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Songwriter Spotlight - Savan Kotecha: Raising Generations Through Music
From One Direction’s career launch to Ariana Grande’s mainstream singles, Savan is responsible for many fan-favorite pop hits within the past two decades.

Monica Soriano
2 days ago


The Hits That Never Reached #1 (But Everyone Thinks They Did)
The reasoning behind some of the greatest songs in history never made it to the top spot on the charts.
Just imagine, hearing the same songs everywhere you go - at a bar, a mall, a grocery store, or the radio, and thinking that there is no way it didn’t hit the number one spot on the charts. The reality is that some of the songs that marked our middle school, high school, or college experiences didn’t even come close to that coveted spot.

Monica Soriano
4 days ago


Disney Channel Songs and Acts That Escaped the Mouse
Disney Channel launched many artists into fame and long-lasting careers in music and acting. Singing on Disney Channel was a given; if you had a show, you most likely also sang the theme song for it. There was even a time when many shows and movies were centered around music. This included the High School Musical trilogy, the Hannah Montana show, and The Cheetah Girls films.

Monica Soriano
Jan 13


Nickelodeon Songs That Quietly Outperformed Expectations
Nickelodeon features a diverse range of shows, including cartoons and teen sitcom series. Their series range from wacky comedy-style shows to more arts and music-focused genres while maintaining the comedic aspect. Many great songs were derived from these shows. Although most were not intended to be more than a catchy intro song, a few managed to engrave themselves into pop culture and quiet longevity.

Monica Soriano
Jan 7


Songwriter Spotlight - Justin Tranter: Songwriting, Advocacy, and a Decade of Pop Hits
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.

Monica Soriano
Jan 5


Hot Take: Artists Aren’t Fighting Hard Enough Against Ticket Prices
Live music has never been cheap. But it has also never felt this inaccessible.
Ticket prices are climbing. Dynamic pricing is quietly inflating face value. Resellers scoop up inventory in seconds. And fans are left refreshing screens, watching tickets triple before checkout, even loads. The frustration is loud. The response from the industry is not.

Rebecca McDevitt
Jan 4


Nick Jonas’ “Gut Punch” Is A Reminder To Stop Being So Hard On Yourself
Nick Jonas did not ease us into 2026. He went straight for the feelings. “Gut Punch”, released January 1, 2026, is the first single off his upcoming album Sunday Best, out February 6, 2026, and it feels like a song you accidentally put on and then suddenly you’re staring at the wall thinking about your entire inner dialogue. Artwork by Steven R. Gilmore The song starts immediately with a soft piano and Nick’s voice sounding almost fragile. Like he’s letting a thought slip bef

Rebecca McDevitt
Jan 1


The Importance of Music Video Shows and Why They Are Missed
Article Contributed by Monica Soriano If something feels like it’s missing from the music industry, it would definitely be music video shows. Those shows that you could tune into just to catch the latest music videos from a variety of artists. There were countdown shows that would air the most popular videos at the time and although it could've felt like a competition for the musicians, for the audience it was a fun time to guess what would be number 1. A lot of music fanatic

Monica Soriano
Dec 17, 2025


More Than Musicians: How Today’s Artists Are Building Whole Worlds
Article Contributed by Monica Soriano Lately, it can feel as though all artists do more than just music. The blending of professions is common since they can be fully established within different creative or business ventures. Being multi-hyphenate can be a way to stay relevant, have various sources of income, or pursue other dreams. Artists now easily launch companies in beauty or fashion as well as reach high levels of success as actors, podcast hosts, or entrepreneurs. Ima

Monica Soriano
Dec 12, 2025


ALBUM REVIEW: EVERYONE’S A STAR - 5 Seconds of Summer
Article Contributed by Monica Soriano The Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer recently released their album ‘EVERYONE’S A STAR’ which is filled with expressive commentary, reflective tracks and an almost theatrical-esque feel for a few songs. Album Artwork by Brian Ziff If you’ve ever needed a recommendation for an album to play while you’re out on a late night drive - this is it. ‘EVERYONE’S A STAR’ by 5 Seconds of Summer is the perfect mix of melancholy, vibey tunes and lyr

Monica Soriano
Dec 10, 2025


Songwriter Spotlight: Julia Michaels
It’s impossible to not have heard the name Julia Michaels or a song written by this talented songstress. The music she’s written is internationally listened to by millions of people. She dominates the charts through catchy melodies, powerful penmanship and an overall grasp on feeling out loud.

Monica Soriano
Dec 8, 2025


Hot Take: Should All Artists Start Their Careers In Small Venues?
The music industry is constantly adapting to technological changes. Social media has become the biggest marketing tool for artists. Cellphones are being held up to record every second of a performance. With the rise of viral sensations becoming stars, not all artists can decide whether they can start in small venues or go straight into being an opening act for the biggest superstar in the world.

Monica Soriano
Dec 7, 2025


Charlie Puth Is Pop’s Modern-Day Mozart (Yes, We’re Serious)
It’s no shocker that, to us, Charlie Puth is one of the greatest artists of our generation. One scroll through TikTok and you’ll find him teaching millions of people about chord progressions, bass voicings, and why certain hooks feel addictive. But those clips barely scratch the surface of what makes him extraordinary. Charlie operates in an entirely different class of musical intelligence.

LJ Portnoy
Dec 2, 2025


Cleveland’s on the Yung Gravy Train
If Zebra Cakes and a Microsoft PowerPoint are not on your concert bingo card, you’ve never seen Yung Gravy live. The House of Blues in Cleveland had “sold-out” flyers taped to the doors on Saturday night. If you didn’t get your tickets early, you were sadly out of luck. The crowd was prepped with a “How to Have the Most fun at Yung Gravy Concert” PowerPoint, and they really took it to heart. The venue was packed with people letting loose and having fun.. and of course MILFs.
Madison Cozzens
Nov 30, 2025


Hot Take: Encores Need a Glow Up – How To Bring Back the Magic
There was a time when encores felt like actual miracles. The lights went down, the crowd begged for just one more song, and the air buzzed with the kind of hope usually reserved for lottery tickets and marriage proposals. For a few glorious minutes, we had no idea if the band would return. It was a negotiation between us and them. A shared secret. A spark of live music magic.

LJ Portnoy
Nov 23, 2025


EP REVIEW: My Only Wish - David Archuleta
Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt & Ilana Bornstein Photo Provided by Ken Phillips Publicity Group David Archuleta is entering his jolly pop era and honestly, we’re obsessed. My Only Wish doesn’t follow the cookie-cutter “holiday album” formula. Instead, it feels like David took festive energy, sprinkled it with pure joy, and built a sound that could genuinely be its own genre. It’s warm, upbeat, and unmistakably holiday, but in a way that makes you want to dance around your li

SoundCheck Team
Nov 21, 2025


First Listen: Leyla Ebrahimi Expands the Edges of Indie Alt-Pop with “i don’t like being left behind”
“i don’t like being left behind” opens in swirls and spirals, an ambient wash of synths that feel almost video game–esque. It is dreamy and atmospheric, yet it carries a pulse that instantly catches your attention. Leyla Ebrahimi’s voice enters with a softness that glows against the production. Even in these early moments, the track makes its intentions clear. This is indie alternative at its core, but it welcomes pop influences with open arms.

LJ Portnoy
Nov 20, 2025


Good Luck Getting Over Me, Brooklyn.
Article and Photography Contributed by Fernando Flores Grant Knoche performing at the Meadows in Brooklyn, NY - Photography by Fernando Flores (IG: @fernandofloresphotography ) So good it's on AUTOPILOT Grant Knoche’s rise from kid-friendly pop prodigy to a fully realized alt-pop force has been nothing short of electric. His latest tour stop in Brooklyn proved exactly why audiences are so drawn to his world, kicking the night off with a burst of warmth and charisma from Taylo

Fernando Flores
Nov 19, 2025


First Listen: “Die on This Hill” Marks Sienna Spiro’s Breakthrough Moment
Sienna Spiro’s “Die on This Hill” begins with a quiet magnetism that feels instantly inviting. A single piano line opens the door and her voice steps in with striking richness. It is warm, resonant, and full of a clarity that draws you in immediately.

LJ Portnoy
Nov 17, 2025


Amber Mark: The Unstoppable Rise of a powerhouse Performer
Article Contributed by Fernando Flores Keeping it Short n’ Spooky A few months ago, SoundCheck Mag had a special interview with Amber Mark, highlighting the release of her new album, Pretty Idea, which dropped on October 10, 2025. Today, we have the privilege to deep dive into her set while touring alongside Sabrina Carpenter, making the Short n’ Sweet Tour just a little bit sweeter. Amber kicks off the performance coming out in a stunning Black Cat-inspired bunny outfit whic

Fernando Flores
Nov 6, 2025
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