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Hey girls!
This year I tried something new and started hosting my first ever radio show, PopTara. PopTara served as a place to provide fresh pop music, and to end the stigma that pop music isn’t, “real music.” I also wanted to use this show to give a platform to underrated and up-and-coming pop artists. Halfway through the show, I presented the Tea Time with Tara segment, where I highlighted a different pop artist each week that I felt more people should know about. I stand strongly behind each of these Tea Time artists, for they are all extremely talented and super sick.
In case you missed a show and didn’t get to hear the steamy tea about these artists, here’s a recap!
Allie X – Allie X is a dark electro-pop artist who could also pass as the gothic version of Ellie Goulding. She was recently featured on the Netflix original, Sierra Burgess is a Loser, soundtrack, with numbers such as Kid Wonder and Sunflower. The Canadian singer/songwriter has written for other artists such as Troye Sivan. Allie X currently has three full-length albums out, Collxtion I, CollXtion II, and Super Sunset. Her sound is often airy yet edgy and she knows how to put on a highly unique performance, which I’ve had the honor to see for myself a couple of times.
Astrid S – Astrid S reigns as the Norwegian queen of pop. She made her start in the music scene when she placed 5th on the Norwegian version of Pop Idol. Astrid S’s silky vocals and fun lyrics, which can be heard on tracks such as, Such A Boy, and Breathe, makes her a perfect pop artist to know. I saw her perform in 2016 when she was touring with Troye Sivan on the Suburbia Tour, and her delicate live vocals and quirky personality pulled me in instantly, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
Kim Petras – Kim Petras, the Regina George of pop music and one of my absolute favorite musicians of our generation. The German native first made headlines at a young age when she became the youngest person at that time to undergo sex reassignment surgery (also known as gender affirmation surgery). Petras is now a super talented and super fun pop icon, who sings songs about money, rich dudes, and love. I got to see Petras a handful of times in 2018 and I never had so much fun and been so starstruck as I was getting to hear her club anthems and her signature Woo-Ah’s live.
Harry Hudson – After being told by doctors that they weren’t sure how much time he had left, Harry Hudson made a beautiful recovery from cancer and now gets to live his life doing what he loves every day. Hudson’s sound can best be described as western pop with a bit of R&B influence. Hudson was apart of the creation of the MSFTS/Roc Nation label with Jaden Smith, who also co-starred in his short film, Can Cowboys Cry. I recently got to see and chat with Hudson on his tour promoting his debut album, Yesterday’s Tomorrow Night, and his energy and welcoming personality was beyond inspirational. Everybody, please support my yeehaw prince.
Perfume Genius – I wholeheartedly believe Perfume Genius (Mike Hadreas) to be one of the most brilliant creators in the history of music. Hadreas music consists of glam rock, fragile piano ballads, and beautifully written lyrics that explores topics such as sexuality, abuse, homophobia, and love. Hadreas has been creating music since 2010 and now has four full-length albums. His tender vocals and beautiful production offers an ecstatic sound with insanely gorgeous transitions between tracks. The elegant dynamics of the albums brings you to a place that feels as if you were in the aesthetic movement and I will forever and always be in awe of his talent.
LANY – LANY is an indie pop band consisting of three members, Paul Klein, Jake Goss, and Les Priest. LANY (which stands for Los Angeles, New York) has recently started to blow up this year after the release of their sophomore album, Malibu Nights. I have been a fan of the band since 2015 and have had the fun opportunity of attending nine of their shows throughout the years, and have gotten to chat with them as well. The down-to-earth band provides us with alt-pop songs about love and heartbreak, which always gives off a feel-good-summer-nights type of vibe.
Ryan Beatty – Ryan Beatty recently broke away from his Radio Disney days and proved himself to be a true artist with his debut album, Boy in Jeans. This gorgeous album explores the love between same-sex relationships, and overall is just beautifully put together. Beatty currently has been working with artists such as, Tyler, The Creator, and, Benny Blanco.
LEON – LEON is a humble and grounded Swedish pop queen. Her sound blends together 60’s and 80’s aesthetics with a soft dreamy contemporary pop sound. I got to attend one of her shows in 2017, and her sound and stage presence was just as dreamy in person as it is on recordings. As a Swedish gal myself, I am so glad we have an artist as admirable as LEON representing the country.
PopTara will return to UIC Radio, January 16, 2019. You will be able to listen live every Wednesday night from 8:30pm-10:30pm. Make sure to tune in to hear the tea on even more underrated pop artists, and to find something new and fresh to listen to.
If you want to re-listen to the music aired on PopTara, here is the full playlist of every song ever played: https://open.spotify.com/user/taraanoellee/playlist/6DDK9CyxmbJGi0VtkasuQp?si=j-DNHvo3S6CQ1NbzuNDu6g
My name is Tara and I put out articles for UIC Radio on whatever day I can. I’m a media communication and professional writing major at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I host a pop music show, PopTara, on UIC Radio every Wednesday from 8:30pm-10:30pm. If you want to keep up with my saucy life you can follow me here:
twitter – @phemebot
music instagram – @lyricsbytara
personal instagram – @tarapheme
facebook – @PopTara
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