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Alisa Stepura | From Childhood Pianist to Modern Vintage Visionary

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In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of music, there are moments when the cosmos aligns, and an artist materializes, radiating a rare blend of time-honored tradition and avant-garde innovation. Every generation has its luminaries, and for this era, that spotlight shines brightly on Alisa Stepura. Her musical odyssey, almost serendipitous in its inception, began when a seemingly misplaced piano found its way into her life at the impressionable age of four. What might have been a mere pastime for many transformed into a life’s calling for Alisa.

Fast forward 19 years, and Stepura is no longer just the curious girl with a piano. She’s swiftly ascending the ranks, poised to etch her name among the pantheons of the industry’s musical maestros. Her unique sonic signature? A compelling concoction she eloquently labels as a “driven, modern take on vintage sound,” bridging the gap between yesteryears’ classics and today’s progressive rhythms.

Let’s roll back the years for a moment. Picture a four-year-old Stepura gazing at a brand new piano in her living room. That instrument wasn’t even meant for her. Destined as a gift for someone else, the universe played its card, and the gift was retracted, leaving the piano without an intended owner. Her parents, not ones to let an exquisite instrument gather dust, presented young Alisa with an opportunity, one she enthusiastically embraced.

Alisa Stepura
Photography by Daria Pyshna

Years sped by and the piano, which could have just been a décor in the Stepura residence, became the foundation of Alisa’s musical odyssey. Her love for music took a serious turn when she received her first Macbook at 11. The device wasn’t just a tool for browsing or watching videos; it was her portal to bringing her music to life. Logic Pro became her playground, a digital universe where her written compositions found their voice.

Fast forward to the present, and Stepura has seamlessly transformed from a young enthusiast to a mature, discerning artist in her own right. Standing on the precipice of academic accomplishment, she is nearing the completion of a coveted degree in production from the renowned Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. This institution, hailed globally for nurturing and producing some of the most exceptional talents in the music industry, has played a monumental role in shaping Alisa’s artistic journey.

At the Institute, she didn’t merely sharpen her technical acumen; she immersed herself in an environment that fostered creativity, innovation, and an uncompromising drive for excellence. The rigorous and constructive feedback from her seasoned tutors instilled in her an unyielding commitment to perfection, pushing her boundaries and redefining her understanding of music.

Now, when one speaks of inspiration, Alisa doesn’t shy away from naming the giants who’ve left an indelible mark on her. Post Malone’s “Austin” stirred in her the audacity to tread sonic terrains she never imagined. Similarly, Travis Scott’s “Utopia” was less of an album and more of a motivational booster shot for Alisa, pushing her to sculpt sounds that were dynamic, rich, and gripping.

Alisa Stepura
Photography by Daria Pyshna

For those who’ve followed her journey so far, the exciting news is that an album is in the pipeline. Slated for a June 2024 release, fans can anticipate a single drop this winter – a musical appetizer before the grand feast next summer.

Listeners, especially first-timers, diving into Alisa’s world should brace themselves. They’re in for a roller coaster of emotions – from the unbridled joy of dance to the comforting embrace of nostalgia. Alisa’s hope is simple yet profound. She wishes for her music to be the catalyst for good feelings and motivation. In her tunes, there’s a dance for every joy and a tune for every memory.

As the anticipation builds for her forthcoming projects, it becomes increasingly clear that Alisa Stepura is not merely a fleeting presence or another transient name in the vast expanse of the music industry. She stands out, embodying a deep-rooted narrative of passion that resonates with many. Her journey, rife with dedication and an unwavering commitment to her craft, showcases her as a beacon of perseverance in a world often plagued by fleeting ambitions.

More than her skills and talent, it’s her undying love for music and artistry that sets her apart. Alisa’s story is a poignant reminder that when passion and purpose converge, they pave a path to unparalleled achievements. She is the living testament to the heights one can reach when driven by genuine love for art and an insatiable hunger for excellence.

For those itching to get a taste of Alisa’s magic, tune into her tracks on Spotify and Apple Music. Dive in, and let the rhythms of a prodigy take over.

This article contains branded content provided by a third party. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the content creator or sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or editorial stance of Popular Hustle.

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iurisEkero Proves Pop Music Doesn’t Have to Be Loud to Be Good

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iurisEkero

There’s something refreshing about an artist who doesn’t chase volume. “I don’t make music to sound loud. I make music to sound deep,” says iurisEkero, and after diving into his catalog, you get exactly what he means.

Born in Mendoza, Argentina, iurisEkero (stylized in lowercase, like his approach to fame) grew up in a house where music wasn’t just background noise—it was the main conversation. His grandfather recorded albums as a vocalist, his father played trumpet, and young Iuris absorbed it all. But here’s what’s interesting: instead of just carrying the torch, he’s completely reimagined it.

Now splitting time between the USA and Argentina, iurisEkero creates what he calls “sonic exploration”—pop mixed with electronic textures, ethereal vocals, and these atmospheric moments that genuinely make you want to hit pause on everything else. He pulls inspiration from unexpected places: cities at night, red wine, those comfortable silences between people who know each other well, and what he describes as “the glitch of memories.”

His latest single, “This Summer Night,” dropped on August 19th and perfectly captures that specific magic. At 3:17, it’s packed with synths that stick in your head and a melody that somehow feels both nostalgic and brand new. Other tracks like “The Sun, The Wine and You” and “Midnight Drive” show his range—each one catching different emotional frequencies while keeping that distinctive warmth that comes from his bicultural perspective.

The numbers tell their own story. Nearly 3 million Spotify streams. Over a million YouTube views. But when you mention this to iurisEkero, he seems genuinely surprised. “I don’t even understand those numbers,” he admits. “I just enjoy and am grateful.”

What he hopes listeners take away is simple: that urge to play a song again, whether you’re remembering someone, dancing alone in your kitchen, or waiting for something you can’t quite name yet. Even his breakup songs somehow feel optimistic—there’s always this undercurrent of possibility in his work.

Currently working on a new album featuring various guest artists, iurisEkero seems ready for whatever comes next. The sound explorer from Mendoza has found his frequency, and people are definitely tuning in.

Find iurisEkero’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other streaming platforms, or visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.

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Alain Mékani Confronts Success and Solitude in New Single ‘Quiet’

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Alain Mékani

What happens when you achieve everything you dreamed of before turning 23, but there’s no one around to celebrate with? That’s the question Alain Mékani wrestles with in “Quiet,” his introspective new single that dropped August 1st, 2025.

The Dubai-based artist, who grew up in Beirut speaking Arabic with his mom and French with his dad while MTV played in the background, has been carving out his own corner of the Middle Eastern pop scene since his 2023 debut “Fool.” But this latest track hits different. It’s raw, honest, and uncomfortably relatable for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a room full of people.

Written during a period of professional success while living abroad, “Quiet” runs just over three minutes but packs an emotional punch. The track opens with Mékani reflecting on his younger self’s dreams—the car, the new place, all achieved before his 23rd birthday. But here’s where it gets real: “I left it all behind just to find myself / But am I really free?”

The chorus doesn’t pull punches either. When he admits “I’ve been going through some changes and my mind is fucking racing,” you feel that restless energy. It’s not polished pop perfection; it’s someone working through their stuff in real-time. The official music video, which premiered July 31st, visually captures this internal conflict.

“Quiet” by Alain Mékani

Family threads through every verse — and you can feel it. There’s the promise to make his mother proud, the desire to share his victories, and that gut-punch line about missing the people who matter most. The bridge transforms into something between a mantra and a desperate reminder: “Be somebody if you’re nobody.” It’s less motivational poster, more survival mechanism.

Since emerging with tracks like “Awlad El Haram” and his licensed reimagining of the Lebanese classic “Tallou Hbabna” earlier this year, Mékani has built a reputation for blending French, Arabic, and English lyrics with what critics call a “melancholic awakening” sound. Regional outlets including Musivv and Buro 24/7 Middle East have taken notice of his ability to pair cross-cultural production with genuine vulnerability.

The artist, who taught himself guitar after starting on accordion at eight, turned to songwriting as therapy following his father’s death in 2015. While working a marketing day job in Dubai, he spent nights and weekends learning production, eventually creating the demos that would launch his career.

Currently working on collaborations with Rayan Bailouni and Jay Janith, Mékani is pushing further into French territory with his upcoming releases. It’s a natural evolution for someone who grew up switching between languages at home. As he puts it: “I write in three languages because some emotions need more than one passport.”

“Quiet” is now streaming across all major platforms. Connect with Alain Mékani on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, Instagram, TikTok, and at alainmekani.com.

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Siren Built Her Entire Sound in Secret and Now She’s Ready to Surface

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Siren

The first thing that hits you about Siren isn’t just her voice—it’s the sheer audacity of someone who taught themselves everything. No formal training, no music theory classes, just pure instinct driving her to create something that sounds like Rammstein got into a late-night conversation with Lana Del Rey while Massive Attack played in the background.

At 24, this LA-based artist has already written around 70 songs, most still unreleased, sitting in her vault like secrets waiting to surface. Born June 13, 2001, Siren started making music in 2019, and what’s emerged since then defies easy categorization. Her sound pulls from trip-hop pioneers like Portishead, the industrial weight of German metal, and the cinematic drama of Tchaikovsky—yes, the Swan Lake composer.

“Every ache must be turned into art,” she says about her approach to music. It’s this philosophy that drives her self-described “raw confessions where melancholy meets beauty.” Her mezzo-soprano voice shifts between whispered vulnerability and soaring intensity, creating what she calls “cold waves of sound that mesmerize like a siren’s voice in the night sea.”

Siren

The artist’s journey started unexpectedly early. One of her most vivid childhood memories involves her grandmother singing Russian folk songs on a winter swing—an experience she describes as “blue, cold, wintry, dark, nostalgic, deep, soulful, and melancholic.” By twelve, she’d discovered Rammstein, which she credits with awakening “strength, courage, resistance, and the spirit of a fighter.” The band shaped about 60% of her musical taste, while Lana Del Rey, who she calls her “musical mother,” opened up the other side of her artistic personality.

What’s striking about Siren’s work is how she balances opposing forces. She describes her music as reflecting both her anima and animus—the feminine emotional vulnerability paired with masculine instrumental drive. This duality shows up everywhere in her sound: acoustic piano meets electric guitars, string arrangements collide with rock drums, trip-hop grooves support orchestral swells.

Her latest release, “Devil 2019,” dropped on August 3, 2025, running 3:28 and showcasing her hypnotic vocal control. But it’s just a taste of what’s coming. Her debut single “Siren Heroine,” released on June 13, previews her upcoming album “Blue Blood,” which promises an oceanic, siren-themed concept drawn from songs written three to four years ago.

Siren

Beyond music, Siren works as a visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer, creating her own visual concepts exactly as she imagines them. She admits to both loving and fearing the ocean—thalassophobia mixed with an obsession for deep blue imagery. “I reflect what I fear. I am what I fear,” she explains.

When asked about dream collaborations, she mentions Hans Zimmer, Rammstein, and Lana Del Rey—though she notes that most of her musical heroes are dead. Her approach to creation remains uncompromising: “I don’t write for people—I write for myself. Music is how I let you know me.”

For those curious to dive deeper, Siren’s music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, and her website. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok.

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