Artist Deep Dive

With smoky vocals and lyrics that ache, this track captures the realization that some relationships don't end with a bang, they unravel until there's nothing left to save. Article Contributed by Shyanne Vaden Rising artist Marilyn Hucek’s single “Self Destruct” tells a story about love and mutual destruction that we are all too familiar with, holding onto a relationship that is past the point of return and struggling to let go. Released June 12, 2026, the Chilean-American art

Photography by Ivan S. Why artists are being asked to be everything, everywhere, all at once — and why smaller artists need us now more than ever. Article Contributed by LJ Portnoy, Editor-in-Chief Visibility Has Become Survival Somewhere between soundcheck and stage time, musicians became full-time content creators. Before the show even starts, the work has already begun. Artists are filming TikToks backstage, posting setlist teasers, editing recap videos in the green room,

She’s the songwriter behind Grammy Award winning songs and a voice within this industry striving for real change. Autumn Rowe posing in press photo via Spirit Music Group Article Contributed by Monica Soriano It is always admirable to see artists, songwriters or producers spread their knowledge and guide the new generation. Autumn Rowe is a bright example of not only expanding one’s skills but using every bit of knowledge to move everyone forward and advocate for a better tom

The soulful songstress Bailey Hyneman shared with us the songwriting process for “Better Days”, musical collaborations she would love and more. Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Bailey Hyneman photographed by Lulu Shing It is not often that one can stumble across a song that states “not all bad days have silver linings” but feel a sense of joy while listening to it. “Better Days” by Bailey Hyneman portrays life perfectly, allowing a bad day to be a bad day but knowing tha

When Atlantis crossed a billion streams on TikTok, Seafret didn't rush. Fear of Emotion is what happens when a band finally gets to make a record on their own terms.

Jai’Len gives us a glimpse into her musical influences, her growth and details about how ‘Serial Romantic’ came to be. Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Since the release of her last project ‘Southern Delicacy’ in 2023, many fans were anticipating Jai’Len’s return. Now, years later, she is back with a fully conceptualized debut album. Recently, Jai’Len Josey shared some of her thoughts and experiences with us in regards to ‘Serial Romantic’ and her musical growth. Photo C

In an industry where producers often remain behind the curtain, Dijon has managed to build a name that resonates both within the studio and beyond it. As a producer and songwriter, he has worked with major artists such as Justin Bieber, Charli XCX, and Matt Champion, contributing to projects that have shaped the contemporary pop and R&B landscape.

Article Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt & Ilana Bornstein Some bands come together through industry connections. Others start because a group of friends simply never stopped playing music together. For Chicago-based alternative pop band Flwers, it’s the second story. SoundCheck first discovered Flwers the same way a lot of fans did lately… scrolling through TikTok. Between honest lyrics, hook-heavy melodies, and videos that felt more like friends sharing music than a careful

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Nickelodeon made many people laugh through its quirky series, cartoons and movies. There are various familiar faces in mainstream media within music that were able to reach unexpected (or expected) success after their time with the network. Some cultivated strong fan bases and have established their names among the biggest artists. While most of the cast in Victorious have gone on to gain a large amount of popularity and varying success w

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and The Jonas Brothers have become names that circle the media often. Sometimes it is due to Olivia and Sabrina’s success internationally as beloved pop girls and other times it is The Jonas Brothers’ continuous release of projects while tapping into infectious nostalgia. Disney Channel was a starting point for these artists but what came after was entirely up to them. Olivia Rodrigo’s Penmanship & Huge D

Laura Veltz has earned her Grammy nomination in the category Songwriter of the Year through her lengthy career. She has written for artists such as Demi Lovato, Dan + Shay and Maren Morris. Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Photo from @ lauraveltz on Instagram A Family of Musicians Laura Veltz spent over 10 years touring and singing in her and her family’s band Cecilia. The band was composed of Laura and her family including her mother Jeannie, her father Kenneth and her

After the release of KPop Demon Hunters, Ejae became internationally known as a songwriter and singer but there are many years of hard work and dedication behind her success. Photo by Michelle Watt Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Step One: Training These days Ejae is seen walking red carpets and attending talk shows, a completely different life than she had even a year ago. For those who are unaware of her journey, it may seem as though she propelled to stardom overnigh

Here’s a secret. The songs you fall in love with, lyrically, emotionally, physically, are not always written by your favorite singers. More often than not, they are written by a songwriter or lyricist. Someone who specializes in writing. They may also be a singer, performer, or artist. Sometimes they are not. Sometimes they work behind the scenes. Sometimes they choose to stay private, preferring for the world to hear their words, but not their voice.

The name Justin Tranter holds weight within the music industry due to their involvement in writing some of the biggest hits for over a decade now. Tranter is not only a successful songwriter but also an educator and mentor to future generations of writers. They share knowledge about the music industry consistently, and when asked about their songwriting process, they seem glad to share what details they can.

There’s a moment that happens in almost every photo pit. The lights drop, the crowd surges forward, cameras rise in unison, and for a brief stretch of time, a handful of strangers are asked to share the same few feet of space while capturing something fleeting. You learn very quickly that talent alone won’t carry you here. Awareness will. Most of the time, that window is small. Three songs, fifteen minutes, sometimes even less.

What is popular today in 2025 wasn’t always favored in the 80s. In fact, what is considered popular today is something that was created as a counter to mainstream music back then. That’s right, alternative music has in fact made its way into the everyday listening experience. Alternative music is not just an umbrella term for eccentric genres, but it is also a form of rebellion that was expressed through music in the beginning of its conception.

Not only is Ryan Tedder the lead singer of one of the most internationally well-known bands out there, but he is a brilliant songwriter too. The massive hits he’s written range from Beyonce’s “Halo”, Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love," and Adele’s “Rumour Has It”. His band OneRepublic is widely known for songs such as “Apologize”, “Counting Stars," and “Secrets," all of which were written by Ryan Tedder himself.

Amy Allen is continuously reaching new heights in her career as a songwriter. The Maine born writer has accumulated numerous charting hits through her powerful penmanship. Her relatability is part of why artists continue to work with her repeatedly. She has said that she finds something similar that has happened in her life and relates it to what the artist is going through, in order to write the massive hits she does.

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano There’s something in the air lately. Girl groups are popping up and it appears they are growing in popularity. This phenomenon hasn’t been seen since the Fifth Harmony and Little Mix days, at least for non-KPop girl groups. The rise of K-pop in recent years has opened doors to many girl groups internationally. Blackpink held the title of the biggest female K-pop group and NewJeans was following closely with their rise in stardom until th

Article Contributed by Monica Soriano It is widely known that T-Pain carried the early 2000’s through his auto-tuned club music. The prominence of auto-tune in his music became his signature sound and in part what propelled him to fame. He blended different genres and influences which led him to carve his own path in the music industry. His use of auto-tune was used as an enhancer rather than a necessary tool for his vocals. He laid a strong groundwork with his storytelling,