Influencers With A Voice
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.
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.
Weapon’s star Luke Speakman has been acting since he was just 5 years old. Now he’s sharing the screen alongside big names like Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, and Julia Garner. Beyond acting, Speakman has a passion for helping others. Donating the custom designed shoes he wore to the premiere of the Weapons movie to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and raising money for the non-profit organization Two Thumbs Up are just two small pieces of evidence of his big heart. To learn more about Luke Speakman and his time on set for Weapons, read on.
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.
Ever since childhood as a daughter of immigrants, Ivy Lee (she/her) has been keenly aware of social and legal injustice. Ivy has spent her entire career advocating for victims and survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, as well as the rights of immigrants. In 2020, Ivy was invited by Mayor London Breed of San Francisco to join her administration as a policy adviser on public safety. After four years, it was evident that Ivy was the right person to stand up the Office of Victim and Witness Rights, an office approved by the voters of San Francisco. For the past year and a half, Ivy has helped set up a Special Victims Unit in the SFPD and strengthened city policies on handling sex crimes. Read on to hear more about the remarkable career of Ivy Lee!
Miracle Pelayo is all about breaking barriers and owning her story. With a spark for acting, a passion for advocacy, and a name that truly fits, she’s making waves in Hollywood—and beyond. From screen roles to speaking out on disability representation, Miracle brings heart, humor, and honesty to everything she does. Her journey is one of creativity, resilience, and the belief that every story—especially the ones less told—deserves to be seen and heard.
Actress Andrea Ware had her fair share of fighting fire breathing dragons on set for the live action “How to Train Your Dragon”. Playing the character Burnheart, a brave warrior with a big heart, Ware helped bring the originally animated film to life. Beyond acting, Ware spends her time helping with creative programmes for disadvantaged youth at Roadworks Media and humanitarian work at her best friend’s organization FACE Africa. To learn more about Andrea Ware and her time on set for the live action “How to Train Your Dragon”, read on.
Christina Kwauk (she/her) has been on a lifelong journey of unfolding discovery. Beginning her work in education, her research led her to focus on the education of girls across the world as an area of expertise. While working at the Brookings Institution, a colleague asked her if there was any link between girls’ education and climate change. This question sparked a new course of study for Christina: how investing in girls’ education will aid the fight in climate change. Read on to learn more about Christina Kwauk!
Shoka Sunflower has always had a gift for finding light in the cracks — pairing raw emotion with melodies that linger long after the last note. Now, with his upcoming album FOR NOW KEEP DANCING, the singer-songwriter steps into a new era of vulnerability, resilience, and rhythm. In this candid conversation, Shoka opens up about the inspiration behind the project, the stories that shaped its sound, and why this album feels like both a closing chapter and a hopeful beginning.
Dr. Kim Tran (she/her) is an inspirational human being. She has lived her entire life in devotion to fighting for justice and building solidarity between like-minded people and groups. As a queer Asian woman, she is a prominent advocate for the LGBTQ community, the Black-Asian alliance, and opposing oppression. This intellectual has been a proponent for DEI long before DEI became a buzzword or reached the lips of the American mainstream. Read on to learn more about Dr. Kim Tran!
The Minneapolis City Council races are heating up! We’ve already featured one other race for the council, and today we are featuring another election in a different ward. Anndrea Young (she/her) is a millennial mom of two who is passionate about her district. She says, “I love the smell of Broadway early in the morning when Cub Foods is baking doughnuts, but I don't really eat doughnuts.”
Some artists follow trends; others follow truth. In a world that often demands instant output and polished perfection, Ant Thomaz chooses presence, patience, and purpose. From morning meditations with his daughter to the chilled edges of the Irish Sea, his creative process is as deeply personal as it is universal. Rooted in Scotland but echoing with Louisiana soul, Ant’s story unfolds like a song—layered, honest, and impossible to ignore. Want to know what fuels the man behind the music? Read below to find out more.
Today we are profiling Alexis Mercedes Rinck (she/her), a queer Latina millennial who was elected councilwoman for Position 8 on the Seattle City Council who is running for re-election on the Democratic ticket. She won a special election last year by running to the left of the appointed councilmember. Born to two teenage gang members, Alexis’s father spent her whole childhood incarcerated and went on to face chronic homelessness and substance abuse disorder, while her mother ended up losing custody in the throes of the juvenile detention system, so Alexis was raised by her grandparents. Alexis is passionate about housing reform, fighting climate change, and protecting immigrant communities from ICE.
After rediscovering her love for acting during medical residency, actress Jackie Dallas made a bold decision to swap career paths and pursue her passion. Now she finds herself celebrating her latest role in Netflix’s new drama filled series “The Hunting Wives”. Still a fierce advocate for women’s health, Dallas shares women’s pelvic health advice and chats about the importance of diversity and representation within the industry. To learn more about Jackie Dallas, her acting process, and her advocacy, read on.
Today we are profiling Aurin Chowdhury (she/they), a Gen Z daughter of working-class Bengali immigrants who was elected councilwoman for Ward 12 on the Minneapolis City Council who is running for re-election on the Democratic-Farmer-Labor ticket. This former community organizer’s platform includes addressing homelessness humanely and with dignity, shaping public safety with community, standing strong on police accountability, and building a just and equitable climate resilient city.
It is now three months away from the 2025 elections and more candidates are running for November races! Today we are profiling Nicole Zelen (she/her), a millennial who is passionate about transparent governance, community collaboration, sustainability, environmental preservation, and evidence-based policymaking. Nicole and her husband both ride vintage Honda motorcycles (photo below) and have two cats.
Co-creator, writer, and actress for the drama filled web series Chasing Cupid, Hillary Lewis, created a series for the girls! Based on their own real dating experiences, Lewis and her co-creator, Lauren Davidi, explore the ups and downs of dating, heartbreak, and girlhood in the digital age throughout the series. Beyond the show, Lewis has volunteered for United in Harmony, aiming to support underprivileged children with opportunities to learn and grow. Read on to learn more about Hillary Lewis and Chasing Cupids.
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.
In a city overflowing with comedy shows, Havana Club stands out—not just for its laughs, but for what it represents. Created by Julian Hernandez and Taylor Gonzalez, this Latine-led improv experience blends humor, culture, and community in a way that’s both electrifying and overdue. Curious what happens when improv meets identity, rhythm, and revolution, keep reading below.
Suvi is a Stockholm-based artist with roots in both Finland and Sweden. Her path into songwriting began through a mix of schoolwork, early writing, and encouragement from a fellow musician. After a five-year break, she returns with “Undress My Heart,” a track that marks a shift toward a more stripped-down sound. In this interview, Suvi talks about her creative process, activism, and how motherhood and community have shaped her recent work and future direction.
Chayne is an artist with a voice that draws you in and a sound that stays with you. Blending elements of soul, pop, and R&B, their music is both intimate and expansive, carefully crafted but emotionally direct. With recent releases like It’s Gone, He’s Gone, and an upcoming debut album, Chayne is steadily carving out a space in today’s music landscape, bringing depth, clarity, and unmistakable style to everything they create.
With a voice that effortlessly weaves vulnerability and strength, Pip Lewis is quickly emerging as one of the most compelling new voices in music today. Blending soulful melodies with genre-defying production, Lewis doesn’t just sing, she tells stories that resonate deeply. Whether she's performing on an intimate stage or crafting lyrics in the studio, her presence is magnetic, her sound unmistakable. As she continues to build momentum with each release, Pip Lewis is proving that she’s not just an artist to watch—she’s an artist to remember.
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.
Mike De La Rocha is a man of many roles. As the author of “Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How To Love”, he has written a book that teaches men to unburden themselves from the weight of the patriarchy and accept vulnerability as a strength instead of a weakness. As a singer-songwriter, De La Rocha has transformed music into calls for action and anthems for social justice movements. As founder of Revolve Impact with a background in politics, he has been able to create an agency that embraces storytelling and creates campaigns that push for action. To learn more about Mike De La Rocha and the roles he’s played in pursuit of creating real change, read on.
Singer-songwriter Kristy Chmura blends heartfelt lyricism with atmospheric acoustic sounds, rooted in a lifelong love of journaling, poetry, and music. What began as a creative outlet in her youth evolved into a full-fledged songwriting practice during her time studying music in college. Whether working solo or collaborating with her bandmates Damien Musto, Christian Eigner, and Niko Stoessl, Kristy uses music as a way to process the world around her, from personal growth to environmental activism. Her recent reimagining of “Wake Up,” inspired by the eerie skies over New Jersey during the Canadian wildfires, reflects both her artistic vision and her deep connection to nature. In addition to her musical work, Kristy serves as Vice Chair of Chatham’s Shade Tree Commission, where she’s been a passionate advocate for urban forestry for over a decade. Read below to find out more about Kristy’s songwriting journey, creative collaborations, and how her music and environmental work go hand in hand.
One of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination is Deja Foxx (she/her), a Gen Z Democratic political activist. Raised by a single mother, Deja experienced homelessness as a child and relied on free school lunches, food stamps, Section 8 housing, and Medicaid. In 2017 she confronted her Senator, Jeff Flake, about plans to remove federal funding for Planned Parenthood at a town hall, and ever since then she has been involved in politics, including founding the El Rio Community Health Center's Reproductive Health Access Project in her native Tucson, and working on Kamala Harris’ 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. For her activism, Deja is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Planned Parenthood’s Catalyst for Change Award, the Global Citizen Prize, the Gloria Steinem's Woman of Vision Award, the Muhammed Ali Humanitarian Award, and the United Nations Global Impact Award. Deja is running for Congress to fight for reproductive freedom, economic justice, and a government that actually works for young people and working-class families.
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.
The 2025 election season is now in full swing and primaries are happening now! Today we are profiling Adele McClure (she/her/hers) who recently won her primary for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates. Adele is a queer millennial of Black and Filipino descent who was the first member of her family to attend college. Although a classically trained pianist, she is a My Chemical Romance superfan who loves punk, emo, and alt rock. The issues Adele is most passionate about include mental health, housing, and gun safety.
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.
Lily Vakili’s artistic journey is as multifaceted as the life she’s led—spanning law, dance, human rights work, and now, a deeply personal return to music under her own name. With the upcoming release of Oceans of Kansas, Vakili opens a new chapter that blends vulnerability with bold sonic experimentation. From navigating change to embracing her role as a mother of a neurodivergent child, her insights reveal a compelling artist grounded in truth and transformation. Read below to find out more about Lily’s evolution, her latest music, and the stories that shaped them.