Musician Cindy Lawson is not afraid to say what she’s feeling. After taking a break from music, her new single, The Reckoning”, has pulled her back into the craft at full force. It’s powerful and unforgiving nature screams in delight at the karmic wheel of life. Beyond the music, Lawson is dedicated to community. Supporting efforts like Minnesota Music Resistance Group, International Institute of Minnesota, and Abortion Access Front, she highlights the importance of making a difference. To learn more about Cindy Lawson and her music, read on.

Meet Mykel: The Sound That Sticks With You

In a creative landscape saturated with fleeting trends and recycled styles, artist Mykel emerges as a powerful force of originality. With a style that fuses raw emotion, cultural storytelling, and modern technique, Mykel has carved out a space where vulnerability meets bold expression. Mykel’s music invites viewers to confront the complexities of identity, transformation, and the human experience. This article dives into the evolution of Mykel’s artistic journey, the themes that drive their work, and the impact they’re making.

Carolina Mama's New Album, 'AMINA', is for Empowering, Healing, and Truth

Argentinian singer-songwriter Carolina Mama has created a breathtaking album intertwined with a real heartbreaking story. With intimate singles that work to empower, heal, and break free from silence, Mama has written this album in dedication to all women, especially those who have experienced gender-based violence. Through the healing power of storytelling, AMINA speaks truth. To learn more about Carolina Mama and her new album, read on.

INDVGO: Healing and Empowerment

New York based artist INDVGO writes music for those who feel deeply. With two new singles, “How Is It Love” and “Be Mine”, and more to come, her music aims to help others find the strength to heal no matter how messy it may feel. Beyond the music, INDVGO partners with Delta Theta Sorority Inc. and NAACP to spread empowerment and help amplify others voices. To learn more about INDVGO and her new music, read on.

Talking Violet Offers a Look Into Their Mind

Talking Violet’s music transports listeners to a nostalgic grunge dreamland. After a brief pause in releasing music, their new single “In Your Mind” marks a powerful come back. With lyrics that incite self-reflection, this single surrounds an important message with a sentimental atmosphere. Beyond the music, the members of Talking Violet are dedicated to supporting others. Handing out To Write Love On Her Arms pamphlets that include mental health resources to fans at shows is just one example of this dedication. To learn more about Talking Violet and their new music, read on.

Weakened Friends on New Music and Queer Representation

With their highly anticipated album Feels Like Hell dropping on October 10th, Weakened Friends smashes it out of the park with their latest singles. With lyrics about breaking free from what’s not working, their newest release “Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)” encapsulates the albums theme of both internal and external reflection. Partnering with The Ally Coalition for their upcoming tour, Weakened Friends strives to make their shows a safe space for everyone. To learn more about Weakened Friends and their upcoming album, read on.

Iris Gold: Smiling Through Adversity

Singer-songwriter Iris Gold radiates positivity not just through her personality, but through her music too. Her latest single “Smile” is a testament to her perseverance and longtime mission to make herself and others smile even when facing adversity. Including her family, friends, and youth she met during her time working with the organization Plan International Zimbabwe in the music video for “Smile” is just one way she strengthens her message. To learn more about Iris Gold and her new music, read on.

Hillary Reynolds' Soothing Songwriting

Singer-songwriter, Hillary Reynolds, debuts her first solo album, “Changing Seasons” on August 8th. The first single off of the album, “Can’t Turn Off My Mind”, sets the tone for the albums refreshing lyrical honesty, bright sounds, and soothing melodies. Beyond the music, Reynolds helps run her mother’s breast cancer foundation, The Trina Fund. To learn more about Hillary Reynolds and her upcoming album, read on.

Rachael Sage & Kristen Ford: Joy=Resistance

Coming together to perform on the “Joy=Resistance” tour are two queer musicians who aren’t afraid of speaking up. Singer-songwriters Rachel Sage and Kristen Ford see music as a universal language that creates community and connection, which is exactly what they hope to bring to each city on their tour. Sage’s latest single and upcoming album, “Canopy”, keeps inclusivity and acceptance at the forefront while Ford’s new single “Wild Heart” and album “Pinto” aim to fight back against oppression. Donating a portion of the proceeds from their tour to The Trevor Project, the two musicians fight even further to create safe spaces and provide solace for those in need. To learn more about Rachel Sage, Kristen Ford, and their Joy=Resistance tour, read on.

Nanná Millano's Musical Environmental Wake Up Call

Brazilian singer-songwriter Nanná Millano has created an impactful wake up call with the release of her new single “Wild Fire”. In lieu of the recent LA fires and ongoing devastation of the Amazon Rainforest in her home country, Millano’s “Wild Fire” brings attention to the impact humans are having on the environment and calls for change. She takes it a step further by partnering her music video with IPAM (Amazon Environmental Research Institute) to support Amazon Rainforest awareness and protection efforts. To learn more about Nanná Millano and her latest single, read on.

William John Titus Bishop: Music Amplifying the Voice for Charity

Growing up listening to his parents records and teaching himself how to play the guitar and piano, music became a passion early on for William John Titus Bishop. Inspired by a range of music from classical composers like Mozart to artists like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, he creates music with the purpose of making you think and reflect. Partnering with the Salvation Army and the O2 for charity campaigns and having hopes to further his support for other charity campaigns in the future, Bishop also uses his music to amplify the voice of charity. To learn more about William John Titus Bishop and his music, read on.

Cinema Music Group has a Heart of Gold

Los Angeles based music production house, Cinema Music Group, has created a musical fundraising project. This project’s first product is an album titled Heart of Gold Volume 1 and is composed of several Neil Young covers performed by various well-known artists like Fiona Apple, Mumford & Sons, and Brandi Carlile. Proceeds from this first volume and upcoming volumes will be donated to The Bridge School, an organization bringing education to children with speech and physical impairments. With more volumes on the way, the support for this cause can only grow. To learn more about Cinema Music Group and this project, read on.

RAGS AND RICHES: Music for the Underdogs, Fighters, and the Dreamers

RAGS AND RICHES makes loud and proud anthems for their ‘Mob Squad’. With a powerful message, strong lyrics, and uplifting beat backing each songs, RAGS AND RICHES aims to inspire perseverance. In an upcoming EP set to release later this month, the duo plans to express a few personal stories through their music. Beyond the music, RAGS AND RICHES shows support to all those struggling with mental health through a partnership with American Suicide Awareness Organization that helps fundraise for the cause. To learn more about RAGS AND RICHES and their new releases, read on.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.2Eva Elisa WellsJune 30, 2025music artist, music industry, music duo, Music Group, New SingleComment

Ginger Winn Sings to Souls

For this singer-songwriter, song writing is more than a creative outlet, it’s a way to process emotions. Ginger Winn stuns with her surprise EP “Reflections” and new single releases from her upcoming album “Freeze Frame”. Each song from these two projects produce nothing short of raw emotion, heartbreaking honesty, and deep connection. Partnering with Rewind Kingston to donate a part of proceeds to mental health initiatives and using her music to share important resources like the 988 crisis line, there is no doubting Winn’s dedication to mental health awareness. To learn more about Ginger Winn, her upcoming music, and its story, read on.

Mustard Service Creates a Sound of Their Own

The Miami based group, Mustard Service, is creating a sound of their own, one they like to call “Zest Pop”. With the recent release of two new singles, an album coming this summer, and talk of even more new music in the future, we’re happy to report that Mustard Service has no plans of slowing down. Beyond the music, one member volunteers some of his time for The Sierra Club’s Inner City Outings program, a program dedicated to taking inner city youth on nature outings. To learn more about Mustard Service and their new music, read on.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 57.1Eva Elisa WellsMay 30, 2025Miami, music artist, music industry, Music Group, Community, HispanicComment

Regina Sayles - Helping Voices Be Heard

Regina Sayles is a queer biracial singer-songwriter who advocates for more representation within the music industry. Her latest single’s music video, One Big Lie, released on International Women’s Day and aims to create more visibility for women like her. Often donating to the Looking Out Foundation, she hopes to help other’s voices be heard. Beyond the music, Sayles is an educator and a mentor, working hard to uplift others and help them believe in themselves. With more new music along the way, we are surely in for a treat! Read on to learn more about Regina Sayles’ new music and what representation means to her.

Emily Haber: Connection Over Perfection

Growing up in a family band with severe hearing loss, Emily Haber has learned that when it comes to music, connection is much more important than perfection. And after years of writing for others, she is finally ready to have her own voice heard. Her new single, Nostalgia, explores the complexity of reflecting on what you had compared to what you could’ve had. As her way of paying it forward and expressing gratitude for the help she received for her hearing loss from the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Haber frequently volunteers for and donates to them. To learn more about Emily Haber and how living with hearing loss has affected her relationship to music, read on.

Television Skies Sings Without Disguise

Television Skies is a New York based duo with a rebellious spirit and unwavering authenticity. Their newly released single, Time of My Life, speaks to facing the unknown and might just be able to help you feel a little less alone during this time where we’re facing a lot of uncertainty. Teasing their upcoming album in this interview, they share a few songs we can expect to make it onto the track list. In response to the recent LA fires, Television Skies stresses the importance of supporting each other in times of need no matter the distance by playing shows to raise money for those affected by the fires. To show their support for struggling artists, they also partner with Sweet Relief and Letters Relief Charity, organizations dedicated to turning community support directly into real help for musicians. To learn more about Television Skies and their upcoming album, read on.

Refuge is a Rock 'n' Roll Musical Melting Pot

Inspired by music icons like Queen and the blending of genres like rock and blues, Refuge has created a sound unique to them. Their newly released single, Bored, exemplifies just that and with their upcoming album we’re sure to hear more of their diverse sound. Beyond the music, Refuge is dedicated to helping their community. Working with organizations like Newham Music Trust to bring music education to children, Music Venue Trust to keep small venues for small artists open, and supporting The Oasis Hub food, toy, and clothing pantries. To learn more about Refuge and their upcoming album, read on.

Gender Amplified - Changing the Tune

In an industry long dominated by the male perspective, one nonprofit is changing the industry. Meet Gender Amplified, a powerful movement advocating for women and gender-expansive producers to not only be seen but heard. With the release of their first EP, In Bloom, this nonprofit is redefining what inclusion sounds like: it is not only intimate but also experimental and relatable. Read on to learn more about Gender Amplified and its musical movement as we dive deep with founder Ebonie Smith.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 56Chelsea ChanApril 17, 2025women, women in music, music industry, music, EP, nonprofit, music producerComment