On this week's Popdust Presents, we have a dual performance by Garrett Gardner and Sharlette, who met through Instagram and began collaborating.

Sharlette is a contemporary soul/pop artist and songwriter from London, who has performed with the likes of LeAnn Rimes and Boy George. She was also featured on Anthony Harm's track "Should've Been Me," that's garnered thousands of streams on Spotify. Meanwhile, Garrett first broke into the mainstream on NBC's The Voice, where he made it to the top 12 in Season 4 on team Shakira. Now, the two are collaborating to craft soulful, genuine, acoustic music.

Popdust's own Brent Butler interviewed the pair about their respective musical journeys, the small world of Instagram, and fireworks in Dubai.

Popdust Presents | Sharlette & Garrett Gardneryoutu.be

The pair also performed the upbeat and unreleased, "Meet in the Middle," showing off Sharlette's extraordinary voice and Garrett's guitar prowess.

Sharlette "Meet in the Middle"youtu.be

Then, Garrett performed "Fool's Gold" solo, showing off the velvety voice that caught the attention of The Voice judges.

Garrett Gardner "Fool's Gold"youtu.be

Finally, both artists endured the Magic Box, pressuring Brent to follow them down a dark path, explaining a desire to haunt a shelf in 7/11, and unpacking a terror of advisory roles in the American Executive branch.

The Magic Box Interview with Sharlette & Garrett Gardneryoutu.be


For more from Garrett Gardner, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

For more from Sharlette, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.


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Frankie Conquers Grief in Her New EP "Sta7ges"

Frankie sat down with Brent Butler to discuss the seven stages of grief, the joys of being a 90s kid, and why her high school voted her most likely to trip while walking up stairs.

Frankie has her eye on the big picture.

When the Bay Area singer released her debut EP Dreamstate,Nylon magazine called her "the musical embodiment of California." Now, the pop singer has followed up with her latest EP Sta7ges, more mature, more honest, and "raw like an open wound." For her sophomore EP, Frankie freed herself from the pressures to write "the perfect song" and allowed herself to write more freely. United by the concept of overcoming grief after a break-up, Sta7ges is a cathartic collection of Frankie's impressive guitar skills and vocals.

Frankie sat down with Brent Butler to discuss the seven stages of grief, the joys of being a 90s kid, and why her high school voted her most likely to trip while walking up stairs.


When confronted with the terrors of the Magic Box, Brent Butler lies about the meaning of "Gronk" and Frankie goes with it like a pro. The singer reveals she's ready for the Zombie apocalypse and loses her wallet as a sacrifice to the Magic Box.

The Magic Box Interview with FRANKIEyoutu.be


Check out the singles from Frankie's latest EP below!

FRANKIE "Strangers"youtu.be

FRANKIE "Wrong Time"youtu.be

FRANKIE "When I'm Ready"youtu.be

Find Frankie on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.


Meg Hanson is a Brooklyn-based writer, teacher and jaywalker. Find Meg at her website and on Twitter @megsoyung.


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Kate Odulukwe Is Doing Okay

The transcendent singer got personal in this weeks Popdust presents.

Bronx based actor and singer, Kate Odulukwe, is an artist to her core.

Her new EP, Melanin and Melancholy, is an exploration and celebration of what it means to be black in America. Before her album, she released a single called "Red Licorice Fade," a more upbeat and sensual tune that shows off the artist's many layers.

She stopped by the Popdust offices to talk to Popdust's own Deascent about the struggles of the music industry, her journey, and her musical inspiration. She also sang "A Hymn For Memory," live and acoustic, showing off the tender power of her voice.

Popdust Presents | Kate Odulukweyoutu.be

After the interview, Kate was subjected to the chaos of the Magic Box, and handled issues of foreign policy with grace, admitted to wanting to smell like a thrift store, and was pretty sure she was okay.

The Magic Box Interview with Kate Odulukweyoutu.be


For more from Kate, visit her website, Twitter, or Instagram.


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Ali Caldwell is the kind of singer who's so much more than a great voice. Sure, she has beautiful vocals and a great range, but she's also deeply introspective, fully understanding her position as a representative voice and inspiration for young black women. Her lyrics explore self-love, relationships, and empowerment in ways that are relatable to her listeners, allowing them to fully connect with her music.

The New Jersey-born singer got her start in Xhale, a three-person R&B group which opened for Boyz II Men. But it wasn't until season 11 of The Voice that Caldwell came to prominence as a solo artist. Coached by Miley Cyrus and widely considered a frontrunner for the duration of the competition, Caldwell ultimately finished as a semi-finalist after giving stunning performances of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" and Rihanna's "Sledgehammer." She released her first commercial single, "To Be Loved," in 2018 and, coming off a recent stint on The Four: Battle For Stardom, was inspired to write her new song as a means of self-love and acceptance.

Caldwell dropped by to talk with Popdust's own Deascent about the importance of her family's support for her music career, female empowerment, and what it's like being a role model for young women.

Caldwell performed an impressive rendition of her new song "Colors," an upbeat anthem about letting yourself experience life to its fullest instead of limiting your view to black and white. Afterwards, Caldwell showed off even more of her vocal range in "Why I Sing," a love ballad about receiving artistic inspiration through a great relationship.

Ali Caldwell "Colors"youtu.be

Ali Caldwell "Why I Sing"youtu.be

Then, Deascent forced Caldwell to contemplate the realities of eating human hair and damp tortilla chips. What sort of evil box would ask these questions, and why would anyone allow it to dwell in their office? Can anyone save us from the magic box, or do the questions it forces us to ask fall on deaf ears?

The Magic Box Interview with Ali Caldwellyoutu.be


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The Wombats Talk Decorative Mallards and Jude Law's Sex Appeal

The Liverpool-based band answers the important questions.

Popdust Presents | The Wombats

Even the thickest of accents are usually neutralized in song, but melody doesn't stand a chance against Matthew Murphy's voice.

Formed in Liverpool in 2003 and known for ultra-British hits like "Let's Dance to Joy Division" and "Moving to New York," the Wombats are composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Matthew Murphy, drummer Dan Haggis, and bassist Tord Øverland Knudsen. Their albums have sold over 1 million copies worldwide and have been screamed along to in countless smoke filled cars.

Popdust's Brent Butler interviewed the band about their new album, Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, and whether or not Jude Law is too handsome.

Popdust Presents | The Wombatsyoutu.be


The Magic Box Interview With The Wombatsyoutu.be

A stand out song from the album is "Turn," a teen anthem that feels reminiscent of the band's past work while managing to offer a fresh sense of musical maturity. The band performed the heavily rotated single live in the Popdust office along with "Greek Tragedy," a hit from their 2015 album, Glitterbug.

The Wombats "Turn"youtu.be

The Wombats "Greek Tragedy"youtu.be

The band's distinctive British indie rock vibe is ageless, and with each new album they offer fans variations on their classic sound, doling out high energy music that makes listeners feel like teenagers with a fake ID and endless possibilities. Few bands from the 2000's rock era have survived the years as gracefully as the Wombats, who've managed to not only stay relevant, but to keep getting better.


Brooke Ivey Johnson is a Brooklyn based writer, playwright, and human woman. To read more of her work visit her blog or follow her twitter @BrookeIJohnson.



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