HEYOON: INTERVIEW


by martina rexrode

photo courtesy of universal music korea

Bestowing a title like “global pop star in the making” onto an artist is no small feat. Thankfully, South Korea’s HEYOON isn’t just any artist. With a solo career that’s less than three years old, the attention she’s already garnered and the widespread audiences she’s already reached are incredibly impressive. Her latest release, an EP aptly titled seriously unserious, is a feat of addictive beats and lyrics that invite listeners to shake off their worries and lose themselves in the music. Following her own pattern, she also dropped an EP of remixes that elevate the original tracks to an unparalleled level. We spoke with HEYOON about these tracks, her involvement in the studio, and her collaboration with Brazil’s Lou Garcia.

Congratulations on the release of seriously unserious! How does it feel to have this EP out as your first release of the year?

HEYOON: “Thank you and it feels good! I feel blessed to be releasing this EP!”

For many listeners, this might be their first impression of you as an artist. What do you hope new listeners and seasoned fans take from the EP’s high-energy tracks?

HEYOON: “I’d hope they take this album quite literally like the title. Have fun with it and feel some sort of freedom and adrenaline.”

Of the four tracks, which stands out as your personal favorite right now and why?

HEYOON: “It changes all the time. Today’s fave is ‘swipe’ — it’s such a manifestation of a song and carries the attitude in the way I’m trying to live my life right now.”

You have a co-writer and co-composer credit on both “swipe” and “switchhhhhh.” Can you describe the creative process behind these specific tracks and what it was like for you in the studio? What does it mean to be involved in the creative process behind your own music?

HEYOON: “Both songs came to us really quickly. We were all in a flow state. ‘switch’ was written by jumping around in the middle of the Alps, and ‘swipe’ came through conversations about manifestation while just vibing. Creating music is all I can ask for in this life — it’s such a special experience to be able to share that with others.”

How do the original EP and the newly released remix EP differ from one another in their energy and overall atmosphere?

HEYOON: “I always wanted to have a sick baila funk track and this EP seemed like the perfect opportunity to experiment with that. Huge shout out to CDC for making that happen, and the remix is a little bonus gift for the fans. <3”

What led to the collaboration between you and Lou Garcia on the focus track, “swipe?”

HEYOON: “I met Lou last year during my visit to São Paulo. She’s such a down to earth artist. We clicked instantly and Lou loved ‘swipe!’ She taught me a lot about the partying culture in Brazil and we were able to melt that energy onto the song.”

Were you surprised to learn that you had such a strong fan base in Brazil?

HEYOON: “Brazil fans have always been there since day one. I wouldn’t be here without them. <3”

 

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GETTING READY FOR GOVERNORS BALL


by toby shapiro

From June 5th - 7th, Flushing Meadows Corona Park will be filled with over 100,000 fans attending Governors Ball’s 15th annual festival. This festival started in 2011 and has continued to grow each year. Across the festival’s three stages, over 60 performances will be happening, including sets from headliners Lorde, Baby Keem, Stray Kids, Kali Uchis, A$AP Rocky, and Jennie. With performances spanning many genres, including pop, hip-hop, R&B, EDM, and so much more, there is something for everybody and plenty of opportunity to discover your new favorite artist.

I have been going to this festival for the past few years, and it is always a blast. Whether I am alone or with friends, there are always so many activations, food options, and music to keep you entertained. I think this year is going to be the best one yet, and I can’t wait to document the festival and discover new talent.

Passes are already on sale, with 3-day General Admission passes starting at $359 and 1-day General Admission passes starting at $179.

This is an event you don’t want to miss!

 

BIG OCEAN: INTERVIEW


by martina rexrode

photo courtesy of big ocean

When Big Ocean debuted on April 20, 2024, the Day of Persons with Disabilities in South Korea, it was immediately clear that they were something special. Members Jiseok, Chanyeon, and PJ are all hearing-impaired — a first for a K-pop group — but that’s just one aspect of their identity as idols and people. Their recent comeback, a mini-album titled THE GREATEST BATTLE, saw the group reaching new sonic heights in each of the mini-album’s tracks as well as the awe-inspiring choreography of “One Man Army.” As they near their second anniversary as a group, BIG OCEAN is already returning to the U.S. for their second tour. We spoke to the members about THE GREATEST BATTLE, tour, and everything fans can expect from their new performances.

Your third mini-album, THE GREATEST BATTLE, has almost been out for two months. How are you all feeling now compared to how you felt in the time before its release?

Jiseok: “Before release, honestly, there was a lot of tension. This album felt like the most exposed we've ever been. So during the teaser period, we were genuinely excited to finally start sharing pieces of it and see how Pado would respond. Now that it's out, hearing that people actually connect with the songs and understand the messages we  put into them... that means everything. And if anything, it's made us even more excited to bring these songs to life on stage that we can't wait for the tour.”

When you look at this mini-album, what stands out? Is there something you delivered here that you hadn’t brought forth before?

Jiseok: “What stands out the most is that our color as a group comes through clearer than ever before, and that means everything to me. Our first album was about offering comfort. Our second revealed the mermaid, that feeling of not fully belonging anywhere. But with this one, there's no metaphor, no layer in between. It's just Big Ocean as we are, and I think you can feel that in every single track. We've never shown ourselves this directly, and I think that's what makes this album feel like the most us thing we've ever made.”

Your second U.S. tour takes place throughout the month of April! How excited are you to return here and perform across nine cities to Pado?

Chanyeon: “We are so ready. Last time gave us a taste of what it feels like to be in the same room as Pado in the U.S., and ever since then we've been wanting to come back and give them even more. Nine cities is nine chances to do that, and this time we're bringing THE GREATEST BATTLE with us, so the energy is going to be on a completely different level. Honestly, we've been counting down.”

Which new songs are you the most excited to perform?

Jiseok: “‘One Man Army,’ without question. Performing it with twenty dancers, the crane-wing formation unfolding through sign language, the whole room feeling the weight of that battle — it's unlike anything we've done before. Every time we run through it, I still get chills.”

Can you tell us a little about what type of show fans can expect from you this time around?

PJ: “It’s definitely going to be more fierce this time. The whole show is built around that battle energy, from the big moments to the smallest details. There are parts where you might lose track of everything for a second, so just come ready to feel it.”

When you’re on tour with any amount of downtime, are you more likely to stay inside and rest or explore the area?

Chanyeon: “Rest is real and necessary. But new cities carry new energy, and it never feels right to leave a place without having absorbed even a little bit of it. Whenever we get the chance, we want to make the most of the time we have here: go explore, take photos, capture those little moments. We always want to share that with Pado too, so that fans who aren't there can still experience the cities with us in some way. You know, one hour outside does something for me that sleep can't.”

How does your identity as the first all hearing-impaired K-pop boy group affect your day-to-day life? How do you hold onto and live out this groundbreaking label?

PJ: “This identity is a part of who we are, and that's something that keeps us motivated every single day. But honestly, we don't think about the label every morning when we wake up. We think about how to make the next song better, how to keep improving our performances, how to keep finding new ways to connect and make an impact. And I think that's exactly how you live it out by refusing to let it become a ceiling. Every time someone watches us perform and feels something they didn't expect to feel, that's us living it.”

 

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AMPERS&ONE: INTERVIEW


by martina rexrode

photo courtesy of fnc entertainment

The current generation of K-pop is full of multifaceted, diverse talent unlike anything the industry has seen before in such a large quantity. AMPERS&ONE is one such group. Consisting of members from South Korea, Canada, Australia, and the U.S., the seven-member boy group utilizes their multicultural identity to their full advantage — catering both their music and their imagery to fans from all over the world. We spoke to AMPERS&ONE about their fourth mini-album, DEFINITION, how they define themselves over two years into their career, and their upcoming U.S. tour.

How are you all feeling with your fourth mini-album, DEFINITION, dropping in just over a week?

KAMDEN: “Super hyped to be back after eight months, and I'm really curious about how the ANDEARS would think of our new album.”

BRIAN: “I'm feeling super excited and nervous at the same time. We made a comeback in over eight months, and we hope this comeback will do well!”

JIHO: “We’re really excited as the comeback gets closer day by day, especially since we put so much effort into preparing this album. We’ve practiced a lot, so we feel confident—and honestly, we can’t wait to come back.”

SIYUN: “I’m incredibly excited and thrilled to finally show everything we’ve prepared.”

KYRELL: “Very excited but also very nervous. It’s always nerve-wracking towards the end because you never know how people will respond when they first hear the album.”

MACKIAH: “I’m very excited for this album because it has been eight months since our last comeback! I’m excited to be back on stage and to be able to meet our ANDEAR again!”

SEUNGMO: “Since it’s our first comeback in eight months, we’re really eager to show our performances to our fans as soon as possible. All of the members worked incredibly hard on this album, so we’re even more excited for what’s to come.”

Do you feel that this mini-album presents AMPERS&ONE in a different light? Did it allow you to dive into new sounds?

KAMDEN: “It's a very new sound that we have never shown before, so in that way, kinda nervous to show it to ANDEAR, but at the same time, we are really confident with the new album.”

BRIAN: “I think this album definitely shows us in a different light because we've never done this type of concept before. The sounds in this album are pretty unique in my opinion, so I can't wait for people to listen to it.”

JIHO: “We believe this comeback marks a new chapter for us. Musically and performance-wise, it’s a fresh and highly conceptual album, so we’re excited to show a completely new side of AMPERS&ONE.”

SIYUN: “Starting from the intro of the title track, the drum sounds and overall production really highlight a new side of us.”

KYRELL: “Absolutely, I think this mini album presents a much more mature side of AMPERS&ONE. We tried some new sounds as well. Our title track, ‘GOD,’ is a great example of that as it incorporates a blend of traditional Korean instruments with modern sounds.”

MACKIAH: “Definitely! This album has many unique sounds, and I think the most unique would be our title track, ‘GOD.’ We’re always trying new sounds, and I’m excited for the reaction of our fans to this album!”

SEUNGMO: “It’s a concept we’re trying for the first time, and it incorporates traditional Korean sounds, which makes it feel even fresher. It was definitely a new challenge for our team.”

What is each of your favorite tracks and why?

KAMDEN: “Personally, my favorite one is ‘All Eyes On You’ because it makes me really happy and warm when I listen to it.”

BRIAN: “My favorite track in the album is ‘All Eyes On You’ because I like more of a pop/bright sound rather than the other tracks, which are kind of more serious and hip hop.”

JIHO: “My favorite track is ‘My Way.’ I run quite often, and whenever this song comes on, it naturally boosts my energy and motivation. It also made me think how fun it would be to perform this track at concerts, which is why I grew to love it even more.”

SIYUN: “My favorite track is ‘Tears In Your Smile.’ It’s a genre I really love, and the lyrics are so beautiful that I naturally became attached to it.”

KYRELL: “I like ‘All Eyes On You!’ It’s a fun song that’s easy to sing along to and just makes my day better when I listen to it.”

MACKIAH: “My favorite track on the album right now would be ‘My Way’ because it has such an exciting vibe to it, and I personally like the rap part, which I wrote. :)”

SEUNGMO: “My favorite track is ‘Tears In Your Smile.’ It’s a genre I usually enjoy singing, so I felt confident while recording it. It’s also a style of music I personally listen to often, which makes me like it even more.”

Why did you decide to name the mini-album DEFINITION?

KAMDEN: “We wanted to show that we, the team, make identity and direction ourselves, also the future that we will see from now on.”

BRIAN: “We decided to name this mini album DEFINITION because we think this album really defines us as a group, and also because of the various genres of music in this album. This correlates to the previous albums.”

JIHO: “Through this album, we wanted to establish our identity and define a new side of ourselves. That’s why we chose the title DEFINITION.”

SIYUN: “We wanted to clearly establish our direction and identity as a team, so we chose the title DEFINITION to represent that.”

KYRELL: “We felt like this mini-album acted as a stepping stone into a new beginning for our team. From here, we are going to be ‘redefining’ what it means to AMPERS&ONE. We wanted to capture the process of evolving and finding a clear direction.”

MACKIAH: “We decided to name this album DEFINITION because it is the story of how we are defining ourselves and finding who we truly are.”

SEUNGMO: “AMPERS&ONE has explored a wide range of genres and concepts so far, and this album represents a new phase where we establish and redefine our identity as a group.”

How would you define AMPERS&ONE to those who are interested in diving into your music?

KAMDEN: “We have very different genres so far, so if you are interested in listening to our music, it would be easy to approach.”

BRIAN: “We definitely have a song for everyone. From cute to cool to sad and more. So, I am certain that we have music to your liking.”

JIHO: “We’re a team that constantly challenges a wide range of concepts and fully makes them our own. If you check out our comeback title track ‘GOD,’ you’ll definitely feel how fresh and unique we are.”

SIYUN: “We’re a team that showcases a wide spectrum of sounds and concepts. If you listen to our albums starting from our debut, you’ll be able to feel how we gradually build and define our unique color.”

KYRELL: “I would define our group as multicolored. We have music spanning various genres, and our members are also from around the world. I think that is the greatest strength.”

MACKIAH: “AMPERS&ONE is a group that has many different styles of music, and there is definitely a track for anyone and everyone! I would say our music has a very encouraging message of pushing forward through hardships, and I hope it can help listeners gain confidence and strength.”

SEUNGMO: “As a multinational group, we bring together diverse musical cultures from each member. I’d describe us as a group with a wide spectrum, capable of connecting people from all around the world through music.”

Your U.S. Born To Define tour begins on May 8 — and it’ll be here sooner than you think! What are you most excited about for your return to the States?

KAMDEN: “Showing our new album to the ANDEAR. For sure, the ANDEARS are gonna have so much fun with the new album.”

BRIAN: “I'm definitely excited to meet our fans and also just walking around the cities.”

JIHO: “We’re excited to show how much we’ve grown through even more fun and powerful performances. We’ll also be visiting cities we didn’t get to go to before, which makes this tour feel even more new and exciting.”

SIYUN: “I’m especially excited about hearing the fans’ cheers during our performances. Their energy really gives me strength on stage.”

KYRELL: “I’m most excited to see ANDEAR! We haven’t seen them in so long!”

MACKIAH: “I’m definitely excited for the love energy from all our ANDEAR!! The last tour was so much fun, and we were able to meet so many great people on the journey, which made it even better! I can’t miss out on the food, though, I’m waiting to have In-N-Out again!”

SEUNGMO: “When we went on our previous North America tour, the fans’ energy and support were incredible, and it left such a strong impression on me. I’m really looking forward to experiencing that again.”

What can you tell ANDEAR about what they might see on this tour?

KAMDEN: “Just us having so much fun that the crowd could also automatically just move with their body.”

BRIAN: “You can expect to see some new songs and covers, which I would say is the highlight of our concert.”

JIHO: “There are a lot of songs we haven’t performed before, and we’re also preparing some surprise stages beyond our own tracks. We hope everyone looks forward to it.”

SIYUN: “We’ll be showing a slightly more mature and refined charm—something clean, sharp, and subtly sexy, rather than just a typical ‘hip’ vibe.”

KYRELL: “Lots of new performances that they have never seen before. And some really fun cover songs!”

MACKIAH: “ANDEAR can expect to see new stages which we haven’t performed before, and there may also be some special stages to look out for too!! 😉”

SEUNGMO: “The stages will have a different vibe compared to our previous tour, and since this is our first official concert, fans will get to see many performances that haven’t been revealed before.”

After debuting in late 2023 as a prominent multinational K-pop group, how do you think you’ve grown in the last two-plus years?

KAMDEN: “I feel like the attitude that we put during each stage has changed a lot. We know how to control different moods and styles, which has become very natural.”

BRIAN: “We've definitely matured a lot as a group, knowing when to help each other and give each other real feedback. So I think we grew a lot as a team.”

JIHO: “We’ve grown a lot in terms of stage presence—our immersion, gestures, and understanding of how to perform in a way that translates well on camera have all improved significantly.”

SIYUN: “All of our members have developed stronger stage attitudes and a clearer sense of individuality. Over time, we’ve grown into artists who actively try to express our own colors, and we’ll continue to improve in our respective roles.”

KYRELL: “I think we’ve become a lot more confident, we’ve become more sure of ourselves and of each other. I think a key point is overall teamwork and communication as well.”

MACKIAH: “In the last two years, we have been able to perform on many different stages with many different styles of music, and through the journey, we’ve grown our confidence on stage as well as our performances.”

SEUNGMO: “Since we’re a team made up of members from different countries, communication could have been a challenge at first. But by spending time together and sharing our cultures every day, we’ve become much more in sync. Our communication has improved, and our teamwork on stage has grown even stronger.”

 

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'GOOD, LIKE IT SHOULD BE' / BER: REVIEW


by lauren kovolenko

Good, Like It Should Be is a sonically charged album with joyous moments, but also melancholic tone. With each listen, find yourself deeply intertwined with Ber’s lyrics about life and what it means to, well, live. Upon first listen, I was hooked instantly. Whether it was the beats and sounds of the pop focused indie tracks or the lyrics, Ber has something to appeal to everyone. 

The first track opens the album with an upbeat vibe and takes you straight into her life story. She explores themes of love and what is true or real. “Cool, Boy” is an exciting track about trying too hard… with super quirky lyrics. “Don’t act so cool boy, get your ass up and dance!” We did just that. You can’t help yourself!

Metaphors fly throughout this album—maintaining interest through each track. This album is an extremely fun listen. You can’t help but bop your head and shake your hands in the air. 

“Who’s This?” is a story of being yourself while faced with adversity. Themes like this trickle through the whole project with each proceeding track.

Halfway through the project shows an album slow down. With more guitar and soft pacing, Ber continues. 

“Hey, Bluebird” has some beautifully large moments about respecting yourself and choosing yourself at the end of the day. This song almost feels like a big sister note to yourself. It’s a great reminder we all need when we are, and can be, too harsh on ourselves. The next songs come with themes of proving yourself to a potential love interest, to take a chance on yourself. 

“Give It All Away” is a personal favorite of mine. This song has themes that I think many of us can relate to. Finding it tough to live in a society which promotes a culture of putting others wishes first before our own personal health. Debating what’s important or not so much. 

At this point in the album, the song melodies are picking up, but the lyrics continue with the same depth we started with. It’s no doubt that Ber is a great storyteller, and extremely relatable. “Next To Me” most definitely belongs in the next coming of age romance movie. Why do opposites attract? A story as old as time. 

The rest of the album continues with some more conversations about relationships: what they mean; and what they could turn into. The end track, same as the album title, is a perfect end credit scene. 

If there’s anything this album does is make you feel something. An emotion of sadness, longing, or just the opposite—spontaneity or excitement for what the future holds. It’s an extremely dancey album for more reasons than one. Whether you want to feel good, or feel something — this is your album. As a first time listener of Ber, I most definitely am glad to have found this album and enjoyed her talents provided. 

She’s going places.