In The Spotlight

Billianne – “Daydream”

Born as Billianne Lowry in Milton, Ontario, this Canadian singer and songwriter started learning piano aged 7 and later added guitar, ukulele and trombone to her skill set. In high school she joined an acapella group and was lead singer in the school’s funk band. In 2021 she took the internet by storm, when her cover of Tina Turner’s “Simply The Best” on TikTok went viral. Since then she gained praise from Taylor Swift, P!nk and The Lumineers. She debuted with “No Wonder” in 2022.

Initially inspired by a trip to a thrift store to buy mugs for an apartment she didn’t have yet, her new single evolved to expressing a dream of an adventurous life, love and companionship. Effortlessly blending folk-pop with a touch of soul and a mellow 70s vibe, she sets the scene with a relaxed rhythm and a warm acoustic guitar. Coasting over the sun-filled melody, her beguiling vocal charm gently strokes your eardrums and give this alluring tune a stylish sophistication and pure elegance.

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In The Spotlight

Jewelia – “Queen Of Make Believe”

Originally from Bucharest, but now based in London, this Romanian singer and songwriter initially studied law in her home town, before ditching it in favour of a musical career. She moved to the UK and got a degree in Creative Music Technology, as well as a Masters in audio engineering. Her song “Aquarium” was featured in the Romanian TV series “13 Shades Of Romanian”. Inspired by Tori Amos, Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish, she debuted her retro-pop sound on “Dead Leaves” in 2016.

Highlighting the notion that it’s okay to pretend everything is alright as a tool to get to the point where it actually would be true, her new single proves that happiness is a mindset. Taken from her latest album “Little Wins”, the song effortlessly adds a touch of modernity to classic 80s/90s synth-pop. With an energetic bouncy beat, insatiable retro synths and an endless injection of sheer positivity, it’s her resplendent vocals that brings all elements together in a radiant, voracious groove.

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In The Spotlight

Canaan Cox – “Let It Run”

Hailing from North Carolina and born into a musical family, this singer and songwriter grew up listening to his dad blasting Conway Twitty, while his sisters balanced it with pop and R&B. He earned a BFE in musical Theatre at Catawba College in 2012 and worked on cruise ships. In 2016 he moved to Nashville and met radio and TV personality Bobby Bones, who put him on his show. Inspired by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Lynyrd Skynyrd, he released his debut “Lie” in 2017.

Describing an exhilarating infatuation in overdrive, his new single puts the pedal to the metal of love. Taken from his latest EP with the same title, he blends punchy pop, a touch of country and an adrenaline-fueled vibe into a sonic race of romance. With a driving percussion, spirited guitars and bright synths zooming down the highway of passion, it’s the invigorating joy in his vocals that infuse this high-octane love affair with a warm intensity and an infectious ecstasy.

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In The Spotlight

LAVELIN – “Addicted”

Based in Brisbane, this Australian singer and songwriter grew up playing classical piano and performing in the Australian Youth Choir. As a teenager she transitioned to keyboards and learned to play guitar. She started writing original songs at 18. Since she’s earned acclaim as JMC QLD’s Alumni Act Of The Year in 2022, performed in prestigious venues and launched her own record label, Ethereal Records. Inspired by Lana Del Rey and Kate Bush, she released her debut “Blind” in 2023.

Singing about feeling unhealthily addicted to the emotional highs and lows of a fluttering, enamoured heart, her new single packs her lyrical romance with an infectious blend of dance, 80s pop and disco. Taken from her upcoming debut EP “Forget About Us”, expected on May 24th, it’s the buoyant dance beat and fresh retro synths, all splashed with disco glitters, that create an insatiable melodic sparkle. And with her seductive vocals, this atmospheric groove is a flirtatious sonic stunner.

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In The Spotlight

Olympic Antigua – “So Long”

A successful musical experiment born out of the creative boredom of four musician friends from Valais and the Lake Geneva region, this Swiss quartet has created a refined sound, rooted in Stax and Motown Soul and splashed with a touch of blues. Consisting of Igor Métrailler, Kevin Ruffieux, Tim Dorsaz and Tiziano Zandonella and named after two colours of the Fender Statocaster guitar, they were dubbed the SRF-3 Best Talent in 2021. They released their debut “Mr. Preacher” in 2021.

Making a song sound both contemporary and retro is no easy task, but their new single is an inspired sonic amalgam that achieves just that. Singing about the fleeting nature of life and encouraging to live it to the full, it blends elements from rock, pop, classic soul and blues into an organic sounding whole. Taken from their upcoming EP “Heavy Heart”, expected on September 6th, it’s the lively beat, vintage organ, crisp guitars and their enticing vocals that make this a delicious brew.

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In The Spotlight

Nora Anna – “The Right Path”

This emerging Latvian singer and songwriter has been impressing audiences with, what she calls, her ‘little nostalgic story-telling hybrids’ for a few years now. She’s taken her blend of pop, jazz, blues and folk and played gigs around the UK, France and Latvia, as well as festivals like Always The Sun and Staycation. In 2020 she became a semi-finalist at the International Songwriting Contest. Inspired by Norah Jones, Joni Mitchell and Carole King, she debuted with “Over The Moon” in 2019.

Singing about giving yourself permission to get distracted by the beauty and love that life has to offer, her new single follows Joni Mitchell in having let nature inspire the melody. Capturing the natural allure in a soothing, folky soundscape, the song starts with a calming acoustic guitar. Painting a stunning sonic picture, she adds hypnotic keys and an organic rhythm, but it’s her introspective vocals, dipped in an enticing melancholy, that let this tune wander inside your thoughts.

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