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Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher, once said: “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” With seemingly unattainable beauty standards, this phrase is less true in today’s world. We see models on the glossy pages of Vogue and spend a pretty penny on makeup to look as beautiful as them. In her song “Tightrope,” Kelaska writes about how today’s high beautiful standards have affected her life. In the song, she puts all her negative feelings on table. What’s even better is that she rises above these feelings and embraces her true self. Kelaska’s vocals are a huge wow factor to the song. Her voice is smooth, so you can really hear the story of the lyrics and the emotions involved shine through. Additionally, I liked how Kelaska’s vocals flow with the instrumentation. A second aspect of the song that I liked was the progression. From the first verse, the music sounds calm and slow. When Kelaska sings, “I’ll never be who they want me to be,” an electric guitar starts and the music speeds up. It sounds angry, but it stays tasteful and suits the song very well. Kelli Wright (AKA Kelaska) was born and raised in Connecticut. She acquired over 30,000 YouTube subscribers when she started posting cover songs on her channel. Her hard work paid off when she was included on People magazine’s “Ten Cover Song Pros You Should Be Following on Instagram” list. Kelaska has since started writing her own music. Her song, “Smother Me,” is a song that has an angry mood similar to “Tightrope.” She sings about being too much in love. It is no surprise that the track exceeded 100,000 streams during the first few months of its release. Written By Kelli Dixon FOLLOW KELASKA

I am genuinely obsessed with your new single, “Hide and Seek”! What is the story behind this new track? LIAS: Thank you! It’s the third track on my EP Run Boy Run that deals a lot with the pain of separation and my fight for mental health. The songs tell stories of deep sadness, losing sight and broken relationships, but also paving my way back to a more resilient and confident self. Musically, Hide and Seek is exactly that escape. With spherical melancholy and an empowering drive, I want the song to pull us into a space of hope, light and ease. What made you finally decide to take the big step into making your own music and performing? LIAS: From early on, music was already a part of my life. I received classical vocal training as a boy soloist and already had the opportunity to perform with great singers and musicians on the world's biggest stages. But as I grew older, however, I felt the desire to break out of the conservatism of this classical world and my upbringing. The first liberating steps led me to songwriting. But becoming a musician was never really on the agenda until I moved further and further away from that idea. It was only through detours via investment banking, music management and the Berlin start-up scene that I realized: music is my life. Your music taps into such important topics, such as mental health and the fear of failure, and I really admire that! Why do you choose to feature these topics? LIAS: Thank you for saying that. I personally think these topics get way less focus than they need to. Especially mental health. Admitting that you are not well mentally – or even that you didn’t succeed at something – is still very stigmatized, especially in Germany where I grew up. But the second you open up about what bothers you and talk about it, you help yourself and also offer something to other people to connect to. That’s what I try to do with my songs. To know that you are not alone already offers relief. After all, the fear of vulnerability is outweighed by the beauty of connection. I know you’ve performed in some amazing places with some incredible people, but what has been your favorite performance you’ve had so far? And which are you most proud of? LIAS: What a mean question haha, it’s like picking your favorite child…:P All in all, I feel very lucky and humbled to have been able to experience such great musical moments. One of the most memorable ones was definitely when the audience at one of my first gigs ever in Munich started singing my song “Home” with me. That had never happened before and it really hit me by surprise. It was very emotional for me What is one of your bucket list items when it comes to your career? Any artists you hope to collaborate with or places you’d love to perform? LIAS: What I want most is to be able to continue to make music with amazing people and create moments of connection. Right now one of my favorite artists to listen to is LEÓN because she embraces the feeling of melancholy like no other. It would be amazing to work with her some day. What do we have to look forward to from you the rest of the year? Can’t wait to hear more :) LIAS: There is one more single coming out on the 20th of May called “Need Me Now” wrapping up the release of my first studio EP. I’m very much looking forward to that. I also can’t wait to play these songs from the EP in concerts and go back to the studio to record some new ones as well. One thing is sure: it will definitely be a very musical 2022! :) Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW LIAS:

“Sell Your Soul” is a moody and intense alt-rock jammer about the all-consuming passion that one feels. Maybe this passion is for a person, maybe it’s for a hobby, maybe it’s for music. But sometimes, we feel so strongly about the things that we care about that we might, literally, sell our own souls. It’s a common trope for musicians to joke about; gaining innovative and genre-bending talent and ideas by selling their soul to the devil, but in a way, now, selling your soul could mean partnering up with larger labels who care more about the profit you generate than the landscapes you’re experimenting with. Quinn’s voice is velvety but throaty, bellowing out and soaking the entire song with her raw emotions. She crafts delicate but weighty narratives around the frustration of not being perfect and subsequent contemplation of putting all of your eggs in one basket. To pursue your passion down to the ends of the Earth. Quinn’s voice and the instruments perfectly match each other, taking over the melody and harmony with a moment for each to shine. Her voice beckons and calls before stepping back and letting the bass solo speak for itself, crafting the atmosphere and soundscapes of the song. Tatum Quinn, a 24-year-old pop-rock singer-songwriter, studied at the Berklee College of Music. Her bubbly and unique image differs from her raspy and emotive performances, bringing an edge to her bright persona. Opening for bands like Kool & the Gang, The Pointer Sisters, and April Wine, Quinn feels at home on the stage, belting her lungs out. With her music being featured in Just Dance, Quinn is determined for her music to be relatable; to craft a narrative and bring excitement to the everyday emotions and routines that people circulate in. Quinn’s bubbly image isn’t going anywhere, and it really only heightens her musical style as she carves out a name for herself in the pop-rock genre. Written By Megan Cao FOLLOW TATUM:

Claustrophobia is defined as the extreme and irrational fear of confined spaces. In the real world, places like elevators and tunnels can make someone with claustrophobia feels uncomfortable. The easiest way thing to do is avoid these spaces when possible. But what happens when your mind makes you feel claustrophobic? Everything is closing in, and it can feel as though you’re drowning in your own thoughts. In her new song ‘Claustrophobia’, Cupid Girl is struggling to keep herself afloat mentally. The walls are caving in, and her head is getting pulled under. She’s claustrophobic, she’s drowning, and she’s not sure how much longer she can keep going. There is something about Cupid Girl’s vocals that evoke the listeners emotions when listening to ‘Claustrophobia’. Her lyrics are honest about her struggles, and her vocals reflect her honesty. The listener can tell Cupid Girl is speaking from somewhere deep inside of herself. Her emotion is so powerful it cannot be fabricated. Pairing the emotional lyrics with an instrumentation that reflects these emotions really draws a listener in. There are several portions of the song where Cupid Girl lets the instruments take over, creating these emotional moments without having to say anything. This song is a perfect example of letting the music do the talking. Even when Cupid Girl isn’t singing, the music does an exemplary job at showcasing her complex emotions. ‘Claustrophobia’ is heartbreakingly beautiful and a true testament to Cupid Girl’s skill. Norwegian artist Cupid Girl is relatively new to the music scene. Releasing her first single in 2021, the young artist has recently released her first EP. The five song EP, titled ‘Stages of Healing’, was released in mid-2022 and includes ‘Claustrophobia’ as the fourth track. Based off of what she’s already released, Cupid Girl is an artist to keep an eye out for! Listen to ‘Claustrophobia’ and the rest of ‘Stages of Healing’ on Spotify. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW CUPID GIRL:

“(I’m) Better Now” is an empowering hit single that is meant to be for after you’ve moved on from someone in your past. Sianon says that she wrote this song to help her through a break up. This tune is meant to make listeners think back on their relationships and then realize how far they’ve come since heartbreak. So often, after a breakup we feel lost– we don’t know how to be ourselves anymore. “Better Now” perfectly encapsulates the feelings of finally moving on and rediscovering who you are. It’s a song about new beginnings and working on yourself. Doing the things that you want to do for you until you realize that you’ve grown so much the hurt of a relationship is gone. It’s a great reminder that sometimes, you can be better off on your own just doing you. The overall vibe of “(I’m) Better Now” is very chill. Combining synths and drum set with a moderate tempo, the tune just has a very relaxed kind of air to it. It’s not a song you want to be blaring through speakers but rather one you want to listen to with earbuds to get the full chill effect of the message and song. I think the fact that it has more of a repetitive melodic bass line makes this song so carefree. It’s almost as if the beats and instrumentation reflect the message that is trying to have that same carefree energy. Almost as is to say “hey, look at me, I’m better without you and I don’t care about it anymore, I’ve moved on.” I think the smooth vocals and music definitely have a way of reflecting this. Sianon (pronounced Shannon), is widely versed in the world of music having taught herself to play both piano and guitar at age 13. She says she is a strong advocate of great pop music having grown up listening to Avril Lavigne and Westlife. Sianon began writing her own songs and performing in public at open-mic nights in Dudley. From there, while in university, she continued to gain a reputation and following as a live performer. In 2019 she began her pop music career, drawing inspiration from artists like those that she grew up with as well as other artists like Taylor Swift. Her music style is built from a combination of pop artists, which makes her have a unique and recognizable sound. Go check out Sianon’s latest album, “Now That It’s Over”, where “(I’m) Better Now” is featured! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW SIANON:

Have you ever felt like life hasn’t been going your way? Like there’s that one day where there’s just a string of bad luck and nothing’s working out. That feeling is what ‘Losing Streak’ is all about. “Did I really think that I could win? All my life, I’ve been treated like a freak.” (Okay, sidebar because WOW. I did not expect to be called out for my past insecurities today. It was unwarranted, but I’m not mad about it!) This somber topic is juxtaposed by an upbeat production that replicates trying to find the bright spots in a dreary place. It’s also super relatable for anyone who’s been longing for better days. “Brilliant!” is all I have to say about the storytelling here. You’ve got this depiction of a relationship where neither side is noticing how badly the other wants them. They never noticed each other’s signals, and both were left completely heartbroken. The voices of Maël & Jonas and Felicia Lu take turns giving you a passionate, soul-stirring conversation about their past. The electro-pop production style provides a significant tonal contrast to this. Subtle trap influences combine with cool guitar riffs to really build the energy within the song. Now this is a summer anthem to remember! ‘Losing Streak’ is a collaboration between prominent German artists Felicia Lu and Maël & Jonas, as well as Austrian producer Aron Matthews. Lu, now based in Vienna, has competed on the popular Eurovision song contest twice and has garnered immense support for her radio-worthy singles. She also pens and produces her own music, in addition to being a phenomenal singer. The duo Maël & Jonas finished in third place in The Voice of Germany and have gone on to find great success with their releases. What I love about these artists is their vivid lyricism that seems to come so naturally to them. So much so, that you can easily put yourself in their shoes. You’ll really feel seen by their music! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW FELICIA: FOLLOW ARON: FOLLOW MAEL & JONAS:

"There's a chance we can make it; there's a risk we can take it; just keep holding on; gotta keep holding on" are the words that total up the chorus and bridge on Pattern Pusher's hot new single titled "Holding On" which is a song that is lyrically conscious of being able to challenge yourself and letting go of the shit that you are holding very tightly onto. Those lyrical themes of "good times" and the "good life" in retro genres of music show up here big time. YOU JUST GOTTA LET LOOSE A BIT IN LIFE! THEY MAY NOT BE FROM LA BUT THIS SONG IS SUNNY & FUNKY! I love the retro 70s disco vibe that shows up on both the production and the vocals with the different aspects of the song's structure building up over those layers including the chorus and bridge being highlights. The funky wah guitar fits so damn good here and the drums are super lo-fi and lowkey yet they have that retro swing/rhythm which is awesome! The vocals are at a high volume in range and at a high tempo which shows how much Pattern Pusher can integrate vocals into the instrumentation very well. GRAB ME MY TUXEDO ON THE DANCE FLOOR! Pattern Pusher is an inseparable trio that hails from the UK whose style emulates those retro genres of disco, funk, soul AND even elements of psychedelia and indie music being incorporated. Since 2017, the guys have been creating singles, touring, creating music videos AND so much more that they will keep continuing to do at the level of a true musician. They also have a blog on their band's website that I recommend you check out! Go give these guys a shot! Written By Miles Tutor FOLLOW PATTERN PUSHER:

Congratulations on releasing the new song of the summer with your new single, “Turn Out Fine”! Can you tell us what the inspiration behind this song is? MIchael: We are all at points in our life where we are making big changes. Graduating college, relationships, trying to find places to live/jobs, whatever it may be, it's scary! Even though life seems to be going right in so many ways, it feels like it's up in the air. This song, although written over a year ago, feels like it is making the most since now to us. Turn Out Fine will be the perfect summer anthem for your crazy, exciting life. How did you two meet? And what made you come together to start a band? Ben: We met in jazz band in middle school. We sat by each other because we both played saxophone. Both of us loved soloing and improvising in jazz band. In highschool we formed a garage band with four other friends and we played at local events. After highschool, we went to different colleges. I went to UW Platteville for construction management and Michael went to UW Oshkosh for music education. While I was at Platteville, I was working on producing music every night by myself. After a while, I got sick of making music by myself and thought it’d be way more fun to work on music with someone. In February 2019, I facetimed Michael and asked if he wanted to make this a duo. Who are some of your biggest influences for your music? I really love the vibe y’all have going on! Ben: We are heavily influenced by Surfaces, AJR, Quinn XCII, Jon Bellion, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, The Chainsmokers etc. In general, we love finding new artists and try to take inspiration from a wide variety of genres. What is your favorite live gig you’ve had so far? Also, congrats on the opportunity to open for Bryce Vine next month, that’s awesome! Michael: We played a sold out show in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 150 people bought tickets to come see us and it was truly amazing. To think that many people knew every word to our songs made it our favorite show yet. The energy was like nothing we have experienced before. Can’t wait to play in Green Bay again! What moment in your career are you most proud of so far? Ben: For me, hearing our song “Overthinking” for the first time on the radio was crazy. Both Michael and I really take pride in that song because we made that in Michael’s parents' spare bedroom. It goes to show that anyone can make radio-quality songs from anywhere with minimal equipment. What can we expect from you guys the rest of the year? So hyped to hear more!! Ben: We are working on a lot of new songs. Expect an EP, and a LOT more shows! Interviewed By Sarah Curry FOLLOW THE ASTRONOMERS:

‘Cycle’ by Gigi Rich takes you into a toxic relationship, where there’s indecision about whether to stay or leave. I think what’s so relatable about this song is the repeated attempts to escape harmful patterns, but something keeps holding you back. The other person keeps leading you on, promising not to abandon you again. Or you say, “I deserve better,” but you’re still attached to certain pieces of the person you fell in love with. If you were on the outside, you’d be screaming, “You know this isn’t good for you. LEAVE!” However, it’s more elusive when you’re the one experiencing this conflicted sensation. In Rich’s case, she second-guesses her intuition and thus, she’s “trapped in a cycle” that’s detrimental for her. The electric guitar-driven melody really highlights Rich’s gorgeously dreamy vocals. Not only do they evoke a sense of longing to be free, but they also express how vulnerable she feels in this position. “When you come back it’s the high that I’ve needed; I’m breathing in all your secondhand smoke...why do I think that this time will be different?” Her eloquence here makes the lyrics even more captivating. I also love the vocal harmonies in this song. Their variations in the chorus and the bridge amplify her emotions surrounding her aching heart. As a result, no stone is left unturned by Rich’s heartfelt and noteworthy performance. Gianna Salvato’s trailblazing spirit is inspired by acts like Freddie Mercury and Lady Gaga. The New Jersey native is known for her sultry voice and fiery lyrics (and hair!). Under the moniker Gigi Rich, she’s centered her focus around authenticity and not being boxed in with a specific area of pop music. Her efforts have landed her placements in the entertainment industry, as well as features in renowned press outlets like American Songwriter and Galore Magazine. What I personally love about Rich is her storytelling. She fully commands the room, and she effortlessly conveys her ideas with such profound emotions. With 'Cycle,’ you’ll surely gravitate toward her, as have I! Written By Kevin Rodriguez FOLLOW GIGI:

Whiskey can be your best friend and worst nightmare. A glass or two can have you feeling loose and at ease. By the end of the night, that last glass can be your enemy. ‘Just Enough Whiskey (Late Night Mix)’ is what happens when the alcohol turns evil. During the day, that ex you can’t stop thinking about has taken over your thoughts. The urge to text them and beg for forgiveness becomes almost overpowering. Drinking to forget isn’t healthy, but it feels like the only option. “Going home with just enough whiskey/ making me forget that maybe you miss me.” The drinking does the trick and helps to silence the thoughts. By the end of the night, it’s easier to crawl into bed and leave that ex on read. Compared to the original version of ‘Just Enough Whiskey’, Nightshift takes on a more country approach with the ‘Late Night Mix’. In the original mix, the tempo is upbeat and aided by electronic pop beats . ‘Late Night Mix’ replaces the electronic beats with an acoustic guitar, creating a much more raw and anguished feel, slowing down the tempo. Even though the two songs are technically the same, the emotion of each is drastically different. The original mix has Nightshift reminiscing about their relationship with rose colored glasses. Although the relationship didn’t work out, they know that they need to move on, and are okay with that. The ‘Late Night Mix’ has the duo much more depressed about their relationship. They know they have to move on, but they struggle a lot more with this realization compared to the original mix. When comparing each version of the song I found myself impressed with Nightshift. Although each mix is lyrically the same, they’re so vastly different in feel that it’s surprising one is just a remix of the other and not its own original work. While some remixes feel like they don’t bring anything new to an established song, ‘Just Enough Whiskey (Late Night Mix)’ does an excellent job of standing on its own. Brothers Dan and Steve Kennelly bring their own sound to the indie-pop genre. ‘Just Enough Whiskey (Late Night Mix)’ is different their other works, yet seamlessly fits into the rest of their music catalogue. Their Spotify page is filled with original singles and covers. One of their covers is Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Good 4 u’. The duo infuse their own sound into their covers, making the songs unique in their production. Both versions of ‘Just Enough Whiskey’ are available to stream on Spotify! Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW NIGHTSHIFT:

Geneva May’s latest single is about a feeling we can all relate to far too well– jealousy. “Jealousy Shows” is about when we start to feel insecure about ourselves in the presence of people we admire or think of better than ourselves. So often, we look at someone else we know and think about how much better they are than us. Maybe we think that they’re better because they have more money, are taller than us, prettier than us. Whatever the reason, we begin have pangs of jealousy that we don’t have what they have. May’s song is a reminder that while we may feel this way, we have to remember that we don’t know what someone else is going through and we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others. We are perfect just the way we are and we don’t need to try to be someone else just because of jealousy. Listen to "Jealousy Shows" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/0o0iEEhXZoijXcLa2GyAJr?si=4a2374280d664b4d “Jealousy Shows” is a relaxed and chill song that uses guitar, drum set, and vocals as the main elements for the tune. With more simple melodic lines for the instruments, the vocals are really free to do what they want and create new rhythms. May has a unique sound to her voice that is very recognizable from anywhere. I think the best part of this song is how the message is told through a story. May describes all the instances when she runs into this person and feels jealousy towards them. “I think I’m pretty cool when she’s not around/ but when she is around/ I let myself put myself down.” I think these lyrics put it best by saying how it’s so easy to feel okay and then suddenly feel sour about a person when you see them. Sometimes jealousy is so easy to fall into. It may not even be intentional, but we slip right into telling ourselves that the other person is better than us. The relatability of the lyrics really pull you in and let you reflect on your own feelings. I think this is a great reminder to just remember that you’re beautiful and perfect the way you are and you don’t have to have what someone else does to feel worth. While fairly new to the music scene, Geneva May has begun to make a name for herself. The 24 year old is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the San Francisco Bay Area. May currently has one other single released and is excited to continue sharing her music with the world. May’s honesty in her writing makes for relatable and catchy tunes about more difficult topics like insecurities and self-doubt. May isn’t afraid to tell the truth and sing about what’s important. This rising star is one to look out for in the coming months, you won’t want to miss out on anything from Geneva May! Written By Emily Hancock FOLLOW GENEVA MAY:

Hindsight is 2020; a phrase that means having full knowledge of an event only after it’s happened. We’ve all had moments that we look back on and wonder, ‘how was I so blind’. In ‘Tongue Tied’, Daria V can see the problems in her relationship, but only when she’s at a distance. When she’s up close with her partner, it’s easy to look past the red flags. The moment she steps away, Daria realizes just how closed off her partner is. She wants to connect on a deeper level with this person, but they aren’t willing to open up. In the end, Daria is left biting her tongue, stuck in a relationship where it’s impossible to form a deeper connection. Daria creates a multi-layered love story in a song that runs just over three minutes. Her emotional frustration can be felt through her vocals with lyrics explaining just how complex the situation is. “If I tell you my secrets, I know you wouldn’t keep them.” No relationship can exist without some form of trust, and this repeated chorus gives a glaring insight into Daria’s relationship. Her partner is refusing to open up, which in turn, prevents Daria from doing the same. “You don’t mean what you say, but your mouth moves anyway.” After listening to ‘Tongue Tied’, it’s no wonder Daria is on an emotional rollercoaster. Her use of electro-pop beats prevents the song from taking on a melancholic tone when expressing her emotional tangle. Layering a compelling story over an easy on the ears beat makes ‘Tongue Tied’ a great addition to any pop playlist. Los Angeles based Daria V is ready to shake up the music world. She’s created a team that includes Grammy-award winning songwriters to bring new, fresh music to her audience. Her music often broaches sad or difficult topics, but she does so in a powerful way that leaves the listener with a sense of hope. ‘Tongue Tied’ and her other single ‘Calm Down’ are both available to stream on Spotify. Written By Maddy Mahady FOLLOW DARIA V: