Badluv, Dan Vallejo, Kris Cortez, Freshman

BADLUV badluv, born and raised in Ambridge Pennsylvania, a small town just outside of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, grew up with a drive and determination to get his voice heard across the world, through the naysayers and doubters around him, he lets his passion and enthusiasm for music shine through hoping to connect with each and every person who has related to his music. DAN VALLEJO Dan Vallejo is a Chicago-based artist who thrives on bending genres and reshaping familiar sounds into something fresh, fluid, and emotionally grounded. His music blends styles naturally, creating songs that feel lived-in rather than forced, where melody and meaning move together with intention. Rooted in real-life experiences, Dan writes openly about love, loss, life’s frustrations, and the quiet hope of future dreams, allowing listeners to find pieces of their own stories in his words. With raw, honest lyrics and a focus on genuine expression, his work is driven by one goal: building a real human connection through the power of music. KRIS CORTEZ Kr!s Cortez is a three-piece band (Kristian Hernandez – lead vocalist; Connor “Dak Holiday” Hudak – electric guitar; and Jacob “Jig” Slivinkski – drums) based in Chicago, IL. Drawing inspiration from Deftones, Pierce the Veil, and Bring Me The Horizon, Kr!s Cortez blends pop-punk melodies, metal aggression, and hardcore energy to create a sound that feels equally cathartic and chaotic. Unapologetically authentic to their core, Kr!s Cortez embraces the beauty in their flaws and the humanity in their mistakes. With self-acceptance rooted in every song, their fans can’t help but feel seen and understood. Through word of mouth and grassroots promotion, Kr!s Cortez quickly transformed their online presence into a real-world community, drawing packed crowds to their debut live performances. With an unexpected high level of production for DIY shows, Kr!s Cortez has transformed inconspicuous small room sets into larger than life arena-sized rock shows. Kr!s Cortez’s live energy spills beyond the stage, with fans meeting their rockstar energy head-on, transforming each performance into something communal and liberating. As Kr!s Cortez always says, “Never change who you are, f*ck yeah.” FRESHMAN Freshman is a Chicago alternative band blending Midwest emo, shoegaze, and melodic hardcore. Inspired by the atmosphere of Deftones, loathe, and Bad Omens; the emotional honesty of Modern Baseball, The Story So Far and Title Fight, and the heaviness of Thornhill, Spiritbox, Footballhead. the band delivers soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and emotional filled vocals to make an immersive and distinct sound. With their newest album “You’re Starting To Look Like A Stranger” coming soon the band is looking to soar to stardom.