Hopeless Records Just Dropped This Band From Their Label!

You have heard of them on our blog posts, on our podcast OnlyBands, and now it’s time that we remind you of this incredible artist. And from a PR standpoint, it appears that this artist has only done great and kind things both in their music and in their daily lives. Hopeless Records, have you heard of Ronx!?

Credit: Daniel Diaz

Ronx 

Ronx is from Brooklyn (Bronx) in New York City and state. Mission Music Foundation has most recently covered their latest single, “Good Vibes” which is their 3rd most popular song on their Spotify Artist profile. From their hard work, it comes as a shock that they only have an average of 200 monthly listeners. Prior to “Good Vibes” we have also covered their latest album titled, “Another Year and I’m Still Here”. You can hear their clear influences in their music which range from Blink-182 to Neck Deep and 5 Seconds of Summer. The band is 3 members, Josh Regullio (bass/vocals), Alexy Perez (guitar), and Miguel Vasquez (guitar/vocals) and all are incredibly sweet people. If you are looking for a Person of Color band to support, this is the band for you. The band had started their music career out as more of a Neck Deep meets Blink-182, though with their latest released work, showcases a more pop-rock, or indie vibe. It might remind you of a 5 Seconds Of Summer meets Dear Evan Hansen (the musical) type style. Both relaxing and energetic in sound and overall, most definitely an underrated band. 

“Retrograde” 

The title might remind you of Point North and you wouldn’t be so far off to make some slight comparisons to Point North (notably, their album Brand New Vision). This song makes you want to dance and cry both at once. The vocals are brought in after a few seconds with a more electronic dance (or EDM) vibe while the guitars would remind someone listening of Blink-182 mixed with All Time Low. A very unique combination and certainly, only one that Ronx can pull off. The lyrics bring attention to toxic and negative behaviors, negative vibes, and how that can impact a person’s mental health. Creating this song wasn’t easy for Ronx to do. “We spent about 2 years talking about what’s next and where we want to be in the next 6 to 12

months, writing more songs trying to figure out new ways to express our feelings with music.” says Joshua. It is easy to say that Ronx has accomplished its goal. The energetic and uplifting beats are a solid contrast to the dark and heartbreaking lyrics with the chorus noting especially on a person’s mental health. After the chorus, there is an almost quietness to the song before it quickly picks back up, which allows the listener a chance to breathe and take in the lyrics. Towards the end of the song, there are several vocals layered on top of each other which provides a solid end as it begins to fade out with the lyrics being the last seconds of the song. Retrograde is an incredibly important song that needs to be heard in the music industry as it provides attention to important situations in life. The interesting and most creative part of the song, however, is how Ronx allowed Retrograde to break several musical barriers which allow this song to be played on several different genre sections of streaming applications. Retrograde could fit well into so many different listener’s tastes that it is hard to think of anyone who would not vibe to it. The song in total is a breakaway from traditional genre roles that many of us expect and therefore, is so valuable to the industry. 

Credit: Daniel Diaz

Overall

We have talked about them before, though it is impossible to give them enough credit. Overall, Ronx from the Bronx has continued once again to break several music barriers which expand their listener base. Ronx talks about important topics through their new single Retrograde and is willing to have heavy conversations. Many wouldn’t expect much from an average of 140-200 monthly listeners on Spotify, but they would be underestimating Ronx by a million miles. The trio is willing to speak what they feel and say what they mean both in and outside of music, and Retrograde will forever become a gamechanger in the music industry. Ronx knows how to make meaningful connections between instruments and vocals which is going to take them incredibly far. While the Bronx scene is incredibly large, one could have strong faith that this band will stand out to many listeners both near and far. 

Editor’s note: to be clear, Hopeless Records has not dropped any artist from their label. But we are glad you stuck around and read about a new artist! Thank you, Clickbait titles!

Written by:

Blake Matthews

Joe Billy Releases a Punk Comedy, “Space Dick”

It seems as if now that more people have been getting vaccinated, that shows are starting to pick up and many promoters are looking to get back on track with performances and live shows. This is the prime time for artists to be releasing new music as it gives them the proper (and long waited) chance to promote their new music to fans who have been craving shows to come back. Today, we talk about one of the smart musicians who released a short, yet special single on September 3rd, 2021.

Who is Joe Billy?

Joe Billy is an artist you might have heard of through our podcast, OnlyBands. The Punk singer-songwriter started in 2012 when he released his debut single, “Point of Anxiety” which features two tracks. Unable to form a band due to musical differences, he continued his path and chose to not give up, turning his music into a solo project. Based in New Jersey, Joe Billy has played numerous shows all over the tri-state area forming a fairly decent following. His Spotify holds an average of 50 monthly listeners, with fans that enjoy some comedy, but with a politically punk message. In 2016, Joe Billy announced and released his debut album that features 10 songs and is titled, “Censor This”. The songs feature a strong “punk” message and fast instrumentation. About a year later in 2017, he released his sophomore album titled, “Let ‘Em Fall”. Since 2017, Joe continued to release albums and singles that had a combination between comedy and serious political messages. While the pandemic was harsh on many artists who got into writer’s block and lack of creative ideas, Joe persevered and was able to release two singles (“I’m The Motherfucking Spiderman” and “Warning”) that attracted great attention. On September 3, 2021, Joe Billy has just released a short 55-second comedy song, “Space Dick”.

“Space Dick” 

While not the most PG titled single, the song starts as fast-paced and energetic. The first couple seconds have vocals without instruments and are the perfect way to start a live performance. The instrumentation might remind you of The Misfits, The Ramones, or the Dead Kennedys while the vocals provide a completely separate vibe. One that might remind you of The Offsprings, Sum 41, or Social Distortion. Joe Billy sings powerfully in an almost screaming-like voice, that makes you both want to laugh and dance along. The song cuts into instrumentals for the last 30 seconds which provides both a breath and newfound energy into the short song. Joe Billy has created a short, yet sweet clip for many punk fans to enjoy. It would be hard to find a punk fan who could not enjoy this song. Overall, this could be a great introduction and beginning to a live performance sung as the first song of the setlist. 

Overall

It seems clear now, that Joe Billy is not going anywhere anytime soon and “Space Dick” will provide punk fans with the music that we have all been craving since the pandemic. Joe knows how to create fun, yet powerful music that can grasp the attention of anyone, especially those that get distracted easily. Joe is not an artist that you would like to sleep on as it is now clear that the pandemic only helped his creative juices flow. It is also highly recommended that you check out Joe’s live performances as his discography promotes a strong sense of community. You can find Joe Billy on most streaming platforms. His socials are here on Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, and Twitter. You can also find our previous interview with Joe Billy on OnlyBands.

Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)

Fearless Just Signed This New Artist. Have You Heard of Them!?

Did I catch your attention? Good! Well, now that I have your attention, let’s redirect our attention to a band that just released an incredible EP. And Fearless, if you are reading this, how have you not signed them!? 

For those of you who are just seeing our blog for the first time, Double Header is a band that is close and dear to our hearts at Mission Music Foundation. This is because our Events Coordinator, Zach (he/they) is the vocalist for the band. Zach does a lot for Mission Music Foundation and because it would be too weird to do an OnlyBands Podcast recording to celebrate this exciting news, we thought it would be nice to properly cover the release of their latest work!

As always, let’s start at the beginning….

Who is Double Header?

Double Header is a Pop-punk band based out of New Jersey. Double Header currently has had an average of over 120 monthly listeners on Spotify despite being a fairly new artist to the scene. Initially, the band had a completely different lineup and took a break around 2017 but after Zach made it to the finals of a Makeout Competition, he felt that it was necessary to release a single considering he had gained some traction with their vocals. Zach released (with the consent of the former members) the single, “Purple” in November of 2019 which did incredibly well considering it was the first-ever release under the name of Double Header. “Purple” was a message to those struggling with suicide that their life does matter and was Zach’s story of losing a close friend to it. Zach felt compelled to finally re-create Double Header (and had the consent to do so with all the former members). Upon the release of “Purple”, Zach had become friends with John (he/him) who also had been close with the same person lost to suicide. This networking allowed John to become the guitarist for Double Header. Oliver (he/him), Tyler (he/him), and Eric (he/him) also became a part of the band through similar networking. Upon this connection, Double Header had become whole again. Just under a year later in October of 2020, they released their next single, “Third of October”. Zach also mentions how the initial plan was to release it on the literal third of October. Oh, the irony. “Third of October” is currently their most played song with over 4,500 listens on Spotify. The band has since played several virtual and in-person shows all clearly showing that they are gaining traction within the music scene. 

“It Always Rains On Tuesdays” 

The EP is a unique twist when compared to their first release “Purple” and features 5 songs. The first song, “Fragments” has an intro that reminds you of the song, “Heavenly” by Broadside. The guitars complement the more pop-like intro and the drums are very steady and provide an energetic beat. Zach’s vocals provide a loud, powerful, and confident complement to the instruments. There is a moment in the bridge where the instruments cut out and there are some soft, yet powerful vocals which is the perfect moment to mosh should you see them live. 

Throughout the EP, you might get vibes of Broadside, Hands Like Houses, and State Champs or older music of Simple Plan. The instruments carry their own strong and unique take, while the vocals are very carefully placed to create an overall powerful and meaningful message for the EP. Be prepared to cry, and scream the lyrics if you like heartbreak, self-identity crises, betrayal, or general feelings of panic in your playlist. While vocally, the pitch has some similar notes to “Third Of October”, they do have their own vibe to them. The EP is solid for live performance should you see them live, as there are many moments that Zach can throw out the mic to the crowd, and have y’all sing along. (Like in, “Call You”). It is important to note that some songs will even have you dancing to the instruments. Each song sounds as if it has been carefully crafted and mastered to create the perfect work of art.

It is now very clear that Double Header only makes music that they can feel proud of. Double Header knows exactly what they need to do in order to impress their audience, and they have mastered this knowledge within “It Always Rains On Tuesdays”. 

Overall

Overall Double Header has really outdone themselves with “It Always Rains On Tuesdays” showcasing a very talented setlist for future live performances. While still new to the music scene, there is no doubt in my mind that Double Header will be a band that makes it big in the music industry. Double Header had spent their time meticulously and intricately crafting what may be an album of the year for some listeners. This is definitely not a band you would want to sleep on. You can find Double Header on most streaming platforms and on BandCamp. 

Editor’s Note: To clarify, Fearless Records has NOT signed Double Header or announced a new band to the label, but we are really happy that you learned about a new artist! Got to love Clickbait titles!

By Blake Matthews (he/him)

REVIEW: Backyard Superheroes Releases, “Music In My Head”

Every day new music is released. And every day, there is music that makes you want to dance and have some fun. There is also that music that will make you want to cry or scream in anger. The many different songs that are out there, all create a message that there is something for everyone to bop to. Today’s review will be talking about a unique and groovy song that can make anyone get into a fun mood. This is a great song for those who want to use Opposite Action (A Dialectical Behavior Therapy skill) or for those that are just having a good time. 

Who are Backyard Superheroes?

The Pop-ska, leaning pop-rock ska band based out of New Jersey, has a very strong ethics message to their brand: inclusivity. Backyard Superheroes has been gaining traction within the New Jersey music scene with the help of vocalist and guitar player, Josh Pizza-Hershkovitz. Josh (he/him) has been helping the band succeed through having fun with music and tightening the ska community with side projects. The band has been around since 2012 with their debut single, “Falling With Style” and since, has put out several albums. Most recently, in 2020, was featured on a project called, “The NPC’s”. The NPC’s had released around Christmas 2020 an album titled, “Arose Such A Clatter” with all funds raised on the bandcamp going to Marine’s Toys For Tots. Backyard Superheroes and all bands on the album were very successful in raising over $2,000 for the charity. Backyard Superheroes had also put out a music video for the featured song, “Quarantine Christmas” which you can find here. 

“Music In My Head”

The song starts out with an almost tropical vibe that quickly builds up with the help of the drums to a very energetic and slightly poppy vibe. The vocals are bold and energetic that support the energy of the instruments. Lyrically, the words used are simple, catchy, and easy to sing along to. The song has a very clear message of, “getting so lost in music that the craziness of real-life and our daily thoughts just…don’t matter anymore when we throw on our headphones” according to the band. One might agree that the message is clear enough and one that we can all understand. The bass adds an extra layer of depth to the song. The vibe from the song is something you can see yourself listening to as you’re dancing on the beach in Hawaii with headphones on. The riffs from the guitars add an almost rock-like feel to the song that helps this song break boundaries between pop and rock. The horns are timed well and help to create that tropical vibe. The song in its entirety, has a very Backyard Superheroes feel song while showing that the band can talk about anything in music and make it sound fun. 

It should also be noted that all proceeds from this song via Bandcamp in May/June will be going towards the Asbury Park LGBTQ Health Center. It is starting to seem like a trend that Backyard Superheroes will donate some of their proceeds to charities which is a very special and important message they share. That is that love is love and to do good in the world. This special idea, to donate money made from music to shows is something that the music scene needs more of. Backyard Superheroes appear to only do good with their music.

Overall

Backyard Superheroes are a very underrated and appreciated band. “Music In My Head” adds a very positive and fun message to the band’s discography. The truth is that Backyard Superheroes can talk about any story, any emotion, feeling, or vibe and make it into a fun and groovy song. While the band has been around for a while (2012) it is clear that they are not going anywhere. “Music In My Head” has a very simplistic, yet sing-along vibe to the song where everyone ends up putting on their dancing shoes. It is clear after this release that ska is certainly not dead. Overall, it is a great release with the money going to a great cause. 

Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)

Top 5 Bands You Need to Listen To - April 2021

There are SO many good bands out there. So many of these artists are undiscovered and have a monthly listener count, less than 100. This is why Mission Music Foundation exists. To build a platform for those artists and for no one to feel unheard. These 5 bands are incredibly true to themselves and deserve recognition. 

Life In Discord (Los Angeles, CA)

Life In Discord is a band that genuinely notices their fans’ support. With their most recent release of “A Silhouette (Relapse)” which covers mental health and addiction in a unique, post-hardcore way, the 4-piece band takes their music to a whole new level. With over 170 monthly listeners on Spotify, it is clear that Southern California has started to love Life In Discord. The band also features a Discord server, thus living up to their name. The band’s overall message with their music is to make sure that no one ever feels alone. 

Joker’s Republic (North New Jersey)

Joker’s Republic is a band that perfectly combines ska music and punk music. The 3-part band certainly holds a ska-punk message in their music and attitude towards life. Most recently, Joker’s Republic has released a Christmas single, part of The NPC’s project to raise money for Toys For Tots. With 187 monthly listeners, it is clear that New Jersey loves their Ska, and Ska music is NOT dead. Austen creates very fun and upbeat vocals which ties well with their dancy punk instrumentals. 

Penny Bored (Dallas/Fort-Worth, TX)

If you like Avril Lavigne, you’re going to like Penny Bored. With topics of mental health and instruments that take you back to the early 2000’s pop-punk/emo-pop era, Penny Bored creates a unique sound that most will learn to love. Despite being a fairly new artist with only two singles out, Penny Bored is an artist you do NOT want to sleep on. This is an artist that we can see making it big from the completely unique and energetic sound that is created from her music. 

Aim High (Columbia, SC)

If you like Broadside, Sleeping With Sirens, and A Day To Remember, you’re going to love Aim High. The band has most famously partnered with Broadside in a single titled, “Better Than This” which has a very unique, yet familiar sound that makes you want to cry and dance to it at the same time. The band knows how to write incredibly deep yet catchy lyrics that can and will get stuck in your head for days. Instrumentally, the backing will compliment the vocals in a diverse and unique way which is previously unheard of. Overall, creating a diverse and unique sound that deserves more attention. 

New Anthem (Newmarket, Ontario, Canada)

If you like Big Time Rush, Avril Lavinge, and Simple Plan, you are going to become obsessed with New Anthem. The Canadian band has a very early, yet catchy 2000’s-2010’s vibe which can and will become stuck in your head. New Anthem has a vibe that creates a combination of dancing sad music which might be played at Emo Nite or another pop-punk club. This is definitely a band that deserves more attention than received. It is certainly shocking to see that the band only has 15 monthly listeners on Spotify, and signs all point to that number going up. 

Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)

Review: We’re Wolves Announces Music Video for “Wasteland”

It seems to be the pattern that incredible works of art have come from quarantine. Today’s focus is on a band that consistently breaks musical boundaries that turn into catchy and energetic songs that many fans can love. If there is one thing that Mission Music Foundation agrees on, it is that bands should be able to have music as a primary focus as a career should that be what they want to do. While the world seems to be going through a lot of trauma, it is this same trauma that has created some intensely relatable and incredible works of art. We are proud to introduce you to We’re Wolves.

Credit: Roberto Badillo

Who is We’re Wolves?

We’re Wolves is a band that is definitely gaining attraction and attention. Their YouTube subscribers are on the higher end with over 11k subscribers. Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, the 5 piece band consistently breaks the boundaries between rock and metal.  We’re Wolves first burst on to the music scene with their cover of Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff,” which garnered a huge response for the band, with over 1.6 Million views on YouTube, and 675K streams on Spotify. Their sound is considered to be dark-humored, horror-loving, and energetic, which transfers into their music videos that display satirical yet theatrically-morbid visuals that play off their carefully crafted aggressive sound. Their debut single, “Dissonance,” off their EP The Hunger reached over 400k streams landing the band on the Spotify editorial “New Core” playlist. The band has continued to please fans of metal and horror alike with their cover of “Bodies” by Drowning Pool being featured on Spotify’s “Metal Covers” playlist, and the cover of Disturbed’s “Down With The Sickness” has been revered by the original band themselves.

We’re Wolves currently plans to announce the release of their first full-length album, this year, titled Evil Things, which is a diverse collection of songs designed to connect to the sinner in all of us. Based on Dante’s Divine Comedy. The album takes the listener on a journey through the underworld of Hell, both sonically and lyrically which fans of Ice Nine Kills, Motionless in White, and Beartooth would enjoy. To add on or intensify how fans have grown to love the band, the album also contains features from Bryan Kuznitz of Fame On Fire and Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills.  

“Wasteland” Music Video

The first ten seconds of the music video show a girl wiping away tears and walking out of what appears to be a prison or mental health ward with other females that have numbers written on their shirts. From there, the video transitions to going back and forth between segments of the band’s live performances and the story of the video. The energy from the video is very dark and theatrical, which suits the band in a unique way. Vocalist AJ Diaferio radiates an energetic and almost threatening presence within the video that captures the lyrics in an almost in-your-face kind of way. The acting between the females in the video presents as scared, uncertain, and almost an unsafe vibe. We’re Wolves captivates a very serious message regarding addiction and portrays the emotions surrounding it very well. The whole video might remind one of what would go on in your head as you tried to understand what was going on in reality and how easy it is to get trapped in that cycle. The band adds an extra layer of an almost sickening vibe with the green lights and layers of smoke. In total, it might remind someone about how sickening it can be to watch someone you love start to spiral. It is fair to say that the video is almost like a horror movie, but with a message that everyone should hear. The attitude from the video makes you feel out of control and understood at the same time. AJ intensifies the vocals with his whole body and hands moving as he sings, captivating on the intensity of every lyric he sings. 

Overall

We’re Wolves is a band that deserves more attention than received. The band portrays a very serious and important message, while at the same time, creating an energetic, intense, and horror-styled music video that creates the most unique combination between song and theater. The West Palm Beach band takes a diverse and in-your-face vibe that captures their sound and story in a great way. While the messages are serious, the video creates an almost scary, yet positively insightful look at how addiction can make you feel out of control.

Music Video Credits

Produced by: AJ Diaferio and Rich Sabol

Directed by : Jon Vulpine

Edited by: Jon Vulpine

Co-DP: Andrew Colton

Makeup: Julianne Markil

Instagram: https://instagram.com/glassdaggerfilm...​

Web: https://vimeo.com/407904540/f2e6fb0f52​

Produced by: Bryan Kuznitz

Original song written by: We’re wolves

Song performed by: We're Wolves

Song engineered, mixed, and mastered by: Bryan Kuznitz

Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)

Review: Ronx Releases “Another Year & I'm Still Here"

Quarantine has given many people a lot of free time. With all that time on one’s hands, it is very easy to get sucked into negative mental health spaces or find a lack of motivation to do your typical routine. Luckily, with all this free time, artists are finding themselves creating much better music for us to all enjoy. Artists have been using this time to critique themselves on their works, and improve as musicians. Today’s artist is a group of people that Mission Music Foundation is proud to support and know of. This band can get pretty sad, and yet almost remind you if Blink-182 mixed with Yellowcard and Green Day. The name is Ronx.

Credit: Daniel Diaz

Who is Ronx?

The pop-punk trio is based in the Bronx (Brooklyn), New York, and mainly influenced by bands such as Neck Deep and Blink-182. Their choice of energetic instrumentation, memorable melodies, and honest lyrics, have started to craft a similar sound in the genre, and is shown very clearly on their first two EPs, titled “Welcome Home” and “I’ll Just Go.” The trio consists of Joshua Reguillo (Bass/Vocals)  Miguel Vasquez (Guitar/Vocals) and Alexy Perez (Guitar), who when combined on a stage, create memorable songs and performances that the NYC music scene has grown to love and support. Ronx averages 90-100 monthly listeners on Spotify and had their biggest year in 2018. In 2018, they announced two singles and their debut full-length record, “Division St.” Ronx’s goal with music is to send a  positive message, letting listeners know that they are never alone in anything that they may be going through and that they can overcome any obstacles they face in their life. One that Mission Music Foundation absolutely agrees with. In 2019, the band released two more singles as well, “On My Own” and “Roses” in which an intention to send hope and positivity through the lyrics, and show how much the band’s sound has matured and evolved since their formation. Ronx closed out 2020 with a holiday single entitled “Emo Christmas,” and has more music in store for the new year. During shows they can be found hanging out with the crowd, having a good time, and overall setting the intention of loving and supporting everyone around them. 

Credit: Daniel Diaz

“Another Year & I’m Still Here”

The first track, “February” has an intro that reminds you of Christmas music dance vibes where food is being served and everyone is having a good time. The next 30 seconds build into a more rock/heavier guitar that reminds one of a similar A Day To Remember, but more pop-rock sound. Lyrically, the vocals are sad and emotional. Joshua and Miguel provide heavy, deep sounding and talk about going through a mentally challenging February. The chorus spends some time building into an energetic, harmonic, and groovy type of song. The break after the first chorus adds a nice breather before the next second verse which sounds like something that you would hear at Emo Nite. Overall, a great first track.

The second track, “Lost In A Dream” has a 5-second introduction that sets the mood to be a sad song. Between the guitar riffs and bass, the style of this song is a nice compliment to the first track. The song quickly builds into an energetic, move-around, fun song that one would very easily find themselves dancing or “Moshing” (Safely!!) to. It would not be a surprise to see some safe moshing at one of Ronx’s future shows. Vocally, the lyrics add a layer of questions and statements that bring your state of mind to visualizing a teenage boy having a crush on a girl, but unable to tell her. The chorus adds a series of nice harmonies. The second verse progress into an almost future state of mind, where the girl ends up using the boy. The boy holds on, however, to the idea that they are perfect for each other. 

“Houston”, the third track on the EP, is certainly a calm and soothing song. A big change-up from the previous two songs which has more of an emo-pop vibe to it. The song is written with more acoustic guitars versus the prior electric guitars The instruments are very upbeat and positive, which may take you to the type of music video where others are best friends are having a great time together. The lyrics are very love-like and cute upbeat style, which shows that Ronx knows how to be positive as well. They aren’t all sad! The vocals are sung in a very Blink-182 style, which has beautiful harmonies and compliments the lyrics well. 

“Forever”, Ronx’s fourth track on this EP adds a similar and much slower-paced vibe to Black Veil Brides, and if Blink-182 mixed with Neck Deep and Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe”. Lyrically, the energy is sad and powerful. The story begs the listener to keep holding on and to reach out for help in times of need. It tells of someone trying to validate and an almost anti-suicide message. Vocally, the lyrics are sung in a very loud and passionate way which has similar harmonies to the rest of the EP. The energy is very in your face, and almost angry, but in a heartbroken vibe. The bass fills the emptiness and the song ends on a voicemail that holds a very sweet and supportive message. 

The final track of the EP, “Roses (Reimagined)” Features a guest vocalist, Saxl Rose who adds a nice layer of surprise to the EP. The song is probably the most emo-pop out of the whole album. There is a really fun trumpet that goes into the song, and a song that you could probably find yourself clapping and/or crying to. The bass is very deep and adds a layer of energy to the otherwise, calm and relaxing song. The vocals are sung in a unique taste that would have brought Blink-182 to a pop song. The drums are soft and timed in a positively calm manner. Overall, bringing the EP to a very nice and accomplished finished. 

Overall

Based in the Brooklyn, New York music scene, it is very clear that Ronx is and continues to make big and powerful moves that have gained them deserved attention. The sad boys created a unique and inspiring, but also emotionally charged EP that everyone struggling should listen to. One can find themselves not only smiling but also cry listening. Ronx releasing a five-tracked EP shows that they are musically willing to challenge themselves in a positive direction. The 5 tracks all tell a very different, yet understandable and real-life stories that everyone can relate to. It is now understood that especially during pandemics, there are still artists who only continue to improve and challenge themselves which have been proven to create incredible works of art.  

Written By: Blake Matthews (he/him)

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Review: Highwind Releases, “Sleepless in L.A./Will You Please (Stay)”

Quarantine has been tricky for a lot of artists. Generally, this time period of the year is a time for artists to promote their past year’s music with shows. It’s a prime time in the spring season for networking, preparing for summer tours, and things alike. Because of the obvious lack of shows (thanks, COVID! :{ ), this has stopped many artists from releasing new music and gaining more listeners on streaming platforms. Luckily, for us, it has not stopped one artist in particular. In fact, this artist has released not one or two, but 4 (FOUR!) singles. It is almost as if he has done nothing more than creating music.

Credit: Kris Khunachak

Who is Highwind?

Highwind, the previously 2-piece band, now consists of just Christopher Russo Jr, (Chris) is based out of New Jersey. Highwind is considered to be pop-punk, leaning towards emo-pop-styled music. Chris (he/him) writes lyrics that empower others in dark and troubling mindsets to know that they are not alone and it’s okay to reach out for help. Highwind’s first EP, “How’ve You Been?” has aspects of heavy guitar riffs, a deep bass, and simple but meaningful drums with lyrics that ask the important questions. Highwind has been gaining attention from the music scene by being a genuinely good person and spreading loads of positivity at every show. 

Credit: Kris Khunachak

“Sleepless in L.A./Will You Please (Stay)” 

The single features two songs: “Sleepless in L.A” and “Will You Please (Stay)” and was released to the public on March 12, 2021, at midnight Eastern Standard Time. The first track, “Sleepless In L.A” has a guest vocalist- Sierra Binondo (she/her) who one might recall from the band With Sails Ahead, another band gaining traction within the New Jersey music scene. The first 10 seconds are filled with a pop-like guitar riff, that reminds you of music you might hear driving on Rodeo Drive, a famous road strip in Los Angeles. The next seconds build into a nice kick from the drums, and soft vocals that visualize a very common Los Angeles experience. The chorus adds a more rock-like feel to the song as if you can picture a couple of Los Angeles friends laughing and falling asleep around each other. Sierra’s vocals create a unique element that oddly (despite her Jersey speaking voice) reminds you of a Californian having a good time and creating a doubled dynamic that intensifies the vocals and lyrics. The song has a very upbeat and positive feeling which you might listen to when you are sad, to make yourself feel happy and fun. Overall, the sound is a unique addition to Highwind’s prior releases and builds on the new change of style.

“Will You Please (Stay)” is almost both similar and completely opposite of “Sleepless in L.A.” which features a very upbeat and fun first intro that you might hear if you were at a dance party with your best friends having a fantastic time. The energy from the instruments adds a very calm but positive vibe which is unique as the lyrics can sound very dark in moments. Chris’s vocals are soft and calm but in a kind and almost sad way. This specific song ranges more of the emo-pop era, and yet, hints at a heavier guitar sounding like the rock genre. There are clearly still hints of younger Highwind within this song. The energy together is a nice balance and would provide the perfect study music. The chorus asks important questions that empower the listener to keep going even when things get hard. At the end of the first chorus, the second verse builds on the energy from the chorus and amplifies the emotions from both the instrumentals and vocals. This creates a song that one might play for a friend in a dark moment, asking them to just hold on a little longer sent with love. “Will You Please (Stay)” touches on the core Highwind values and building off from “Afterlife (How’ve You Been?)” by going from, “I lost a friend” to, “I want to help others old on”, thus, creating a shift of energy and direction since the EP/Single. Overall, the sound is a unique shift of change that is very much Highwind and a positively sad song.

Overall

Overall, Highwind is changing gears, but not completely, and has clearly shown several new and old aspects of his music. The single adds a new direction and builds off prior releases in quarantine. We can be very proud of Highwind and be excited to see what happens post-quarantine as Chris will have a LOT to promote and share with us. We can take the lesson of how to spend our quarantine time doing things we love a bit more seriously, as we see the beauty that can come from it. 

Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)

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Top 5 Artists You NEED to Listen To - March 2020 Edition:

We know in quarantine, you have been getting a lot of free time to listen. Though, one can imagine that it might get boring after a while, listening to the same 5 or 6 artists on repeat. This is why we are introducing you to 5 new artists each month. When shows happen again, you might want to check them out live! Local shows are almost always better than the big shows, in our opinion. Let us know your thoughts on them! Our theme this month is emotional sadness. And remember, it is perfectly okay to be sad! 

Here are our top 5 this month!

Sadderday (Los Angeles, CA) 

Sadderday is one of the Los Angeles bands that are slowly gaining traction. In a pop-punk vibe that reminds you of a mix between Yellowcard, Knuckle Puck, Every Avenue, and Real Friends, Sadderday brings sadness to a whole new level. The band released “Say No More” in early January this year and in the end of June, signed to Sunlight Records. Their song, “Please Call Home (PCH)” specifically adds a vibe that everyone can relate to. Despite the raw emotion in their lyrics, you can find Sadderday being really sweet and happy people who just want to have fun and play music. At their shows, you can find them laughing with everyone, bringing an energetic stage presence, and making sure everyone is having a good time. 

Fawnes (New Jersey)

Fawnes is a brand new artist based in New Jersey and from his 39 monthly listeners,you can tell that people already love him. Though, take a listen, and you will find that 3 Parts Sadness, One Part Madness, will be stuck in your head for a good couple of days. You might also find that within “I Don’t Like U”, there is an extra layer of hurt to the song, which makes the EP sound so personal. The music is catchy and energetic. The lyrics are easy to learn and dance along to. Upon listening to this EP, I found myself dancing and screaming along to the chorus of “Deku Trees”.  Fawnes is for fans of Future, Lil Wayne, and Lil Peep. 

Small Talk. (San Diego, CA)

Small Talk. is a band that’s been starting to gain some heavy traction in the Southern California scene. They have played with Sadderday, and most of the bands in San Diego. What might strike you as unique is that one-third of the band are transgender and are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Their latest album, “I’ve Seen Better Days (Acoustic)” is an acoustic change-up from their heavy, post-hardcore, sound. Prior to this release, the band released “Hawthorne” which fits as the song might remind you of a Hawthorne Heights song. Noah (vocals) adds a bit of LGBT, mental health, and relationship stress into his lyrics. Small Talk. would be best for fans of Hawthorne Heights, I Prevail, State Champs, and The Used. 

Breaking Even (Sayreville, NJ) 

Breaking Even is one of the bands that quarantine has not stopped too harshly. The band has since started their own podcast- which you can find our feature, here - and are some of the coolest guys around. Their latest single, “Trying So Hard”, brings an old rock, emo style to modern 2020. Breaking Even may be fairly new, though has gained a fair bit of traction since their first release in 2019. They may one day be Breaking Even in their efforts. Breaking Even is for fans of Simple Plan, We Are The In Crowd, We Were Sharks, and Seaway. 

No Coincidence (Long Island, NY) 

No Coincidence brings a type of energy to the shows that brings people back. The band has been gaining a solid amount of traction in the tri-state area and has about 95 monthly listeners on Spotify. Their latest single, “October” certainly has an autumn sadness feel, and takes you back to a State Champs x Neck Deep kind of vibe. The energy from their music makes you want to move around and at the same time, the vocals make you want to cry. They are certainly a band that I would not be surprised at if they blew up. At their shows, you can find their energy to make you think that you are in a bigger venue than reality. No Coincidence is for fans of State Champs, Neck Deep, Sleeping With Sirens, and All Time Low. 

Have a band you would like us to chat about? Send an email to events@Missionmusicfoundation.com ! In a band and have something to promote? Send us an email! We are always looking for new artists to spread some love.

Written by: Blake Matthews