Category Archives: Artist Spotlights

FEATURING: 5 Pop-Side Artists (Who Aren’t Billie Eilish) Making Waves with Fantastic New Music

Billie Eilish continues to dominate the music scene with her unique sound and chart-topping hits. However, there are many other artists making significant strides with their new releases. Here are five mainstream artists you should definitely check out, spanning a range of genres and styles, most of who have recently released fresh tracks.

1. Sabrina Carpenter

"Espresso" single cover

Sabrina Carpenter has been steadily rising in the pop music scene, and her recent releases are a testament to her growth as an artist. Her fifth studio album, emails i can’t send, released on July 15, 2022, debuted at number 23 on the Billboard 200, marking her highest entry on the chart to date. The album featured singles like “Vicious” and “Nonsense,” the latter peaking at number 56 on the Hot 100 and achieving Platinum certification. Following this, she embarked on the Emails I Can’t Send tour in September 2022.

In March 2023, Carpenter released a deluxe edition of the album, with the single “Feather” becoming her highest-charting song, reaching number 21 on the Hot 100 and number one on the US Pop Songs chart. She performed at high-profile events like the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards pre-show and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2023. Her involvement in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour as the opening act for several international shows further solidified her growing stardom. Recently, she released the single “Espresso” on April 12, 2024, which became her first top-10 hit on the Hot 100, peaking at number four, coinciding with her performance at Coachella 2024.

Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter

Follow Sabrina Carpenter:


2. Renee Rapp

Renne Rapp's 'Snow Angel' album cover

Renee Rapp, known for her Broadway roots in Mean Girls: The Musical, has made significant strides in her music career. She recently reprised her role as Regina George in the musical film adaptation of Mean Girls, released in theaters on January 12, 2024, and on streaming on March 5, 2024. However, Rapp has expressed her intention to focus solely on her music career due to the anxiety she experienced in the acting environment.

Rapp’s debut extended play, Everything to Everyone, released in November 2022, was followed by a deluxe version in February 2023. Her debut studio album, Snow Angel, dropped on August 18, 2023, and a deluxe version with additional tracks, including a remix of “Tummy Hurts” featuring Coco Jones, was released in November 2023. She has been actively touring, with her Snow Hard Feelings tour, supported by Alexander 23 and Towa Bird, showcasing her dynamic stage presence and deep connection with her audience. Rapp’s music blends pop and R&B influences, creating a sound that is both contemporary and timeless.

Renee Rapp
Renee Rapp

Follow Renee Rapp:


3. WILLOW

WILLOW's 'empathogen' album cover

WILLOW has continued to evolve her sound and artistic persona. In February 2022, she withdrew from Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, The World Tour due to production limitations but quickly bounced back by featuring on Camila Cabello’s track “Psychofreak” in April 2022. Her fifth studio album, COPINGMECHANISM, released on October 7, 2022, features collaborations with Yves Tumor and showcases a bold dive into alternative rock with singles like “Maybe It’s My Fault” and “Hover Like a Goddess.”

WILLOW’s recent releases continue to push boundaries. Her first single since COPINGMECHANISM, “Alone,” came out in November 2023, followed by “Symptom of Life” in March 2024 and “Big Feelings” in April. She announced her sixth studio album, empathogen, which was released on May 4, 2024. With a unique blend of punk, metal, and introspective lyrics, WILLOW’s new work explores themes of identity and self-discovery, solidifying her place as a dynamic force in the music industry.

WILLOW
WILLOW
Photography: Anthony Arquier

Follow WILLOW:


4. Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan's "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" album cover

Chappell Roan has been steadily carving out a niche for herself with her vibrant and catchy pop tunes. After moving back to Los Angeles in 2022, Roan worked a series of odd jobs before signing a publishing deal with Sony. Her independent single “Naked in Manhattan,” released in March 2022, was praised as a “queer girl bop” by NPR, highlighting her tender and nostalgic lyrics. Following this, she joined Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour Tour and Fletcher’s Girl of My Dreams Tour, gaining significant exposure.

Roan’s subsequent releases, including “Femininomenon” and “Casual,” showcased her versatility and willingness to experiment with different sounds and themes. Her debut headlining tour, Naked in North America, in early 2023, was a hit, featuring themed stops and drag queen openers. Roan’s first full-length album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, released in September 2023, further established her as a rising star. Following the album’s release, she embarked on the Midwest Princess Tour, which saw her performing across North America and internationally. Her latest single, “Good Luck, Babe!”, released in April 2024, has already garnered significant attention, debuting at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving 7 million streams in its first week. Roan’s growing popularity on Spotify and high-profile performances, including at Coachella, mark her as an artist on the rise.

Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan
Photography: Ryan Clemens

Follow Chappell Roan:


5. Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo's 'Guts' album cover

Olivia Rodrigo burst onto the scene with her debut single “drivers license,” and she hasn’t slowed down since. Her Disney+ documentary, Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U, detailing the making of her debut album Sour, was released on March 25, 2022. Rodrigo received seven nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, winning Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album for Sour, and Best Pop Solo Performance for “drivers license”.

Rodrigo’s second album, GUTS, released on September 8, 2023, debuted atop the Billboard 200 and was acclaimed as the most critically acclaimed album of 2023 by BBC News. The album’s lead single, “Vampire”, became her third single to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first artist to debut the lead singles from two career-opening albums at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Following the success of GUTS, Rodrigo announced her GUTS World Tour, which runs from February to October 2024. She also released a deluxe version of the album, GUTS (Spilled), in March 2024. On April 13, 2024, Rodrigo made a special guest appearance at No Doubt’s Coachella show, where she performed the band’s 2000 single “Bathwater” alongside them. Rodrigo’s music continues to capture the angst and emotions of youth, solidifying her place as a pop icon for a new generation.

Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo
Photoraphy:
Nick Walker

Follow Olivia Rodrigo:


Billie Eilish’s Latest Release: Yeah…We Couldn’t Ignore This One

Billie Eilish "Hit Me Hard and Soft" album cover

You didn’t think we’d skip over Billie Eilish’s new album, did you?

On April 8, 2024, Billie Eilish announced her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, which was released on May 17, 2024.

This album marks Eilish’s highest-performing album yet, with 339,000 units earned and over 193 million streams.

This album is incredible.

Despite a close race with Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, Eilish’s album debuted at number two on the albums chart. To support the album, she announced the Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour, which will cover North America, Oceania, and Europe from September 2024 to July 2025.

While Eilish and Swift continue to dominate the charts, these five artists are proving that there is plenty of fresh talent in the music industry. Sabrina Carpenter, Renee Rapp, WILLOW, Chappell Roan, and Olivia Rodrigo each bring something unique to the table, offering new music that is well worth a listen. Whether you’re into pop, rock, or something in between, these artists have something for everyone.

Honorable Mentions

For those interested in more emerging artists making waves with their recent releases, here are a few to check out:

    Billie Eilish
    Billie Eilish
    Photography: William Drumm

    Follow Billie Eilish:

    Featured photos (top, from left to right) by Anthony Arquier (WILLOW), Unknown (Sabrina Carpenter, Renee Rapp), Ryan Clemens (Chappell Roan), Nick Walker (Olivia Rodrigo)

    INTERVIEW: Reactions with MRCH from Phoenix!

    MRCH is releasing their debut album Reactions on October 12. The duo consists of Mickey Pangburn (Vocalist/Guitarist/Synth), and drummer Jesse Pangburn. Many of their songs have been featured in television shows, such as The Vampire Diaries and Famous in Love.

    To celebrate the release of their album, the duo is having an album release show (also their first headline show) at Valley Bar on October 14. Come and party with the indie electronic duo!

    Mickey Pangburn tells us more about the duo, their music, plans for a tour, and more in their email interview below…

    Tell us about your band name, MRCH… How did you come up with it? Does it have any special meaning?

    It’s pronounced like ‘march’. When people march, they have purpose. When people march together, they have a common goal. They step together. We wanted a name that showed we were in music for the long haul. For better or for worse, on the same page. We dropped the “A” because people kept coming across ‘marching bands’ when they’d do a google search of us!

    What did you most enjoy about the process of making your new album, Reactions?

    The playing. We had no one to answer to, so we could just try out whatever we wanted. The hardest part is calling something ‘done’… We’re already writing more though, so it’s become a vicious cycle.

    When you aren’t making music or performing, what do you both enjoy doing in your free time?

    Jesse likes eating street tacos. I like hanging with my cats.

    Are there any plans for MRCH to embark on a tour following the album release party at Valley Bar on October 14?

    LA is next up. Details coming soon on that. Then, yes – touring! We probably shouldn’t hold our breath for Bleachers to invite us along with them… So, we’ll be booking DIY. Dates coming soon, hopefully up through the spring.

    Have either of you toured before?

    Yep!

    Do you know or speak any other languages?

    We wish… I like to dream of being fluent in French.

    MRCH formed in 2015, and the two of you were previously members of a local band named The Prowling Kind. What was the motivation to go from a five piece band, to a duo?

    Scheduling and goals. It’s hard to wrangle 5 different people/opinions/lives – into sharing a common goal and agreeing on a means of reaching said goal. We kinda had to re-set, so everyone could do what was best for them. MRCH is a totally different animal than TPK musically speaking too.

    Did your previous experience in the local music scene boost your success in MRCH, or did it feel like a clean slate?

    We felt like we learned so much playing with TPK. Jesse and I went to school for music, but felt like Prowling Kind was kind of like an internship. We booked our first tours, got introduced to the local scene, dealt with the business side of things. So there was a lot we were grateful for from that season. However, MRCH is so different in both sound and vibe that the crossover was minimal. We never made it a goal to ‘take’ Prowling Kind fans. We hoped they’d like MRCH too, but it was a mixed bag of responses. MRCH really felt like starting over. It felt like a clean slate.

    Have the Phoenix music and art communities influenced your music and image?

    The Phoenix music scene has been really supportive. The thing we appreciate most about it, is really how little they influence our sound or image. There’s such an eclectic and diverse spectrum of artists, we don’t feel inclined to be much like anybody else. We never feel like we’re expected to fit in a particularly Phoenix mold. There’s room to explore here. There’s a lot of freedom.

    Name some of your favorite local bands or artists:

    There are a bunch, but some are : PAO, Bogan Via, Harper and the Moths,The Technicolors, The Darts, Hex Marrow & House of Stairs.  

    How has the exposure of your songs on multiple television series helped promote your music?

    There’s definitely a broader audience. Showtime, ABC & Netflix have completely different demographics – which is cool. Mostly, it’s allowed us to pursue music more full-time, which is huge. We’re super grateful for this avenue of music in film and television. Someday, it’d be a dream to score something. *sigh*

    Anything else you want us to know?

    We’re so excited to be playing. Especially this release show! It’s our very first time headlining and we’re working hard to make it extra special.

    Do you have a message for your fans coming to the release show?

    Come ready to dance!

    MRCH Reactions Album Release Party 10-14-17

    REVIEW: DaDadoh + The P.o.C. “You Can’t Rap Forever” EP Release at The Trunk Space 9-25-17

    PHOENIX — With an Arizona summer solar-powered surge of ambition, Tempe-based Alternative HipHop artist DaDadoh started recording the 6-track You Can’t Rap Forever in June of this year. In only four months between then and the release show, he worked with a perfectionistic fervor to re-work and refine his songs that had already proven popular. Regardless of unwavering confidence in the songs he’s written, DaDadoh honed his insatiable appetite for challenging himself to accomplish beyond what he thought feasible before. In fact, he mixed and mastered the album, and performed all of the songs including all of the instrumentals, himself. The result was reaching the same kind of new heights as an artist that he is regularly helping other artists achieve as a music producer with his record label TVLiFE Entertainment.

    DaDadoh - Photographer: Lnin Oo
    DaDadoh
    Photo Credit: Lnin Oo
    | Editor: Katherine Amy Vega
    © All Rights Reserved

    Although You Can’t Rap Forever is a cohesive addition to DaDadoh’s discography, the release brings a fresh sound that comes with his growth and evolution as an artist and a person. Lyrically, he continues to cleverly inject commentary into his verses, using music as his platform to have a voice in matters. Steering away from his cocky, comedic, and sex-saturated themes of the 2016 release Radical, he takes a more sober tone, and channels angst into his music. The new release is both melodic, and infused with punk rock. The album feels sincere and intense – like it’s made of his very soul. Get ready to get f*cked up when you dive in.

    You can buy You Can’t Rap Forever on Bandcamp as a digital download only, or with a physical copy in CD format: Here

    SLIDESHOW

    Photographer: Lnin Oo

    Click Arrows to Scroll Images

    DaDadoh + The P.o.C. - Trunk Space

    View Album in Separate Window

    While DaDadoh is a charismatic (and somewhat-eccentric) staple in the Phoenix local music scene, he isn’t one to boast; despite the fact that one might consider him a hiphop-flavored renaissance man. If you’re not familiar with his projects and you’re reading this now, it might have taken some online sleuthing to discover that on top of his solo project and music production, he also hosts “Before The Show: The Podcast,” and is a member of bands including Exxxtra Crispy and Militia Joan Hart. And during the four months leading up to the EP release, he helped local musicians even further by recruiting 3 live band members – now known as The P.o.C. – Andy Warpigs (Guitar & Vocals), Jimmie Lewis (Bass), and Daviid Giiron (Drums).

    The more you learn about DaDadoh, the more you come to understand that he passionately pours 100% into his artistic projects, and how important the community is to him. Although this release show was his time to shine, his gratitude for his new bandmates, and all of the fans and media people swarming around The Trunk Space venue, was no secret; nor was their willingness and enthusiasm to support his release show – and THAT reciprocal community is what Burning Hot Events is all about.

    Catch DaDadoh’s next show,
    with Amuck, Wait for the Sun, & TOSO,
    at Rogue Bar on October 10!

     

    PHOTO ALBUM

    Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

    DaDadoh + The P.o.C. – Trunk Space 9-25-17

    Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
    All Rights Reserved.

    #iwokeupbadass – Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design | Web Series Episode 5

    Katherine Amy Vega of Kataklizmic Design provides services to artists, especially musicians, and opportunities to freelancers and entrepreneurs.

    Watch #iwokeupbadass episode 5 to see how she became a media powerhouse, where her ambitions are leading her, and how her dream is building an artistic community! Katherine is also the Concert Photographer, Owner and Manager of Burning Hot Events.

    #iwokeupbadass is a web series featuring the everyday movers and shakers who aim to create and change the world. Brought to you by Endless Dream Pictures, LLC.