Xondra delivers the stunning new single “Like You Used To,” out today, which blends the boundaries of Indie Pop. Recommended if you like artists such as Boygenius, Taylor Swift, Kehlani, Annie Dirusso, and Maisie Peters, Xondra takes elements of her inspirations, and creates a unique listening experience of her own.
Xondra (she/they) is the artistic identity of Alexondra O’Connell. Born to parents of Cuban/Puerto Rican and Irish descent, Xondra was raised on Long Island, New York. From a young age, they had a passion for songwriting, often sitting next to the radio, jotting down lyrics they admired, and assembling them into their own compositions. During high school, Xondra performed their original songs at various bars and venues throughout New York before pursuing a college education focused on contemporary songwriting.
Xondra‘s musical style encompasses a diverse mix of Pop, Rock, R&B, and Indie genres. Since 2014, they have showcased their talent in both acoustic and full-band performances within the DIY scene of New York City and the tri-state area. While studying at the SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, this pop singer/songwriter sharpened their skills and developed their unique voice. Xondra brings feminist themes to the forefront, delivering heartbreakingly honest lyrics that resonate with the universal experience of being a woman in a male-dominated world.
Xondra delivers the stunning new single “Like You Used To,” out today, which blends the boundaries of Indie Pop. Recommended if you like artists such as Boygenius, Taylor Swift, Kehlani, Annie Dirusso, and Maisie Peters, Xondra takes elements of her inspirations, and creates a unique listening experience of her own.
Listen in here:
Xondra (she/they) is the artistic identity of Alexondra O’Connell. Born to parents of Cuban/Puerto Rican and Irish descent, Xondra was raised on Long Island, New York. From a young age, they had a passion for songwriting, often sitting next to the radio, jotting down lyrics they admired, and assembling them into their own compositions. During high school, Xondra performed their original songs at various bars and venues throughout New York before pursuing a college education focused on contemporary songwriting.
Xondra’s musical style encompasses a diverse mix of Pop, Rock, R&B, and Indie genres. Since 2014, they have showcased their talent in both acoustic and full-band performances within the DIY scene of New York City and the tri-state area. While studying at the SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, this pop singer/songwriter sharpened their skills and developed their unique voice. Xondra brings feminist themes to the forefront, delivering heartbreakingly honest lyrics that resonate with the universal experience of being a woman in a male-dominated world.
GRAMMY-nominated dance music icon Audien, popularly known for hits like Billboard Top 40 “Something Better” with Lady Antebellum and GRAMMY-nominated remix of Bastille’s “Pompeii,” has collaborated with melodic bass producer William Black, best known for songs like “BACK TO U” with SLANDER and “Deep Blue” with Monika Santucci, to release their new single “Would You Even Know.” The pulsing track that was debuted at Ultra Music Festival features the stunning vocals of Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter Tia Tia and is available now on all DSPs and streaming services.
‘Would You Even Know’ combines Audien‘s signature progressive house sound with William Black‘s melodic bass approach, creating a unique and dynamic track that is both emotional and energizing. The collaboration between the two came about following an impromptu backstage meeting at a show in Vegas and the rest is history. The song is a testament to the power of collaboration and shows how two talented artists can come together to create something truly special. Tia Tia‘s soaring vocals add an extra layer of emotion to the track, which expresses the feelings of missing and appreciating someone important to you, making it a must-listen for anyone looking for an uplifting musical experience.
Known for his production prowess and uplifting melodies, Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Audien has established himself as an icon in the dance community. A staple in the progressive house genre, he has garnered the support of industry veterans such as Tiësto, Above & Beyond and Armin van Buuren through his extensive discography that includes collaborations with the likes of BTS, ARTY, MAX and Echosmith, and official remixes of songs by Coldplay, Halsey, Nile Rodgers, Jess Glynne and Calvin Harris.
“This collab was so natural. When two artists who stay true to their sound come together, and their sounds are quite different, something unique always comes. It’s tough to classify what kind of song this is but I love the result. William’s a great guy and Tia is the songstress we needed for it”. – Audien
“Would You Even Know” comes on the heels of marquee performances at New York City’s Avant Gardner, Insomniac’s Beyond Wonderland, and Miami Music Week. In February he released his first song of 2023, the uplifting progressive house anthem “Antidote” with Codeko and featuring Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter-producer JT Roach. The positive grooves of this progressive house record “speaks of being a source of peace in a world of chaos and toxicity” according to JT Roach. On Saturday, July 15, Audien is set to bring his ‘Stay True Los Angeles’ show to the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Insomniac show will be held at The Torch at the L.A. Coliseum and will feature support performances from his talented friends and collaborators Elephante, yetep, Laszewo, OCULA, and Danny Quest. Tickets are available HERE.
“I was so stoked to work with Audien on Would You Even Know. For me the song is about appreciating the people you have in your life and being grateful for them.” – William Black
Having mesmerized tens of thousands of fans during notable tours alongside industry giants like Adventure Club and Illenium, William Black’s talent on stage is undeniable. His debut album, ‘Pages,’ received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative exploration of mental health themes through captivating music. Collaborating with artists who share similar stories added a powerful and unique dimension to the album, leading to immediate chart success on iTunes and Billboard. His 2021 album, ‘Pieces,’ climbed to number 1 on iTunes Dance Charts, cementing his name as a bonafide talent poised for stardom. As 2023 unfolds, William Black has returned triumphantly to live performances, gracing festivals, headlining sold-out shows, and sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the electronic genre with more to come.
““Would You Even Know” is a song about watching your ex move on with someone else and
wondering if they’re doing all the same things that you used to do.” – Tia Tia
Grammy-nominated songwriter Tia Tia has penned hits for popular artists such as Justin Bieber, Ava Max, John Legend, and Saweetie, and established herself as a rising artist in 2023. She has released a new single every Friday of the year and gained substantial momentum on Apple Music and Spotify. Additionally, two of her songs, “Wait” and “Do It Better,” are currently trending on TikTok. Tia Tia’s global reach is also evident through her iTunes charting success. Six of her songs have charted worldwide, including three top 10s, since the start of the year. With 16 songs already released in 2023, Tia Tia is showing no signs of slowing down.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in California and currently located in Ontario, rapper Nyne’s music captivates his listeners through his tales of passion, painful memories, and harsh realities he’s overcome in his life. His remarkable vocal control and thought-provoking lyrics only add to the raw emotions baked into each one of his songs. Writing his new single, “Kill or Be Killed,” he reflected on lingering anxiety and decided he won’t face regret in certain situations. Instead, he’s using those moments as motivation to keep going and fulfill the plan he made for himself.
Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds are new-age fosterers of soul music with a uniquely Canadian twist. Hailing from St. Boniface, the old French quarter of Winnipeg, they have crafted their identity as bilingual artists with their first full-length album, Cruel. Infusing nine fun-loving songs about amour and heartbreak in a mixture of both English and French, the LP serves as an authentic representation of the languages they speak at home. With the support of seasoned producer Murray Pulver, the album was recorded “live off the floor” to capture their vintage soul aesthetic and vibrant live performance energy.
We’d love for you to check out the focus track “We Haven’t Met Yet” in particular. Lead singer-guitarist Jérémie had come up with some lyrics for a chorus and shared them with lead guitarist Ryan Toupin, who found them inspiring and wrote several verses. The lyrics reminded Ryan of his single days when he would feel too shy to approach any of the beautiful girls he encountered, whether on the bus, at a bar, or in this case, at the library. He had always fantasized about meeting an intelligent girl who shared his love of books.
The Delicious Hounds name is a play on words about their “delicious sound” of smooth melodies, juicy guitar riffs and tasty horn licks. Jérémie’s smooth yet smoky voice is accented with a brilliant brass section to deliver round after round of phenomenal hits on golden platters. His staple friendliness, positive vibes and charismatic nature culminate into a profound presence that leaves listeners swooning for another bite of the 8-piece band’s modern twist on old-school rhythm and beats.
Although Toronto singer-songwriter Tara Van grew up in an artistic and welcoming family, she felt that she was somehow born missing the rhythm, dancing to her own beat. On her journey she has graduated from a performing arts high school, written a musical which was presented at Page 2 Stage in the UK, been diagnosed with ADHD, gone through a self-discovery of her queerness, and more.
All of that life experience has been explored in Rise, Tara’s debut full-length solo album. It’s inspired by Rupi Kaur’s poetry book, The Sun And Her Flowers. The concept is all about the reincarnation of self depicted by the lifecycle of a sunflower, through wilting, falling, rooting and rising.
The title track, “Rise,” is about rebuilding. After the heartbreak of her life, it took Tara some time to rise from the ashes, like a phoenix reborn. The song was written after a tearful breakup, a love letter written to her ex that would go nowhere, and the subsequent closure she finally got.
“Never stop expanding, never stop challenging, never stop pushing and never give up,” Tara explains about the theme of the album. “It’s okay to let go of what doesn’t nourish you. If you outgrow the plot you are currently in, then it’s okay to uproot and plant yourself in a place where you can continue growing.”