Watch out for Natalie Shay and the new track ‘New Wave’. The song is reminiscence of La Roux’s “Bulletproof”, one of my favorite upbeat pop songs in 2010.

Her previous single ‘Medicine Boy‘ found itself on Spotify’s New Pop UK, Wholesome and New Music Friday playlists. She was also featured in Rolling Stone, and played on BBC Introducing London.

She sold out headline gig at Oslo Hackney and has an upcoming headline show at Camden Assembly (24 Nov). The 21 year old indie pop artist hails from North London and has performed The Roundhouse, The 100 club, and Ronnie Scotts. Stream the track on KOAR’s Indie Invaders Playlist.

Check out Somebody Else by Boon. Artist influences include skrillex and blues rock. It’s a somber track that sonically sounds so great, that you’ll feel better.

The Nashville based 18-year old does it all – writes, produces, and mixes his music while directing his own videos.

Boon’s previous releases “i might like u” and “You” were featured on Spotify’s “New Music Friday“, “Fresh Finds“, “hyperpop”, “Salt”, and Apple’s “Alternative” playlists.

Boon says, “a semi-depressing song and disguise it sonically as a feel good, pop record. He also says, “I love the irony of having an anthem about being a horrible person and telling your significant other they could do better.”

Fun fact: His father was played lead guitar for Carrie Underwood.

Ed Sheeran says award shows are toxic, depressing, and full of resentment.

I’ve always liked Ed because he’s the best songwriter in the business and everyone knows it. I like him even more because he’s a Hollywood outsider and doesn’t play by their rules. His songs sell, fans love him, and he doesn’t need to whore himself to pimps that promise him more FaceTime if he delivers PSA’s. Hence, Hollywood hates him.

Back to award shows. I’ve been to them. I’ve never felt comfortable. It’s a dog & pony show and feels creepy weird. New artists and first timers are enthralled. They think it’s a great networking tool until they realize nobody cares. These shows become a nuisance to the big names. They’re expected to come and show up. Some cave and dread the moment, while some blow it off. They have the “I don’t need you, you need me” attitude. If they find out they didn’t win a prize, they’ll pull a no-show. The big shots don’t like clapping their hands for winners in this culture of self worship.

“The room is filled with resentment and hatred towards everyone else” says Sheeran. “It’s just lots of people wanting other people to fail and I don’t like that.”

Sheeran also says UK award shows are more enjoyable and less cutthroat than the U.S. “In England, our award shows are just like, everyone gets drunk and no one really cares who wins or loses, it’s just sort of a good night out.”

I’m thankful for Sheeran’s brutal honesty.

London based Alice Pisano dropped a new track September. If you love gloomy piano ballads, give it a try.

Alice says: “I wanted to try and capture that bittersweet feeling that I always get towards the end of summer…and at the same time, the end of love, when you’re trying hard to forget about someone but everyone and everything reminds you of them”.

The track garnered several Spotify playlists editorial adds including New Music Friday, and was also played on Amazing Radio UK by Charlie Ashcroft on the audition show. She will perform Liverpool Sound City on the October 2nd and will support Astraea at Servant Jazz Quarters in London on October 14th. Stream the song on KOAR’s Indie Invaders Playlist.

If you’re not convinced we reached a new era, then look at the MTV VMA ratings. Less than a million viewers tuned in and watched the debacle. The internet killed the video star. Oddly enough, Madonna opened the show followed by the usual suspects like Shawn Mendez, Justin Bieber, and of course the go-to rock act Foo Fighters.