Grace Elly’s latest single, “I Don’t Care Anymore,” has struck a powerful chord with listeners, delivering a haunting, emotionally raw experience wrapped in gorgeously layered pop vocals. Marking a significant moment in her evolution as a solo artist, the track blends ethereal production with a sense of cathartic release—offering both nostalgia and empowerment in equal measure. Today, we’re thrilled to sit down with Grace for an exclusive interview that explores her creative process, the inspiration behind the single, and how she’s come into her own as a solo musician.
Grace’s passion for music began early—at just six years old—when she first dove into a wide spectrum of genres including folk, pop, rock, and classical. This eclectic foundation helped shape the distinct sound she’s known for today: a seamless fusion of atmospheric textures and emotionally resonant storytelling. “I Don’t Care Anymore” is a testament to that sonic versatility, showcasing Grace’s ability to turn vulnerability into strength.
Before stepping out as a solo act, Grace was part of the girl group Chosen5, formed during the height of the pandemic. Their debut project, The Every Christmas Album, and performances across the country not only gained them a loyal following but also gave Grace invaluable experience as both a performer and songwriter. As the group evolved into The Chosen Girls, Grace’s individuality and artistic vision began to take center stage—ultimately paving the way for her solo debut.
Now forging her own path, Grace Elly is creating music with a clear purpose: to uplift, empower, and resonate with anyone navigating life’s emotional landscape. In this interview, she opens up about her journey from group member to solo artist, the personal truths behind “I Don’t Care Anymore,” and the creative principles that continue to guide her.
From discussions about musical influences to reflections on self-discovery, Grace shares what it means to stay authentic in an ever-changing industry—and how music has been both her outlet and her anchor.
Don’t miss this candid conversation with Grace Elly—an artist whose voice is as powerful as the story behind it.
Stephen Jaymes returns with a brand new single out called “Stranded.”
In this single Jaymes turns the everyday experience of feeling stuck into a song for real reflection. As he is known for his poeticism and folk punk sensibilities, Jaymes once again delivers a song that captures the universal tension of being ready to move forward but held in place.
Listen in here:
The song opens with a delicate glockenspiel. As layers of acoustic and electric instrumentation build, a driving rhythm emerges, which mirrors the restless energy that inspires the song. J
Jaymes’s unmistakable voice anchors the track, as he captures a sense of vulnerability and determination. The vocal delivery makes the listener feel as though they are sharing a collective moment of realization.
But it’s the lyrics that are so striking; “Stranded” is packed with clever observations and truths with Jaymes able to turn stagnation into something touching as he explores the act of waiting not as wasted time but as an opportunity to find meaning.
While the mood feels overall light hearted on the surface, there is a lingering depth and a reminder of the strange beauty in life’s pauses. The track doesn’t offer easy solutions of empty optimism, yet it does acknowledge the frustration while urging the listener to embrace the rhythm of running in place.
“Stranded” feels more like a conversation, a shared laugh, and a comforting hand on the shoulder. A reminder perhaps that the act of staying still can be its own kind of progress.
With their effervescent new single, “It’s a Sign,”The Flip Phones have created an indie-pop delight brimming with charm, quirk, and an unexpected dose of introspection.
Inspired by Los Angeles’ iconic Happy Foot/Sad Foot sign – a whimsical podiatry advertisement once used by locals to divine their daily fortunes – the track explores the thin line between taking charge of our lives and surrendering to fate and superstition.
Listen in here:
The duo, Lindsey and Ryan, blend instrumental talent with an unpretentious energy to create a sound that feels as timeless as it is refreshing.
Lindsey’s background as a classically trained pianist and flutist shines through in the lush textures of melodica and electric piano that weave throughout the song. Her lyrical storytelling brims with vibrant imagery and clever wit, while Ryan’s self-taught guitar stylings, steeped in influences like The Beatles and Blur, add a jangly, upbeat undercurrent that grounds the song’s playful tone.
This isn’t the first time Lindsey and Ryan have made musical magic together. Their earlier collaboration in North of Canada laid the foundation for the unique synergy that defines The Flip Phones.
Since forming their new project in 2013, they’ve honed their craft, releasing the well-received EP Better in the Dark in 2022 and building a reputation for vibrant live shows at festivals and celebrated mid-Atlantic venues like Jammin Java and Songbyrd.
Produced by Dave Mallen at Innovation Station Music, “It’s a Sign” radiates the energy of their live performances, while also showcasing a shift toward a more playful sound palette.
Influences from the B-52s and Gorillaz are clear, with the melodica lending a whimsical edge, yet the track retains the narrative depth and layered arrangements that have become their signature.
As the lead single for their upcoming EP Spinning Adrift (set to drop in spring 2025), “It’s a Sign” is both an irresistible and thought-provoking anthem for those caught between luck and intention. With its buoyant melodies and clever interplay between Lindsey and Ryan’s vocals, this is indie-pop at its finest.
Julie Haven’s latest single, “Running Man,” is a surprising, upbeat shift from the more introspective ballads that have established her as one of Metro Detroit’s most soulful and evocative singer-songwriters.
Known for her honest reflections on heartbreak and life’s tougher lessons, Julie’s music has always been an outlet for the heavier and more complex emotions that resonate with listeners.
But with “Running Man”, a cheeky, piano-powered pop-rock anthem, Julie lets her lighter, wittier side take center stage. Inspired by an emotionally elusive partner with a “dismissive avoidant attachment style,” the song is a burst of energy and personality aimed squarely at a man who “runs at the first sign of struggle or closeness.” The music video, however, takes things a step further, and captures the humor and absurdity of this dynamic with over-the-top silliness.
With a cast of hilariously exaggerated characters and laugh-out-loud moments, the video features Julie’s friends dressed up in zany roles. From the elusive Running Man himself to a wig-wearing “mother” crying over her daughter’s love life.
Filmed in her old Florida home and local parks, the video transforms familiar settings into a stage for playful scenes that poke fun at her own heartbreak.
Here, Julie shares what inspired “Running Man,” how the video came together, and why this song is such a departure for her musically and emotionally.
1. Tell us the story of this song; why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?
The song itself was written as a sort of follow up to “See Me Cry”, where I was already in a state of frustration from feeling like I was being toyed with by an emotionally unavailable partner, (who now I realize many years later, was man with a dismissive avoidant attachment style), and the constant hot and cold dynamic led to an even angrier version of myself when I wrote “Running Man”. Which essentially, is about a man who constantly runs at the first sign of struggle or closeness in a relationship.
I wanted this video to be just super over the top, ridiculous and silly. Most of my songs are very serious and about heartbreak or the constant lessons of life that I’m trying to interpret and learn. I released “Kill Me”, which is a pretty dark song about being lied to and about infidelity, which had a very creepy animated video along with it, then followed that up with the emotionally heavy, “Between the Lies”, about domestic abuse, and I wanted this video to be the total opposite of that and just be stupid, really. I have a bunch of different sides of me, and the people who know me very well, know that as dark and depressed I can be, I can also be really silly and have no problem making fun of myself. So I wanted that to come through in this video.
So with the video, I wanted to take the lyrics and over exaggerate them with a very tongue and cheek tone. We have Benjamin Card, (a super talented songwriter under the name “Breezy Tempest”) the Running Man himself, and he’s in this bright yellow outfit and basically running the whole time. My friend Glenn Baker (Glenn Baker Band) plays my mother, and he’s wearing a bright red wig with a full beard. And the basic story is I give him my heart, which in the video is an actual heart shaped totem, he runs away with it, but keeps coming back while I keep giving him chances. Eventually I run after him and get my heart back once and for all.
2. What inspired this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
When I thought about making this video, I just kept picturing the most ridiculous scenes and this guy just running away from the simplest things like milk spilling onto the floor, being intimate and bolting, taking off when I’m crying watching a movie (“Kill Me” easter egg moment), actually biting me and running away (a line in the song). And it just kind of morphed into what we have. I added the idea of my mother crying every time this guy runs away and breaks her little girl’s heart, and it hit me one day “What if Glenn dresses in a wig and a tight dress?! It would be hilarious!” Then my disapproving father (who has never approved of any man in my life) is smoking a bubble pipe with a drawn on beard (Ironically enough played by my now ex). It’s just over the top silly. And just for fun I added my friend Michelle Johnson in there for no reason other than being the “BANG!” girl who is a random character who pulls a trigger on a prob gun that says “BANG!” and cheering for everything cause she loves everyone. She cracks me up.
3. What was the process of making this video?
Lance Goodman was the videographer, director and editor. He is the same guy who filmed “Between the Lies”, and I loved working with him the first time, so I decided to do it again. One of the cool things is that we filmed both videos in the same locations; the house where I used to live with my ex in Florida, and the park where we used to run. I thought it was neat to have the dark and the light in the same places.
We filmed this in one day. So the day of the shoot everyone showed up at the house and I had my ideas written down as certain scenes I wanted to try and we tried it all. We then went to the park and finished the running scenes, which was very funny because there were random people walking around and watching us as we acted out this ridiculous video. A scene we added last minute was Ben dropping my keyboard and breaking it and then taking off, leaving me to clean up the mess. I would never condone destroying a piece of perfectly good equipment, however, two days prior to filming this video, I was rear ended and my car was totaled along with my keyboard while I was driving to a gig. I wanted to add a car scene in the video but the car was undrivable. So I decided to add the keyboard scene in since it was already destroyed. Very “Rock ‘n Roll” lol.
I also gave Ben full reign to do whatever he wanted with the character, and he was perfect for that role. I could not stop laughing. I kept breaking character because he would surprise me with the faces he would make or moves he would just randomly do. We all had a lot of fun making this. Great memories for sure.
“Running Man” is a track from “Dramatic Departures”, Julie’s first full-length album, crafted from an intimate collection of songs she’s kept close over the years.
Her discography already includes an album, four EPs, and a live record, capturing a journey that has seen her perform across the U.S., from small coffeehouses to major festivals.
Julie has been a recurring artist at Michigan’s celebrated Arts, Beats and Eats Festival, where her music resonates with audiences year after year. With the upcoming worldwide release of “Dramatic Departures“, Julie invites listeners to connect with her most personal work to date.
In a time when the world seems more divided than ever, Gary Pickus’s project, Eyes of the Stars, debuts a radiant anthem of hope and unity with his latest single “The World Will Unite.”
The track is an infectious blend of reggae, pop, and R&B, and it carries with it a unified message – to remind listeners that, despite all of our differences, music has the power to bring us together.
“The World Will Unite” has a bright, optimistic energy and a toe-tapping rhythm. Pickus’s long-held belief that joy and music are the antidotes to division is shown well here. It’s a melody that sticks in your head and a message that sticks in your heart.
Listen here:
Pickus’s vocals are smooth and passionate with the call for global togetherness. The chorus – soaring and anthemic – paints a picture of a future where differences can be celebrated, and where humanity can find common ground in love, joy, and faith.
“The World Will Unite” also shines in its production. Pickus incorporates reggae’s laid-back rhythms, pop’s bright melodies, and the smooth, soulful textures of R&B. It’s the kind of song that transcends borders, much like the message it conveys.
“The inability to walk in another person’s shoes is a disability,” Pickus declares, challenging listeners to step into someone else’s world.
What sets “The World Will Unite” apart though is its balance between being a fun, energetic track and something deeply meaningful. It’s music that feels good, but is also inspiring.
And in a time when the world feels so fractured, that’s exactly the kind of song we all need.
Gary Pickus stands out as a versatile and seasoned music professional with a career spanning multiple decades, marked by notable achievements across composing, arranging, producing, musical directing, and performing.
His work has reached global audiences through his gold record, contributions to 20 albums, as well as the creation of 2 network TV themes.
He has also developed a 4-CD children’s educational series and performed thousands of live shows on keyboards, with hundreds of his compositions placed in various media.
Pickus’ extensive career has taken him through key musical hubs like New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville, and his international projects reflect a deep understanding of world music influences. His commitment to creating music that serves a higher purpose is encapsulated in his mantra, “There is nothing more entertaining than saving lives,” which emphasizes the power of music to bring about positive change.
Throughout his career, he has worked alongside legendary figures like Alan and Robin Thicke, Dionne Warwick, Diane Warren, and Dasha, collaborating with many other industry creatives who have gained recognition supporting major stars.
Connect with Gary Pickus and Eyes of the Stars on the Website
Actor and musician Eli Golden, known for his starring role in the Netflix feature film “13 The Musical, “ has released a new single just in time for Halloween, “Worst Nightmare”.
It’s a striking blend of hip-hop and pop, all wrapped up in an eerie atmosphere that perfectly complements the theme.
From the song’s beginning, listeners are drawn into a world of haunting melodies. Written in C minor, “Worst Nightmare” has only four chords in the verse, and three chords in the chorus, with the E major chord lending a creepy vibe. Eli sticks to the minor chords in both the verse and the chorus, making sure that the chorus avoids anything too bright or happy.
Golden’s voice captures the feeling of being trapped by the memory of a past lover. The lyrics explore the lingering emotional baggage following a break-up, making this song relatable to anyone who has experienced a similar heartache.
The production on this track was co-crafted with producer Matt Anthony (Shinedown, Pat Monohan, Darius Rucker, Theory of a Deadman, Halestorm, Tammany Hall NYC, JJ Appleton, and more). The eerie soundscapes create a ghostly ambiance that echoes the theme of being haunted. Combining rhythm beats and melodic hooks is the perfect backdrop for Golden’s storytelling.
One of the standout aspects of “Worst Nightmare” is how it artfully balances its darker themes with moments of brightness. The song’s structure builds tension throughout, leading to a memorable climax, which leaves a lasting impression on the listener. Golden can bring complex emotions into accessible pop music here, showing a maturity beyond his years.
Having originally written the song at 11 years old, the decision to revisit it shows just how far Eli has come. It’s a compelling single that combines haunting themes with infectious pop sensibilities.
“Worst Nightmare” will be a highlight track of the fall music scene for fans and newcomers alike.
About Eli Golden
Eli Golden, born in 2007, is a young actor and singer who made a striking debut as the lead in Netflix’s 13: The Musical.
Hailing from Westchester, New York, Eli grew up in a family deeply connected to the entertainment world. His early career included commercials and TV roles before his breakthrough on the big stage. His performance in “13: The Musical” showed his vocal and acting talents and placed him firmly in the spotlight as a rising star.
With a strong sense of his roots and a passion for performing, Eli Golden is poised for an exciting future in film and theater.
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