music

Breakups can be challenging for anyone to navigate, especially when we tend to gaslight ourselves from the emotions we’re feeling. Multi-genre artist Kami Kehoe proves she is just that with the debut of her first full-length album DRAMA QUEEN, led by single “hate ur f**king self.” The nine-track project is conceptually driven, capturing each stage of healing a broken heart with a sarcastic, almost downright bratty demeanor. Unpublished had the chance to get exclusive behind-the-scenes stories behind DRAMA QUEEN, the importance of the project’s structure and meaningful advice on how to navigate and heal from heartbreak and toxic relationships.

Love You Later – the project of Nashville-based singer and songwriter Lexi Aviles – presents her highly-anticipated EP From the Window Seat. The seven-track EP includes past hit singles like “Girl With Headphones,” and “Long Sleeves” that take an introspective deep dive into her most vulnerable emotions and healing breakthroughs throughout the creation of the project. Unpublished had the chance to talk to Love You Later again since her release of “Girl With Headphones” to talk about From The Window Seat’s most intimate moments, how she finds grounding in times of chaos and the breakthroughs she experienced.

Anna Shoemaker plays to a  sold-out crowd at Chicago’s staple alternative venue Subterranean to headline her upcoming Hey Anna EP release. The energy was nothing short of intense and intimate, as Shoemaker holds hands with the fans and signs their merch before and after. Shoemaker performs fan favorites such as “Holly,” “I Think I” and “It’s Depression” to accompany her Hey Anna release. Unpublished had the chance to bask in Shoemaker’s realm of empowerment and celebration.

JUNO Award-nominated Indigenous (Anishinaabe/Cree), queer activist, actress, poet, alt-pop singer-songwriter, and filmmaker, Jayli Wolf, shares a powerful new single, “Holding On.” Wolf touches on themes of healing, rising from the ashes, and tuning into herself and her femininity. Unpublished had the chance to explore the inspirations behind “Holding On,” the themes of the music video, and what fans can expect from her forthcoming EP due to be released this summer.

Vanessa Tha Finessa is a rising rap superstar that embodies a hot girl energy, inside and outside the studio which is fueled by the power of the independent women around her. Inspired by Afrobeat soundscaping and a confident attitude, Vanessa The Finnessa has released her latest single “Top Notch” which is a sneak peek off her upcoming debut EP CURRENT due to be released soon. Unpublished had the chance to do an exclusive interview with Vanessa The Finessa on the inspirations behind “Top Notch,” how she has a positive, empowering attitude in her creativity and what listeners can expect in her new era of music with debut release CURRENT.

The typical “crybaby” is seen as a sensitive soul who cries over spilt milk and the smallest obstacles in life. After making her explosive debut with her first single, “Fantasy,” rlyblonde – the project of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Carina Allen – returns with “Spiltmilk,” the second single off her forthcoming debut EP. Rlyblonde presents a campy performance that touches on giving herself more credit after navigating life’s challenges. Unpublished had a chance to talk to rlyblonde again on the inspirations behind the “SpiltMilk” single, her production company HOT CREATIVE and exclusive sneak peeks into her upcoming debut EP.

Tiffany Johnson is no stranger to blurring the lines between teenage angst while tapping into her old soul self through her grace and intuitive storytelling. Johnson debuted her sophomore EP last fall following her self-titled EP back in 2021. The artist takes on a new light owning her emotions in full and being vulnerable like never before. The EP titled Over Emotional highlights the rollercoaster of feelings that come with finishing high school and leaving a hometown. Her songwriting blends pop, country, and alternative influences to create a unique sound. Describing herself as “an old soul with teenage angst” her storytelling and lyricism stretch far beyond her years. Unpublished had the chance to have an exclusive behind-the-scenes story of how Over Emotional came to life through its frustrations, teenage angst, and vulnerability, as well as the high-energy music video for “Warning Label.”

Rising indie-folk songstress Hana Bryanne is not afraid to explore chasmic depths as she chronicles heavy themes around misogyny, sexual violence and mental health in her upcoming EP Dollface. Unpublished had the chance to talk to Bryanne and take a deep dive through the inspirations behind Dollface, her latest single “Visions” that tackles feelings of loneliness and advice for navigating mental health issues.

Sadye transcends the limits of experimental and mainstream alt-pop, challenging listeners and breathing new life into the genre with otherworldly mystique and uncompromising vision. From humble beginnings as a small-town singer/songwriter, Sadye writes with depth and heart, often taking on unexpectedly dark and heavy themes. Her debut single “Biblical” takes on the themes of rebirth and breaking out of toxic cycles in relationships that have never served her. Sadye flips the narrative of making mistakes and going back and forth in relationships in her new era of music. Unpublished had the chance to take a deep dive with Sadye to talk on the significance of the color white in her era of rebirth, the inspirations behind “Biblical” and advice on toxic relationships.