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Max Martin: Why a Pop-Hit Songwriter and Producer Created a Musical

March 31, 2023

Even if you don’t know who Max Martin is, you’ve definitely heard his songs. Hit-pop songs are kind of his thing after all. Martin first stepped into the music world in 1985 as a frontman for....

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MANILA GREY: Vancouver's Rising R&B Duo

March 18, 2023

The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously .......

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How did Miley Cyrus’ Heartbreak Song “Flowers” Break the Spotify Record?

March 17, 2023

The singer, songwriter, and actress Miley Cyrus has recently released a record-breaking song called “Flowers” in January 2023. This song recites her 10-year long relationship with her ex-husband....

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Men I Trust: Canada’s DIY Indie Band That Could Be Your New Favourite

March 4, 2023

Men I Trust is a Canadian indie pop band known for their dreamy and mellow sound. Their music is laid back, incorporating elements of funk, disco, and R&B to create a smooth and groovy vibe that is

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Basics For Building an At-Home Recording Studio

March 3, 2023

Artists like Kaytranada have proved that you don’t need access to a professional recording studio to create well-produced music. As technology and social media have advanced, it is now easier than eve

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Facing the Music: Legal Challenges With AI and Copyright Laws

February 25, 2023

People draw inspiration from others when forming their ideas, it’s a fact of life. Sampling in music is no exception - and artists do it for a variety of reasons. Traditionally, copyright laws and

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Tobias Jesso Jr.: GRAMMY-Winning Canadian Sells His Song Rights

February 23, 2023

Tobias Jesso Jr. You may know his name from his 2015 solo album Goon. Or maybe from his work on various popular songs, such as “When We Were Young” by Adele and “Alive” by Sia. Or even from his rece

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How Popular TV Shows and Movies Resurrect Classic Songs

February 23, 2023

HBO’s The Last of Us is arguably the hottest show out right now, receiving near universal acclaim from viewers and critics alike. This holds especially true for episode three: “Long, Long Time”.

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Ginalina: Bringing Her Taiwan Roots Into Her Latest Album

February 21, 2023

Folk singer. Songwriter. Canadian. Polyglot. All of these titles belong to Gina Lam, also known by her stage name Ginalina. In November 2022, she released her latest album titled Going Back: Remembe

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Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance

February 21, 2023

Rihanna is an illustrious artist. She is among the best selling female artists of all time, and was one of the greatest hitmakers of the 2000s and 2010s. She has since grown to become the richest...

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How do Streaming Platforms Pay Artists - Is It Fair?

February 20, 2023

Streaming is now the driving force of the music industry, making up 84% of the industry revenue in the U.S. While streaming is much more convenient for listeners, many artists argue that it is near im

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Why Jay-Z Was Named The #1 Rapper Of All Time

February 23, 2023

Who is the greatest rapper of all time? Is it even possible to crown just one person? Well, Billboard and Vibe did exactly that. And, according to them, that person is Jay-Z. In honor of Hip-Hop’s

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Korean Indie/Pop Rock Bands You Need To Know: Day6, The Rose, & HYUKOH

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Hey!Hallyu

With K-pop bands like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and SEVENTEEN, Korean music has been on the rise over the past ten years. But Korea’s music culture doesn’t stop there.

Genres like indie and pop rock have recently been thriving and gaining the spotlight it deserves. Here are three Korean indie/pop rock bands you might want to check out: Day6, The Rose, and HYUKOH.

Founded by JYP Entertainment, Day6 is a four-member group that debuted in 2015. With a focus on sentimental lyrics about love and relationships, their music is a fusion of pop, rock, and electronic elements. Strong vocal harmonies, catchy hooks and upbeat guitar riffs define their sound.

Day6 consists of members Wonpil, Young K, Sungjin, Dowoon and with past members Jae and Junhyeok. They are well-known for their songs “Congratulations,” “You Were Beautiful,” and “Shoot Me.” Their energetic live performances highlight their instrumental mastery and stage presence.

With their distinct rock sound separating them from other groups, Day6’s music is the kind of music you want to jam out to and for anyone looking for something different in K-pop culture.

The Rose

Another great band is The Rose, a four-member band under J&Star Company that debuted in 2017. Their intense and strong songwriting features a significant amount of ballads that highlights their vocal range and emotional depth.

Before making their official debut with J&Star, the band has long been a well-liked indie band. Members consist of Kim Woo-sung (vocals, guitar), Park Do-joon (keyboard), Lee Ha-joon (drums), and Lee Jae-hyeong (bass).

Their music combines rock and pop elements together with instrumentals that are complemented by guitar and upbeat choruses. Some of their well known songs include “Sorry,” “Baby,” and “Red.” They’re also known for their intimate live performances, many of which include simple sets that accentuate their singing abilities.

Hero Magazine

Lastly, HYUKOH is an indie band that formed in 2014 and gained popularity abroad after making an appearance on the Korean variety show “Infinite Challenge”. HYUKOH’S musical style is a unique mix of rock, folk, and indie pop.

Members of the group named The Beatles and The Whitest Boy Alive as key influences on their musical style. Hyukoh is truly a unique band that brings in a different mood in the Korean music industry with their raw and energetic live performances.

Notably, their songs “Wi Ing Wi Ing,” “LOVE YA!,” and “Comes and Goes” are a must-listen. The song's openings of soft guitar riffs slowly build up to a hypnotic chorus with layers of vocals and harmonies.

Check out HYUKOH’s track “Wi Ing Wi Ing”, below.