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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...

Artist Interview: Blue Bonzai

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  Blue Bonzai is artist behind the music that blends punk's raw energy with alt-rock's emotional depth. Known for his introspective lyrics and DIY approach, Blue Bonzai has been carving out a unique space in the music world. We'll dive into the meaning behind his name, his creative process, and the personal experiences that fuel his art. Tori: The name "Blue Bonzai" is a fascinating contradiction. Can you elaborate on the philosophy behind combining the symbolism of harmony and control with the color blue, which often represents sadness or melancholy? Blue Bonzai: Honestly, it comes from something I’ve felt my whole life, even before I could put words to it. I was always drawn to sad songs and emotional stuff—whether it was the Backstreet Boys, Blink-182, or the "ballads" from metal bands like Bullet for My Valentine or Bring Me The Horizon. And people gave me crap for it. They said I only liked "sad music" and some even called me a depressive ...

Artist Interview: Chlo3pie

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 An artist to watch, Chlo3pie is making her mark on the music scene with her vibrant aesthetic and catchy tunes. From being discovered on TikTok to having her music featured on BBC Introducing, this 20-year-old is just getting started. We sat down with her to talk about her creative process, inspirations, and what’s next! Tori: How did you get started in music, and who were some of your early influences? Chlo3pie: I think my first pop girl love was Ariana Grande. The way she constructs her vocals and harmonies influences me a lot. I weirdly grew up to punk music and alternative sounds, which I think gave me the courage to be different. The way I got started properly was quite serendipitous; I posted a cover of Ariana Grande's "Focus" and got approached by a local producer! But aside from what you guys can see, I've been at it for a long time. Tori: Your music is described as having bright visuals and a focus on "everything pink and sparkly." What inspires th...

Artist Interview: Possibly Jamie

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Hailing from Scotland, the artist known as Possibly Jamie has earned the title of "pop provocateur" for a sound that challenges conventions within the genre. Jamie's music is a blend of classical training and self-taught production. The artist's moniker is inspired by a Björk track, and a new EP is set to be released in the autumn of 2025. In this interview, Possibly Jamie discusses creative influences, the new single "FTDJ," and the future of the project. Tori: Your moniker is inspired by a Björk track. How has her artistry, specifically the themes and sonic landscapes of that era, influenced your own creative journey? Jamie: She has inspired me in so many uncountably different ways! If I had to narrow it down to one aspect of her artistry, I would say it's that she's not afraid to be indulgent and walk her ideas to natural extremes - she's determined to bring her musical vision to life at any expense. I have endless time for her music. Tori: Yo...

Artist Interview: Talk In Waves

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The Northern Virginia-based project Talk in Waves, led by singer-songwriter Jake, has been making waves in the indie music scene since its formation in 2015. With music that has been featured on major platforms like Netflix and NPR, Talk in Waves explores a unique blend of indie rock, synth-pop, and folk. We sat down with the band to talk about their creative process, the challenges of being an independent artist, and the personal journey that inspires their songs. Q: Your music has been featured on major platforms like NPR, Netflix, and MTV. How did these opportunities come about, and what was it like hearing your music in such different contexts? A: Well, first I had to write the music and release the songs—that was the first step. As I began to put the music out there, opportunities started to present themselves. This gave me a little more confidence to continue down this path. Some of it also was me hounding people through email and trying to promote myself. It’s still really cool ...

Artist Interview: Ultras

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  In anticipation of their Whelan's headline show, we sat down with the Ultras to discuss their debut single "With the Sound," the creative process, and what fans can expect from their high-energy live performances. Q. Congratulations on your debut single "With the Sound" and headline show at Whelan's. How does it feel to be gaining momentum as a band? A. It feels like we're doing something right. It's still early days, but we're excited to practice, we're excited to meet the lads and show them our new song, and when we combine and it works consistently, it's very rewarding. Q. Your music is described as Irish indie rock with loud guitars and drums. What inspires your sound and style? A. We wanna play fast, we wanna play catchy, cool, good sounding music. We want to tell a progressing story to a catchy tune. We have a love for the island, a love for the language, the people, and a love for the stories the people have to tell. Q. You'v...