TunezandTrendz

   Haunted Shoes creates music for what they call "the ghosts in our footsteps"—a rich, atmospheric blend of shoegaze and indie that explores uncertainty, failed connection, and the weight of choices. In the run-up to their upcoming EP, Penumbra, we caught up with the artist to discuss their commitment to heart > hype, the architecture of absence in their music, and how a rhythm can act as a pressure gauge for emotion. Q. Can you elaborate on the elements of shoegaze and indie that most influence your writing process? A. Shoegaze hits me as texture-first: open chords, parallel guitar lines, and a vocal that sits in the mix. I use negative space and slow-bloom dynamics—like a one-bar breath before a chorus, or dropping the kit so a line lands on its own. The indie piece is about vantage point and restraint: drum economy, human imperfections left in, conversational harmony instead of a big anthem. Together, that approach lets absence do as much storytelling as sound. It’s ho...

  TheWhatIfMix is the moniker of a London-based producer known for blending deep house with soul, rap, and experimental sounds. His music is driven by a powerful philosophy: "What if my mix could change everything?" Following the release of his single "Next To Me," a deeply personal track inspired by the comfort of intimacy, we chatted with him to discuss his creative process, his commitment to independence, and how a personal feeling translates into a powerful dancefloor journey. Q. "Next To Me" was inspired by the intimate feeling of sleeping next to someone you love. Can you delve deeper into how you translated such a personal, safe, and connected feeling into deep house textures and dancefloor production? A. I’ve been living outside of Italy for 12 years, far from my family, and about a year ago I moved in with my girlfriend. That experience gave me a real sense of safety and comfort, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I wanted to take that person...

Melbourne-based artist DXT Christian (now known as Đex) has made a global impact by seamlessly blending the boundaries of Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B, and Electronic music. With a stream count in the millions, his instrumental-heavy approach proves that powerful production can carry as much emotional weight as lyrics. In this interview, he discusses his creative process, the influence of his local scene, and his vision for the future as he moves into a more vocal-driven, Dance/Electronic sound. Tori: Your music spans across Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B, and Electronic. How do you balance these diverse genres, and what ties your unique sound together across all of them? DXT: I treat genres like different colors on a palette. Each track is an experiment in blending them without losing the emotion. What ties it together is the atmosphere I create. Tori: Can you walk us through your creative process when you start building a new beat? Where do you find inspiration for these unique sounds? DXT: I usuall...

  London-based artist lina sounds has been making waves with her unique blend of acoustic folk, indie pop/rock, and alternative R&B. Her self-written EP, pink summers, is a collection of songs that perfectly captures the bittersweet nostalgia of a London summer, exploring everything from spontaneous friendships to the anxieties of balancing university life with a budding music career. We caught up with lina sounds to dive deeper into the inspirations, process, and aesthetic that shaped her new project and her "pink world." Tori: What's one specific London summer memory or experience that inspired a song on the EP? lina: Before I had even planned on releasing my first song, I had a bit of a spontaneous hangout with my uni friends at Primrose Hill near the top. I’d never been to the spot before, but when I was younger, I always used to see other friends take pictures up there and wished I was invited. Kinda sad at the time, but I’m glad I waited. We played music and ate...

Kat’s album, Refocus, is an '80s-inspired, deeply vulnerable concept album that masterfully chronicles her mental health journey from diagnosis to ultimate happiness. The tracks brilliantly act as chapters in this story: it starts with the pain of illness in songs like "Begging You To Go" (the onset of OCD) and "Anxiety Strikes," before moving through the self-doubt of "Alone With My Mind" and the desire for change in "Chasing My Breakthrough." The narrative then shifts to healing, celebrating the help of therapy with "CBT" and offering an escape with the Madonna-esque "Happy Place." Finally, Kat finds true peace by letting go of overthinking in "Holiday From My Mind," finding community in "Together," grounding herself in "Back to Nature," and concluding her inspiring journey with the triumph of "Best Years of My Life," making Refocus a powerful and cohesive listen that combines infe...

 "The Plot" by ÊMIA is a fresh and fun song that's a welcome break from today's sad, stripped-down pop. Instead of being all about heartbreak, it's a groovy and nostalgic track that's perfect for a late-night drive. The song's beat is cinematic and layered, and it pulls you into ÊMIA's story about a whirlwind three-day reunion and a messy first kiss. The main idea is about embracing the chaos of love and life, and loving someone "for the plot"—which is a unique and relatable twist. It’s got that cool, youthful energy you hear in music from artists like Olivia Rodrigo or Charli XCX. This single is from her upcoming debut album, Conversations We Were Supposed to Have, and it's an exciting preview. "The Plot" shows that ÊMIA isn't just following trends—she's creating her own lane with smart, ambitious pop music. It's a sign that she's an artist to watch. Stream The Plot here!

  Meet Indi the Giant, an emerging force in the Australian music scene. In just two short years, Indi has captivated audiences with her raw and deeply personal lyrics, sharing her journey through addiction, recovery, and self-discovery. We'll be diving into the heart of her creative process, the stories behind her music, and the vibrant community that has helped shape her sound. Tori: Your lyrics are often raw and emotional. What is the most challenging part of being so vulnerable in your music, and how do you find the courage to share those deeply personal stories of addiction, pain, and recovery? Indi: It's really scary. I think a part of me needs to express myself in this dramatic way because I struggle to find the words in conversation; if I lay it all out in my music, then I have said all I need to say. I also do it because I know someone else feels the same, and maybe I can help them. Tori: Can you tell us more about the emotional journey that inspired your single, "...

  In this exclusive interview, we get to know Ohio Waves, a solo artist whose poignant songwriting and intricate guitar work have been making a stir. We'll dive into the origins of his name, the inspirations behind his debut album, 'Horizons,' and the personal journey that has shaped his music. Get ready to discover the story behind the sound. Q. What's the origin story behind the name Ohio Waves? Is there a personal connection to the name or your home state? A. I always felt a deep connection with the early Midwest emo sound, and that sound is such an inspiration to my guitar playing. And when I was writing my album 'Horizons,' it felt right to set the first part of the story in an anonymous Midwest town. So the name Ohio Waves reflects these two connections—one personal and one related to my songwriting. Q. If you could describe your sound in just three words, what would they be? A. Emotive, intricate, and deep. Q. Who were your biggest musical influences grow...

  Meet Moonrust, the up and coming Welsh musician making an impact. In this interview Moonrust delves into the creative process behind their latest EP, "four dreams, one day." From the inspirations behind the title to the unique blend of sounds and the deeply personal nature of their songwriting, Moonrust shares insights on their musical journey and what's next. Tori: Congratulations on the release of "four dreams, one day." What's the story behind the EP's title? Does each song represent a different "dream"? Moonrust: Thank you! I actually got really inspired by hearing the Japanese idiom, '日三秋,' which means that even one day can feel like many seasons. That really stuck with me, and it planted the seed for my EP title. The title four dreams, one day came from this idea of how much we experience in a short amount of time—even just one day. Each song does kind of act like its own little dream, a different mood, memory, or version of som...

Rising artist Elizabeth Wear recently released her debut single, "Florence." We spoke with her about the inspiration behind the song, her creative process, and what's next. Tori: Congratulations on the release of "Florence"! Could you walk us through the story behind the song and what inspired its creation? Elizabeth: Basically, it just talks about comparison, a feeling of envy toward those who seem to have a perfect life on Instagram. Tori: The lyrical imagery in "Florence" is incredibly vivid. What was your songwriting process like for this track? Did the music or the lyrics come first? Elizabeth: I always write my lyrics first. I really have difficulty creating the rhythm of the song. Tori: What was the most challenging part about recording the song? Elizabeth: That's a very good question. I'm sure that the end of the song was recorded on a hot day in Brazil. I was sitting in a corner of my room with my guitar, the composition of the song, a...

  We caught up with rising teenage artist Gabby Mazza to discuss her musical journey. A self-taught songwriter from Florida, Gabby is making a name for herself with her debut singles and plans for a full-length album. From her early inspirations to her goals for the future, Gabby shares what it's like to balance life as a typical teenager with her passion for music. Tori: You're a young artist with big dreams. What first inspired you to start writing and performing music? Gabby: When I started listening to Poppy Playtime songs. My first song that I ever wrote was a Poppy Playtime song. But I didn't like how it turned out, so I stopped writing songs for a while. Then, back in January, I started writing songs again. Tori: You're originally from Alabama and moved to Florida. How has this change of scenery influenced your music and creative process? Gabby: Well, I was born in Alabama, and when I was five months old, I moved to Florida. Then, when I was five, I moved to New ...

  Musician Alessandro Del Sole creates cinematic instrumental rock music that tells stories without words. His debut singles, "Wait and Watch" and "Whispers of Auster," have been described as sonic journeys that move listeners through a range of emotions. In this interview, Alessandro discusses his creative process, the influences that shaped his unique sound, and his passion for connecting with others through music. Tori: How do you translate a specific emotion or a narrative into instrumental music? Alessandro: For me, music is a language beyond words. The guitar is my voice. When I want to translate an emotion, I focus on dynamics, note choices, and silence. A vibrato can sound like a cry, a bend like a voice trembling with hope, and even the choice of scales can change the “color” of the story I’m telling. Tori: What is your creative process like, from the initial idea to the final composition? Do you start with a melody, a rhythm, or a specific feeling you want...