ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Smith Almighty March 7th 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners indie pop/rock with inspiration from jazz and self reflection Describe your creative process Most of my songs start with my acoustic guitar. Once I have something I like on guitar I begin to add other instruments. Whether that be keyboard, synth, drums, brass, samples etc. Usually I write my lyrics as I am playing the guitar. Every time I get a new idea it gets put into my voice memos. I probably have over 50 songs on my voice memos. You’re new single, “so, what if i” is my personal favorite song of yours, describe how you made that song That is one of my favorite songs too! It started with the chorus actually. I loved the chord progression. After having the guitar part down for the chorus. I added the keys which gave the song a more somber and self reflective feel. The lyrics were inspired by something a friend of mine was going through. I took it to the abstract. How’d you first get into making music? i always loved listening to music. The Beatles, Queen, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and so many others have inspired me. I sang chorus for my high school and was even part of a band that performed annually. I wrote and put out my first song freshman year of college. I started taking classes on producing and engineering music. Since then i have been mixing and mastering all of my own music. Where do you find the inspiration to create music? I grew up in a super rural area, but went to college in Philadelphia. The blend of the extreme urban and the extreme rural definitely influenced my music. A lot of my songs spawned from life experiences, my imagination, and pop culture i have absorbed. What song / project would you suggest for unfamiliar listeners? Its honestly a tie between (Ode to Former Prospects), (so, what if i), and (Wreckage) What’s next for Smith Almighty? What are some goals for 2025? I have been making so much music these past few months and just enjoying the writing process. I will probably have another song coming out in the next few months. What music have you been listening to recently? I like to listen to albums in full. Recently I went through the whole The Smiths discography and also the Weezer discography. Very good stuff!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 2Hats January 10th 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners My music is all over the place, honestly. It’s always gonna be rap, but the style can vary from Detroit-inspired relentless punchlines to Griselda/New York aggressive boom bap to Atlanta autotune-infested trap melodies. I’m always trying something new; basically clicking on one my songs is like a slot machine. You never know exactly what you’ll get. How has your discography transcended from “satire rap?” I started out recording music on my phone with no knowledge of producing or engineering whatsoever. In my mind, the easiest thing to do at that time was to make songs that had a bit of novelty since I didn’t have the assets to make a so-called “serious” record (Hence my most popular song: “Fuck Chili’s”). As my equipment got better and my production skills got sharper, I was able to show more and more of what I can actually do while still keeping it light-hearted. I think nowadays I’ve found a nice balance between the serious and the unserious. When creating the songs for your latest album, “The Hat Trick”, did you know you were going to put those songs together in an album? Or did that come afterwards? Or did that come afterwards. The original plan was to make a bunch of EPs over the course of a year, and at the end of 2024 I would compile the best songs from those EPs into one big album. But that changed as the EPs I released developed into their own standalone bodies of work. By the end of the year around late November, I just wrote and recorded new songs non-stop until I had 15 records that I was confident in releasing as a full-length album. Some ideas had been in the works as early as April 2024, and other songs were started a week before the album came out. How’d you first get into making music? I started making my own beats and writing lyrics in high school. And to no one’s surprise, I was trash. I never thought I could be good enough to actually write and record my own original material. As years went by, I noticed how accessible and simple it was to record on your own by seeing people online do it. So I tried it myself in 2022, and I haven’t stopped since. Describe your creative process, how do you come up with such clever lines? Usually, I’ll browse YouTube beats for literal hours on end. Every so often I hear a beat that inspires a flow or a chorus, and I’ll either write it down or make a voice note to remember later on. In my Notes app, I also have one note that just has endless one-liners in it. Any time I randomly think of a funny line or a good idea, I’ll put it in there. Some of my most memorable bars come from that method. Then, when it’s time to record I just go line-by-line until I have a full song. What song / project would you suggest for unfamiliar listeners As previously mentioned, my album “The Hat Trick” was just released, and I do consider that to be my best overall project. But I got 2 EPs released last year, “Free Agency” and “Getting Faded at Smile Grocery,” that are full of essentials and some true 2hats classics. “Prada for Me” and “NTSB Jacket” are two songs off those EPs that people seem to really gravitate towards. What’s next for 2hats? What are some goals for 2025? This year I want to focus on music videos. That’s an area I haven’t explored yet, and I already have some crazy ideas in the works as we speak. Also I plan on releasing 3 full-length albums along with miscellaneous EPs throughout the year. Hopefully the albums will be a little more cohesive in terms of sounds and vibes, but that remains to be seen. What music have you been listening to lately? What music have you been listening to recently? Recently been listening to a lot of Pierre Bourne(TLOP5 is peak), Earl, Rio, Jane Remover, Rome Streetz, and Kendrick(new and old). Vince Staples and SahBabii are probably tied for my favorite album of 2024, both of them went crazy.

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Mei Semones January 31st 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners jazz-influenced indie j-pop Kabutomushi is a project I continuously return to, what was the process of making each of those songs? Thank you! Most of the songs were written summer '22-winter '22, and we recorded winter '22-spring '23. My process for songwriting starts with chords first, then melody, then lyrics last. Once the guitar/vocals are set, I bring the song to my band and we arrange all the parts together :) How’d you first get into making music? I started playing piano when I was 4, guitar when I was 11, and started writing songs shortly after that. But I didn't write a song I really liked until the first single I put out in 2022, called "Hfoas." Where do you find the inspiration to create such captivating music? I'm inspired by the music I love, like John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, and João Gilberto. I'm also inspired a lot by my friends & bandmates, who are also all incredible musicians. I also find a lot of inspiration in my everyday life living in Brooklyn, NY. What song / project would you suggest for unfamiliar listeners I would suggest the Kabutomushi EP. I think it's a nice mix of genres and it showcases various aspects of our music well. What’s next for Mei Semones? What are some goals for 2025? We are putting out our debut album in May of 2025. I hope to do lots of touring this year, and hopefully do some international touring with my band :) What music have you been listening to recently? I have been listening to a lot of Michael Brecker & Wayne Shorter.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Leo Soloway June 13th 2025 Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners To sum it up, I’d say alternative rock/metal. I love ambient synthesizers and reverb-soaked guitars, but I’m also a sucker for huge distorted tones, epic orchestral elements, and wordy guitar solos. Describe your creative process For me, because I’m primarily a guitarist, it always starts with a riff or chord progression. From there, I add drums and bass as a guide to other places I can bring the song. If I continue to like the idea after a few days, I’ll begin to develop other sections that follow or precede the original idea. Vocals usually come last. Not everyone’s style, but it works for me. I’ve come up with riffs that were sat on for so long, and eventually just became the ending of a song. Your latest song, “Taboo” is super cool! What went into making it? That song is very special to me. It’s the only one of my songs that I recorded every part for. I always fully compose with lyrics and all, but this is the first time my own voice was on a track. The song features a groove that’s based around drums and bass, guitar playing a very little part in its initial phases. There’s a section where I (attempt to) rap. Rap is a stretch… How about… sing faster? As the song builds, a three part string ensemble takes the spotlight. Then, a melodic and soaring solo section, followed by a technical and uplifting “djent” style riff, which concludes the song. How’d you first get into making music? I was creating riffs and songs from a very young age. As soon as I acquired an electric guitar, I was playing stuff modeled after The White Stripes and The Black Keys. From there, I started to experiment with garageband. When my parents and music teachers saw my potential, I was given Logic Pro X, and an audio interface. It all escalated from there…(I have 7 guitars and no money) Where do you find the inspiration to create music? Being raised by my mom (a singer-songwriter) and my dad, (not a musician, but loves music) I was surrounded and immersed in music all the time. I think it was only natural that I had a desire to create it. What have you been working on lately? Any new music soon? I have quite a few unfinished songs in reserve at the moment. They’re all in different places. Will they be out soon? Maybe? Who knows? Other than music, what else have you been up to? Eh, the usual stuff… wine tasting, watch shopping, driving my Pagani. That reminds me actually, the McLaren F1 needs maintenance. What music have you been listening to lately? My favorite band at the moment is Thank You Scientist. They’re a seven-piece jazz/metal fusion band from New Jersey. Absolutely astonishing music. The guitarist, Tom Monda, cracked out of his mind. Aside from that, bands like Periphery, Haken, Protest The Hero, Dance Gavin Dance, and Knocked Loose have been in the rotation lately.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Zoo St. October 9th 2025 Describe your music’s sound for unfamiliar listeners. How did you come across that sound? Dez: Mmmmmmmm.. maybe modern day Wu-Tang with south/midwestern roots. Not the same but similar. We have a bit of an attack style of approach with less emphasis on catchy hooks and more focus on deep-cutting lyricism and witty execution. Also Kendrick. Always Kendrick. Dee: I’d say a blend of Wu-Tang and OutKast and just being exposed to all different kinds of music from Wu-Tang to India arie to Odd Future. Kwon: I think we all developed our own sound from different pieces and paths which you hear in our songs. We’re built similar but made from different circumstances so it gels well. Honestly, I just liked free-styling, but then i wanted to sound better, so i started writing. I began to experience more in life and had something to talk about so i jotted it. Odd future was the initial group inspiration but personally, lil herb, earl, & mac miller, had me thinking maybe i could try writing. Your latest album, “DR. dr.” Has such chill vibes. What was the creative process behind that album? Rick: It’s funny you ask that. I was discussing this the other day with a colleague of mine. A lot of the tracks i made on ‘DR. dr.’ are sample free and that honestly is a step in a different direction for me. I think the difference in my production process kinda motivated how melancholic the vibe of the music is. I decided to explore untouched sounds that I normally wouldn’t fool with and what you hear in ‘DR. dr.’ is ultimately what manifested. Dez: To add onto that a bit, ‘DR. dr.’ stands for Dee, Rick, Dez, Rae. A simple acronym, but it’s a title we’ve used for a project far before we started doing public releases, and this time around we just felt it was a fitting title for what we had put together. What made you decide the album cover for that album? Dez: “The Leak” mixtape by Lil Wayne which were songs originally intended to be on the iconic Carter III. We referenced the color-way for the album from that cover and then we added some flavor with a spin on our first project ‘Zoology’. Using a neutral, paper-like color for the base and overlaying scientific drawings of different breeds of animals that may have been referenced in previous projects and/or in lyrics of ours. Finally, the mountain theme coming from a 4 song stretch in the middle of the album (Track 4 (Horsemen) to 7 (SmarterMan/CotterMan)). Where do you find inspiration to create music? Dez: From daily life experiences, to the sounds from Rick’s beats, to eachothers verses.Alliterations get the best of me a lot of times too. Dee: Yeah, man. LIFE! Life is the ultimate inspiration. Maybe it’s something I randomly heard that day or a one liner Dez sent in the chat. Sometimes the names of Rick’s beat can get me lyrically inspired. Kwon: Same thing really. Just my life and sometimes listening to other artists inspires me. But it’s more just me writing my thoughts or feelings, im not a rapper. How’d you get into making music? Rick: Beatmaking & engineering were basically handed down. My dad always stayed in the studio & I think I got a beatmaking machine for my 12th birthday. By the time I was 16 the studio was given to me too. I’ve built my own now, but all of that was originally inherited, really. ALL: For us; we’ve been rapping together since we can remember lowkey. Our older brother, Julius Keith, had us rapping from a very young age (Dee & The Easywey). Big bro had us believing we could rival any pen. I think we do. Kwon picked up the pen once we established ourselves as serious artists, but has literally always been there rhyming with us and just in the studio. Any new music coming out or being worked on? Anything else you’d like to promote? ALL: Z44 is meant to be the next release coming out of the Zoo St. camp. We’ve flirted with the idea of a solo EP for Kwon too but… Dez: I intend to rollout a solo catalogue soon. Including an EP executive produced by myself, with beat production from a talented young Donesunk. I also have a single scheduled to release this coming spring featuring a guest verse from Detroit’s own; Junii & production from TAKN. Dee: Was in the lab with Rick the other day talking about a possible EP. If the Lord wills it I’m with it. Kwon: Kwonny world tour suppose to be something im working on but the motivation hasnt really been there since i stopped hooping. Other than music, what else have you been up to? Dez: I’m committed to investing my time into my young family. I spend most my time heading to, or at work. Otherwise i’m making time for my family. In any spare time, if I’m not getting out to try and engage with the Chicago music community, I’m trying new foods in the city or even cooking. Dee: “Really I’m provider yeah I put that on my soul.” Dez: So yeah dee on the same thing. Kwon: 2k26 3-level scoring dimer. Dee: Bro being modest though, he the same archetype in real life and been playing pro ball for like 3 years. Rick: Trying to make a house a home if you know what I mean. Plus, I been in the gym a lot, really. Traveling a bit more for work in the past few years too. What music have you been listening to lately? Dez: Whew.. always a lot of unreleased from the family. Uhh Lifeofthom, Kaicrewsade, DC2Trill, 454, Jay Elec and Oddie Strangelove. Dee: Obviously, Zoo St. Forrest Frank, Jx.Zero, and that Malice record was tuff. Kwon: I’ve been on Steve lacy, Domo genesis, LUCKI, khamari. Rick: For me; I rediscovered my love for Radiohead hits like Nude & Videotape on my most recent vacation trip.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Norah's World March 7th 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners I would say a mix of plenty different things. I love alternative R&B as a descriptor for it, but I use a lot of interesting drums like sexy trail and Jersey club and I love soulful singing. upbeat and very much baddie music that anyone can get down to Describe your creative process I would say my process looks a lot like writing as soon as the first loop for the beat is made and I’ll have the first verse and hook ready in like 20 lol “Hit The Curb” is my personal favorite song of yours, describe how you made that song hit the curb is about wanting someone more than they want you and feeling it even if it’s not being explicitly stated. I wrote that song when I felt that way about somebody with my friend kenji. he executive produced and I think that’s the first time he ever produced a storm that he wasn’t singing on, but you can hear him here and there as a background vocal lol How’d you first get into making music? i’ve always seen my whole life lol my mum has an album and creole. I grew up hearing people singing in church and on YouTube and I always knew that’s what I wanted to do. Where do you find the inspiration to create music? making the music is the part of all of it that feels the best. It’s like a release or just such a great feeling when you make something you actually like so the motivation comes from always chasing that feeling What song / project would you suggest for unfamiliar listeners? I would say my last project or any of the songs I’ve dropped recently would be a fire intro to norah’s world What’s next for Norah’s World? What are some goals for 2025? i’m definitely dropping a project soon like very soon and a few singles will come before it so I guess that’s what you can look forward to What music have you been listening to recently? lately I’m super obsessed with artist favorite artist type of people people like leon thomas or isaiah falls or people that I know personally that drop music I listen to all of it! more than I listen to main stream artists to be honest, like shout out to dali and cecilian dang!!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Michael TA June 27th 2025 Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners I think my sound is honest and a mirror of who I am. It’s a place where I can process my emotions and everything in between. Through my music I can reflect on where I’m from, who I am, and I’m who I’m becoming. It’s almost like a form of self therapy and conversation. Describe your creative process The majority of my time is spent trying to find the right beats that speak to me. There’s some very talented producers on YouTube to whom I owe a lot of credit. From there, I usually just drink some caffeine, enjoy the sounds, and get to writing. Your latest song, “fly” is really touching. What went into making it? I feel as though sometimes the lyrics come from something greater than us. We can never repay those who came before us, but we can at least try to make them proud of who we’re becoming. That’s just what I felt when writing that song. How’d you first get into making music? My homie Jason created a song on BandLab in high school, we must’ve been like 16 at the time, but he wanted me to drop a verse on it. Based off the reactions I received from the verse I dropped, I figured it was something I should stick with and dedicate more time to. Where do you find the inspiration to create music? The people I interact with on the daily who tell me to stick with it and keep creating really inspires me. Or when someone tells me that one of my songs impacted them in some way. It’s just nice to know that people resonate with the sound, and that I’m doing something right with it. What have you been working on lately? Any new music soon? I’ll be releasing an album titled, “Sonder Perspectives” this summer. Really excited for the world to hear that one. Other than music, what else have you been up to? I’ve been playing pick up basketball and skating. Oh and trying to land a summer job. Also prepping for my last semester at my university in the Bay Area, I’ll be needing to write a thesis, so looking forward to that hahah. What music have you been listening to lately? It’s always all over the place, but I’ve been bumping Steve Lacy, untiljapan, and gqbec lately.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT DOMENICK BIERMAN December 13th 2024 Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners. My music varies honestly. It ranges from pop music, to funk, to rock. It’s definitely for people in their feels. I promise i’m trying to change that though lol. it’s very premature, my music that’s out. It has a lot of angst in it. i definitely was not in the best state when i wrote most of it. but i think that’s when music really can be at its best. when you’re just pouring everything you got into it How and when did you get into music? I got into music since i was a baby. I wrote my first song when i was 8. But i got BIG into it when i was 15 2 (continued). writing music was always in the cards for me, in terms of like expression. sharing my mental state was never something i was a big fan of, so writing music allowed me to do that Creative Process? Nowadays, my creative process is i sit in a quiet room and feel my emotions for a little. Then, i grab my guitar and play chords that i think sound good. then when i get a progression, i start to write. i find it quite beautiful when i really unlock some good lines. then i can REALLY call it my work Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration from whatever i’m listening to at the moment. But i’m always getting new inspiration. I do have like 3 artists that i always look up to. I take huge inspo from tyler the creators creativity. it’s hard to hear in my own music because i don’t rap, but i strive to be as from the heart and powerful as him. I try to get my music as enjoyable to listen to as Bruno mars. he’s been my favorite since i was a baby and i’ll always try and match his effect he has on people What song/project should unfamiliar listeners begin with? Probably “Right here (with you)”. I personally think it’s my best song. it’s my best produced song. It also is my best vocally done song in my personal opinion Any new projects soon? Anything you'd like to promote I’m trying to work on an album right now. It’s more rock based, but it’s on the pop side too. At the moment, the working title is “Still Learning”. if my last album was about angst and being a teen. “Still learning” is about growing up, but not fully out of that like teen stage. mistakes still get made, and you still just have to take the lessons life gives you What music have you been listening to recently? I’ve been listening to classic rock, metal, hiphop, alternative, pop, punk, grunge, funk. a whole lot

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Radicule September 6th 2025 Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners I’ve been dubbing my music as “head massage music” for a minute now. My beat projects largely come from the school of [adult swim] bumps, while my most recent project has been a blend of anime raps with plugg & trap-inspired production. Describe your creative process Ooo, that’s a loaded question. I usually need some type of anime or cartoon on in the background, muted. Maybe a nice lil bev too and then I usually will start cooking up in FL. I always have a tendency of starting every beat with the hats, it’s the lil things that get me in a beat. Your new album, “Wannaknowthename1?” is so sick. What went into making it? Do you have a favorite song on it? Dawggg, I could talk for days about this one. It was a lot dark moments, but also a lot of light that went into it. I was going through love-life problems, lost my uncle, and just was trying to make sense of everything. I was bumping a lot of plugg music, messing with the Devil May Cry games, watching BLEACH, and the project just fully spawned from there. Fav track off my newest baby though? Definitely gotta be RADDYS WORLD. It’s my own spin on NY-Drill elements, but still rapping from my own lil nerd braggadocio bubble. How’d you first get into making music? It was mainly through my brother Bruce. We used to play Call of Duty 4 and talk smack over our lil Logitech headset. Realized I could probably record off it if I hooked it up to our computer, and then I started burning cds with me rapping over Lupe Fiasco , Gorillaz, and Nas instrumentals. He put me onto Nujabes too & through there I found Samurai Champloo, Dilla, Negrosaki, mad Youtube-notorious producers & ultimately started messing with beats as well. Where do you find the inspiration to create music? Honestly it comes from a lot of video games (JRPGs especially), anime/manga/ cartoons, cathartic reasons, and really my people. Living life with a lot more love and presence lately got me wanting to make music as a way of documenting the journey. What have you been working on lately? Any new music soon? Maneeee, we just got these t shirts orders out and gonna donate a portion of that to charity (pancreatic cancer research). I just shot a music video for RADDYS WORLD, directed by the homie King Z. The whole crew on that was amazing and we’re trying to get that out in October. New music? I’m working on the next project currently, which kinda focuses back on my [adult swim] bump roots and focusing on a more positive future. It’s gonna be titled “AFRMAYSHUNS” and the bulk of it is almost ready, there’s still a lot of finishing touches to be done though. Other than music, what else have you been up to? I’ve been chilling fam, for real. Big civilian hours just being outside with my people, coming home from work, watching Outlaw Star and looking for my next Lego set. What music have you been listening to lately? Man, y’all keep the loaded questions on deck. Right now I been bumping: Mexikodro, Tony Shhnow, Larry June, Sade, Kelela, TiaCorine, Anycia, Dazegxd, Teller Bank$, Kelly Moonstone, AJ Suede, the list goes on & on, but those are the main ones as of late!

resonance For this film I messaged and asked all my pals that were passionate about music to send in a voice memo talking a little bit about how music has impacted them. I edited the voice memos together and this is what was made! MISSED TRAIN This film was based on a true story that happened to my friend William Groninger (the main actor in this story). When he told me about his experience after missing the last train home in Grand Central, I knew I had to adapt it into a film. I am very proud of the sound design in this one. meet me here This music video was shot during two nights in the freezing cold oh my goodness it was awful. The music is awesome so it wasn't hard to be inspired. This was my first music video and I truly look forward to shooting more! KISS This film was shot in the freezing cold in december so thank you thank you thank you to William Groninger and Madisen Lora. This film taught me how careful you have to be when editing in order to preserve comedic timing. A Christmas Miracle A Masterpiece. La Haine Scene Recreation This was one of my first video projects ever. I made it really difficult for myself by shooting in a very reverberant bathroom so sound was pretty difficult. About What is clattermouuuth you ask? FIND OUT HERE