After playing for only four people in a dim college auditorium, it was evident that musician and non-fiction writer Michelle Zauner’s previous rock band, Little Big League, wasn’t working out. Then, shortly after this disappointing performance, Zauner received the crushing news that no 25-year-old wants to hear. Her mother, Chong Mi, was diagnosed with stage four cancer.

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This alternative rock band from Alabama that sounds more like an old school soul group is turning heads with their soulful-rock mix debut album Boys and Girls. Alabama Shakes is taking the music world by storm with their experimental styles and their magnetic stage presence. Like many musical groups, Alabama Shakes began back in high school when one band member, Brittany Howard (lead singer).

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Stella Bennett, better known as BENEE, had an explosive arrival to the music scene. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter from New Zealand became internationally known over just a few years, following the release of a handful of singles and 2 EPs. Her 2018 single “Soaked” garnered millions of streams via Spotify and YouTube, and her 2019 single “Supalonely,” was an even bigger hit, reaching the top 100 on multiple music charts.

Perhaps more importantly, her music also became an international sensation on the social media platform TikTok. The song gained popularity on the app after a dance challenge emerged for it, leading to 12.2 million videos being posted with the track, with the most popular videos garnering upwards of 8 million likes.

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