Sofar Sounds — short for Songs From a Room — began in London over 15 years ago with a simple mission: to create intimate concerts in unexpected spaces. Since then, it has blossomed into a global movement across 400+ cities, celebrating music, community, and creativity. Every Sofar show is an invitation-only experience, with the exact location revealed just two days before — keeping the vibe relaxed, low-key, and always full of surprises. While my most unconventional Sofar event took place inside a carpet factory, the most memorable one I’ve attended was held at none other than Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island — right across from Hofstra University. It’s…

If you’re in the music industry — whether you’re into instruments, production, education, or gear — you’ve likely heard of the NAMM Show. Run by the National Association of Music Merchants, it’s the most influential music retail conference in the country. The largest event is held annually at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, drawing over 100,000 attendees from around the world. I first attended NAMM in 2016 as a college student eager to learn everything I could about pro audio and music marketing. That experience opened so many doors for me. By 2019, I earned the NAMM President’s Innovation Award, which came with a fully sponsored trip to the…

When it comes to Long Island’s biggest annual music celebration, Great South Bay Music Festival takes the crown. Held at Shorefront Park in Patchogue, NY, this four-day event transforms the waterfront into a vibrant gathering spot for around 20,000 attendees each year. With a scenic backdrop of grassy fields and rocky shores, festivalgoers of all ages come together to experience live music, local art vendors, and a strong sense of community — all set to the sounds of rock, reggae, and jam bands. In 2018, I had the opportunity to attend as a representative of WRHU 88.7 FM, Hofstra University’s Marconi Award-winning radio station. While there, I interviewed up-and-coming artists…

My very first trip to Las Vegas was a four-day whirlwind — and I pulled it off with just $600 in my pocket. At the time, I was a full-time college student, and about ten of us from my program received a $600 educational grant to attend the Las Vegas Music Summit. Even though most of us were under 21, we still managed to have a blast without breaking the bank. Here’s how I made the most of every dollar: ✈️ Airfare: $300 roundtrip (NYC to Vegas) Flights were the biggest chunk of my budget, but I found a roundtrip deal for $300. That was half the budget gone —…

When the unlikely trio of Labrinth, Sia, and Diplo came together, they formed not just a supergroup — but a whole new sound, releasing music under the name LSD. Each artist brings something completely unique to the table: Labrinth infuses his signature electrosoul flair, Sia adds a dreamy, acid-jazz influence, and Diplo ties it all together with his bold EDM production. The result? A vibrant, genre-bending listening experience. Of course, the name LSD naturally sparks thoughts of the psychedelic drug — a hallucinogen known for colorful visuals, emotional waves, and altered perceptions during a “trip.” I don’t think that connection is accidental. Sure, their initials spell it out perfectly (props…

Renowned artist and innovator Imogen Heap is changing the way we think about live performance with the release of MiMu Gloves — motion-sensitive wearable tech that allows musicians to create and manipulate sound using hand gestures, much like a modern theremin. Made with recycled materials and eco-friendly packaging, these gloves push beyond keyboards and laptops, giving performers the freedom to interact with their music and their audience in a visually immersive way. Currently, musicians can join a waitlist to purchase a pair. The last time I checked, the price was just over $1,000 USD per glove — although the cost is no longer publicly listed on the official site, so…

March is here, and with it comes one of my favorite times of year—Women’s History Month. It’s a chance to celebrate all the amazing women who’ve shaped our world and to give flowers (literally or figuratively) to the trailblazers who made space for the rest of us. One space where women have seriously left their mark? Independent music. From gritty punk to dreamy indie pop, women have been shaking things up for decades—writing, producing, performing, and totally flipping the script on what music can sound and feel like. The roots of this go deep. Back in the ‘70s, punk rock came in loud and raw, and women were right there…

GH0$t dropped October 7th and it’s officially haunting streaming platforms everywhere. If you’re building out your witchy autumn playlists or craving a moody vibe with ethereal edge—this one’s for you. Massive thanks to the amazing outlets that have shown GH0$t some love: Blogs: Indie Pulse / Indie Shark / Minimalistic Music Podcasts: ATL Radio Show: The Aftermath Online Radio: Frecuencia Millennial / Radio Flames / OVERVIEWisontheradio / The New Rebel Grrrls If you’ve featured GH0$t and don’t see your name here—or if you’re interested in teaming up to help share the sound—reach out to the crew at marliiimgmt@gmail.com. This track taps into that shadowy, lingering energy—the kind of feeling that…

Let’s talk about my looper pedal! I LOVE loops, so of course my first post about gear is about the JamMan Stereo Looper JML2! This device was gifted to me by my amazing boyfriend for my 20th birthday almost 2 years ago, and I’m about to tell you about how my experiences have been with it. BUT FIRST, check out these pics so you have an idea of what it looks like and what the possibilities are from the get go: Check out the video below to hear me using the JamMan Stereo Looper JML 2 at a LIVE show for the first time! Pros Cons Pros There’s a reverse…

“I never judge my own songwriting. It’s just my heart. What’s there to judge about your own heart?” — Banks Banks, the introspective dark-pop artist known for her emotionally raw sound, hits the nail on the head with this quote. Whether you’re a musician or simply someone who loves music, you’ve likely felt the way it connects us. Entire communities form around the work of artists and bands — not just because of catchy melodies, but because of the emotion, storytelling, and identity behind the music. Songwriting from the heart requires vulnerability. When artists pour hundreds or even thousands of hours into a song, they’re not just releasing music —…