My 2025 Summer Artist Choices

How often do you take stock in the music you listen to, hmm?

I have the tendency to - and this may be an indication of OCD - listen over and over and over to what I love. And these last six months or so, that has unequivocally been Madison Cunningham. But I’ve tried to spend more time listening to what my students enjoy because..

👉🏼 It makes me a better vocal coach

👉🏼 It makes me a better listener

👉🏼 And it can be fun

So in the ocean of artists all over the place, below is my very simple evaluation of three singers/groups I've been listening to this summer.

Life as an artist is hard. Really hard. The demand of artistic output, live performance, interviews, being on all the time….it’s a grind.😥 Nearly every professional artist I’ve worked with struggles with anxiety. 

And in this industry, it’s really common to receive only negative criticism; so while my negative critique may be callous, I’m going to add what I enjoy about each artist/group.

Chappell Roan

She has a fun, retro vibe!

Her voice sounds healthy, and I hope it stays that way. She moves naturally throughout her range. The disconnect between registers seems to be a stylistic choice, so I hope she makes sure to smooth that out (in her personal practice time) for the sake of vocal preservation. 

IMO, her most singable tune is “The Giver.” Shift some of those vowels through the chorus, and it’s really simple to put together vocally.

My personal favorite aspect of her voice is it’s easy to understand the lyrics. Kinda refreshing, yah?

She kinda reminds me of Cyndi Lauper, the lead from Joseph, and Feist.

Lawrence 

I’m on the edge of becoming obsessed, and it’s perfect summer music! As soon as a student mentioned them, I immediately thought, “...this is Vulfpeck meets Lake Street Dive, quite literally.” 🤓

I love Gracie’s voice, but if you’re trying to sound just like her, stop.🛑 It’s a really fun and catchy sound, but that vibrato will end up causing issues. So, you keep on singing with lot’s of sass and style, and let your own vibrato be what it is! Focus on having fun!

So what if she can sing “Never Enough,” a hit written obviously by men.😑 No woman would write that super impossible and moody melody. (It’s hardly a melody, the verses are so disjointed…) Anyway, one big belty number is no indication of a singer’s full vocal capability. Yes, she sounds powerful, but will she still be able to sing like that in five years? Time will tell, it always does.

I’d also like to hear her sing softly, that would be a nice change.

Her voice reminds of Lake Street Dive’s lead, Maren Morris (kinda), and I even hear some of Lea Michele from during her years on “Glee.”

Lucy Evers from Orchards

I’m loving this music! Ever’s voice is clean, consistent, and easy to listen to. 

I don’t appreciate being yelled at these days as I listen to music, so her level of intensity is just right. Her voice is present, but I don’t feel like I’ve done something wrong. 

Know what I mean?

You should go listen!

She reminds me of The Cranberries, a little Madonna, and Haley Williams.