Photo: Courtesy of Rock Eupora

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Press Play At Home: Rock Eupora Strips Down "Intimacy" For A Relaxed Patio Jam Session, Guest-Starring His Pup
Indie singer/songwriter Rock Eupora puts a laid-back acoustic spin on "Intimacy," his song about the universal desire to be loved.
Mississippi-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Rock Eupora — aka Clayton Waller — initially cast his song, "Intimacy," as a riffy indie rocker featuring garage rock-inspired fuzz and call and response with his backing band.
But in the newest episode of Press Play at Home, the singer shows another side of his song, stripping "Intimacy" down to its acoustic foundation. He performs the song solo — albeit with his dog, Daisy — in front of his house, donning his at-home weekend duds. True to its title, the acoustic rendition of the track feels more intimate, like Waller is spending a lazy Sunday morning with his pup and those watching.
The song's lyrics were inspired by a different kind of intimacy. Waller wrote "Intimacy" about the universal human desire to be loved, stemming from his experience of embracing his sexuality as a young person growing up in the deep South. Though that journey was fraught with doubt and difficulties, he found joy and intimacy in being able to be honest with those close to him.
"Intimacy" is one of 11 tracks that will be featured on the Pick the Scab, Rock Eupora's forthcoming new album due Aug. 19. The project will be the singer's first full-length release on Single Lock Records, which was co-founded by former Civil Wars bandmate John Paul White.
While the acoustic performance may differ significantly from the studio version of "Intimacy," there is one important common thread: Waller's dog. Daisy, along with an Australian Cattle Dog, are featured in the song's music video.
Press play on the video above to watch Waller's full performance, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Press Play at Home.
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Photo: Courtesy of Ava Maybee
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Press Play: Ava Maybee Offers Support To Those Struggling With Anxiety In This Vulnerable Performance Of "Puke"
Emerging pop-rock singer Ava Maybee narrates her mental health battles in her latest single, "Puke," which she hopes helps listeners feel less alone in their own struggles.
During Ava Maybee's run on American Idol in 2020, judge Katy Perry told the singer she has "a cool Blondie-esque voice." This year, Maybee takes her Debbie Harry-inspired vocals to the next level with the release of her pop-rock single, "Puke."
In this episode of Press Play, Maybee chronicles her experience living with anxiety in this premiere live performance of "Puke." "It's getting dark in here/ And no one's here to flip the switch/ Am I just too f*cked up to fix?/ God, it makes me sick," Maybee sings in the track's chorus.
Maybee's songwriting is largely focused on her struggles with mental health; she believes that starting the conversation surrounding mental health normalizes self-expression and admitting that it's okay not to be okay. When she released "Puke," she shared on social media, "I hope this song makes you feel less alone. That’s the whole point of why we do this s— right?"
Outside of her musical career, Maybee is a philanthropist, serving as the Youth Ambassador at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and co-founding the UNICEF Young Ambassadors group. This June, Maybee will graduate from New York University's Clive Davis School of Music with a minor in child psychology.
Press play on the video to watch Ava Maybee's cathartic performance of "Puke," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

Photo: Courtesy of Shuba
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Press Play: Shuba Prepares For An "Indian Summer" With A Scorching Performance Of Her Breakthrough Single
In this empowering performance, Indian-American singer Shuba takes control of her sexual autonomy and fights against cultural expectations of modesty.
As a first-generation Indian-American artist, Shuba strives to uplift minority voices through her progressive music and break down toxic socio-cultural norms. In her breakthrough single, "Indian Summer," Shuba takes full authority over her autonomy and works to normalize unapologetic sexuality.
In this episode of Press Play, Shuba offers a provocative, stripped-down performance of the empowering single, also known as the "Brown Baddie Anthem" online. "Pass out when he kiss me/ Lose track of time when it's in me/ Woah, I'm supposed to be a lady/ They say I'm going crazy," raps Shuba on the track's second verse, acknowledging the chatter surrounding her sexual liberation.
Known for her combination of Bollywood sounds and pop-rap vocals, Shuba sings along to an Indian tabla drum. Her signature Indian-American fusion is also represented in her outfit, as she combines a paisley-print skirt and gold dangle earrings with a white lace-up top.
Shuba first rose to fame in 2021, posting snippets of her music on social media under the alias TikTok Brown Chick. As of 2023, Shuba has accumulated over 6 million followers across all platforms. Earlier this year, she released two more singles, "Come Here" and "Bad Date."
Press play on the video above to watch Shuba's alluring performance of "Indian Summer," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

Photo: Courtesy of DAMOYEE
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Press Play: DAMOYEE Combats The Pain Of Unrequited Love In A Stripped-Down Performance Of "To The Next One"
Emerging pop singer DAMOYEE narrates her college heartbreak in this vulnerable performance of her latest single, "to the next one."
Budding pop singer DAMOYEE chronicles the heart-wrenching surrender to unrequited love in her latest single, "to the next one," but she knows her future won't always look bleak.
"Maybe if I move on to the next one/ Just by a little/ A little less heartbreak by the next one," she sings in the track's outro, coming to terms with the realization that the visceral heartbreak will fade once she finds true love.
In this episode of Press Play, DAMOYEE performs "to the next one" live from her home studio. She is a known multi-instrumentalist and constructs the entire production of the song herself on a piano, electric guitar, and bass guitar. Still, she allows her warm vocals to take the spotlight as she bares her soul in the track's vivid, vulnerable lyrics.
"to the next one" is the third single from her forthcoming studio album, a collection of songs about DAMOYEE's college experiences. Outside of her musical career, she is a lively TikTok content creator and an advocate for social justice and bullying prevention.
Press play on the video above to watch DAMOYEE's candid performance of "to the next one," and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

Photo courtesy of the Recording Academy
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Press Play: Madison McFerrin Debuts "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now" With This Intimate Performance
Madison McFerrin premieres her newest single, "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now," a jazz-tinged ode to resilience in the face of trauma, in this edition of Press Play.
Madison McFerrin can tell a story with her voice alone.
The rising soul singer first caught everyone's attention in early 2018 with her acapella arrangements. McFerrin would post covers recorded in one take online, constructing the entire song with only a microphone and her voice, allowing her emotions to drive the performances.
She's precisely crafted her vocal agility, a skill her father, GRAMMY-winning singer Bobby McFerrin, also possesses.
In this episode of Press Play, McFerrin debuts her newest single, "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now," a jazz-tinged ode to resilience in the face of trauma.
Though accompanied by a live band, McFerrin's soft, buttery vocals command the room. Her voice grows more powerful and demanding as she cheekily requests her lover to stay around for a little longer. She finishes the performance with a set of acrobatic runs, chanting out the song's title.
"(Please Don't) Leave Me Now" acts as the successor to McFerrin's 2022 single, ironically titled "Stay Away (From Me)." McFerrin will also appear at the upcoming San Jose Jazz Winter Fest and open for the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo this coming March.
Watch the video above to view Madison McFerrin's seamless performance of "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.
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