEL: I wanted to create something I hadn’t done before. So I started exploring new sounds and came up with this church-like sound that got me really inspired. It felt emotional and melancholy and I wanted to continue in that direction and build a powerful “drop” . As I’m coming from the edm/progressive house style of music, I took the song in that direction, which you can hear in the last drop when the progressive electric guitar kicks in. Q: When did you know you wanted to be an artist? WINDEL: My dad has had a really big impact on me ever since I was born. His love of music and talent of playing multiple instruments opened my eyes to music. We have always been playing music as loud as possible in the car and been analyzing every song in detail, comparing song by song what makes every track special. Also, ever since I was at my first festival and stood in the crowd in front of Axwell / Ingrosso playing, I knew that I wanted do something slightly the same, but in my own style. To create heavy baselines, kickdrums and euphoric melodies. Q: How would you describe your unique sound? WINDEL: It’s a mix of many different genres, from rock to house but with electronic dance music as the foundation of everything. Every song I make I want to deliver music that everyone should feel like they wanna stand up and dance to. I’m always trying to do something different and mix new genres together to build something new and unique. Q: Who would you love to collaborate on a song with? WINDEL: It would be a dream come true to collaborate with such amazing songwriters like Salem Al Fakir & Vincent Pontare (Vargas & Lagola) who built their careers on making other artists famous. Their perfect matching voices together with their awesome songwriting would be such an experience to see how they work in the studio. Q: What do you like to do when you’re not doing music? WINDEL: Outside of music, I am a very active person who loves sports. If i’m not in the studio, you probably should go to the nearest cross-country ski track if you’d like to find me. Q: Do you have any exciting projects coming up you can share? WINDEL: Of course, I’ve got some new exciting projects on the way. I can’t tell you everything, but one thing I can tell you is that I’ve just finished a song with my dad, who plays guitar and is the singer of the song. It’s a sequel to my previous release ‘My Part Is Done’ that I’m really excited about. Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW WINDEL:

Q: I genuinely love “Storm in a Teacup’ so much! Can you share how this amazing song came to be? Jackie: Thank you so much! Storm in a Teacup was actually a song I had been trying to write for a really long time. I had been trying to write about this thing for so long, and it’s an extremely personal thing, so I was trying to write something that would both get the point across but also not be so personal that I wasn’t comfortable sharing it. I wrote this version of the song picturing myself having a conversation with this person, all the things I had been wanting to say to him but couldn’t. I sat down one night with my guitar and just started writing, and it just came to me. I recorded it soon after all in one take, just me singing and playing my guitar, because it felt so much more raw being a live recording. I went back a little later and added in the few harmonies. I also always loved the idea of using a common phrase or saying in a song, because it’s something that’s so familiar to people and usually very relatable, so I’m happy I found I way to do that and that it ended up being this song! Q: Are you the type of artist that when inspiration strikes, the lyrics and melody just come flowing out or does it take some time to put together? Jackie: I think it really just depends. Sometimes I come up with a cool lyric, and I’m like “I don’t have anything to do with this right now and I have no melody, but it would be a cool line, so I’ll save it for later,” and I just put it in my notes app on my phone and I usually do end up coming back to it. Other times, I just have a cool melody idea in my head, and it comes out of nowhere so I’ll be at school or something and I’ll end up leaving class and going to the bathroom so I’m able to hum it into my voice memos! Then there’s that rare time where it all comes at once, and often times I think those are my favorite songs. Q: If you could swap places with any artist for a day, who would you choose? Jackie: Taylor Swift! It would be so cool to get to write and talk with people like Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner and all the other incredible musicians and writers she works with. Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of music? Jackie: Yeah! I love to watercolor paint, and I also ski a lot with my family! Q: What do you enjoy most about being an artist? Jackie: I love it when people can relate. When someone tells me that they can relate to one of my songs or even just a lyric, it makes me feel like I’ve done my job, I guess. All anyone wants is music that they can relate to, or a song that matches their current emotions, and when someone tells me that one of my songs has done that for them, it makes me feel very accomplished. Another one of my favorite things about being an artist is storytelling. I love telling stories in my lyrics, and I love having people notice small details and piece the story together, it’s so exciting to me. It’s something I’m actually going to be focusing on a lot in my first EP, Night Music, which will be released on March 4th! Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Jackie: My parents have always told me, especially with music, whenever I’m second guessing something, to just do it. To just get it out there however and wherever I can, because you never know what could happen. And it’s worked, because I never would’ve released music or thought about writing an album at 15 if it weren’t for them, and I definitely would not be where I am today. Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW JACKIE:

Do you miss the people who used to be in your life? Recall them fondly with ‘Summer’ by Francesca Guerra. Over time, people come-and-go like vehicles on a highway. While we hope our closest friendships last a lifetime, some people are only in our lives for a season. Nevertheless, we love and appreciate our experiences with them, even after they’re gone. “It’s so contagious love, it writes with pen on every page; we live without permission, let’s just savor everyday.” This song is a constructive reflection of the relationships we have with others. It’s also a conversation about how to effectively cope with feeling forgotten. The dream-pop style production is like a mirage of nostalgic memories slowly fading away. The soulful and angelic voice of Guerra effortlessly floats with the surrounding synth. Guerra’s personal anecdotes, linked to a past relationship, drive home the strong feelings of loneliness that she felt during lockdown. “Now call on me even just for a minute, I wanna remember what your voice sounds like; even if you don’t need it, to say goodnight.” Throughout the song, Guerra's lyricism pierces your soul with relatable experiences while maintaining a tranquil mood. An expression of compassion in the lyrics is a fond reminder of the positive memories that shape you. Francesca Guerra is an Italian singer-songwriter whose music combines Italian pop and British Indie. She started her music ventures in Rome and later moved to London, where she began work on her original music project. She released her debut single ‘100 per 100’ last March to public acclaim. Her influences not only include rising artists like Holly Humberstone and Eloise, but also include pop stars like Billie Eilish, Coldplay and Dua Lipa. She often writes reflective pieces touching on topics like intimacy and weakness. She’s currently working on her debut EP so be on the lookout for this talented songstress! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW FRANCESCA:

Q: We can’t get enough of ‘Famous’! Can you tell us what inspired you to write this song? Jennalyn: Famous went through a lot of rewrites haha. It started off as an alternative/punk style anthem about being reckless. When I first wrote the line - "I'll figure it out when I'm famous" I was a little uncomfortable because it felt very arrogant but as the song evolved I knew I couldn't change it because it came from a very honest emotion. I'm so happy so many people have identified with it in one way or another. Q: What first got you into music? Jennalyn: I started singing onstage in church around 4! Q: What is your favorite song off your recent EP? If you could only pick one! Jennalyn: Hahaha it depends on what day you're asking me. It changes all the time but my current favorite is These Lights. We've been practicing the choreography for my show next month and it's really sexy and fun. Q: If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would you pick and why? Jennalyn: I would pick SNL probably or somewhere really unique. I saw Ludovico Einaudi's performance floating in the Arctic and was mesmerized. I've always wanted to perform in an abandoned power plant or something kinda industrial/futuristic one day. And I grew up in Seattle and so I've always wanted to play Key Arena or the Tacoma Dome on tour. Q: Who are some of your biggest influences? Jennalyn: My biggest influences so far have been Tove Lo, Rihanna, BANKS, The Weeknd and Billy Joel. Q: What can we expect next from you? Jennalyn: We're finishing up the next single right now and I'll be performing it live at my next show February 8th! I have some wild ideas for the music video so I'm aiming for a summer release. Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW JENNALYN: Photo Credit: 1st - Jean Marie Biel ; 2nd - Jaclyn Robyn

Do you find yourself losing track of time? You may get stuck in a cycle of monotonous daily routines. You could be lying in bed romanticizing the past to escape the present. Or sometimes you want to start a new project or lifestyle, but instead you procrastinate and leave it to your future self. Then, you continue to push it off. If I just mentioned a point that resonates with you, then ‘Time Is Your Own’ by Robin Shaw is a timeless reminder for you. “I’m gonna distance myself and give myself some space; no more walking around, time to pick up the pace”. The message of the song is that life is what you make it, so start today! Who do YOU want to be? The eclectic feel of the song is like a breath of fresh air.“ So I stop this again, I ran out of ink; I’ll go chase my pen and it’s time to think”. Shaw’s storytelling is phenomenal. Witty lyrics inspire vibrant imagery in the minds of listeners. It’s almost chant-like with Shaw’s easily singable vocals. A blend of acoustic guitar and a reverbed metronome flavor the song with an alt-pop seasoning. An outro with the title lyric brings one last piece of advice: live on YOUR time. This song is a wake-up call from the distractions of work, school or other structured time we have each week. Experiment with your passions and make time for them! Robin Shaw is a dedicated, self-taught singer-songwriter who's all about variety and outside-the-box storytelling. He grew up listening to R&B and Hip-Hop music as a teen. At 16, he started out as a street dancer in East Anglia and London and competed on Britain’s Got Talent and other talent shows. Several years later, he shifted gears toward independent artistry. Having always enjoyed wordplay and literature, he brings vivid imagery to life with his lyrics. The best part? He was able to establish his presence in the music industry without a musical background. That’s an impressive feat! He’s living proof that if you pursue your passions, you can achieve anything! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW ROBIN:

Q: ‘Remember’ is so catchy! What inspired you to write this song? Chantaé: This song is very personal to me as it tells a part of my story/journey through life. A moment in time that was very dark for me and where I experienced a lot of pain by another person. The beautiful thing is that I was able to find the light throughout all of the darkness and became stronger and the person I am right now. It’s a song about overcoming, not just heartbreak and sadness. Q: When did you first start writing your own music? Chantaé: I first started writing my own music when I was a teenager…writing lyrics, etc but I’ve been in the came, professionally, for a minute! Q: Who are some of your biggest influences? Chantaé: Some of my biggest influences are Madonna, Prince, Janet Jackson, TLC & Saint Jhn. Q: What was the experience filming the video for ‘Remember” like? Chantaé: It was one of the best experiences of my career so far because I not only got to finally see my story retold, visually, but it was a bit therapeutic for me. I definitely had moments while filming where I felt like I wanted to cry because of how deep the message is. Outside of that, it was a 10 hour day and I had the best team on set with me! They all came together to support the vision and bring it to life…I’m forever grateful! Q: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be? Chantaé: I would loooooooove to open up for Saint Jhn! To me, he is a true artist and creative…I love how he blends genres and how rock-n-roll is he while maintaining his unique identity!I hope one day he sees this lol. Q: What can we expect next from you in your music journey? Chantaé: More music all year long! I’m also gearing up for live music so, be on the look out for dates! Last but not least, I have a merch line that is about to drop…so, stay tuned! ;-) Written By Sarah Curry FOLLOW CHANTAÉ:

Q: Your EP 'Loose Lips' just came out on January 7th! Can you tell us what your EP has in store for us? Violet: “Loose Lips” is a collection of four songs I wrote and recorded over quarantine. When I began recording, I intended for the EP to be primarily acoustic. However throughout the process, I started getting back in touch with my rock & roll roots, and began adding elements of rock into my soft, acoustic ballads. You can hear the rock influence in the heavy distorted guitars during the bridge of “Fake Nails”, or throughout “Don’t Say Goodbye”. Q: What would you say is your personal favorite song off of 'Loose Lips'? Violet: This is a hard one. As a songwriter and a songwriting student, I am constantly writing songs, and out of all those songs I write, I chose these four for this project. In other words, all four songs are really special to me. However I can say that lately I’ve been feeling very close to the last track on the EP, “George Orwell.” Q: What was one of your favorite moments during the process of creating 'Loose Lips'? Violet: After I finished recording all of the songs, I wrote a new song called “Don’t Say Goodbye” and the second I wrote it I knew I wanted it on the EP. Within two days I was back at the studio recording it. I wrote the song about my boyfriend who ended up being a big collaborator on the track, recording some guitar parts and helping me arrange the bass and drums. He’s a musician as well in the LA rock band Urns & Argyles. Q: . What is the music scene like in Los Angeles? Violet: Super welcoming and super fun. Everyone just wants to meet new people and hang out and listen to good music. I’ve had a lot of great experiences both going to shows and playing shows in LA, and I’m always meeting new people that I end up working with down the line. Q: You study songwriting at Berklee College of Music. What has been one of your favorite things you've learned so far? Violet: Any songwriter’s biggest enemy is writer’s block. When you study songwriting, they teach you ways to get over that block, and different ways to draw inspiration, so that you can write about things other than your own life. I used to only be able to write songs when I had some sudden urge, but now I can sit down and write a song inspired by a work of art or literature. Q: Is there anything you'd like to say to your supporters out there? Violet: THANK YOU! “Loose Lips” has been met with open arms and so much love, and I’m grateful to everyone listening, sharing, and supporting me. To any young artists, I want to leave you with a quote. In his essay “The Creative Process”, James Baldwin describes artists as “a breed of men and women historically despised while living and acclaimed when safely dead.” Trust your gut and trust your art, even if people don’t understand it or don’t like it. You have a voice and a vision, never let it go to waste. Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW VIOLET:

The ultimate summer road trip anthem that’s also an absolute head-bopper. If there was a description for ‘on the nights you hold me’ by MCXX., that would be it. When was the last time you felt lonely, even though you weren’t alone? As someone who used to crave external validation, I’d do everything for the people I cared about. “I spent too much time being an animal; having anybody who will have me”. This song is about the unconditional love you possess and want to give to others but forget to give yourself. People don’t always reciprocate what you put into a relationship. Don’t let them rob your happiness! The classic rock sound of electric guitar and raspy vocals envelop the listener in the boy band craze of the 90s and 00s. A lighthearted, playful tone is like the golden elixir that solves all your problems. “Forget about those thoughts in your head; lose your way with me”. Compared with the chorus, the verses tell an alternate, equally compelling narrative: focus on the bright side. Simply vibe where you are and live life to the fullest! Even in the more engaging lyrical content of the chorus, the purely magnetic sound overtakes you and brings out all your best memories. Your serotonin levels will skyrocket with this one! MCXX. is an indie-pop band specializing in music with eccentric flair and ALL the vibes. The band’s members include synthesist Levi Bennington, guitarist Vincent Charles, vocalist/guitarist Adam McKinney-Drew, and drummer Josh Varab. Before coming together, all four of them were in punk bands, often playing for the same crowds. The band was established in 2016, giving the members greater creative freedom than in their previous groups. All members equally contribute their individual styles to each track. They are currently working on their sophomore album, ‘i will always want you’ which has a predicted release of summer 2022. I cannot recommend them enough! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW MCXX.:

Have you ever screwed up in a social situation and instantly regretted it? Maybe you try to suppress those memories, but they just keep engulfing you. The “what ifs” pop into your headspace and beg the question of what could have been. ‘Just Enough Whiskey’ by Nightshift presents an opportunity to process those memories and release yourself from the cycle of persistent thoughts. “I’ve been going home with just enough whiskey; making me forget that maybe you miss me". Protect your energy and stay present! That’s the underlying message. You genuinely don’t know what anyone else is thinking, so take care of yourself first! “I wonder sometimes if you would forgive me; I could reach out but nah, it’s too risky”. There’s this gratifying aura of contemplation that mimics the push-and-pull of internal conflict. The Electronic-style production lives in the background and illustrates the illusive nature of the past. As a result, the lyrics thrive. “I’ll see your ghost tonight; it happens every time”. Mellow, breathy vocals echo the "ghosts” of the past that can’t seem to disappear. It’s a magnificent move that gives the overthinkers and introverts the recognition they deserve! Dan and Steve Kennelly are the masterminds behind Nightshift. Based out of Columbus, OH, the brothers started out as a local cover band in their hometown. After doing electro-rock covers of Billie Eilish and The Weeknd, they started working on their first single, ‘Butterflies’ with Quiggle, who had a large social media presence. With the music video racking more than 35,000 views, the collaboration brought Nightshift further into the music scene. Now, they’re known for creating pop-rock melodies and heartfelt lyrics with a refreshing, modern production. The electro-pop duo's latest single ‘Deja Vu’ with KAKI is now streaming so go check it out! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW NIGHTSHIFT:

If you’re a people-pleaser who wants to take back your power, then ‘Clay’ by Becca Tremmel is for you. “So mold me into whatever you want, you shape me into everything I’m not”. Imagine yourself in a movie theater, watching the main character realize that they’ve sacrificed their personal happiness to be “everything” for their partner. “All rough patches, sacred old scratches mean nothing, I was a work of art before you.” This epiphany outlines the message of the song. You are defined by YOU and no one else! Don’t let others take advantage of your kindness and love just to push you beyond your boundaries. Empower yourself! Tremmel tells a wonderful, encouraging story, starting with the objectification of the singer as shapeable clay. “Every fault you saw and smoothed over; Like I’m another piece in your gallery”. There’s such clever wordplay, made even more resonant by the addition of a string section. Tremmel’s captivating, soothing voice gains momentum in tandem with the lyrics, as the singer unlocks her full potential. By the bridge, a refreshing tonal shift takes root. The singer realizes their worth like a lightbulb going off in their head. That’s where the piano, bold and brilliant throughout, takes center stage once again. Movie producers, please get your hands on this marvel of a song! Becca Tremmel spent most of her youth in the small town of Sundance, Utah. Around the age of 5, she started writing melodies and song lyrics. She took inspiration from the Blue Bird Café concert series, which was filled with Nashville music stars and visited Sundance during summertime. She later graduated from the songwriting program at Belmont University. Now in Nashville, she loves playing at venues in the area and connecting with fellow artists. Some of her biggest influences include Johnny Cash, Shania Twain and Bruce Springsteen. The authenticity and soul that Tremmel pours into her music is simply magical! I can’t wait to see what’s next for her! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW BECCA:

Feeling lost in the moment? Let’s face it. Growing up, especially in the times we live in, isn't easy. One day, you’re floating high like Mary Poppins and the next, the world comes crashing down. ‘Glitter’ by Daisy the Great echoes the complex emotions associated with personal battles and trying to make sense of life transitions. “Yell out loud at an old bowl of cereal, I’ll clean up if anyone’ll come”. They depict an existential crisis in such a brilliant and innovative way. It’s almost haunting. From the very beginning, you’re transported to another world with a psychedelic, dreamy intro. Then the lyrics rush in with a vengeance. “I neglected my plants to prove I would, should’ve let the sun in, would've done us good; I’m just rotten to the core, such a bore, such a wannabe”. *Spoiler Warning!* The verses WILL call you out. Every single element, from the grounding power of drums and bass guitar to the placement of soft chimes, is layered like a perfectly made tiramisu. Soft-spoken, yet melancholy harmonies transform into back-and-forth intrusive thoughts in the bridge, making for an addictive melody. The sheer catchiness of it all should be illegal but it's irresistible! Based in Brooklyn, New York, Kelley Nicole Dugan and Mina Walker are both skillful songwriters with stunning vocal abilities. They originally met at NYU as fellow acting students. After working on a final project for a comedy class together, they started writing a musical. Upon sharing song ideas with each other, the ladies realized their potential as a duo and reworked their songs to that dynamic! Today, they’re known for creating music that infuses Folk and Indie Rock elements into modern themes. They often reflect on salient personal experiences in their lives. With more than a million monthly listeners, Daisy the Great represents what an Indie Pop duo is truly capable of! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW DAISY THE GREAT: