SYRXN: INTERVIEW

July 14, 2021

by madden levin

Introducing the next artist that we want you to put on your "artists to watch" list: SYRXN. Pulling inspiration from some of your favorite metal/deathcore music, SYRXN is taking his unique approach to the genre and producing innovative tunes for fans and new listeners! With plenty of live shows on the horizon, we were super excited to talk with this up-and-coming star about what he is so excited about with these performances. After you check out his exclusive interview below, be sure to check out his Instagram (@_syrxn_) for updates on new content and fun posts by the man himself. Happy listening!

Hi! For those new to your music, can you give us a quick run-down about how you’d describe your sound (and bonus points if you wanna give a quick personality run-down too)?

SYRXN: “Loud and obnoxious with a hint of clam/sad music. But in my opinion I say I am unpredictable, you can't tell what I am going to do next.”

Going along with the introduction stage, what is the first song of yours that you would recommend someone listen to as the first step into SYRXN?

S: “‘Internal Fate,’ the song is about heartbreak. It can be translated to anything really, doesn't have to be about a romantic relationship. It’s all about finding yourself and trying to move on.”

I know that you have previously/continuously utilized SoundCloud as a pretty useful platform for spreading your music to different people. Do you think this was a necessary step in getting your music out to more people before focusing on other streaming platforms?

S: “Yes, one step at a time. My next step will be Spotify.”

Can you share with us a bit about your writing process? Does an idea usually come to you instantly or do you plan out ahead and let the ideas flow over time?

S: “My writing process is me in my studio just listening and getting past or present stuff off my chest because I have a hard time trying to talk about how I feel deeply.”

What do you find inspires your music the most?

S: “Bring Me The Horizon, Slipknot, Zombii, and a little bit of Ayce Comet. I am a huge metal/deathcore fan.”

Any newer artists can surely agree that going around and getting your name out there is an extremely important part of marketing… as the pandemic starts to subside and things start to open again to fuller capacities, are you excited to begin performing and physically getting your name out there?

S: “Yes, and I am excited to perform live this summer.I want everyone that support me to come and have fun. More details are on my Instagram, @_syrxn_.”

What are some artists that inspired you to start creating? Are there any other inspirations in your life that have you continuously striving for more?

S: “X was a big inspiration, but it was mostly Poor Stacy. I hit him up for advice and he respected me as an artist. Honestly didn't think he would answer.”

Any artists that you would love to collab with one day, and why?

A: “ZOM6II, SWELL, STAIN777, and maybe some popular artist.”

Do you have any messages for young people thinking about creating music? What do you wish you knew before you started?

S: “Be yourself. I realized when I started promoting there is a lot of hate, don't listen to them. The more success you get the more hate, it's normal. Don't give up and keep doing you. I have been called a X clone a lot and I laugh because I know I’m not trying to be like him, it's just me.”

Any future plans you have that you want to share with us?

S: “I'm performing live in the summer, maybe some merch for my supporters, and I am going to work with some amazing artists. I'M ALSO GOING TO DO SOME FREE CONCERTS THIS SUMMER, GET READY!!!”

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VAULTBOY: INTERVIEW

July 1, 2021

by mariah estran

Sometimes, everything just sucks. It’s a simple little phrase, one that has most likely left the mouths of millions of individuals, including up-and-coming pop artist vaultboy. Except for him, the expression has led him to create the viral debut tune, “everything sucks.”

The song started as a simple teaser on TikTok, and shortly after, fans reacted and started creating their own content. “Once the song started going crazy on TikTok, I set to finishing it,” the singer says.

So, by its official release in May, it accumulated over a million streams within its first week.

You might say he struck gold on the popular video-sharing platform. But it's the song's memorable lyrics and overall bubbly nature that make it an instant delight. He sings of spending money at arcades while leaving his bad days behind. A no-need-for-prescription mood lifter that has one side effect, singing along.

We got a moment to speak with vaultboy about “everything sucks.” He told us more about creating the song, what inspired him while producing, how TikTok has helped his journey, and if there will be a new single soon.

In May, you released your debut single “everything sucks.” It has accumulated lots of streams and appreciation from listeners due to its relatability and catchiness. What was the songwriting process like for this track?

vaultboy: “Strangely enough, I actually wrote a good portion of the song in the shower! I was trying to come up with a happy song to post on TikTok, and usually have trouble writing happy songs. I sarcastically mumbled ‘everything sucks, just kidding’ to myself and then the rest of the verse came super naturally! Once the song started going crazy on TikTok, I set to finishing it, and with a little help from my friend gnash, managed to put the rest together!”

Through this track, you have shown your audience this great, bubbly-pop sound. Who inspired you while figuring out the production for this single?

vaultboy: “Honestly, the verse was just a combination of a bunch of sounds I really like to use a lot: synth bass, a mellotron, and some bit-crushed snaps. I didn’t put a lot of thought into it! But when I started producing the chorus, I knew I wanted it to be a really hard-hitting bass and a bunch of vocal layers, similar to songs like ‘Bad’ by Lennon Stella and ‘i’m so tired’ by Lauv and Troye Sivan.”

You’ve had experience collaborating with other artists and helping with their songs. But what was it that pushed you to finally release your own single?

vaultboy: “I’ve been making music my whole life, and sometimes you write a song that you feel like you were meant to sing. For me it was a handful of songs, but that’s when I decided to start releasing songs as vaultboy!”

A snippet of “everything sucks” was put on TikTok before its initial release. It gained traction, and you continued to promote it on the platform. Personally, how do you feel TikTok has helped your musical journey?

vaultboy: “TikTok is like the Wild West for content. You have to try new things and push yourself out of your creative comfort zone constantly. For me, I think there’s a lot of songs I never would have written if I didn't start sharing my music on TikTok, so I have a deep gratitude for the way it’s helped me and my songwriting!”

Now, you’re continuing to create tons of fun videos for your viewers! From singing songs on the spot to jumping out of a plane. Why is it important to you to keep this virtual connection with your fans?

vaultboy: “Well, I definitely wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am if it wasn’t for all of my fans engaging with my content, so I think it’s important to keep sharing as much as I can. I love that I get to make music and that’s all because of them!”

You’ve got your first single, you’re teasing songs on TikTok, but what can fans expect from vaultboy next? What are you hoping to do as you enter this new stage in your journey?

vaultboy: “They can probably expect me to tease more songs, if I’m being honest! But definitely expect some more music. Working on a lot of new music, and I don’t think I’m going to run out any time soon!”

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BOSLEN: INTERVIEW

June 30, 2021

by emily harris

Boslen is the newest genre-bending artist of the scene. The twenty-two year old has been working tirelessly since the release of his first mixtape in 2018 to fuse hip-hop, rock, and pop into his discography. His newest track, “QUARTZ” featuring Charmaine, is nothing short of a testament to his meticulous production and powerful lyricism. We had the pleasure of catching up with him!

Let’s talk about your newest single, “QUARTZ!” What was the writing process like?

Boslen: “I went in with a freestyle approach on ‘QUARTZ,’ which is different compared to any other track on the project. My executive producer justsayin and I picked multiple different takes and put the verses together like a puzzle until we found the right fits, which is how they change flows so naturally. The one thing I wanted to feel intentional about the song was that it's for my city Vancouver.”

How did the collaboration with Charmaine come about for this track?

B: “I’ve been looking for a female vocalist for my project DUSK to DAWN since I started making it. In my mind I was always thinking a collaboration with a singer would be what makes the most sense, but justsayin brought her into discussion for ‘QUARTZ’ and we both felt that she was a perfect fit. It has always been a goal of mine to bridge the gap between the East and the West coast of Canada. I don't think anyone saw that coming.”

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

B: “The process was so much fun. I think ‘QUARTZ’ being such a high energy song gave my creative director, Natasha, and I the opportunity to do something we have never done before. I wanted every moment to feel exciting and give the viewer no reason to look away. I think Natasha really captured everything I imagined in her role of editing and directing the video. The process was much smoother with a smaller crew and my friends around to set the vibe. Charmaine killed it as well, be sure to check it out.”

“QUARTZ” follows the release of your last single, “DENY” with Tyla Yaweh. What was the recording process for that track like?

B: “‘DENY’ is still to this day one of the most enjoyable studio sessions I have ever been a part of. I walked in thinking the project was done since justsayin only had a week before he had to return to Turkey. However, right as we got set up, he played a sample by a producer named Stoopid Lou which gave an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia. The feeling we had in the room I can’t really put into words. To be honest, it felt like we were in the right place at the right time and everything aligned perfectly, as if by a higher power.”

You dropped your first mixtape Motionless in 2018. How has the way you approach your music evolved since then?

B: “Everything about it is night and day different I would say. I think during the era of Motionless, I was solely going off feeling and I possessed no knowledge on how to build a verse, a pre-chorus, or how to really structure a song. Now that I have more life experience and have done a bit of research, the way I approach the recording process is much more productive. For example, back in the day I would spend hours on YouTube searching for ‘Type Beats.’ More recently, I am fortunate to have talented producers around me who have the knowledge on how to build songs in different ways. I can’t really explain it honestly, once DUSK to DAWN drops you will see what I see and feel what I feel.”

You also have a debut album DUSK to DAWN on the horizon! How does it feel to have such a large project coming into fruition so soon? Can we get any details on it?

B: “It has been a long time coming. We originally started this project last summer before COVID under a different name. But once COVID hit, it really gave us the opportunity to take a step back to push ourselves sonically beyond our comfort zones. This project blends vulnerability and self-empowerment in the most extreme ways together. It’s difficult for me to explain, but I think you’ll know what I mean when you hear the project. Pop, alternative hip-hop, rock, and even R&B are all genres I explore on this project. This is truly my best work to date, and I have never felt more proud of a body of work. One of justsayin and I’s main goals was to make every moment feel timeless. We wrote that on the white board while making this project. I want people who are lost and who feel weak to connect with this project. At the same time I can rage on stage to the very next song. I want this to be a moment in time for my city of Vancouver.”

How have you managed to balance your influences from hip-hop, rock, and pop into your current sound?

B: “I think that's the best thing about being creative. You can pull from opposite ends of any spectrum and make it connect. That's what makes every person unique. Managing how to balance my influences came easy to me. My mom has loved pop and my dad has loved rock since I was a kid. Hip-hop was only introduced to me when I found Kid Cudi. I am still early in my sound. I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn, which motivates me to keep pushing forward.”

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'TALKING TO STRANGERS' / DEREK SIMPSON: REVIEW

June 26, 2021

by mariah estran

Oh, the age of internet dating! The endless scroll of potential prospects. Followed by the anticipation of a connection that ends by being left on ‘read.’

For bedroom-pop artist Derek Simpson, that bittersweet feeling inspired his new single and music video for “Talking To Strangers.” The latest release from his upcoming album, Signs.

Simpson’s groovy nature is, once again, center stage. His knack for simple hypnotizing, loops of shiny guitar chords and provocative beats makes for another addictive tune. Vocals carefully build to Simpson sharing a moment many could find identifiable. He sings, “Evenings on the phone/talking to strangers/keep meeting ghosts.”

While the tracks cadence effortlessly swaggers through the ear. That hollow, cold state conjured after sudden abandonment isn’t disregarded. Simpsons says about the single: “The weirdness of initially judging a person from photographs, the sending of playful messages only to be lost in translation, and the defeat of being left alone by the ‘ghosts’ inform this track’s creeping guitar and nervous lyric, haunting the ear moments after ceasing like a whimper in a dark room.”

Finding inspiration from psychological horror films, Simpson brings those scattered emotions to the screen. Scenes shift from him performing in dimly lit shadows to TV static, and kaleidoscope-like projections. A bedsheet ghost appears on a cellphone, and the anxiety-riddled fear sets in. Yet, in the end, we see him standing shoulder-to-shoulder, dancing with that once dreaded spirit.

You could say, overcoming rejection gets easier when you’ve got good music.

'LIFE OF MINE' / CAT & CALMELL: REVIEW

June 25, 2021

by jordan o’halloran

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Cat & Calmell have been together for only six months. They are an amazing duo from Australia. While exploring their official Instagram page, it’s clear to see that the two of them are here to stay. Their music is reminiscent of female artists kicking ass like Olivia Rodrigo and Doja Cat. The two have powerful lyrics about breakups, shady men, and owning your worth.

Their brand new EP Life of Mine begins with the track, “Dramatic.” The beat starts off extremely soulful with the two in perfect harmony. The song then proceeds to fill the listener with lyrics of truth about a man not being the one. My heart was full of longing.

The EP continues with a wonderful song called “Jorge.” With the song saying, “I said I’m fine. But, I lied,” it feels accessible to everyone. The song discusses whether Jorge has a wife or not. Sometimes, we jump into relationships without fully knowing someone. The pain that comes with that can be pretty unbearable. The song shows that unrequited love.

The final song “Life of Mine” is a perfect end to a great EP. The lyrics saying “I am over it,” feel haunting yet relatable. Going through struggles in life can either help us grow or fail and this song helps get that message across. “Life of Mine” shows that even with struggle, we can prevail.

Since their debut, Cat & Calmell have earned more than 3 million streams. By receiving praise from NME, MTV, The Guardian, NOTION and GQ, it’s easy to see that they have staying power. With their first ever headline shows selling out, the world better be prepared. Cat & Calmell are a force to be reckoned with.