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Showing posts from August, 2025

Artists Interview : Record Pink

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   Meet Record Pink, the indie-pop duo composed of sisters Siddhi and Saadhyaa. Having lived in India, Germany, and the Netherlands, their unique background provides a rich tapestry for their art. We had a chance  to chat about their cross-cultural influences, their creative dynamic as sisters, and what's next for the duo. Q. Having lived in India, Germany, and the Netherlands, how have these different cultures and environments influenced your sound and storytelling? A. From these countries, we've picked up certain influences that have been incorporated into our music at times. Being based in Germany, we travel around so much in Europe, exploring different landscapes from mountains to oceans, all of which come back eventually to inspire our music, from lyrics to melodies. Especially for me, living in Amsterdam, I naturally picked up on elements from the energy and buzz that is always there in the city. From India, we utilized unique sounds. For example, you may not have h...

Artist Interview: Lævia

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 Today we talked with singer-songwriter Lævia to discuss her journey from the legal world to the music scene. Lævia opens up about her creative process, the challenges of balancing her studies with her passion, and what's next for her career. Tori: What inspired you to transition from a career in law to pursuing music, and what was the most challenging part of this journey? Lævia: I wanted to make my parents proud and thought the only way to do that was by studying law. But after a couple of years, I realized that my passion for music had never really gone away. It only grew stronger the more I ignored it. So, last year, I decided to give music a real chance and take it seriously. Right now, I'm still focused on my studies, but I'm also pursuing music in my free time. The hardest part is definitely managing my time. I don’t have much free time, and most of it goes into music. But I’m grateful for everything and hopeful that, in the end, it’ll all be worth it. Tori: Your mus...

Single Review : Can we Pretend We Just Met at a Bar by Ana Luna

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 Ana Luna's new song, "Can We Pretend We Just Met at a Bar?," is a powerful track that dives deep into the pain of a failing relationship. The song has a warm, coffee shop vibe thanks to the piano, but her powerful vocals and lyrics take you to a place of heartbreak. Ana's voice is the emotional anchor of the song. She starts in a vulnerable, almost whisper-like delivery, pulling you in close as she recounts a painful fantasy. As the emotional weight of the song builds, so does her vocal power. The notes get noticeably higher and fuller, a masterful use of her vocal range that perfectly mirrors her shift from quiet introspection to a raw, heartbreaking cry. This creates a beautiful and powerful contrast between the cozy music and the raw emotion. The line "I wake up in his arms, wonder if he still loves me" is a perfect example of this. It shows how even in a moment that should feel safe, there's a painful loneliness. It’s an honest and vulnerable song t...

Artists Interview: DDRB

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The two-person band known as DDRB is making waves with their unique blend of folk and punk, all wrapped up in a package inspired by their travels across the country by train. Consisting of Dominic DeLaney and Ricky Bolufe, the duo has crafted a sound that is both intimate and epic, full of harmony-heavy narratives about life on the road. We spoke with them about their creative process, their upcoming tour, and the stories behind their music. Tori: What inspires your harmony-heavy songwriting style, and how do you achieve such a unique sound? DD: Well, I think Ricky and I just write similarly, and think about songwriting in a similar way. We’ve also spent the better part of the past decade touring and playing music together, so that definitely helps. RB: It's funny he says that because I think we write on two different sides of the spectrum and that is what makes it unique. My approach to a melody or chord progression is different than Dom's and our ability to join those two wor...

Artist Interview: Maisie Jean

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  At just eighteen years old, singer-songwriter and producer Maisie Jean is making waves in the music scene with her powerful and personal debut album, Fluorescent Girl. Blending raw, introspective lyricism with anthemic electronic beats, Maisie has carved out a distinct and captivating sound. We spoke with the rising artist about the stories behind her songs, the challenges and rewards of independent production, and what the future holds. Tori: You're from Sheffield. How has the city's unique energy and music scene influenced your sound? Maisie: The live music scene in Sheffield has been my most valuable influence. I’ve never experienced such a vibrant community of talented and friendly people. Despite the recent loss of the Leadmill, Sheffield has so many amazing venues, each with their own spirit. Fagan’s is a favorite of mine. The first time I went there it felt like my spiritual home, and some of my best nights ever have been spent in that back room, in sessions where the ...

Artist Interview : Sdoku

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  Meet sdoku, the 16-year-old, Italy based,  independent artist who writes, records, produces, and designs all his own music and visuals. With his debut album, infinite moments, and his latest single, "gambling", making waves on a global scale, he's quickly becoming known for music that blends genres and speaks to a generation navigating love, anxiety, and dreams. Here’s what he had to say about his creative process, his inspirations, and what the future holds. Tori: You describe your sound as "influenced pop." Could you elaborate on what that means to you and how your diverse influences, from The Beatles to The 1975, come together in your music? sdoku: "Influenced pop" means I let my music be shaped by everything I love, without worrying too much about fitting into one genre. I grew up listening to a lot of music, so my songs can have the warmth of retro pop but also the energy and textures of today's sounds. It's about creating something that...

Artist Interview: Ahjahlee

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   Rising pop artist, songwriter, and poet Ahjahlee shares her journey, from her creative process to the inspiration behind her hit songs. The Louisiana-based artist opens up about how her music is a sanctuary, the story behind her poetry book, Lavender Breath, and the advice she'd give her younger self about navigating the music industry. Tori: As a rising pop artist, songwriter, and poet, how do you balance your creative outlets, and which one do you find most fulfilling? Ahjahlee: For me, all of these outlets are one! Emotion flows right into music, and music flows right into words. I don’t think one could exist without the other in my world. Tori: Your music has been featured on BDC radio and other local Louisiana stations. What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you hope to build on this momentum? Ahjahlee: The recognition means a lot! I remember leaving my first radio interview and realizing, "Wait…the songs I write at 3 a.m. in my room can truly carry meaning...

Artist Interview: Julia Adrian

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Julia Adrian is a rising star in the music industry, known for her clever lyrics and genre-bending style. We sat down with her to discuss her unique journey, creative process, and aspirations for the future. Tori: How does your background in corporate law influence your approach to the music industry? Julia Adrian: It’s difficult to have both a creative mind and a music business mind. Switching between the two can be tricky in terms of creating music and marketing it, but I think having a background in law has helped prepare me to handle the non-creative aspects as best as I can. Tori: Your music spans multiple genres. How do you decide which style to use for a particular song? Julia Adrian: My music falls under the pop umbrella but has a wide range of influences. I think it really depends on what comes out of my brain! I listen to many different genres, and I think that makes its way into my music when I’m writing. Tori: What inspires the witty, conversational tone in your lyrics? Jul...

Artist Interview: Rellick

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  An eclectic mix of influences, a massive band, and a commitment to storytelling are just a few of the things that make Cleveland’s Rellick one of the city's most exciting musical acts. We sat down with the band to talk about their unique sound, memorable performances, and what fans can expect in the coming year. Q. How do your diverse rock influences, from Father John Misty to the Grateful Dead, shape the unique sound of Rellick? A. We get to use all these influences as different spices in the Rellick stew. We can look to Father John Misty’s lyrics, which can flip from saying something that sounds like esoteric knowledge to grounded, relatable expressions with a lot of humor in between, to the Grateful Dead’s expression of feeling without words in their deep jam sections. We then use both of their influences to make something completely different because everything grows from something else; nothing exists in a vacuum. Q. Your single "Sweet Tranquil Tourism" has over 30...

Artist Interview:abs

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  We recently had a chance to catch up with the rising star abs to talk about her music, her creative process, and her incredible journey so far. Known for her high-energy performances and a unique blend of neo-soul, R&B, and electro-pop, abs has been making waves with her powerful voice and authentic sound. Read on to find out more about her inspirations, her unforgettable festival experiences, and what fans can expect next. Tori: Your live shows are known for their energy and passion. What's the secret to getting your audiences so pumped up? abs: Honestly, I think it is something I am still learning and building upon. I have a major focus on performance in my band rehearsals and always remind them that more is more. Even if it feels silly you will draw people in, and we have watched footage of other bands as examples. The audience wants to see you having fun and feeling what the music is saying, and that is something I try my hardest to do. I also have a song ‘Access Restrict...

Artist Interview: Mari Clare

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Meet Mari Clare, a rising pop artist whose music is a vibrant mix of dream pop and fearless honesty. Hailing from Germany and now based in the UK, Mari Clare crafts "anthems for the anxious heart" that speak directly to the misunderstood, the dramatic, and anyone who refuses to tone themselves down. She's here to talk about her creative process, musical influences, and the powerful message behind her art. Tori: You describe your music as "anthems for the anxious heart" that blend "dream pop meets fearless honesty." Can you elaborate on what this means to you and how you translate those concepts into your songwriting? Mari: My music lives in that space between emotional chaos and catharsis. "Anthems for the anxious heart" means I’m writing for people who feel everything a little too much. I turn those overwhelming emotions into something empowering. Music gives me the sonic space to float, escape, and explore, while fearless honesty keeps me g...