'VALLEY OF THE HILLS' / SANJOY: REVIEW


by mariah estran

Sanjoy Pic 2.png

On April 2nd, the LA-based producer and songwriter Sanjoy released an exhilarating ode to the city of Los Angeles, “Valley of the Hills."

Teaming up with the up-and-coming singer/songwriter Trey Schafer, the two-and-a-half-minute track proves they are a perfect match. Schafer’s gripping vocals mesh alongside Sanjoy’s electronic dance production. But it is the rich lyricism that paints the bigger picture. They share a story of how happiness can coincide with the sudden feeling of an uncertain future – emotions many of us might know too well. 

Sanjoy shares, “This record means a lot to me. Trey and I wrote Valley of the Hills at a time of uncertainty, looking for an escape from reality. Valley is an ode to the city of LA, a city that brought me a lot of happiness and some of the darkest days. I’m grateful for this city and that I have music, it has taken me to places I dreamed of. I hope anyone that hears this song feels the love and passion and lets the music be their escape.”

The tune is addictive due to its solid build-up. As Schafer moves us through the track, Sanjoy’s mix of enthralling bass and keys makes for an explosive surprise. “Valley of the Hills” follows up the successful release of his single “One In A Million," and it’s clear he’s showing his listeners he still has what it takes. Specifically, what it takes to make a heartfelt single that can garner a considerable number of streams.

 

LAKE!: INTERVIEW


by emily harris

photo courtesy of lake!

photo courtesy of lake!

LAKE! is a project started by an eighteen-year-old Los Angeles native. His two released singles have placed him in a powerful position within today’s pop culture. Coining his native city as a hub of creativity and ambition, his newest track “Better Off Alone” is bound to get you addicted to the scene. We had the pleasure of speaking with him about his future!

Congrats on the release of your newest single “Better Off Alone!” Can you tell us about the writing and recording process?

LAKE!: “Sure, I freestyle all of my music. It's kind of a subconscious release of emotion, a self expression. I never sit down and write, so whatever I feel in the moment just comes out as I'm in the studio or my home studio.”

 

You also filmed an accompanying music video! What was the filming process like? 

L: “The film process was super fun and also kind of hectic. I was on a time crunch. I had to shoot the video on a Sunday and get on a plane to New York the next morning. I got my boys to come produce and direct the video. We shot the music video in Long Beach, California at a house which was used in the TV show ‘Shameless.’ I always love to tie my songs to something people can watch visually.”

  

What was the inspiration behind the single artwork? 

L: “Originally there was no plan behind it. My photographer Griffin Olis and I went into the woods and shot the photo. The inspiration was to portray myself being in my own world. After we shot the photo, we edited the cover art on the same day. After it was finished, I was super hyped because it was exactly how I envisioned.”

  

What inspired you to release “Dead Roses” as your debut single? 

L: “I was supposed to put out a different single before ‘Dead Roses,’ but I already had the music video for Dead Roses ready and wanted to release all of my music with visuals. I was very eager to get my music out to the world and show who I am. I'm glad I did because Dead Roses has been getting great support and I think it was a great first single to put out.”

 

As you’ve really come into your own as an artist this year, how has it been navigating the industry at such a young age? 

L: “Growing up in this industry has taught me a lot of things, from owning your masters, being in control of your creative process, and also having a great team as a foundation. This year has been very exciting so far as I am just getting started to release my music. I am very comfortable and confident with how my brand has come together. I am also excited to share more with the world very soon!”

 

Who would you coin as your musical inspirations? How have their sounds affected you and your style? 

L: “Some of my musical inspirations are artists like Blackbear, Partynextdoor, and The Neighbourhood. All of these artists are brilliant in the way they express themselves through their art.”

 

Can we expect some new tracks from you soon?  

L: “You can expect new singles and visuals from me every month. I have a lot of music already recorded and ready to release. It's just a matter of timing and execution.”

 

Anything you’d like to say to the fans? 

L: “Thank you for all of the love so far. This is really just the start of everything, the very beginning of LAKE!. If you are excited for what I'm putting out now, you'll love what’s in store for the rest of the year.”

 

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'HONESTY' / NYIKO: REVIEW


by mariah estran

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Reevaluating our relationships and how we value self-love can be difficult. But the Los-Angeles-based singer-songwriter NYIKO has taken on those challenges with stride, releasing the spellbinding debut LP, Honesty.

The appropriate album title comes to life as NYIKO leaves no momentous feeling behind. His candor sores through tracks initially penned in 2014. He shares, “While the songs were written over the course of a few years, I wanted the sequence to follow the narrative of falling in love, watching it fade, and the prospect of finding new love again.”

These themes the singer presents could transcend time. While, ultimately, possessing substance for each listener. From romance to heartbreak to self-reflection, we have all been there. The eleven tracks are deep in context but presented in glistening synth-pop structures you might find familiar to The Cure or Morrissey.

For thirty-eight minutes, you’re transported to a universe rich in nostalgic tones, as if you have fallen into a heavenly 80s flick. The album opens with “Make You Feel,” a lively introduction full of bright keys and a swift drum cadence, as NYIKO shares the beauty of instant allure. Those charming sound facets carry throughout, even during heavy moments, such as “Four Years.” NYIKO explains, “'Four Years' was written in 2014 when I was still living in Vermont. It was an elegy for the traumatic end to a long-term relationship. Three years after writing it, I was going through my phone and found the original voice memo. Hearing that memo inspired me to build the production around it. Even then, I wasn’t quite sure if it was going to fit with the record.”

There is a smooth balance between notable messages and lessons learned. “Call The Boys” lays out a conversation on toxic masculinity as the post-punk production foreshadows a future capable of transformation. “Glow” shows the audience the importance of celebrating self-love and inner beauty. As the final track, “Ghost In Your Dreams,” examines the concept of memory, a mental faculty that aided the album's entirety.

Through Honesty, NYIKO reminded us of the importance of reflecting on our past. The good, the bad, and how each of these moments could contribute to our growth. But if you need help acknowledging that, turn this record on, dance, take a moment, and remember there’s still time to evolve. 

 

PINKFIZ: INTERVIEW


intro by madden levin

interview by cami liberty

photo by channon patrick

photo by channon patrick

This next young artist surely packs a punch with her newest song “Did I Ask?” – a song touching on the reality of female consent. PinkFiz is not scared to use her voice in her art, clearly showing her dedication to stand up for equality and awareness. In this exclusive interview, we got to know this artist a little more and we hope you learn to love PinkFiz as much as we have. Check out her social media to stay up-to-date on new music and projects!

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a musician? 

PinkFiz: “I started off playing guitar when I was around six. I remember watching my dad play his guitar when I was young and just sitting there in awe wanting to be like that. He always played it for fun so it started out as just a fun thing to do, and eventually as I got older I realized I wanted to take music more seriously and also venture into other aspects of the industry such as singing, songwriting and producing. I think I was 14 when I started playing around with GarageBand and teaching myself how to write and produce.”

For those who have not heard your music yet, how would you describe it?

PinkFiz: “The best description I’ve heard for my music came from a friend of mine and he said it’s like if Clairo made punk-rock music. And I think that’s pretty accurate, as a guitarist first I love having cool and heavy guitars but my voice I would describe as quite soft so my music is kind of a juxtaposition.”

You recently released your latest song “Did I Ask?” which touches on female consent and sexual harassment. Can you tell us more about the lyrics and what ultimately lead to creating the song?

PinkFiz: “Whenever I write music it always comes from a place of emotion. So the day I wrote ‘Did I Ask?’ I was genuinely just really angry at the world. It’s so frustrating that myself and many other women feel they don’t have true freedom to do as they wish. I second guess my outfits before I go out in them wondering what other people might think. Will I get strangers looking at me inappropriately? Will other people make comments about my body? Am I showing off too much? I knew I wanted to write a song I was really passionate about and a song that meant something rather than my previous songs which were just personal. I wanted this song to be my protest to the way women are treated. Too many women I know have experienced some form of sexual harassment including myself and it’s just not okay. I’m sick of hearing about the women I love around me getting treated like that. We deserve better.”

Where do you find most inspiration when creating music?

PinkFiz: “Listening to other people’s music inspires me to create my own songs. Music is so important to me, it’s almost like therapy. When I see other bands and artists live I just crave the feeling of being on stage. When I listen to their music I just want to create something that makes other people feel the way I feel when I listen to songs.”

What do you want listeners to take away from your music?

PinkFiz: “I want my listeners to feel invincible. That’s my main thing, I want to make people feel powerful. No matter what they’re going through, they can be whoever they want to be and achieve all of their goals. I just want to give people a sense of reassurance and confidence.”

Is there anything else we can expect from you in the near future?

PinkFiz: “Yes, I am so excited about all my new upcoming stuff. I have a new single coming out later in April and I have an EP coming out at the end of May which I can’t wait for. I'm so hyped. Hopefully when everything is over I can get back to gigging and enjoying the vibes of other people.”

 

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GOODBOYNOAH: INTERVIEW


intro by madden levin

interview by cami liberty

photo by stefanie moser

photo by stefanie moser

With music often described as refreshing yet classic and soothing, goodboy noah opens up a bit with us about how — and if — his process has been affected by the pandemic and the newest music that fans can enjoy NOW! Make sure you check out his newest song “uptight” now and keep an eye out for the new video – you won’t want to miss it. Follow goodboy noah on social media to stay updated on future projects and more refreshing tunes!

Many artists have been finding new ways to stay inspired throughout the pandemic. How has it affected you and your creativity process?

goodboy noah: “I've always written and recorded most of my songs in my bedroom anyways, so my process hasn't really changed much. I have my few close friends that I make everything with, so we were still able to see each other and get busy. And it’s forced me to just make other stuff from home, like these animal drawings on TikTok that I make songs over. So if anything, it’s amplified my creativity. But I definitely want it to end please.”

How would you describe your music to those who have not heard it yet?

goodboy noah: “I'd say it's like if Justin Timberlake and Sinbad the comedian in his prime had a baby and then Nate Dogg and Anderson .Paak had a baby and then those two baby's grew up and made a baby. That's me.”

You just released your new single “uptight.” Can you tell us a bit about the song and the process of creating it?
goodboy noah:
“The song is basically about your significant other being a real stick in the mud. I took some inspo from one of my past relationships in the line, ‘you got mad up on my birthday.’ ‘Cause she really did get all mean and mad for no reason, and I was like, ‘what the heckfire?’ I wrote the song with my producer Micah Gordon. He came to me with the beat, and we wrote the song over it. And then he played the piano line on a baby grand piano that we recorded through an iPhone.”

You released a video for “uptight” as well! How was it filming the video and how did you ensure it would really make the song come to life?

goodboy noah: “We had the idea of making a western music video where I’m a bounty hunter chasing after this badass female outlaw. The intro piano especially really fit the vibe of a western. Since we didn’t have much of a budget, we couldn’t afford real horses. So we asked ourselves what the next best thing would be, and we came to the obvious conclusion of hobby horses. We figured the viewing public wouldn’t be able to spot the difference anyways. Shooting the video was a blast, but I really don’t know how people used to walk around all day in cowboy boots. Shoulda brought my Dr. Scholls inserts.”

Before “uptight” you released “tie down,” the first song off of your upcoming debut EP. What does this song mean to you and why did you choose “tie down” to be released first?

goodboy noah: "‘tie down’ felt like the perfect re-introduction to my music after a year-long hiatus from releasing anything. And then the second single ‘dial tone’ felt like the perfect transition into ‘uptight.’ I'm kind of building up to where my sound is currently at with these releases. I have a ton of music in the can. And that can is getting ready to burst. So stay back ‘cause the lid is sharp when it comes flying off. But inside are songs that hit like some delicious Bush's baked beans.”

What can we expect from the rest of your debut EP?

goodboy noah: “The rest of the EP might actually be my favorite songs from the project. There are two bouncy bangerinos and one slower one that reminds me of some old Ne-Yo, but like, if I made it. I listened to a lot of Ne-Yo growing up. Like a lot. Can't wait to drop the EP, holy crap.”

 

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