The song was based around a rhythmic guitar part that Sarah wrote and brought into the studio. Sarah played it on a vintage acoustic guitar and then Erik distorted the part and added extra layers of acoustic and electric guitar and bass. Sarah wanted to add touches of metal guitar to add some teeth to the song and pay homage to the influence that her favorite band, Coheed and Cambria, has had on her music. Erik brought in AJ Minette to add metal guitar parts over the parts Sarah and Erik performed. AJ’s parts really stand out and help the track and its message hit harder. The various guitar parts were changed, rearranged, and fine tuned many times before the final mix, a process that helped shape the song into something fresh that really showcases different layers and types of highly technical guitar playing. Pushing the guitar work to a more technical place was important to both Erik and Sarah who have been playing in bands since they were teens.

In a modern musical landscape where many songs are simpler with less layered instruments, smaller melodies, and easy messaging, Sarah aims to address that with more technical guitar parts, challenging songwriting themes and messaging, and exciting sonic choices that ask listeners to open their minds to both new and tried and true ways of creating and listening to music.

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Sarah Hollins
Sarah Hollins is an independent singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA and her new single, ‘Good Girl,’ is out now through AWAL. The pop/rock song, produced by Erik Kertes (Michael Buble, Shakira, Melissa Etheridge, Jewel) is about the people pleasing that girls are taught to perform in order to obtain what they want/move forward through life (“If I do what they say/Can I get what I asked for.”) It also speaks on the slippery slope of astrology becoming its own type of dogma (“I’ll write your name/Stick it in the freezer/Toss some salt/Prove that I’m a true believer.”) Listen below.

Anna May
Anna May is a critically acclaimed songwriter and vocalist who strives to bring jazz elements into the format of folk. The deep exploration of heartbreak and trauma has been an ongoing quest throughout Anna’s work. Her lyrics have been heavily textured by a lonesome whimsicality that finds itself most at home in the vastness of the American West. She honors a hope to enhance connection, humility, healing, and joy among people in the process of parting with typical genre rules. Anna’s lyrical sensibility is steeped in wisdom, and layered with evocative musicality and metaphysical embroidery while eschewing the mainstream and parting with platitudes. Anna explores both estrangement and connection while taking cues from artists like Billie Holiday, Shawn Colvin, Neil Young, Mazzy Star, Lana del Rey, and Leonard Cohen. Her songs are tender, immersive, moodscapes and a deep dive into introspective, meditative soundscapery with an expansive, western folk flare, while exploring the fragile intersection of nature and humanity. Anna’s new single ‘The Show’ was Inspired directly by a Suzanne Vega concert that Anna attended in 2016 and was written during the performance, because the lyrics came to her and she simply could not wait a moment to write them. She says: “‘The Show’ is an examination of the marriage between the mundane and spectacular elements of humanity, that very much live side by side. The song in essence is, seeing what is before us, and diving deeper into the layers, revelations and subtext that exists beneath the surface, presented in something akin to a stream of consciousness poem. The song is intended to be sparse and with plenty of open space, but also to feel almost claustrophobic and lyricaly dense, to reveal the juxtapositions and contradictions that are ubiquitous in our world. I wanted ‘The Show’ to embrace the randomness and spontaneity of life, as well as the intention that fuels all that we do. I want this song to be casual & observational, but also about depth and metaphor.” Listen below.

i.am.afiya
Emerging south London indie sensation, i.am.afiya, first captivated listeners in 2020 with her self-produced debut EP Songs from Above, crafted during the lockdown period when she picked up and learned to play the guitar. Following this, her sophomore EP 20 Something Blues further showcased her unique sound, earning the label “indie-emo-soul”. This genre blend underscores her mission to carve out a space for more black,indie and alternative musicians in the music industry. Continuing her artistic journey, i.am.afiya releases her latest single, ‘And so It Goes,’ an energetic indie summer anthem. This track marks a dynamic shift from the meditative and serene vibes of her 2023 release, A Song For. ‘And so It Goes’ transports listeners back to the nostalgic era of late 2000s indie music, weaving a danceable narrative about the realisations that come after a breakup. The song’s verses, sung from the perspective of the perpetrator, juxtapose sharply with i.am.afiya’s defiant choruses, “It’s not me, it’s you, quit acting confused!” Inspired by Paramore’s recent album This is Why, i.am.afiya and her band aimed to create a track with a strong percussive backbone that compels listeners to tap their feet. The influence is clear in the song’s glistening guitars and infectious rhythm, paying homage to Paramore while maintaining i.am.afiya’s distinctive style. ‘And so It Goes’ is more than just a song; it’s a statement of resilience and self-realisation. This release not only highlights i.am.afiya’s evolving sound but also reinforces her commitment to diversifying the indie music scene. Listen below.

Emily Fields
Emily Fields is an independent artist based in London, self-described as an emotional pop girly ‘always in her feels.’ She wears her songs on her sleeve, sharing stories straight from her heart, hoping to reach a part of yours. ‘Love Bomb’, is an explosive pop anthem packed with pure sass, exploring the all-too-relatable experience of thinking you found “the one,” only to realise – a little too late – that you got love bombed. Beneath its irrevocable energy and sharp wit, Fields has opened an important conversation around the realities of modern dating – a culture of often normalised toxicity, infinite choice and disposable dates – when what we all ultimately seek is authentic, vulnerable and lasting connections. The Taylor Swift and Griff inspired production is palpable, with its retro feel, driving beats, toms and synths. Fields remarks, “I wanted the production elements to feel like you’re in a video game – it’s intense and exciting, and you’re kind of addicted to it, but when it gets hard you literally can’t stop playing – even if you tried.” The song was produced by Joffy James at his home studio in Bristol. With an almost decade-long friendship behind their music creations, Fields describes the studio as, “our safe space, where we let everything out with no judgement; laugh, cry, and always progress with what feels authentic, vulnerable and right.” Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Fields shares, “I wanted ‘Love Bomb’ to feel like a blast of confidence—something you can dance to, sing to, and just feel good about, even if you’re going through it right now. It’s the song you scream at the top of your lungs on a road trip with the girlies – windows down, wind blowing in your hair, pretending you’re the main character in a music video (because psa: you are).” Listen below.

Kellebosi
Kellebosi is a singer-songwriter and music producer, who began her musical journey creating pop melodies in her bedroom and exploring music production on her laptop. She has gone on to study Songwriting and Music Production at degree level and hopes to forge a career path in the music industry. She has already released 4 singles each showcasing her evolving style and emotional depth to her songwriting. Her music captures relatable experiences and heartfelt stories, resonating with listeners around the world. Her latest single ‘What Should I Say?’ Is an infectious pop track that captures the confusion of love on the brink, through the contrast of catchy hooks and upbeat rhythms. The song features a unique telephone effect creating a vintage, nostalgic feeling accompanying its lush, layered vocals. The track delves into the complexities of communication and the struggle to find the right words when it matters most. Listen below.

Niomí
Born in London to Pakistani/Irish parents, Niomí moved to Mourne in Northern Ireland aged 13, where she spent her teenage years. On moving to Ireland, Niomí learnt to play piano inspired by her idols at the time, Nina Simone and Alicia Keys. She began working as a pianist in local hotels after school and on weekends. After moving to London aged 18, she formed the experimental RnB duo Tidelines and released 2 EPs. She eventually decided to return to her solo career after taking a music production course and began to craft her own sound, sampling her voice and the piano to create new textures. In 2021, Niomí shared her debut EPs Susurrus and Pain Relief, two collections of songs reflecting on heartbreak, mental health, loss and finding a light at the end of the tunnel. 2024 started with an exciting licensing deal with Starbucks, setting the tone for a series of three singles to be released throughout the year with the sensual ‘Sweetest Thing’ out now. “This song embodies a summer crush. I wanted to encapsulate that high when you’re at the start of a relationship, it’s summer time and everything feels new and exciting. You don’t want the feeling to end”, she shares. Listen below.

Creature Party
Creature Party are a DIY post punk new wave band with a surfy garage flare from Portland, Oregon specializing in good times. With a healthy dose of kitsch, a sprinkle of catchy melodies, a dash of punk, and a heaping spoonful of synthy rock, Creature Party fulfills the promise of their name by cooking up a musical party! This week, they released a brand new single ‘Tell Me’. The first single from the soon to be released EP The Meaning of Being, ‘Tell Me’ represents Creature Party’s high energy sound. ‘Tell Me’ explores the idea that no matter how much you try or fight for something or someone, no matter the effort you put into a particular outcome, at the end of it all, you’re often ultimately just waiting for someone else to make a decision about your fate. Listen below.

Check out more of our recent submissions via the playlist below!

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