I’ve been featuring and playlisting the series of singles dropped by singer-songwriter Lauren Sanderson . She finally released her debut album ‘Midwest Kids Can Make It Big’. I’d be interested to find out if the title of the album is reflective of reality. Either way, she’s a cut above the rest. Last month she dropped the slower acoustic ballad To The People I Hurt. Repped by Chris Anokute & Grace Segundo, the indiana native wrapped a sold-out tour opening for FINNEAS.

The British once again are bringing the Brit Awards and have released the nominees. Not surprising, Lewis Capaldi is the front runner with 4 nominations. Stormzy and Harry Styles have been nominated for Male Solo Artist and Album of the Year. Female nominees include Billie Eilish, Lizzo and Ariana Grande. The awards are voted for by 1,500 people from across the UK music industry including journalists, record label employees and musicians. The full nominees here.

The big noise about DJ’s has simmered down but that’s when someone new pops out. Look out for 23 year old Robert Cristian. The Romanian producer/remixer has amassed millions of Youtube plays on his tracks. The tracks have landed on playlists including Spotify’s This Is Regard and XDeep Records. Check out the track and the video for ‘Someone New’.

The Liverpool indie act Circa Waves drops the a video for the track Move to San Francisco. The band will release a two-part album SAD / HAPPY. The ‘HAPPY’ side will drop in January and the ‘SAD’ side in March. The band has a bunch of releases under their belt and perform regularly at festivals. Currently supporting the Two Door Cinema Club, the indie popsters will headline a UK tour in April after kicking off at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on March 27th.

Halsey has added a North American leg of her Manic Tour. The second installment includes a 27 date run through 17k capacity amphitheaters with stops at Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks. The tour will kick off in Seattle on 6/2. CHVRCHES and Omar Apollo will open through June 2 – July 5th and blackbear and PVRIS are set for July 12 – August 1st. Her new album will drop on January 17the via Capitol which she calls her angry album.