A lot goes into making a live performance memorable and worthy of watching. Whether it’s the talent that’s being showcased, the set design, or even the use of lighting, everything about making a good show is crucial. What many people may not question is who tackles all of the fine details into producing and designing something like a concert or a live music production. That is where Laura Escudè comes in.  Multi-talented artist and world-famous live show designer, Escudè is a woman with a vision of...

Timeless songs aren't just about whoever happens to be performing them. They're also about catchy song lyrics that have the capacity to make us laugh, cry, and dance like nobody's watching. Songwriting is a craft that should be honored, and listed below are five Black women songwriters who've given us some of the best bops of our generation. Know their names, support their solo work, and take note of just how talented they are.  1. Victoria Monet Born in Georgia and raised in Sacramento, California, this singer-songwriter’s...

This collection of David Bowie covers by an array of artists purportedly seeks to spotlight the late, great performer’s lesser-known appreciation for soul, R&B, jazz, funk, and gospel. But was Bowie’s appreciation for said genres truly obscure? He famously performed on The Dick Cavett Show backed by R&B powerhouse Luther Vandross and was later produced by Nile Rodgers of disco/funk paragon Chic. From the instrumental “Life on Mars” to the milquetoast rendition of “Soul Love,” if there’s an overarching theme here, it’s melancholy. Meshell Ndegeocello...

  L.A.-based band The Linda Lindas scored a record deal after performing their original song “Racist, Sexist Boy” at the Los Angeles Public Library. Hours after their performance was recorded and posted, the song went viral, receiving millions of views and garnering the attention of well-known musicians such as Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello.  Don't mess with The Linda Lindas.Watch the full concert: https://t.co/Usv7HJ1lLR pic.twitter.com/pKZ5TKDdiA — L.A. Public Library (@LAPublicLibrary) May 20, 2021   This talented group was founded in 2018 and consists...

If the name Emily Kinney rings a bell, then you more than likely remember her from her role as Beth Greene on the AMC hit, The Walking Dead. Both a seasoned actress and singer-songwriter, Kinney’s newest video for her track, “When The Midnight Fireworks Start,” is described as a “letting go of the past." Filmed during an actual full moon, Kinney is seen performing a moon ritual, practicing the art of letting go of past traumas and looking towards a brighter future.  “I think the song...

South London four-piece Dry Cleaning released its debut LP on 4AD in April. New Long Leg’s tight, focused post-punk sets a formidable stage, but vocalist Florence Shaw’s way with words—droll musings and surreal non-sequiturs delivered spoken, with canny dryness—steals the show. We thought Shaw, who has a background as a visual artist, researcher, and drawing lecturer, might have good reading recommendations, and we were right. –Emily Nokes 1. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata The portrayal of a female character who finds routine and logical systems...

Wren Wilder’s new music video is the perfect pastel-colored backdrop to her melodic pop song, "Egyptian Cotton." The song takes what could be a sad subject—the end of a relationship—and instead delivers an experience full of upbeat whimsy thanks to Wilder’s serene vocals and playful instrumentals. The video, directed by Susan O’Brien, reflects this mood flawlessly with colorful backgrounds, clothing, props, and fruit-and-flower-filled imagery, creating a perfect balance between heartbreak and happy ending that is incredibly fun to watch. L.A.-based Wilder describes herself as a “musical storyteller,...

Multifaceted singer-songwriter Anabel Englund comes out with the deluxe of her debut album, Messing With Magic. The 15-track project, which includes five new songs, comes after the initial release of the 2020 debut of the same title. Featuring hits such as “So Hot” and “Picture Us”, which debuted at No.1 on the Dance and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts, Englund’s extensive talent shines on her newest release. I had the pleasure of getting to know Englund as we discussed the making of the album, her background...

The pandemic saw millions of enthralling submissions to domesticity content. Sourdough bread, cleaning, and delayed pregnancies littered many people's Instagram feeds. To the millennial woman who has fought off the pressures of the settled life, surrender seemed to be the only option. “It felt really oppressive,” said Cassandra Violet, an LA-native who just released her debut album Maybe It’s Not Too Late in April. “You have to be doing something productive.” And for young women, that generally means having a baby. The second song on Violet’s new...

  Mother’s Day weekend is off to a great start at the Pinkett-Smith residence. On a recent special edition of the show Red Table Talk, Willow Smith orchestrated one of the best gifts ever, leading her mother Jada Pinkett-Smith’s former rock band, Wicked Wisdom, in an awesome rendition of their hit song “Bleed All Over Me.”  The episode starts with Willow discussing all of the effort that went into planning this surprise months in advance. There was footage of her in rehearsals with the band, and of the...