Society expected nothing of him, but he proved that where you came from does not decide where you will end up in the future. Lil Sporty D is a musician and CEO of an uprising record label and is making waves as the hottest new player in the music industry.
Lil Sporty D, born Damien Harris, is no stranger to the unfairness of the world. Growing up in a rough neighborhood on the outskirts of New Orleans meant that he was not afforded the same opportunities as his peers from suburban communities. Living in a family of 14 children supported by a single mother meant no assurance of the next meal. Having a mother struggling to put food on her children’s plates meant that the state would eventually find them and place the children in foster care.
June 2020 saw the release of his first track in collaboration with major artists: Certified features Magnolia Chop and Jay Jones, artists signed with Young Money Entertainment and Universal Records. The second track was released two months later. Like Whoa features Lil Noodle, a Sony Music Entertainment talent. The newest upcoming single is slated to be released in November 2020. Titled Juvenile, the track features other well-known musicians Kidd Kidd, Young Juve, and Abd Keith.
The success that Lil Sporty D enjoys is only by his own merit. Multiple record labels refused him the opportunity to prove his worth and skill in music. This reason is part of the motivation to create his brand: Mentality Music Entertainment.
Through Mentality Music Entertainment, the musician gives emerging new artists the opportunity he had no privilege of. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, the record label guides emerging new artists through recording, engineering, producing, distributing, and publishing their tracks. Also, the label gives the knowledge they need to build their brands, and in the process, creates the next generation of producers, engineers, and musicians.
Aside from his impressive music career, Lil Sporty D has admirable advocacy as well. Eventually, he plans to create new businesses and programs that will teach children essential adulting skills, including financial management and business investment, which he feels lacks in the current education system.
Lil Sporty D’s career in music had been a long time in the making. It was at 12 years old that he first set his foot in music-making, inspired by New Orleans rap superstar Super P. Sitting in a room with his brothers and friends, recording music onto a cassette, it was as if something clicked into place. He felt the melodies resonate in his heart and soul and knew in an instant that it is something that he would love doing for the rest of his life.
With his virtue, advocacy, and unique music-sense, it is no surprise how big an impact he is making in the entertainment industry and in the lives of the people he meets. Learn more about Lil Sporty D and watch out for the announcement of the release of his newest track, Juvenile, on Instagram.
LA-based musician Chris Wallace came upon the scene back in 2008 when his band, The White Tie Affair, released their album with Epic Records. After being featured on the popular MTV show, The Hills, their star began to quickly rise. A tour with Lady Gaga, summer on the Vans Warped Tour, multiple headlining shows, and a top 20 radio single
“Candle (Sick and Tired)” all helped clench the band’s official race to stardom.
“The first few years of The White Tie Affair was a whirlwind. I was probably on the road 300 days of the year. Waking up in LA for promo and then catching a red eye to Atlanta for another tour stop. It was contained chaos but also a lot of fun.”
By 2010, The White Tie Affair began writing a second album but management changes within Epic sidelined the band until they were released from their contract.
“That was the first time I really got a good look into the inner workings of labels and contracts. To everyone, my band was super successful, but in reality after everyone took their share, I was left with virtually pennies, and had to move back in with my parents. Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful for everyone who worked that campaign. The band accomplished a lot of things that no one thought we would do.”
Chris spent the next year getting acclimated to life outside of the industry when a chance encounter introduced him to a new manager who had passion and a work ethic that paralleled Chris’.
“I ended up moving in with my buddy in San Diego and met a manager who only had one artist on his roster. I showed him some of the songs I was working on, and he loved them. He stoked the fire and insisted I put out a solo album.”
Chris ended up signing a record deal with a start-up indie label and once again, had a big radio hit with his single “Remember When (Push Rewind)”.
Chris Wallace “Remember When (Push Rewind)” Official Video
“I thought that if I went with a smaller label, I could finally have more control over what happens with my career. It was all smooth sailing for about two years, but then it all came crashing down again.”
Issues within the label put Chris’ project on a complete standstill. Frustrated, he parted ways with his manager, and after a long battle, eventually was released from his label contract.
“During my fight with the label, I was literally in musician jail. I couldn’t release any music. My career was on a complete standstill and my bank account was literally at $10. You don’t even want to know how much of my gear I ended up selling on Craigslist just to pay rent.”
“Two really good things came from those experiences though. I spent a year doing nothing but learning Logic and how to produce my own music; which led to me signing a writing/publishing deal with Pulse Music Group in 2016. The other thing was that I now know a lot about the archaic inner workings of the music industry.”
Over the past four years, Chris has made quite the name for himself in the writer/producer world teaming up with Matt Radosevich as the “Young Skeptics” and working on songs for artists like Meghan Trainor, Flo Rida, Sheppard, The Vamps, latin artists including Sebastian Yatra and Reik, and TV shows including XFactor UK and America’s Got Talent.
“Writing for others has been a great job… but it definitely feels like a 9-5 job that never ends. And I don’t find much joy in the endless grind of the pitch and writing game. I had a pretty life-changing 2019. I spent four months working out of the country, my wife got pregnant with our first child, and my father unexpectedly passed away. Then here comes 2020, my daughter is born and a pandemic hits. Like come on, I can’t catch a break.”
So this year, even before the pandemic hit, Chris made the decision to step away from writing music for others and focus one last time on his solo career. He says the change has made a big improvement on his mental and emotional health.
“My wife knows how much I have been missing performing. After my dad died, I wrote a song that I played at his funeral. She has been encouraging me to put it out ever since. So it’s almost like she re-lit the passion to sing my own music and for the first time, in what seems like forever, I’m genuinely happy.”
Chris’ new shot at the music industry, his third time, may truly be “a charm.” – And he’s doing it on his own terms. No management, no label, but a 100% family affair.
“I’ve released six songs since the end of May. I write and produce the songs 100% myself in my basement studio. My wife helps come up with the album artwork, merchandise, and edits any video components, including the one which sparked my recent TikTok success.”
At the end of August, Chris released “Daydreaming” and uploaded a quick edited, 50 second “MTV style” video on TikTok about him and his career thus far. A re-introduction, you could say. It’s become an immediate hit helping Chris find old fans and gain new ones.
“It’s going viral. I mean, in one week that video’s been viewed over 1.3 million times and my song’s been streamed on Spotify over 60 thousand times. It’s unreal. To put it in perspective, all my other releases got about two thousand streams in one week. TikTok is one of the only places where you can have this organic reach into the unknown. This all feels a lot like the early Myspace days — which, ironically, is where The White Tie Affair was discovered.”
Chris Wallace – Daydreaming (Official Audio)
Chris admits that eventually #teamwallace won’t be able to keep up with everything if his songs keep growing at this pace.
“I feel like the industry is at a point now where you don’t need a label or huge team behind you to make an impact. Eventually, I’ll probably end up signing another deal, but only if one comes along that caters to me. No more giving others complete control of how my life turns out. Until then, it’s just me, my wife, and our little girl.”
Listen to “Daydreaming” by Chris Wallace on Spotify
Music Industry Weekly will continue to follow Chris Wallace and his continued success as a producer, songwriter, artist, and devoted family man.
Every artist wants to make an impact and leave a lasting mark on his audience, a legacy that is worth remembering even after he is gone. One such legacy would be an artist’s journey to the Billboard charts, and 17-year-old rapper, songwriter, and producer, Jiwanta, is starting his personal journey young as a music artist who will soon change the world.
Born Jiwanta Panday, the young rapper believes he has been destined for stardom as he migrated to Irving, Texas, from his home city in Kathmandu, Nepal, at the age of three. Eventually, he moved to Euless, Texas, where he started working on building his music career from scratch. Jiwanta was made famous by his singles titled Crash Out and Racks.
“I want to leave a legacy. We all have an expiration date and the sad truth is after our grandkids we probably will never be brought up or mentioned again and I want my name to be remembered as well as credibility having a strong, well-known brand enhance your credibility with customers, your industry, and the marketplace as a whole. As you build your credibility, you also build recognition, loyalty, and competitiveness,” Jiwanta explains. “But I have always wanted to build my own brand because I have seen a lot of the people that I look up too and how they built their own brands from scratch and got motivated so I decided to give it a try myself,” he adds.
The astounding success of Crash Out led to an unexpected recognition for Jiwanta as music fans took notice of his lyrical skills and unique brand of music. Adam22 from the podcast No Jumper commended his single and instantly saw his potential after listening to the song. The rising rapper has managed to generate a combined 5 million views on SoundCloud for his songs – a remarkable achievement for someone who started out independently. He has also been mentioned a couple of times by Tommy Craze on his YouTube channel that has over 2 million subscribers.
Jiwanta’s rise to stardom is inevitable as he continues to work hard to produce outstanding songs for his fans. He recently signed his first distribution deal with Trap Money Records, which will mean a very busy and productive year-end for the rapper. As of late, his creativity has been overflowing, and while there is much work that still needs to be done, Jiwanta is nothing but excited for this new season in his career.
His rapping skills and rare talent have also attracted big names in the music industry, including NLE Choppa, Comethazine, YBN Nahmir, Lil Mosey, and Lil Xan, to mention a few. Not only has he gained the admiration of other artists, but he has also caught the attention of other record labels wanting to sign him up for projects.
Jiwanta’s inevitable success is well-deserved as he has been dedicating a lot of his time to create his music that many young people can relate with. At this point, he is all about building his legacy and making it to the Billboard charts very soon.
Check out Jiwanta’s songs on Spotify. Subscribe to his YouTube channel for updates on his latest projects.
Renee Flowers has accomplished so much. Yet with all she has done and achieved, she still has so much to give to the world. In recent days, she has announced an upcoming album entitled SVD THYSLF that is coming very soon. Most fans of Alexandria McHenry, aka Renee Flowers, will know her from her early work in modeling and acting. Today, she is expanding her horizons and creating a brand for herself in the music space. Following the success of two singles, “Plant” and “Snake Master,” she’s ready to blow up streaming platforms and music spheres with more hard-hitting tracks. Her songs have collected more than 120,000 streams to date on YouTube and Spotify and they continue to garner praise and admiration worldwide. As an artist, Renee isn’t one who is ready to conform with the “normal.” “For me, I was just doing what my energy and soul wanted to,” shares the musical artist. “I would get pressured by my friends and family members to be, and act a certain way I could never conform to. I found my love with emotion in not just myself but, others as well.”Renee Flowers has endured much in life. At a young age, she tragically lost both parents. While she battled grief and loss, her extended family and ward would push Renee to pursue her dreams. The unending support led her to move to California at the age of eighteen to start a career in entertainment and acting.Her big break came when she starred in an Oscar Mayer Commercial. She later got casted for an award-winning independent film Resurrecting Evil. In 2012, she appeared in Playboy Magazine through 2014. She also starred in other feature films, played roles on music videos, and appeared in commercials. She has played roles on television and streaming site films that have aired on various channels and Netflix.Today, Renee Flowers looks forward to growing her craft and growing a portfolio in the music industry. She started back in 2019 and has had considerable success since then. Both her original tracks have highly successful music videos that continue to make rounds online. In all she does, Renee seeks only to create for people. She finds joy and fulfillment in writing and performing for others. “I spend all my time creating for people and to feel energy from me in a most positive form,” shares Renee. “I believe my open heart through my pain and struggle is what pushes me to continue.” The artist continues to live life carrying her mantra of love, good vibes, and positivity. For Renee, all her work stems from her innate compassion for others. In the coming years, she also hopes to launch work around the charity realm. She is also an active member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. With so much more to offer to the world, Renee has a future filled with possibilities and a head filled with creativity waiting to turn into more songs, films, and other artistic expressions. To learn more about Renee Flowers and follow her music, check out her website, Spotify, and Instagram account.
Groov Marro has currently served in the US Army National Guard for six years now. Not only is he a hero to his country, but he is also a rising hip-hop star that’s breaking new ground in the hip-hop industry. He recently released his latest single entitled“Stop Me” on July 27, 2020, which had an official music video that blew up, reaching 2 million views across several major streaming platforms.
He managed to gain those views in a short span of two weeks, garnering him millions of followers and fans that are eagerly awaiting his next release. Groov Marro’s dedication and commitment to his passion for music have allowed him to become efficient in juggling his duties as a man of the military and his music career.
Groov Marro has worked with countless companies such as S.B. Entertainment, Spill Music Group LLC, Uptown Open Mic, Vibe Star Entertainment, DJ Dior Cartel’s Industry Exposure 2, and Original Block Hustlers. In recent memory, his most notable performance was when he performed alongside the Wu-Tang Clan affiliate, Judah Priest.
He draws his influences from hip-hop legends such as Anderson Paak, Joey Badass, Eminem, Dizzy Wright, Jay Z, Ludacris, Mac Miller, and Hopsin, just to name a few. Groov Marro plucks most of his songs’ lyricism from the many aspects of his personal life and his military career. He ultimately hopes to inspire his fans to see the good even in the worst situations.
Groov Marro hopes to motivate his audience with his positive viewpoint in life. His music speaks the truth about seeing the good things despite the odds, and how a life-altering decision could shift things for the better. One of his earliest influences was his older brother, who is also a gifted rapper.
Despite knowing that a music career would be an uphill battle, Groov Marro continued to pursue his passion thanks to his older brother, KAF. To this day, Groov still considers him to be one of the best freestyle rappers that he has encountered in his entire life. Listening to KAF has greatly inspired Groov to change the world through his words.
Groov Marro is unlike any other rapper in the current music landscape. He packs a distinct sound and a powerful sense of lyricism in his music. He exudes positivity through his music as he remains to be his genuine self. There is a certain intimacy in knowing that he takes his real-life experiences and crafts them into music. It’s where his sheer artistry truly comes through in his unabashed authenticity.
In the near future, Groov Marro envisions himself doing collaborations with some of the modern music industry’s biggest names. He sees himself going on tour and establishing an even bigger audience. Groov wants to be taken seriously in the music industry. He wants to become a profitable artist who generates income left and right from various musical projects and other ventures.
With his amazing musical talent, his genuine personality, and his songs that are fire, it’s only a matter of time before Groov Marro becomes a household name in the hip-hop music industry. That day will definitely come, and people from all over the world will rejoice at the sound of his music.
Follow Groov Marro on Instagram and Facebook to get more updates on his latest music and other ventures. For more information, make sure to check out his official website.
Music is an art that deserves the best display of showmanship at all times, and Aza Torshkoeva practices the art on this principle. She is a music educator, a concert pianist, and a virtuoso of classical music. Her dexterity when she sits at a piano is unmatched, and she puts up a fiery performance every time. She is an expert in rhythm and sound, and for her, every time music comes on, it should be an experience that no one should ever forget.While her talent always projects itself in every one of her performances, Aza Torshkoeva is not only defining herself as a pianist. She is an astute music educator who is passionate about grooming budding talents to a point where they can be called extraordinary performers. As a matter of fact, she takes more pride in teaching music than performing, even though she excels at both. Her individual approach to teaching keeps her students engaged and sharpens their minds to consume all the knowledge that she has to share.Ava Torshkoeva believes strongly in perspective being an important quality a musician must possess, especially for someone learning the ropes. In her words, “Characteristics like positivity, energetic, responsiveness, success, passion, equality, creativity, tenacity, independence, vision, and education all come together to form a perspective, which is all anybody needs to learn successfully and be able to create magic.”Many students and people who have seen Aza play have often compared her to a music witch because of the way her fingers deftly move across her piano keys and how she transitions from Bach to Metallica and other musical styles.Aza Torshkoeva advertises her knowledge to classical musicians, singers, music producers, session musicians, music critics, instrumentalists, concert managers, music agents, artist managers, piano lovers, and budding talents who are interested in learning the piano. She is confident she fits perfectly in the music world, and everyone can benefit from her expertise.Aza Torshkoeva is one that is ready to go anytime. She is a performance machine who sees every stage beyond what other people see it as. “For me, the stage is like a galaxy with so much to discover as long as the stars keep shining. This is why I treat every show like it’s my last and leave my audience blessed, impressed, and supercharged,” she says.Her love for peace, music, and nature motivated her to build her brand as a musician. And with how well she has done over the years, she hopes to gain more ground in the music industry. Her five-year goal is to perform at open music festivals and competitions, create new music that will top global charts, and also help new talents achieve their dreams by educating and teaching them new techniques.Aza wants the whole world to know about her visionary plans for her craft. She is also open to collaborations and partnerships for new music projects, concert opportunities, and recording sessions. Learn more about the brand on herwebsite.
Botimi Freed is one of the most dedicated artists anyone can find in the music industry today. He was born as Botimi Emmanuel Egei in 1990 in Houston, Texas. Freed is currently residing in Mo County, Maryland, where he and his family moved to when he was 12. Since then, he continues to grow in his music in Mo County.
Freed discovered his passion for hip hop when he was in his late teenage years. He was 17 when his classmates raved about his music at school. They adored him and asked him to perform for them many times. Every time he showed off his skills in rap, Freed never failed to amaze his peers. They urged him to continue after delivering one song. Their admiration motivated Freed to develop his art even more.
In 2016, Freed took his passion to the next level. He professionally recorded his first song. Freed did everything he could so that his music would reach the audience it deserves. Aside from that, the talented artist also made several other music pieces. He maximized his various talents in music to garner attention. Freed knew that leveraging his skills across many platforms would propel his career.
Freed’s devotion to his creator compels him to give his best in all he does. That is why he strives to produce the best music that he can. In everything he does, Freed never executes in mediocracy. He stands out simply because he is genuine about his music. His listeners feel his sincerity through his songs.
His tracks are testaments to how Freed took himself out of poverty and how far he has come. Freed’s music is a celebration of his achievements, big or small. As someone who grew up struggling in many areas, he never let his difficult circumstances define who he was going to be. Today, Freed spends his life with gratefulness. He is fired up with amazing opportunities before him to leave a mark in the industry.
Freed is distinct from other artists because of his chameleon-like mentality. He can effortlessly make every song unique while still staying true to himself. Other rappers may sound alike in all their songs, but Freed is versatile and this special quality of his will spark the interest of music lovers everywhere.
The upcoming music icon is heavily motivated by the legends in the rap industry. Among those who motivate Freed to do better are Tupac, Outkast, Kanye West, and Mos Def. He aspires to build a name as big as his idols in the future. Without a doubt, with the amount of talent he has, Freed will dominate music charts all over the world.
“You can take your talents as far as you want them,” Freed said. He is taking his talent to a global audience. Soon, he will capture hearts and go on music tours locally and internationally. Indeed, the world is the stage that this amazing musician deserves.
Learn more about Botimi Freed and his music through his Youtube channel.
The entertainment industry is home to some of the most creative minds in the world. Within the field of talented geniuses is the iconic duo Andrew Akler and Christian Ladigoski. While they have reached significant milestones as individuals, their collaboration is regarded by many as the dream team in the business.
Known for their works in TV, film, and music, Andrew Akler and Christian Ladigoski are two of the most sought after composers in New York City. They have created musical scores for Lifetime Feature films, along with a multitude of award-winning shorts. The duo has also been invited to speak at prestigious film festivals such as Dragon Con International Film Festival. With a shared experience of over 20 years in music composition and 15 years in filmmaking, they are, without a doubt, a force to reckon with.
Andrew and Christian have made creative contributions across the country in their collaborations. They maximize the strength of two talented minds to bring about never-before-seen projects. “We have collaborated together for over eight years on film and music projects and have recently become an in-demand team for filmmakers and musicians who want unique and original music for their projects,” said Christian.
Matching Andrew’s and Christian’s creativity is the efficiency to tackle multiple projects at once without compromising quality in every aspect. Together, they seamlessly produce creations that have satisfied clients, viewers, and listeners over the years. “We always joke about being the #dreamteam but have been surprised to learn that out collaborators really do feel that way as well,” said Christian.
Their incredible work ethic is a product of their authentic passion for music, filmmaking, and storytelling. Beyond the technical aspects of creating masterpieces, Andrew and Christian aim to give their audiences a complete and immersive “human experience and what it means to be alive and seek adventure.”
Outside the #dreamteam, the pair is making waves in their own right. Based in New York City, Andrew is an award-winning film director, screenwriter, and composer. He is proud to have had his music featured in the many short films and web series, such as the award-winning short “Wrath of the Blood Angel” as well as having provided the score for a recent Lifetime Network feature film “A Daughter’s Plan to Kill.” As a director, he has moved thousands of viewers through his powerful storytelling that genuinely brings them on a journey with the characters. Of his many short films, the standout is sure to be “Batman: Patient Zero,” a Batman fan film that takes a new spin on the Batman mythos. His films have been nominated in festivals across the country and has won several awards for his craft—Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best in Show, to name a few.
On the other hand, Christian is known for being an executive producer and a multimedia entrepreneur who owns several ventures in digital marketing, production, and filmmaking. Besides having composed for high-end indie production companies, Christian is an experienced sound mixer and designer and is proud of his collaborations on films such as Off the Rails, Awakening, Courtside, and more. His work has been featured in film festivals around the country, and he was previously a YouTube Partner in the early stages of the platform.
The duo’s love and dedication for music, film, TV, and every other aspect of the industry have led them to fruitful years of bringing fresh and pure entertainment to audiences globally. Furthermore, Andrew Akler and Christian Ladigoski are looking forward to expanding their circle and working with incredible individuals. Together, they will surely amplify more compelling stories and produce art that would captivate the world.
Matt Corman broke into the music scene in 2014 when he released his debut mixtape “Bars Over Bass” straight out of his college dorm room. Each year Matt has been upping the ante, starting with the release of his second mixtape entitled Speak First in 2015. During this time, he performed at live events and concerts. Matt has also been credited as a supporting act for Post Malone, Fetty Wap, Sammy Adams, and Cam Meekins.
Riding the wave of his success, Matt Corman teamed up with Nicco Catalano, also known as Neek, in 2016. Neek helped Matt craft his sound, and the rest is history. In the winter, Matt opened for Sammy Adams in front of a sold-out crowd at the House of Blues in Boston, Massachusetts. He also joined yet another sold-out performance with Fetty Wap in the Fall of 2017, putting hip on the map and establishing his artistry.
He has celebrated a lot of success throughout his illustrious career, and he isn’t stopping anytime soon. Despite his success, he never forgets to look back at his roots. Matt Corman became the first alumni to ever perform at the Major Homecoming Concert for Southern New Hampshire University in front of a crowd of 3,000 people. In February of 2018, he was selected among a few artists to headline and sell out the legendary Middle East in Boston, Massachusetts.
The man is non-stop; with each success that he earns, he continues to put in more work and release more stuff. He released his project “Whiteboards & Windows” on November 23, 2018. Shortly after, Matt Corman also founded his own record label, dubbed MIH Universal. MIH stands for Make It Happen, which are words that Matt lives by; these words are also tattooed on his right arm.
Once he got the label up and running, he went on tour with Aaron Carter.
Matt Corman has a massive fanbase and a dedicated audience. His brand and his music have gained cult status thanks to his infectious personality and his ever-growing catalog of music. He has amassed over 20 million streams, and that number only grows bigger by the day.
He recently began releasing a song every Friday, starting on August 28, 2020. From then on, he plans to continue releasing new music every Friday for the rest of 2020. His songs have been used by the popular Youtubers NELK and FaZe Rug. Most notably, his song “Need Your Lane” has amassed a lot of views on social media, all thanks to NELK and their loyal audience.
Matt Corman is fully self-made; he has established his music and his brand as an independent artist throughout his entire career. He has made the decision to stay as an independent artist this year, despite having multiple conversations with massive music labels in November of 2019.
As an independent artist, he drives his business forward on his own terms. He has complete ownership of his masters, distribution, publishing, and brand direction.
In the near future, Matt plans to be the head of his own record label. He aspires to have a couple of songs on Billboard’s Top 10, as well as a No. 1 song. He wants to pursue mentoring other artists and creatives to help drive their brand in their direction and vision. Matt Corman also wants to give back to underdeveloped communities and help give them the resources they need to be sustainable.
Matt Corman and his music have allowed him to gain opportunities that others do not have. He wishes to use it for the betterment of the entire music industry and to his community at large. With his hard work and sheer musical talent, Matt has achieved so much, yet he wishes to do more, and it’s exciting to see what he comes up with next.
An intoxicating redhead, dizzying summer lust, reckless attraction and hot, ill-fated love take center stage on Becoming Young’s masterful post-summer pop album, Feeling Single, out September 24. Brandon Calano, who lived these juicy narratives, invites us into a private collection of sultry snapshots. The seductive eight-song album shows there’s nothing as exhilarating as becoming young and feeling single.
“I began writing Feeling Single after ending a long-term relationship; I was in my feels, feeling single. I quickly realized I had no game, but I could write songs—that would be my game,” the Nashville-artist says with a playful smirk. “Most of the tracks are about different people, although a few are about one in particular.”
Becoming Young is a mindset ideal—it represents the notion of love as liberation, the breaking down of emotional walls, shackling self-doubt, and overthinking. Musically, this work lives somewhere between mint-fresh, Lauv-esque pop and the intoxicating hooks of Glass Animals. It’s pop but with a sexy urban flair. Brandon’s lyrics are steamy still lifes of modern romance and impulsive seduction.
Feeling Single was initially slated to be an EP, but Brandon’s muse came alive during pandemic ennui, and he cut a staggering 15 songs in 5 months. Nashville-based producer Austin Shawn (Sony/BMG) produced most of the songs on the record, and the two had to maintain something of a secret liaison. “While we were on lockdown, I would put faux groceries in my car in case I got stopped on the way to his home studio,” Brandon recalls with a good-natured laugh.
The album offers a peek into the best possible post-breakup scenario. You have options, the consequences aren’t so bad, and the soundtrack is bumping. Feeling Single is a series of episodes of new connections, and each track explores combustible interactions well before phones explode with text messages and people are blocked. It’s mostly the good times here, and the resulting music is frisky, dance-y, and euphoric.
Feeling Single holds together as a collection of standout songs and a cohesive record, a rare artistic feat. Six of the songs are well-received singles. From the seductive slow-burn, “High,” the album flows with a sense of no-strings-attached excitement, bouncing from banger to banger before winding down with the penultimate, reflective ballad, “Not Our Time.” A stirring song.
To date, Becoming Young has earned over 1.5 million collective spins on Spotify and recently partnered with boutique distributor, Cmd Shft. Bandon Calano has previously won Nashville’s esteemed True Music Room Top Writer Series, and he has played sold-out shows in Atlanta, Denver, Boulder, Portland, and Seattle as Becoming Young.
