Isabella Basile
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Cut It Out Magazine,
The West Milford Messenger,
When The Horn Blows,
Merry-Go-Round Magazine,
The Indy Review
Covers:
Music, Mental Health, Art, Acting, Politics, Local News.
Articles by Isabella Basile
The Raspy Lullaby of Violet Grohl’s Debut Album
Violet Grohl, daughter of Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, released her debut album Be Sweet To Me via Auroura Records / Republic Records on May 29th. Recorded from late 2024 to early 2025 at producer Justin Raisen’s Los Angeles home studio, Bee Sweet To Me captures Violets love of film, particularly the works of David Lynch. “Applefish” starts off with a mellow fuzz guitar and enchanting vocals.
The Dogs are Out, and They Are Ready to Rock, Wag, and Roll: Interview with The Living Dogs
North Jersey-based hippie punk trio The Living Dogs: Tommy Hyde, Kaelan Delaney, and Connor Larkin, removed all songs from their previous lineup from their Spotify, replacing them with a live album, marking the band's new beginning. Get ready to rock, wag, and roll to their catchy tunes. IB: Hi, it's so nice to talk with you all today. Could each of you introduce yourselves and say which instrument you play in the band? LD: Tommy Hyde: guitar/vocals.
Five Fast Facts: sugarwife on “Getting Closer” and Starting Over
From “I hate music” to a six-piece band, sugarwife's story begins with a breakup, burnout, and The Beths. In 2017, the project began as a solo outlet after the end of the previous band left them questioning if they even wanted to make music anymore. Hearing the band The Beths for the first time reminded them of how powerful making music could really be. What started as a solo project slowly grew as they collected new members along the way, eventually becoming the band they are today.
You're Invited! Pride Fests Near You 2026
Pride Month is almost here, and with it comes the anticipation of when and where Pride Festivals will be taking place! Well, anticipate no more; here are 20+ Pride Festivals for you to attend in New Jersey and New York! Thursday, June 4th 6 PM: Full Circle Pride Parade Friday, June 5th 5:30 PM Community Night @ Haddon Square: 51 Haddon Ave, Haddon Township, NJ Community events, live music, drag, resources, food, and more! Saturday, June 6th 1 PM - 5 PM @ Highlands Ridge Barn, 100 North Rd.,...
How a Shakespeare Misquotation inspired Lily Forte’s Album, 'Don’t Gild The Lily'
Lily Forte, previously featured in TheMIC Mag for her single “Out of the Blue,” is back with her second album, Don’t Gild The Lily, set to release February 13th. Collaborating with 20 individuals, Lily Forte combines Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Pop to create her 11-track album.
Nicole Ash Speaks on Latest EP 'Never Better' and What it Means to Her in our Latest Five Fast Facts
Ever heard of masking? Well, it is something we all do. But masking things up does not always bode well for us. NicoleAsh, no stranger to The MIC Mag, is a pop-punk and alternative-rock singer-songwriter based in North Carolina who knows all about masking. Her newest EP, Never Better, shows the world bits and pieces of herself that she had locked away. Never Better captures the messiness of letting go and figuring out who you are, and in the process.
Beach Daze Talks New Single “Everything We Ever Wanted” and Kicking Off 2026 With an Upbeat, House-Inspired Sound
From the shores of Brick, New Jersey, Anthony Gualano has been carving out his own lane in the indie and alternative world. Performing under the name Beach Daze, he operates as a true one-person project, handling everything from songwriting to production, channeling personal experiences into bright, energetic rhythms that feel both intimate and expansive. Photo Credit: Andre Paras IB: Hi Beach Daze, we are so excited to chat with you today! BD:Thanks so much for having me.
Witch or Queen? You Decide: Ebb & Nova’s latest single “Call Me Queen”
Ebb & Nova originally started as a duo with Lauren Padgett on vocals and guitar and Matthew Purpora on guitar, later adding Steven Bainbridge on cello and Pat Brynes on percussion. Together, they blend indie rock with pop and folk elements to create engaging and intoxicating melodies. Their latest single, “Call Me Queen,” released in April of 2025, amassed 31,860 streams on Spotify, surpassing their first single, “100 Beats,” with 27,363 streams.
You Can’t Cover Your Pain in “Tinsel,” But Sydney Dale Gives Voice to a Lonely Christmas
Sydney Dale’s Christmas EP, ‘Tis The Season, released December 5th, blends pop, jazz, R&B, and folk, featuring four songs, two originals, “Winter” and “Tinsel,” and two classics, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Blue Christmas.” Dale is an emerging artist who calls the Pacific Northwest her home, though she has traveled far and wide. At just nine years old, Dale started to write her own songs, releasing her first single at the age of fourteen.
Get Your Ticket to 'Now Arriving… at Secaucus Junction': An Interview with Roe Knows Best
No stranger to The MIC Mag, Roe O’Brien, best known as Roe Knows Best, follows her latest EP,Weekend at Mauchie’s…Vol. 1, with her debut album Now Arriving…at Secaucus Junction, released November 7th.
ALIE Opens Up About Grief, Growth, and the Making of “Closer To Losing”
ALIE’s creative world started in a small French bedroom filled with poems and half-formed stories, and it’s only grown wilder and more ambitious since. After cutting her teeth in a garage-rock trio and even hitting stages like SUPERSONIC in Paris, she followed her curiosity all the way to New York to study cinema and make films of her own. Now back in France, she’s carving out a solo identity that fuses her filmmaker’s eye with her love of shimmering, emotionally honest music.
Horror and Halloween: Fake Paradise's latest release, "Bad Omen"
Saskatoon, Canada’s Fake Paradise, is fronted by Jace Irvine on lead vocals and guitar, with Oishik Khan on background vocals and drums.
Strength Meets Sensitivity in Bel’s Latest Single “Canadian Tuxedo”
Bel, also known as Isabel Furman, is a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Influenced by Snail Mail and Madison Cunningham, she crafts witty, rock-driven songs that immerse the listener in her story. “Canadian Tuxedo,” released August 22nd, is the first song off of her upcoming album Licorice, out in November. This is her first release since her last single, “string tug” with frank.e, in 2022. “Canadian Tuxedo” was written for Bel’s fiancé, the two soon to be married.
From Kate Bush to Yellowstone: How Sync Deals Can Supercharge a Career and Open Doors for Indie Artists
Getting your music featured in a motion picture is a huge accomplishment and no easy feat. But, how do you get there? Can an indie artist score one? A sync deal, short for synchronization license deal, is an agreement in which music is paired with a motion picture, which can include, but is not limited to, film, TV, and video games. A sync deal grants a company, such as Netflix, permission to use your musical composition and/or recording in TV shows, movies, video games, and commercials.
Interview with Melas Leukos: “Magic Is Alive” in You and Me
Multidisciplinary artist, Melas Leukos, weaves the natural and outerworldly together to create her music, illustration, photography, ritual, and dance. Since Melas learned to talk, she was making up songs; it was her form of communication, and it was sacred. Shaped by the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, her music opens our eyes to the many journeys we travel. Her songs are tales from the unseen: animal messengers, nature spirits, and elemental truths.
Cre8ive MC Releases Debut Album: Identity Matters, So ‘Make Sure They Spell Your Name Right’
New Jersey-based hip-hop, rap, and spoken word artist, Cre8ive MC, also known as Glenn Paul Simon, released his debut album Make Sure They Spell Your Name Right, available exclusively on his website. Raised by his parents, an art teacher and a metal sculptor/guitarist, Glenn developed his passion for hip-hop from artists like Wu-Tang Clan, N.W.A., and KRS-One.
King of Cups are Back with Another Long A- "Waited" Track off their Upcoming EP
King of Cups, neon pop-punk, alternative, pop-rock, emo-pop duo led by Sugar Shaun and BryGuy, is back with their highly anticipated track "Waited." This track took the longest to produce and record, with vocals being rerecorded and lyrics rewritten several times, which almost led to it not being released. But with their last-minute and final rewrite, “Waited” was finally released on July 30th.
Artur Menezes Makes D’Angelo’s “Til It’s Done (Tutu)” His Own With His Funk-Rock Groove
Brazilian singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist, and educator Artur Menezes blends rock, blues, funk, and jazz in his music.
Do You Believe In the 'Jersey Devil'? Take a Journey Through the Pine Barrens with Monte Maybe in her Debut Album
Monte Maybe is fronted by Sophia Montalbano, singer-songwriter from Red Bank, New Jersey. Performing and making music since she was 15 years old, she has graced the stage of famous venues including the Wonder Bar, The Asbury Hotel, The Stone Pony, The Saint, and John and Peter’s in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Jersey Devil, released on July 31st, is Monte Maybe’s Debut Album, fusing together pop and electronic beats with elements of folk and country storytelling.
If You’re "Seeing Signs," You Might Not Be Alone — An Interview with Nicole Ash on Her New Single, Start, and Guitar Heroes
Nicole Ash, a pop punk and alternative rock singer-songwriter based in North Carolina, started her musical career as a songwriter and guitarist. Best known for her guitar covers on social media, she has amassed over 85K followers. On YouTube, her most popular video, a cover of "House of Wolves" by My Chemical Romance, has garnered over 8.3K views. In 2020, Ash co-founded her band Wayne Avenue, and in 2022, she decided to go solo.
Love Is in the “Atmosphere” for Squares in His Latest Ethereal Single
Created by Chris Barrett, pulls together influences of R&B, pop, and rock to create the smooth sound of Squares. Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Barrett strives to showcase what influenced him throughout his upbringing and musical career. With their first release, S.O.S in 2021, Squares discovered their sound, which fit like a glove.
Richard Berger Gets Honest About Unspoken Feelings in New Track "Work It Out"
Richard Berger’s music blends jazz, rock, neo-psychedelic synth pop, and R&B. With these blended genres, his sound captures “classic retro vibes with a fresh new twist.” Following his latest album, Retrovert and following single, "Look Around," Berger teamed up with Chris Byman on drums, and shortly after formed a new band, The Retroverts, with Hefty Chieftain on the guitar and Mark Lang on bass.
AI band, The Velvet Sundown, “Not Quite Human. Not Quite Machine:” All You Need To Know
AI band, The Velvet Sundown, launched their Debut Album, Floating on Echoes, on June 5th, 2025. Since then, they have garnered over one million streams with their most popular song, "Dust on the Wind," also surpassing one million streams, reaching #1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 in Britain, Norway, and Sweden between June 29th and July 1st.
Feel Like You're Racing Against Time? Angie Colman Wonders the Same in Part 1 of Her Debut Album, 'How Do I Make My Life Slow Down?'
WAM Award winner, RAC Arena Limelight Award recipient, and former triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, Angie Colman, Australian alt-pop singer/songwriter, writes about growth and change in Part 1 of her debut Album, How Do I Make My Life Slow Down? filled with soft ballads and full band moments, "capturing the beauty and chaos of growing up." Her lyrics and vocals make you think and feel, make sure you have tissues! Photo Credit: Sarah Gelmi How Do I Make My Life Slow Down?
Five Fast Facts: Vaarin Reflects on her new Album and the Comfort of 'Heading Home'
Norwegian singer-songwriter Vaarin was destined for creativity from the moment she was born. Her mother, a visual artist, and her father, an "old rock star," led her down the path from strumming guitars to composing her first melody on her Rhodes piano. Joni Mitchell and The Beatles played a huge role in shaping her musical career, and by age 14, she established her own sound.
Five Fast Facts: Frankie Muriel’s “THOSE WERE THE NIGHTS,” but There are More To Come
Frankie Muriel got his start in St. Louis with Broken Toyz, then came major-label deals, MTV airplay, and Billboard-charting success with KINGOFTHEHILL. With shifts in genres, Frankie reinvented himself repeatedly, shaping his music into what it is today. Currently, Frankie fronts Dr. Zhivegas, a high-energy disco-rock band. "THOSE WERE THE NIGHTS" is both a toast to the fans who’ve supported him throughout the years and an invitation for everyone to reminisce on their youth.
The History of Queerness in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Was it Accepted in 1986?
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was founded in 1983, with its first induction class in 1986. Some of the inductees were Jimmie Rodgers, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Robert Johnson, The Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, James Brown, and Chuck Berry. The History of Queerness in Rock & Roll Historically, Rock & Roll was known to be rebellious, and strived to uplift the oppressed and reform social and political structures. Members of the queer community were and still are among the oppressed.
From the Boy in a Bedroom, to the Woman On Stage: Interview with Transgender Artist Kid Keen, Exploring their Journey and Upcoming Release, “I Thought Your World Was Ending”
Kid Keen, also known as Kaia, is a transgender, half-Hawaiian pop artist from Bettendorf, Iowa. She started her musical career in 2020, transforming her sound over the last five years from “the boy in a bedroom, to the woman on stage.” Her music not only tells beautiful stories about love, dreams, heartbreak, queerness, and anything in between, but you truly get to know Kaia.
Interview with Drag Artist, Saint Valentine on their Debut EP, 'Transjester'
Saint Valentine, a queer folk musician and drag artist from New Jersey uses music to connect with the queer community.
You're Not Broken, You're Just "Bent": Check out Rhonette Smith's New Single
Rhonette Smith is a local New Jersey pop, rock, and metal artist who “fearlessly delves into the raw and often unspoken territories of depression, anxiety, shame, guilt, and fear within her deeply resonant music.” She grew her love for poetry and songwriting during her teenage years, which laid the foundation for her musical journey filled with her innermost thoughts. In 2013, Rhonette established the band Centennials, which she led for seven years.
Make it a Weekend to Remember with MAUCH and Roe Knows Best's EP, 'Weekend at Mauchies…Vol. 1'
Roe O'Brien, also known as Roe Knows Best, is a singer-songwriter located in NJ who is known for genre mixing. She was diligent in learning piano, music theory, and sang in many choirs that took her around the world. As she grew older, she found her love for Good Charlotte, their self-titled album, and Green Day’s American Idiot. These bands helped her discover her pop-punk dreams and sparked her interest in songwriting, leading her to teach herself the guitar at age 14.
Hurts So Good: Five Fast Facts with Speakeasy on their Therapeutic track "Monogamy"
Speakeasy is a Queer Black and Brown Femme Fronted Soul Punk band based in Lenapehoking, founded in 2022, including members Isa Escobar on lead vocals and guitar, Izzy Mizell on guitar and vocals, Kenia Hale on bass and vocals, Cameron Lloyd on Keyboard, and Arya Bali on drums.Speakeasy is devoted to making the revolution irresistible. They just released their debut album, We Still Have Time, on May 23rd, 2025.
RODERIK Unpacks the "All or Nothing" Tug-of-War in Toxic Relationships in their latest Single
RODERIK is an alternative band based in New Jersey. The band originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, founded by Jack Anthony Salazar and David P.K. in New York. In 2023, RODERIK gained momentum with the addition of members Steve Ambro and Rick Rivera. Now, RODERIK is based in New Jersey and is a “genre-bending force in the alternative scene,” mixing rock, emo, post-hardcore, metal, pop, and hip-hop influences in their music.
Mental Health Matters: A Musician’s Guide to Getting Support
Being a musician is tough work, and it comes with many ups and downs. Sometimes, musicians let these downs get the best of them, so it is important to know how, when, and where to get the mental support you need, because your mental health matters! What are some of the struggles musicians face?
Still Hung Up on an Ex? Francesca Fuentes gets it with her latest music video, “I Just Wanna Be Your Lover Again” now playing on MTV
Francesca Fuentes is a pop/rock singer, songwriter, and author from New Jersey. Graduating from Monmouth University with a degree in English and Creative Writing, she now teaches middle school students at various arts programs across the state. Across campus, she is known for her work with The Blue Hawk Records Group, which featured her on two compilation CDs: After Midnight and Phases.
Five Fast Facts: Monique Angele on her New Cinematic Single “Be Alive”
Monique Angele is a Canadian-Australian singer-songwriter redefining the boundaries of piano-driven pop with her soaring operatic vocals and emotionally charged performances. With a strong foundation in classical music, opera, and musical theatre, Monique has built a reputation for creating cinematic soundscapes that are as technically masterful as they are deeply personal.
Bride Riot would most definitely Survive a Zombie Attack: Five Fast Facts with the band on their track "Mob of the Dead"
Bride Riot is an all-girls punk-rock band based in New Jersey, including members Alexsa Gencarelli on lead guitar, Amanda Indeyevid on vocals, Kim Bongard on the drums, Dylan Weber on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Paige Johnson on bass! Bride Riot released their first song, "Broken Glass," on June 21st, 2024, shortly followed by their EP Burn the Altar on August 23rd, 2024.
It’s Never Too Early to Add to Your Halloween Playlist: “Black Magic Witches” by Zack the Ripper is the Perfect Add
Zack the Ripper, also known as Zack Smith, is a multi-talented rock artist who plays the guitar, drums, bass, and sings. He also records and produces his own songs! His music is greatly influenced by Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, and Led Zeppelin. He graduated from William Paterson University in 2018 with a BA in Popular Music Studies and Music Management.
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