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In the past several years, there has been a tremendous shift in popular music. If there is a gap in genres and style, producers and executives plan to fill said gap to maximize listeners and sales alike. The same can be said of country music.

Artists like Chris Stapleton and Kacey Musgraves have made their mark in similar ways in this particular market by simply filling in for the original sound of country that some say the genre has been lacking. Some artists, like newcomer Erica Bryan, have a much different take.

Bryan, currently a Nashville resident originally from the suburbs of Atlanta, describes her sound as “dark, southern soul.” This modern meets rustic feel is exactly what country music needs. Her wide range of sound and taste make her a prime candidate to be on the radio, and that is exactly why I think she just might make it. And here's why.

We can all agree that a lot of music struggles to find its integrity. This is not a problem for Bryan though. Let me tell something, Bryan’s music subtly screams sincerity. It has an honesty to it that allows you to fall into the music and believe every word. This songwriter is not trying too hard or too little, and that is something special.

Her debut single, “Jericho,” which launched Mar. 31, is my personal favorite out of her upcoming EP. (I was able to get the hook up and listen to her entire EP last week.) The record is co-written with her producer, Tommy Harden, but Bryan had been holding onto the idea for this song for three years now.

“I walked circles around Music Row and started praying that doors would be open for me in Nashville,” says Bryan. “While I was walking around Music Row and praying, I felt like Joshua walking around Jericho and that is where the song idea of ‘Jericho’ came to life.”

With Bryan being a self-funded and self-managing artist, she has a unique freedom that allows her to execute and deliver her work with the utmost artistic integrity. This can be a little bit daunting since she is the one investing in her career, not a multi-billion dollar record label.

If you have not already listened to the song above, hit the play button. "Jericho" is now available on iTunes for just 99 cents. Bryan is also set to release a full EP in early July featuring seven full-length songs (the songs I have already heard and fallen in love with). She will feature these songs at her album release show at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta on July 1. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all things Erica Bryan.

Now go buy her single and lets make Bryan famous you guys.

Cover Image Credit: Erica Bryan

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To The Boy Who Will Love Me Next

If you can't understand these few things, leave before things get too involved

Danielle Stallins

Danielle Stallins Apr 27, 2016

38000

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To the boy that will love me next, I need you to know and understand things about me and my past. The things I have been though not only have shaped the person I’ve become, but also sometimes controls my life. In the past I’ve been used, abused, and taken for granted, and I want something real this time. The guys before you were just boys; they didn’t know how to treat me until it was too late. They didn’t understand how to love me, until I broke my own heart. Before you truly decide to love me I want you to understand these things.

When I tell you something, please listen.

I’m my own person, I want to be loved a certain way. If I ask you to come over and watch movies with me please do it, if I ask for you to leave me alone for a few hours because it’s a girl’s night please do it. I don’t just say things to hear my own voice, I say things to you because it’s important to my life and the way I want to be loved. I’m not a needy person when it comes to being loved and cared for, but I do ask for you to do the small things that I am say.

Forgive my past.

My past is not a pretty brick road, it is a highway that has a bunch of potholes and cracks in it. I have a lot of baggage, and most of it you won’t understand. But don’t let my past decided whether you want to love me or not. My past has helped form who I am today, but it does not define who I am. My past experiences might try and make an appearance every once in a while, but I will not go back to that person I once was, I will not return to all that hurt I once went though. When I say those things, I’m telling the complete and honest truth. I relive my past every day, somethings haunt me and somethings are good reminds. But for you to love me, I need you to accept my past, present and future.

I’m just another bro to the other guys.

I have always hung out with boys, I don’t fit in with the girl groups. I have 10 close girlfriends, but the majority of my friends are guy, but don’t let this scare you. If I wanted to be with one of my guy friends I would already be with him, and if you haven’t noticed I don’t want them because I’m with you. I will not lose my friendships with all my guy friends to be able to stay with you. I will not cut off ties because you don’t like my guy friends. I have lost too many buddies because of my ex-boyfriends and I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again. If you don’t like how many guy friends I have you can leave now. Don’t bother trying to date me if you can accept the fact I’m just another bro.

I might be a badass, but I actually have a big heart.

To a lot of people I come off to be a very crazy and wild girl. I will agree I can be crazy and wild, but I’m more than that. I’m independent, caring, responsible, understanding, forgiving, and so such more type of woman. Many people think that I’m a badass because I don’t take any negatively from anyone. Just like we learned when we were younger, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.” Most people can’t do that in today’s world, so I stick up for myself and my friends. I don’t care what anyone thinks about me, or their option on how I live my life. The only thing I care about is being able to make myself happy. Even though I’m an independent woman, understand that I do have a big heart. Honesty when I truly care for someone I will do just about anything they ask, but don’t take advantage of this. Once you take advantage of this part of me, all respect will be lost for you.

I’m hard to love.

Sometimes I want to be cuddle and get attention, and sometimes I don’t want you to talk to me for a couple hours. Sometimes I want you to take me out for a nice meal, but sometimes I want a home cooked meal. Every day is different for me, sometimes I change my mind every hour. My mood swings are terrible on certain days, and on those days you should probably just ignore me. I’m not easy to love, so you’ll either be willing to find a way to love me, or you’ll walk out like so many others have.

I’m scared.

I’m scared to love someone again. I’ve been hurt, heartbroken, and beat to the ground in my past relationships. I want to believe you are different, I want to hope things will truly work out, but every relationship has always ended up the same way. I’m scared to trust someone, put my whole heart into them, just to be left and heartbroken again. I sick and tired of putting my whole body and soul into someone for them to just leave when it is convenient for them. If you want to love me, understand it won’t be easy for me to love you back.

When “I’m done.”

When I say “I’m done” I honestly don’t mean that I’m done. When I say that it means I need and want you to fight for me, show me why you want to be with me. I need you to prove that I’m worth it and there’s no one else but me. If I was truly done, I would just walk away, and not come back. So if I ever tell you, “I’m done,” tell me all the reasons why I’m truly not done.

For the boy who will love me next, the work is cut out for you, you just have to be willing to do it. I’m not like other girls, I am my own person, and I will need to be treated as such. For the boy that will love me next, don’t bother with me unless you really want to be with me. I don’t have time to waste on you if you aren’t going to try and make something out of us. To the boy who will love me next, the last thing I would like to say is good luck, I have faith in you.

Cover Image Credit: Danielle Balint

Danielle Stallins

Danielle Stallins Apr 27, 2016

At Southern Illinois University Carbondale

15 Thing Only Early 2000's Kids Will Understand

"Get connected for free, with education connection"

Juliana Baumgardner

Juliana Baumgardner May 22, 2019

667

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This is it early 2000's babies, a compilation finally made for you. This list is loaded with things that will make you swoon with nostalgia.

1. Not being accepted by the late 90's kids.

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Contrary to what one may think, late 90's and early 00's kids had the same childhood, but whenever a 00's kid says they remember something on an "only 90's kids will understand" post they are ridiculed.

2. Fortune tellers.

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Every day in elementary school you would whip one of these bad boys out of your desk, and proceed to tell all of your classmates what lifestyle they were going to live and who they were going to marry.

3.Bunnicula

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You could never read this book past 8 o'clock at night out of fear that your beloved pet rabbit would come after you.

4. Silly bands.

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You vividly remember begging your parents to buy you $10 worth of cheap rubber bands that vaguely resembles the shape of an everyday object.

5. Parachutes.

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The joy and excitement that washed over you whenever you saw the gym teacher pull out the huge rainbow parachute. The adrenaline that pumped through your veins whenever your gym teacher tells you the pull the chute under you and sit to make a huge "fort".