Getting to Know: Gayle, Kazuki Tokaji, The Backseat Lovers

At just 18 years old, GAYLE is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. She arrives with her own sound blending the genres of pop, alternative, rock, and R&B into one. First discovered by former American Idol judge, producer, and music publisher Kara DioGuardi, GAYLE went on to amass over 5 million streams worldwide as an independent artist. After releasing a string of singles including “dumbass,”  ”z,” “happy for you,” and “orange peel,” GAYLE recently unleashed her first major label debut single with the bold, “abcdefu.” 

Watch: Official music video for “abcdefu“

Sounds Like: Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Willow

Follow: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

Listen: Spotify, Apple Music

Gear: Ernie Ball Power Slinky guitar strings and Light Everlast Acoustic guitar strings

Kazuki Tokaji is a guitarist, songwriter from Japan, He picked up his first instrument at the age of 7. The artist moved to the USA when he was still an adolescent and brought grand aspirations when he enrolled in the Musicians Institute where he played with legends like Mary Friedman and Steve Vai. It was also through this educational journey that he discovered his passion for songwriting and began crafting his own signature style with music.

Watch: A Story of Joy Feat. Luís Kalil 

Sounds Like: Parachute Day, Secret Gardens, Vaseduva

Follow: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook

Listen: Spotify, Apple Music

Gear: Ernie Ball Super Slinky 7-string and Regular Slinky bass strings. 

The Backseat Lovers is an indie-rock quartet out of Utah made up of Joshua Harmon (lead vocals/guitar), Jonas Swanson (lead guitar/vocals), KJ Ward (bass guitar), and Juice Welch (drums/background vocals). After forming via a set of fateful circumstances, they began recording together in Spring 2018, released their first EP, Elevator Days, that summer, and played their first show a few weeks after that. The Backseat Lovers first full-length LP, When We Were Friends, dropped in January 2019 and contains favorites like “Kilby Girl,” “Maple Syrup,” and “Pool House.” Their most recent single, “Heavy,” made its debut in July 2020 and the group is hard at work on new material.

Watch: Snowbank Blues

Sounds Like: Briston Maroney, Flipturn, Hippo Campus

Follow: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook

Listen: Spotify, Apple Music

Gear: Ernie Ball Regular Cobalt Slinkies and Regular Slinky bass strings.