Nashville-based artist Leah Marie Mason has released a catchy new single “YOUR BOYFRIEND SUCKS”. Not only does the song - released on Galentine’s Day - serve as a girl pop anthem for female empowerment, it also marks a stark change in Mason’s signature country sound. Now switching gears and moving towards pop, Mason sat down with Fever Dream Zine to talk about this new era, her upcoming album she recorded in Sweden, and how the niche relatability in her music is ultimately, as she says, for the girls.

Retro Cowgirl, the San Antonio-based rock and roll group, is only getting started. Having just released their newest single, “Roots”, the band spoke with Melodic Mag about what’s next for the band and what inspires their sound.

Dublin-born rock sensation SPIDER has been making waves in the alternative world as of late. Listed as one of Kerrang Magazine’s Top 24 Alternative Artists to keep your eye on in 2024, she began the year with the release of “Daisy Chains”, her cathartic and aggressive new single. With her punk-infused rock sound, the former Catholic schoolgirl is injecting a fresh dose of rebellion into the rock world.

While sitting in an airport in LA, JESSIA tells me that she’s on her way to Asia, where she’ll spend the beginning of the new year with her mother taking a relaxing songwriting getaway. After the busy year the Canadian pop star has had, it’s time to take a break.

Last week, Disney on Ice brought their Magic in the Stars production to United Center, where beloved Disney characters, both new and classic, delivered a two-hour production filled with unexpected stage tricks and well-executed skating, combined with a heartfelt message—that you’re never too old to feel the nostalgia you felt as a child. Sometimes, it even gets more fun with age.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and no artist has a fury quite like Brooklyn-based popstar rlyblonde. After releasing her debut EP “Fantasy” back in June, the NYC muse has now gone down a more raw and grunge-inspired route with the release of her recent singles. Both serving as A and B sides to one another, “Your Angel” and “Girl in your Story”, respectfully, demonstrate the unique ways in which rlyblonde takes on aesthetics and is so unnervingly hands on with her artistry.

On November 17, 22-year-old alt-pop artist Caroline Romano released her explosive single “Girl in a China Shop”. Inspired by the complex emotions and relationships that one inevitably stumbles through during their twenties, Romano has written a rebellious pop-punk inspired track that is as explosive as it is healing.

The 22-year-old alt-pop artist has released a new single that perfectly encapsulates the hurt and sorrow that follows a breakup. Released on December 8, “Tell Her I Said Hi” showcases the alternative direction that Caroline Romano has continued to follow as her edgy pop tracks emulate the angrier and darker emotions that fuel her energetic and passionate songwriting.Originally emerging as a pop musician in 2017, the Nashville-based singer songwriter didn’t start leaning into a more alternative s...

When she created “For the Punks” in August of 2019, Karalyn Hope wanted to make a publication for music fans and artists that fit her own editorial vision. Named after the Casualties song, “For the Punks” is an online magazine that publishes music reviews, artist interviews, and photo galleries. The publication also serves as a resource for fans and artists to connect with one another, look for careers, and hire individuals in the music industry.

If there are two things to know about Asha Jefferies, it’s that she has an undying love for Taylor Swift and an insatiable curiosity for Chicago deep-dish pizza. The Brisbane-based artist also dropped her recent single, “Cruise Control”, on September 22. (Make that three things.)

As she puts a dark and edgy twist on the traditional pop star image, Nashville-based musician SOPHIE SHREDZ is unique for her industrial hyper-pop sound. Combining classic rock guitar shredding with modern-day techno elements, SHREDZ is just what the pop world needs – a songwriter who is hard-hitting, unique, and eager to embrace the provocative.

Standing tall in a bright forest green room in front of a microphone hanging from the ceiling, UNA MIA wears a sequined denim outfit and black chunky boots as she delivers the smooth, sultry melodies of her debut single. With the help of COLORSxSTUDIOS, the Toronto-based pop artist has brought “Lose You”, her soothing and emotional introductory release, to a new level.

When asked if there was anything about the band that people might not know, singer Jenna Kyle and bassist Josh Longman laughed as they were unable to come up with an answer. It seemed that this lack of answer was the answer; there are no hidden surprises when it comes to Bleach Lab.

In her newest release, LA-based pop musician Whitney Lyman urges listeners to let loose in a light-hearted and playful pop anthem. “There Is No Rule”, the first single to be released ahead of her upcoming 2024 album “Love Spell”, is purposely a “goofy and silly” track according to Lyman, as it’s inspired by the vibe and sunshine of Palm Springs.

Before arriving at sound check for the final show of their tour, Max and Anastasia Haunt of Florida-based alt-rock group The Haunt say that their future plans as a band include total world domination. They aren’t joking.

Through spicy tales of gossip, beautifully passionate visuals of traditional music and dance of the Yucatán Peninsula, and witty dark humor, Conchi León’s renowned play La Tía Mariela reminds audiences of the joys and heartbreaks of family dynamics as well as the power of oral tradition.

With Halloween just around the corner, what could possibly be spookier than bringing together two equally scary entities: witches and mathematics. However, in Teatro Tariakuri’s newest production, El Baile de los Números, the play’s theme is to destigmatize this fear around math and show the joy that numbers can bring.

Read the Spring 2023 "Roots" issue of Columbia College Chicago's student-lead Echo Magazine.

Unsurprisingly, most music scenes are male-dominated and testosterone-driven to the point that women stand in the back of concerts to avoid getting thrown into a violent mosh pit or leaving the venue with a bruise or two. The punk genre has its roots in anti-sexism and ideas of reaching gender equality, yet it has a history of mistreatment and discrimination against women and queer people involved in its scenes.

Jessica Mar is a musician, mindfulness practitioner, livestream music host, and NODA (Niece of Deaf Adult).
She draws musical inspiration from a wide variety of artists, including The Black Keys, Janis Joplin, and Etta James. Mar combines her passions for music, mindfulness, and inclusivity in her work and regularly collaborates with anti-human trafficking organizations via benefit concerts and live events.

Xondra refers to her collections of songs as “universes” as they emulate different moments in time from her life. In her debut LP that came out on August 3, the Long Island-based singer songwriter has created a heartbreaking yet cathartic universe that represents a journey of grief, healing, and coming back home to find yourself again.

Currently on tour for their fifteenth studio album, “Future Past,” iconic new wave group Duran Duran played a sensational and ethereal show at Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion on Friday night.

Hailing from Milan, Italy, Exilia has released their seventh studio album, “Heroes and Dust”, which is as thrilling as it is impactful. Playing with melodic riffs and harmonious speed, the group shows their extensive musical capabilities as well as their incredible range as artists and as humans.

A couple of weeks ago, I asked myself what I would draw on a blank piece of paper if I were asked to draw what I feared the most. If I were to draw my biggest fear, what would it look like? I’m not sure why I was conjuring up this hypothetical scenario in my head but my mind was simply cruising down a path with no stop signs for miles.

Featuring four tracks that emulate poetic healing and charming optimism, “NOMAD” is a record that flawlessly displays Bales as his most honest self as he reveals his processes of understanding concepts such as unhealthy friendships and mental health. With over 200 million streams across all streaming platforms, Braden Bales is an up and coming artist to look out for as his unapologetic yet humble honesty resonates with music lovers everywhere.

Singing with graceful radiance and a peaceful cathartic energy, pop artist Rosie Darling has recently come out with a new single, “Justify”. As she sings over delicate acoustic guitars about how we may condone the poor behaviors of a significant other, Rosie emulates a dreamy sense of healing, like you’re walking through the forest at dawn and watching the sun shine through the evergreen trees.

Nowadays, when Nita Strauss isn’t busy shredding on stage with Alice Cooper or Demi Lovato, the recently engaged guitar legend is spending her time looking at wedding dresses. It’s not a life she can be mad about, she says. But this isn’t the only thing occupying her mind. Strauss recently released her second album, “The Call of the Void”, on July 7. An album that is as inspiring as it is thrashing, Strauss plays with unprecedented force on every track.

In the past few years, cinema has seen a spark in musical biopics. With films such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018), “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (2022) and “Rocketman” (2019) all coming out in the past six years, movies telling the stories of famous musicians and their timeless art have been topical in the last decade.While music biopics can be wonderful and impactful films, not all movies with music as a central theme have to focus on a band or artist.

Montreal-based pop musician MINOE has recently released a dark and sultry new single, “Cherry”. Fusing darkwave alternative vibes into her signature pop resonance, MINOE is an edgy and loving new star to give your attention to. Gracing Spotify’s new release playlists and even getting noticed by Timbaland on social media, MINOE is soon to take the pop world by storm with her ethereal vocals, unique sound, and empowering songwriting.

After years of creating magic and fueling artistic visions behind the scenes, Brooklyn-based indie artist RLYBLONDE has released their debut EP “Fantasy”. A project several years in the making, “Fantasy” is an alternative and cheeky debut that inspires listeners to learn from their teenage angst, feminine rage, and inevitable heartbreaks.

“If you thought this was just a tattoo studio, then you’ve missed [the point],” Faith Phillips says. Phillips, 40, has incredibly piercing eyes. I don’t shy away from her gaze, because her eyes strike not with anger, but with a love that comes from years and years of continuously giving it. Her eyes also have a hardness to them, built up from decades of pain and torment. When I talk with her at her tattoo studio, we both wear black leather jackets and combat boots.

According to their biography on Spotify, The 1-800’s are a quartet of “semi-amphibious newts” from the suburb of Niles. The group took shape in 1934 when the ancestors of Louie Auslander (guitar) and Antonio Alvarez (guitar) talked about forming a band while indulging in some “rare substances.” Eighty-seven years later, in 2021, Louie and Antonio met at a party and swore to fulfill the prophecy of their grandparents. This is all bullshit.

In her debut full-length studio release, Vietnamese Melbourne-based producer Pastels (Annie) causes listeners to feel relaxed and at peace through a diverse tracklist and dreamily unique compositions.Love Garden, Pastels’ first LP, comes out June 2nd. With nine tracks that flow seamlessly into one another, Pastels says her biggest goal with this record is to make listeners “feel like they are in a warm, romantic, and luscious garden party.”

If Kat Stratford (Julie Stiles) from “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) was a real person and existed today, she would absolutely adore The Aquadolls. Combining influences from retro girl groups of the 1960s with modern indie-rock influences, The Aquadolls write softer Riot Grrrl music that they beautifully describe as “mermaid rock n’ roll.”

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band took a break during rehearsals for an exclusive Q+A with the press on May 17. The band took the time to talk about their upcoming fall tour, what playing together is like, and any future plans for each member of the band. When asked about rehearsals, Starr said. “Rehearsals have been going great. The first day is always really hard, and yesterday we ran the whole show, and I feel ready to rock.”

“Girls only pit, let’s go!” singer Zac Carper shouted to the masses. All of a sudden, girls who had stood against the walls for the entire show suddenly screamed in excitement as they set down their plastic cups to frantically grab the wrists of their best friends to drag them into the rounds.

On Tuesday, April 18, the Metro was assaulted by the intense sounds of a heavy metal lineup, consisting of Creeping Death, Sacred Reich, and Municipal Waste opening up for Grindcore titans Carcass. It was a ferocious set, full of passionate fans, mosh pits, and brutal thrash speed. While Creeping Death and Sacred Reich both gave positive and energetic sets, some other bands on the roster gave some not-so-graceful performances.

The author of this article now claims her most prized possession is an empty whiskey bottle – and it’s all Metallica’s fault. On April 14 Metallica released their eleventh studio album 72 Seasons. Featuring 12 tracks full of groovy rage-fueled riffage, lyrics reaching new depths of emotional vulnerability, and Metallica’s longest song to date (“Inamorata” at just over 11 minutes), “72 Seasons” was well worth the wait.

Indie-pop group Daisy the Great played to a packed Beat Kitchen on Saturday night. Currently, on their All You Need is Time Tour, Daisy the Great plays dreamy folk-influenced pop music that brings listeners to a state of peaceful longing.

Although the band members are all very young, each of them are insanely talented and well-experienced musicians in their own right. Tye Trujillo, son of Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo, has played bass for most of his life. At 12 years old, he played onstage with Korn, throughout his life he’s played bass with Suicidal Tendencies (like father, like son) and recently he played the guitar on “Master of Puppets” for the iconic “Stranger Things” scene.

To obsessive heavy metal fans, certain things catch your eye. Things like chunky white sneakers, flying V Gibson guitars and the band Flotsam and Jetsam will scratch your brain and not other people’s, almost like it’s an inside joke or symbol of some cult that only you are a part of. California-based heavy metal group Night Demon is also one of these things.

Friday night at Chicago’s Golden Dagger felt like a weird fever dream. It was a cold and rainy night after a long week, and the evening was filled with a strange energy. Artistic rock group Godcaster solidified this unexplained vibe from the universe with unparalleled eccentricity, fuzzy guitars, and unbridled energy.

Reggies Chicago is like that really cool heavy metal bar you see in movies from the ’80s and ’90s that you want to exist, but are fairly certain doesn’t. Standing in a room full of leather-clad metalheads, one might get a sense of what it would’ve been like to have seen a show of a famous metal band from when they were still playing their club days.

Thursday night left me with two takeaways. One, punks are extremely clever, and two, how do you sneak a dead rat into a gig? New York’s Show Me the Body, consisting of Julian Cashwan Pratt [vocals, banjo], Harlan Steed [bass, synthesizer], and Jack McDermott [drums], played a sold-out show at the Metro on Thursday night, as part of their “World War Tour”.

Texas singer/songwriter Grace Gardner recently released her debut EP, “Peach”, on March 3. Inspired by her parent’s favorite artists from the 1970s and 1980s, as well as her own favorite bands (Fleetwood Mac especially), Gardner uses her incredible musical abilities to create compositionally intricate and dreamlike songs about heartbreak, self-love and relationships. Before the release of “Peach”, Gardner spoke in a press conference about the process of putting together the EP, inspirations behind the aesthetics of the album, and what this album means to her.

The 65th annual Grammy Awards were Sunday night, but some Chicagoans are able to recall a different lively event that took place that same evening. Enter: The Trews. Picture a band that sounds like a cross between Chris Cornell and The Black Crowes, and every member is dressed like various interpretations of Izzy Stradlin. They are blues, they are soul, and they are quintessential rock and roll.

As a senior transfer student in college, I understand the struggle of paying for tuition as well as transferring from community college to a four-year institution. And as a child of a U.S. military veteran, I understand the struggle of figuring out what resources I should be aware of.

Few concerts are made to feel as though they are some sacred ceremony, where those in attendance feel like an elite group who got this exclusive experience of something beautiful. This is how it feels at a Suki Waterhouse/Blondshell show. Waterhouse is currently on her North American “Coolest Place in the World” tour. She played a sold out show at the Metro on Saturday night, with indie rock artist Blondshell opening up for her.

Your favorite band walks off the stage after delivering an explosive set, fans are screaming their hearts out and instruments are being packed away so the chaos can ensue all over again the following night. This is all familiar to the devoted music fan, but not everybody knows about the underrepresented women who make it possible.

New Rose Pictures, an independent film company formed by Columbia College Chicago film students, has been working on their debut short film which is scheduled to be released by early next year.

Grey Fitzgerald, 26, had just graduated from law school and completed her bar exam. She had one month in between finishing school and starting at her first major law firm where she began to think about her career in law and if it was what she was truly passionate about. At this time, Fitzgerald began to pursue the one thing she always loved: tattooing.

For somebody to move forward in their life, they must first go backwards by looking into their past and seeing how that has shaped them into who they are now, according to author and journalist Dawn Turner.