New Artist Spotlight

Welcome back to Season Seven of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Two, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with the show's producer, Argentinian composer Andres Guazzelli.Andres Guazzelli is an Argentinian composer, producer, and audio engineer known for blending symphonic rock, progressive elements, and cinematic sound design into a distinctive and emotionally driven style. Based in Mar del Plata, his work spans multiple genres, from rock and metal to orchestral and film-inspired compositions, reflecting both his classical background and modern production expertise. With over a decade of releases, Andres has built a reputation for detailed, high-end mixes and creative arrangements, while also collaborating with international artists and working across diverse audio projects. His music often explores introspective and conceptual themes, combining technical precision with expressive storytelling.New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/

Welcome back to Season Seven of the NAS Podcast! In Episode One, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with Brazilian songwriter João Aranha, with the guest appearances of NAS founder Ed Eagle, Brad Bauman from Mercury Teardrop, Kele Fleming and Mel Randall.João Aranha is a Brazilian singer-songwriter from Rio de Janeiro known for his heartfelt pop and indie pop music that blends catchy melodies with thoughtful lyrics. Born on August 10, 1976, he has released music spanning albums and singles, including his 2020 album Para Quem Sabe Amar and recent tracks like the remastered “Calar a sua voz,” showcasing his versatility and enduring presence in the Brazilian music scene. His songs such as “Let it Flow,” “Perfume e Paixao,” “La na Kombi,” and “You Matter to Us” highlight his ability to create resonant, emotionally rich compositions that connect deeply with listeners across genres.New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Twenty Three, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with French-born award-winner composer Amaury Laurent Bernier.Amaury Bernier is a French-born self-taught composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, whose artistic ethos is rooted in the belief that “there’s a sound for every story.” Born near Paris and residing in Hamburg since 2015, he holds a nominal degree in modern literature yet quickly channelled his passion into music; writing, arranging and touring as a multi-instrumentalist before turning his focus to film scoring. With an organic, warm and genre-spanning style, Bernier has contributed music to over 120 projects across formats; from features and series to shorts and commercials; and has received multiple awards including the Silver LIA for Best Music Adaptation (2017) and the German Film Music Prize (2024). Alongside his screen work, he releases solo material that blends modern classical, folk, indie-pop and cinematic soundscapes, hinting at an upcoming album slated for late 2025New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/00:00 Intro00:35 Who is Amaury Bernier?01:12 Breaking into the film scene04:58 The journey of being self-taught11:20 Award-Winner15:20 Writing music as a parent19:05 Studio Tour23:22 Polaroid Revolt30:25 "The Blue Box In The Sky"37:21 Amaury and Polaroids40:38 The issue of AI50:16 Quickfire Five55:12 Amaury and NAS==========MEET THE CREWWilko Wilkes:https://wilkowilkes.com/https://www.instagram.com/wilkowilkesmusicOrigin Crxss:https://linktr.ee/origin100https://www.instagram.com/origin_crxssLisa Haden:https://linktr.ee/lisahadenhttps://www.instagram.com/lisamariehadenPlummy:https://www.plummymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/plummymusic Blue Scarrhttps://linktr.ee/bluescarrmusichttps://www.instagram.com/bluescarrmusic/Andres Guazzelli (Editor):https://www.andresguazzelli.com/https://www.instagram.com/andresguazzelliNAS Podcast Theme by Charles Connollyhttps://www.charlesconnollymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/connollytunes

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Twenty Two, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with Chuck and Danger from the folk rock duo Chucky Trading Co.Chucky Trading Co is an American folk-rock duo made up of siblings CS Taber and Patricia “Danger” Taber, uniting the classic Laurel Canyon sound with rich storytelling and emotive arrangements. CS, a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning scholar, crafts the core songwriting, while Danger contributes distinctive vocal layers, theatrical nuance, and harmonies. Their 2021 self-titled debut unveiled 15 tracks exploring love, identity, faith, and the human condition, with their 2025 follow-up A Sky of Hopes pushing deeper into hopeful, poetic, and emotionally resonant territory. Backed by producer Everett Young on studio projects, Chucky Trading Co bridges modern production with acoustic authenticity, offering music that feels both timeless and intimately personal. New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/00:00 Intro01:14 Who is Chucky Trading Co and how did they start?08:23 African background, artistic influences & Storytelling17:56 CTC's expectations and goals for the future20:55 Chucky Trading Co and NAS24:51 "White Widow"31:40 Upcoming album33:25 Quickfire Five37:39 What's to come?==========MEET THE CREWWilko Wilkes:https://wilkowilkes.com/https://www.instagram.com/wilkowilkesmusicOrigin Crxss:https://linktr.ee/origin100https://www.instagram.com/origin_crxssLisa Haden:https://linktr.ee/lisahadenhttps://www.instagram.com/lisamariehadenPlummy:https://www.plummymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/plummymusic Blue Scarrhttps://linktr.ee/bluescarrmusichttps://www.instagram.com/bluescarrmusic/Andres Guazzelli (Editor):https://www.andresguazzelli.com/https://www.instagram.com/andresguazzelliNAS Podcast Theme by Charles Connollyhttps://www.charlesconnollymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/connollytunes

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Twenty One, Origin Crxss sits down with Swedish metal artist Idorhan ShagaraaIdorhan Shagaraa is a rising artist whose evocative songwriting and atmospheric soundscapes are showcased in his four-track release Cherophobia, featuring songs like “Cherophobia,” “The Empty Man,” “Mold,” and “One of Us.” Released on August 22, 2025, the EP spans emotionally varied terrain—from the introspective and slow-paced “Cherophobia” to the more upbeat, bright energy of “One of Us”. Available across platforms like DistroKid and Amazon Music, Idorhan Shagaraa continues to carve a path in the indie music scene with his compelling sonic narrative and emotional depth.New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/00:00 Intro00:57 Who is Idorhan Shagaraa and what are his goals?03:45 Idorhan's influences and inspiration05:43 Society's treatment of mental health12:10 "Cherophobia"20:42 Quickfire Five23:51 Idorhan and NAS26:02 Final thoughts & the importance of metal music==========MEET THE CREWWilko Wilkes:https://wilkowilkes.com/https://www.instagram.com/wilkowilkesmusicOrigin Crxss:https://linktr.ee/origin100https://www.instagram.com/origin_crxssLisa Haden:https://linktr.ee/lisahadenhttps://www.instagram.com/lisamariehadenPlummy:https://www.plummymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/plummymusic Blue Scarrhttps://linktr.ee/bluescarrmusichttps://www.instagram.com/bluescarrmusic/Andres Guazzelli (Editor):https://www.andresguazzelli.com/https://www.instagram.com/andresguazzelliNAS Podcast Theme by Charles Connollyhttps://www.charlesconnollymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/connollytunes

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Twenty, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with Andres and Carlos from Chilean rock band Rock In Progress.Rock In Progress is a Chilean rock/prog-metal ensemble hailing from Santiago, blending classic rock, progressive structures, and hints of Latin and grunge influences. Originally covering rock legends, they pivoted to writing original music in 2019 with singles like Relativity (2020), Soul Search (2021)—a spiritually and structurally ambitious track with layered harmonies, tempo changes, and dual guitar solos—and Warnings of Another Fight (2023), a Viking-inspired epic weaving Nordic themes into their signature sound. Their lineup features Carlos Ascencio (vocals), Marcel Goic (keys), two guitarists, Cristian Cortes (bass), and Andres Musalem (drums). Having premiered on the NAS spotlight playlist, they aim to keep expanding their catalog beyond covers and win more fans with emotionally charged, technically bold originals.New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/00:00 Intro00:36 Who is Rock In Progress?05:32 RiP's songwriting process08:42 Performing your own songs live11:23 A Story Behind Each Song15:12 Sync Licensing and Ambitions18:49 Managing Life & Time 21:10 Rock in Progress and NAS24:12 "Embrace The Vertigo"30:00 A Band Full of Teachers33:18 Quickfire Five40:05 What can we expect from RiP?47:13 Final Thoughts==========MEET THE CREWWilko Wilkes:https://wilkowilkes.com/https://www.instagram.com/wilkowilkesmusicOrigin Crxss:https://linktr.ee/origin100https://www.instagram.com/origin_crxssLisa Haden:https://linktr.ee/lisahadenhttps://www.instagram.com/lisamariehadenPlummy:https://www.plummymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/plummymusic Blue Scarrhttps://linktr.ee/bluescarrmusichttps://www.instagram.com/bluescarrmusic/Andres Guazzelli (Editor):https://www.andresguazzelli.com/https://www.instagram.com/andresguazzelliNAS Podcast Theme by Charles Connollyhttps://www.charlesconnollymusic.com/https://www.instagram.com/connollytunes

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Nineteen, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with Terrence from Terrence & The Optimistics.Terrence & The Optimistics are a delightfully quirky New Zealand alternative‑rock outfit originally “frozen in the late 70’s” and recently thawed to “fight Dr Depresso” with their sexy disco-themed music, blending vintage 70’s soul grooves and 80’s alt‑rock flair . Their 2019 EP Groovy Baby earned praise for its nostalgic rhythms and funk-forward tracks like “Soul Baby” and “Dance Dance,” which review dubbed “hip‑gyrating funk groove” reminiscent of an Austin Powers-era dance party. Fronted by Terrence Bull, the duo channels raw, retro energy into music that’s both playful and danceable, exploring themes of joy, nostalgia, and optimism in every track.New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Eighteen, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with Baltimore-based producer ZipZapZop.​ZipZapZop (aka Clark ov Saturn) is the experimental electronic music moniker of Baltimore-based Space Trucking Mogul—a genre-defying veteran producer/DJ and higher-ed techno innovator. After a 15-year hiatus from the scene, ZipZapZop returns with lo-fi, analog-infused beats that blend dubstep, deep dub, trip-hop, breakbeat, industrial, and drum & bass . The 2024 EternalLiftOff LP and 2025 releases like “The Willys” and “Subaqueous Creatures” (BPM 144) highlight his signature spontaneous, textured, and spacey style. Recording in between parenting, baseball coaching, and university administration, ZipZapZop crafts head-nodding, ear-tickling tracks with stream-of-consciousness vocals and rich analog textures. . His collaborations span remix projects—like his techno take on Terrestrial Animal’s “Saṃsāra”—and features on soundtracks such as DEF CON 3. ZipZapZop’s music is available across major platforms—Spotify, Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, SoundCloud—and he engages audiences through live Twitch sets and visual-laced performancesNew Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Seventeen, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with Ed and Piero from the Canadian band Upwood Avenue.​Upwood Avenue is a Toronto-based rock duo formed by lifelong friends Ed Corrado and Piero Minelli, whose music blends classic rock energy with indie and alternative influences to craft heartfelt, authentic songs rooted in personal experience . Their debut EP is on the horizon following a string of emotionally-driven singles—such as "Sunday Morning Fight (About Saturday Night)," "If I Was God," and the upcoming January 24, 2025 release “The One Good Thing,” a powerful rock ballad reimagining Romeo’s perspective. Known for their raw, energetic live performances and evocative lyrics, Upwood Avenue celebrates friendship, resilience, and the shared journey of two creative souls—making every song resonate like a melodic conversation between kindred spirits.New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/

Welcome back to Season Six of the NAS Podcast! In Episode Sixteen, Origin Crxss and Lisa Haden sit down with American multi-instrumentalist Scott Shaw.​Scott Shaw is a Kansas City–based composer, multi‑instrumentalist, and YouTube creator whose genre‑blending music—from epic orchestral and hip‑hop‑violin tracks to piano‑infused collaborations—reflects his lifelong passion for creative expression. Raised in Texas and playing violin since age five, Scott fuses classical training with modern influences like film scores and grunge to craft emotionally powerful pieces. His work has been featured in NAS playlists (including “Head of the Pride”) and frequently involves collaborations across styles. Alongside composing and recording, he leads his church band and teaches piano while running a home studio—holding fast to his belief that “you don’t need to be the next version of another popular musician. You need to be the first you”New Artist Spotlight is a community of indie musicians from around the globe. We believe in the power of numbers so we work together to promote each other's music. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where indie musicians can get their music heard and find their first fans.Join the community - https://www.newartistspotlight.org/