Tag: music Q&A

A Quick Chat With…Zavier Quinn

It’s ZAVIER QUINN‘s turn in the NLM interview hot seat after his latest single ‘FTS (First Time Secret)’ was crowned the blog’s Song of the Month back in April.

So come and find out more about the talented producer from Los Angeles as he unveils his inspiration behind the mysterious track, plus his plans for 2026…

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2026 treating you so far?

ZQ: 2026 has been a year of growth, clarity, and consistency. I’m spending less time chasing and more time building. I decided to trust the process. I have taken time to understand who I am as an artist, what I create, and what stories I want my music to tell. The music is stronger, the vision is clearer, and I have learned to trust my own voice as an artist. That’s been one of the biggest self-realizations this year.

NLM: You released your single, ‘FTS – First Time Secret’ back in April. What is the public perception of the single so far?

ZQ: The response has been interesting because people hear different things. Some hear a breakup record. Some hear confidence. Some hear boundaries. I like that people are finding their own story in the record. For me, that’s the best outcome I could have hoped for.

NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?

ZQ: FTS came from a place of recognizing your worth. Sometimes people only value you after you’ve moved on. The song isn’t about anger. It’s about growth. It’s about understanding that not everyone deserves continued access to your energy.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

ZQ: I’d describe it as modern R&B with a cinematic edge. It’s smooth, it’s melodic, and emotional, but there’s still confidence and attitude in it. It’s music for people who’ve lived a little.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?

ZQ: Know your value. Not everyone who misses you deserves a secon d chance. Sometimes growth means appreciating where you’ve been while still moving forward.

NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?

ZQ: My team and I have discussed a few concepts, and we’re exploring what makes sense creatively. Right now I’m focused on building a complete visual world around not only FTS but the music coming next rather than rushing something out.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on ‘FTS’, who would it be and why?

ZQ: Probably Lucky Daye. I’ve always appreciated artists who can be vulnerable and confident at the same time, and I think he’d bring something special to the record.

NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2026?

ZQ: More music. More visuals. More consistency. My goal is to continue building the Zavier Quinn catalog and connecting with listeners who appreciate authentic storytelling. I’m focused on long-term growth rather than quick moments.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

ZQ: Search Zavier Quinn on all major streaming platforms. You can also connect with me on Instagram, TicTok and YouTube at @mr.zavierquinn where I share music, creative projects, and pieces of the journey.

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other professional would you do?

ZQ: If music didn’t exist, I’d probably be somewhere designing systems or building businesses. I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, how people connect, and how ideas become reality. In a lot of ways, producing music isn’t that different—you’re still building something from nothing.

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A Quick Chat With… Indigo Syndicate

Jharyss (pictured left), Sam (centre) and Preston – aka Nashville trio INDIGO SYNDICATE – have been a regular on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup. Their music resonated with you guys as their single ‘DND – Do Not Disturb’ claimed the blog’s Song of the Month top spot in May.

Member Sam jumps right into the interview seat to discuss the inspiration behind the single, which forms part of their latest project,‘Briley Parkway’.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2026 treating you so far?

S: 2026 has been full of work, love, and growth. We have all been more motivated now than ever to continue to spread our positivity to anyone who is needing it. Overall, we’ve been doing the best we can with what we have, and that’s enough to say it’s been a good year for us personally.

NLM: You released your single, ‘DND (Do Not Disturb)’ back in February. What is the public‘s response of the single so far?

S: We have had nothing but positive feedback from friends, family and fans. It seems to be gaining quite a bit of traction with over 30,000 streams on Spotify alone, and we’ve seen a good number of those streams convert to real followers that we are more than happy to welcome to our community.

NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?

S: Both us and our fans were craving something you could dance to, so that was our main goal with releasing DND as our first single of 2026. We came with something completely different from what we released in 2025 and are proud to be continuously raising the bar.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

S: DND is an alternative, multi-genre bop with a beat-change you’d never expect and lyrics that you can’t help but admire. If you listen to artists like The Kid Laroi or BROCKHAMPTON, you’ll like this one.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?

S: While we love connecting to our fans through our lyricism, this track was more for the people who simply like a high-energy song they can bop their heads to. The concept is a little darker, touching on toxic relationships, but the song is meant to uplift the listener’s energy through the instrumentation and layout.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on DND, who would it be and why?

S: We all thought The Kid Laroi would make a killer feature on this. The type of drums and topic are perfect for his voice and style. If we could list a second artist, Tank and the Bangas would absolutely murder a verse and really play into the alternative side of this song rather than the pop/rap tones it has. Shouts out to both of the artists mentioned. They’re truly incredible musicians we all three admire and tune into.

NLM: ‘DND’ forms part of your latest EP ‘Briley Parkway’, released last month. What’s the general theme of the project?

S: Briley Parkway is a small project that touches on toxicity in relationships. We wanted to keep dark pop as a recurring genre throughout every song while also touching on different struggles almost every person has gone through when maintaining relationships with family, friends, and/or romantic partners. However, coinciding with our true genre-bending spirit, we made sure each song has its own uniqueness by letting different genres seep through, including rap, rnb, bedroom pop and edm.

NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2026?

S: Maintaining our monthly release schedule has been our top priority. We work a minimum of two nights a week to ensure we can give our fans new music consistently. On top of releasing monthly, we have a few shows coming up in Nashville we are excited to be a part of and will hopefully be coming out with a few collaborations with other local musicians before the end of 2026.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

S: We are Indigo Syndicate on all of your favorite platforms! You can find us on social media either @indigosyndicate or @indigosyndicatemusic. We also have a website, https://www.indigosyndicate.com/ where you can find information on recent releases as well as upcoming ones. Shouts out to our amazing team at Publicity Nation for making the coolest website a band could ever ask for. We love everyone over there to the moon and back. Besides that, you can find us playing in and around Nashville if you want to. :)

NLM: If music didn’t exist, what other profession would you do?

S: This is such a tough one because we are constantly saying there is nothing we’d rather do. Music is and will always be our purpose. If we had to pick something, it’d probably be related to social work or helping animals. We all share a mission of making the world a better place, so those fields are probably the only other ways we could do so.

We wanted to thank you, Tracey, and the entire team at New Lease Music for continuing to support us on our musical journey. We seriously appreciate any time you’re willing to spend on tuning in to our sound and learning more about who we are as people. Please remember to drink water and as always, spread love, not hate.

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A Quick Chat With…Ms Alisha B

MS ALISHA B, hops into the hot seat to discuss her latest single ‘What’s Done Is Done’.The promising R&B singer also shares come exciting upcoming plans for emerging artists, so why not dive in to find out more!

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2026 treating you so far?

MAB: 2026 has been a very intentional year for me so far. I’ve been focusing on growth, both personally and creatively, and being more structured with how I approach my music and purpose. It feels like a year of alignment, where everything I’ve been building internally is starting to come together externally.

NLM: You released your single, “What’s Done Is Done” (10th April). What is the public perception of the single so far?

MAB: People have been saying they really like the song online, which has been really encouraging. In terms of the deeper message, I haven’t received much detailed feedback yet on how it has impacted listeners personally, but I believe that will come in time as people continue to connect with the song.

NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?

MAB: The original inspiration for the song came from experiences of sexual violence, and it was first written around 2016. That was the starting point. As the song developed, particularly in the second verse, co-writer Luke Grant (GKID) helped shape it into something more universal. It moved beyond one specific experience and became something that also reflects toxic or unhealthy relationships more broadly, making it more relatable to others.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

MAB: The sound is rooted in R&B, but it carries a fusion of Gospel, soul, and subtle reggae influences. It has a smooth and reflective feel, with an edge in the melodies and rhythms that give it depth. The message is Gospel-influenced, while the sound stays soulful and relatable.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?

MAB: The main message is that your past does not define your future. Whatever someone has experienced, they don’t have to carry it as their identity. The song is about release, healing, and choosing to move forward. It also points people towards the understanding that through GOD, there is always an opportunity for restoration, clarity, and growth.

NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?

MAB: We originally filmed a video for the song in 2017, but due to some issues at the time, it wasn’t released. However, I’m currently releasing an AI version of the video this month, and after my EP release, I plan to rework and release a full official version.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on “What’s Done Is Done”, who would it be and why?

MAB: I would say H.E.R., because of her ability to express emotion and vulnerability in a very honest and soulful way. Her style would complement the depth of the message.

NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2026?

MAB: I’m currently working on my first book, “How to Write Songs From the Heart”. I’m also developing my songwriting community and preparing a compilation project for emerging artists. Musically, I’m in the early stages of working on a 5–6 track EP and focusing on releasing music intentionally this year.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

MAB: All platforms use the same handle:
Instagram / Facebook / YouTube: @msalishabmusic

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other profession would you do?

MAB: If music didn’t exist, I would still be doing something that involves mentoring and developing people. Teaching or coaching would naturally align with who I am.

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A Quick Chat With…Peter Lord

Introducing – or should I say – reintroducing PETER LORD. He’s the founding member of the genre-defying collective The Family Stand who helped shape the sound of generations with genre-defiant classics like ‘Chain’, ‘Moon in Scorpio’, ‘Connected’, and the timeless anthem ‘Ghetto Heaven’.

Now the trailblazing artist makes a powerful return with ‘BOOM,’ the explosive first single from his long-awaited solo album, ‘Songs From The 8th Dimension’, set for release next month, 29th August.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. It’s such a pleasure having you here. How is 2025 treating you so far?

PL: 2025 has been excellent. I have reconnected with the musical/sonic side of my creative instincts. During the last decade plus I have been primarily focused on the film and TV/streaming projects that I have written and am developing.

NLM: You recently released your single, ‘BOOM’ (on 4th July)’. What is the public’s perception of the single so far?

PL: The reaction has been extremely positive and receptive. And I have truly appreciated the fact that despite my recent inactivity in the music world, my new project feels relevant, and has resonated with new audiences, in addition to those who knew my music before.

NLM: What inspired you to produce the single?

Well the single “Boom”, as was, as all the songs on the album, were part of a musical TV/Streaming series I’ve written called “Love Junkies.” While that long process is still underway to bring it to the screen, I felt these songs also stood up on their own and needed to be heard.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

PL: I would say it’s an electric mix of modern music, with elements, of rock, hip hop, soul, “alternative pop’, grounded in story telling through song. It ties together one’s personal/emotional battles with those struggles going on in the world as a whole. Each of us often forget the lessons learned previously in our lives, as the world and various societies often do… and then everything goes “Boom.” – exploding, with consequences we subsequently have to deal with, and find hard to control.

NLM: Back in the 90s, you were with The Family Stand, which was one of the groups that helped re-shaped modern soul, R&B and hip-hop. How do you compare your sound now with The Family Stand?

PL: I would say the thematic elements are the same, in terms of the stories I want to tell, but sonically and creatively I refuse to stay stuck. I’m not trying to bring back the 90’s or early 2000’s. I am not trying to be nor am I “old school” anything.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?

PL: No message. I only hope the listener resonates with what’s being said, lol and unsaid, and find their own “message” that serves them in a way that awakens their “higher self” and a deeper, truer, perception of themselves in this dimension of existence.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on ‘BOOM’, who would it be and why?

PL: One of my musical heroes, one who just passed, Sly Stone, and my childhood creative north star, Stevie Wonder.

NLM: So what are your plans for the rest of the year?

PL: To support and put out my new album “Songs From The 8th Dimension.” Which will include putting out at least two more singles. I may even do a few “unplugged. performances” I’ll post on social media. And I will continue to work on my TV & Film projects.

NLM: How can potential fans contact you?

PL: The best place is INSTAGRAM.

NLM: Finally, if music did not exist, what profession would you do?

PL: I would be an ASTROPHYSICIST! Or pro pickleball player. F it BOTH! LOL

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A Quick Chat With…Amity

I was absolutely blown away by singer-songwriter AMITY‘s first appearance on the blog with compelling ballad, ‘Bite Me!‘ which claimed the Song of the Month back in April.

Amity is more than just a musician – I like to call him the ‘singing advocate’ as he speaks up for the voiceless and tackles the most taboo topics such as mental health, abuse and suicide. So I’m absolutely thrilled to have caught up with the promising artist to talk about his latest single, ‘Hurricane Heart’.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2025 treating you so far?

A: It’s been a wild year, lots of ups and downs, but I’m so grateful for the journey that has brought me to where I am today.

NLM: You recently released your single, ‘Hurricane Heart’ (30th May). What is the public perception of the single so far?

A: I’ve had people telling me that they can relate to Hurricane Heart, and that the song is helping them process things they’ve been through, which is exactly what I aim to accomplish.

NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?

A: I wrote Hurricane Heart from my own experience of the aftermath of destructive relationships, and I wanted to spread awareness while telling not just my story, but the story of those who have experienced similar situations and haven’t yet found the words to express it. I actually wrote it live on stage after a soundcheck, as the first few lines had been going around in my head for a while, and it finally blossomed into a song in that moment.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

A: It’s definitely my most uptempo release so far, though there’s still a variety of dynamic textures throughout the song. It has something of a rockier influence, and it explores deep lyrical topics.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?

A: That they are not alone, and that it’s okay to still be affected by something for a long time after it happens – it’s a normal response to an abnormal situation.

NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?

A: In the future, I’d absolutely love to do that, but for the time being, it’s unlikely to happen too soon.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on ‘Hurricane Heart’, who would it be and why?

A: For some reason, people keep comparing my voice to Adele’s, so it would be interesting to hear how she might interpret this song.

NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2025?

A: I have a show at the Royal Albert Hall coming up on the 15th of July, I’m also playing Durham Fringe Festival and starting work on recording my next EP, so stay tuned!

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

A: My Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok share the same handle of @amity_sings, my Twitch is AmitySings, my YouTube is Amity Miller, and my website is http://www.amity.music.

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other profession would you do?

A: If music didn’t exist, I would have wanted to go into another career where I can help people and make a positive impact on the world, such as going into science, which I’ve actually always had a passion for.

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