Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
“As a Black Trans artist, it is important for me to show up authentically to connect with the LGBTQ+ community and inspire everyone to live and be within their truth. In the face of society today, it is important for me to create music that embodies joy, resistance, and love. I am inspired by my everyday lived experience and vulnerability. I am inspired by the creators who came before me who didn’t have a chance at a platform to connect two communities (LGBTQ and Hip-Hop). My artistic vision is being, and showing the world how to do that through my music.”
Genre: R&B/Hip-Hop
“I aim to make music that brings people together and makes a difference. I have been addressing topics such as homophobia and police brutality in my music since I started recording because these issues affect me heavily as a queer Black person. I turn to music to process my emotions. Sharing the songs that I write in moments of pain has allowed me to create space for others to process their emotions as well. The reception to my songs such as “Revival,” “As I Am,” and “X-RAY” revealed that these works fostered connections with those who share my experiences by providing representation for their stories. I received messages from queer people around the world, both older and younger than me, who connected with “Revival” in particular. These responses affirmed that each of us ultimately wants the same thing: to love freely and be loved. Bringing people together through music is both a blessing and a responsibility that I take very seriously. My songs have also raised awareness of current issues by inviting those who cannot relate to engage with new perspectives. Currently, queer and transgender communities are being attacked by legislature on local, state, and national levels. It is a dangerous time to be queer in America. My music allows me to declare my belief that each of us is deserving of love. When I was growing up, I looked to queer artists for affirmation and comfort, and I aspire to be a resource to queer children through my music today.”
Genre: R&B
“As a bi/queer black male R&B artist, I believe that I have a unique point of view and story to share. Growing up in the Midwest, I didn’t have many examples of black queer men to look up to in general, but more specifically within the music industry. I can only imagine the impact it would’ve had on my younger self to hear someone like me on the radio or see someone like me performing on the TV screen. As I’ve gotten older I’ve embraced the notion that if no one else is going to make music that tells a story like mine, then I’ll do it myself. For far too long, stories such as mine have been pushed aside and unacknowledged due to industry politics, but that has not stopped me from doing what I can to create songs that are vulnerable, revealing & relatable. As I continue to evolve and grow both personally and musically, I hope that my music and my career will serve as an example of achievement and inspire the next generation of young black queer artists to tell their stories, find their audience, and go hard for their own dreams.”
Genre: Singer-Songwriter/Musical Theater
“I want to spread queer joy to families through my songs and videos! I want to share the love and warmth I feel now that I’m living in my authentic truth as a queer and trans-non-binary person. I want to show kids and families that it’s “okay to be gay” and that being different is special! There is so much hate in the world and I want to show young people that showing up as your authentic self is something worth celebrating with those you love. I’ve been a singer my whole life and using my voice and uke on my back to spread that message of queer joy to young folks is exactly the thing I wished I’d had when I was a confused queer kid. I think it’s something we need now more than ever.”
Genre: Alternative Hip-Hop/R&B
“My journey is fueled by a relentless passion for growth and a profound desire to create life-changing experiences. I’m always eager to extend my reach and impact through my music. While the nature of this opportunity may go unspoken, its potential to amplify my message of guidance, healing, and personal growth is nothing short of extraordinary. At the core of my musical expression lies a commitment to uplifting and inspiring my listeners. I strive to serve as a beacon of hope, guiding them through the labyrinth of life’s challenges and illuminating a path toward self-discovery and fulfillment. Every lyric, melody, and rhythm is crafted with meticulous care, aiming to touch the depths of the human soul and awaken the dormant seeds of positivity within. While I firmly believe in the power of positivity, I also recognize the importance of acknowledging and embracing the full spectrum of human emotions. I embrace the complexities of life and the myriad of experiences that come with it, using them as a catalyst for growth and transformation. It’s through these deep dives into the human psyche that I connect with the introspective thinkers of the world, those who yearn for a musical sanctuary where they can explore the depths of their own thoughts and emotions.”
Genre: Country/Americana.
“I draw influence from a wide variety of genres, including but not limited to indie acoustic soul, folk, rock, bluegrass, and roots music; genres that have been the backbone to Austin’s music scene for decades. I focus on making music an inclusive space for all to be able to enjoy and relate to, as well as using music for mental health awareness.
Genre: Exotic Tropical Pop
“I have been creating diverse music that is a blend of genres. I try to make my music a vehicle to spread positivity and encourage people everywhere to do the same. In my music videos, I encourage others to be their true selves and be open about who they are, not to be afraid of their sexuality. My debut record is a tropical pop/reggae single “Coconut Rum and Coke” – a breezy reggae track that mimics the laid-back vibe of its title, featuring Latin Grammy-winning producer Maffio. My music videos “Coconut Rum and Coke” and “You’re Real” both celebrate lesbian love stories. I also just released a new music video “Numb” feat. another lesbian artist/rapper Dai Burger. Quote from Diva Mag- UK Lesbian magazine “Keeana is an active member of the LGBTQ community and she is not afraid to flaunt queer female sexuality in her music videos. The video for “NUMB” features an all-lesbian cast that – alongside Keeana – also includes rapper Dai Burger, DJ Citizen Jane, and music artist Ariana Castelli.”
Genre: Indie/Pop
“My vision is rooted in honesty and self-exploration. I believe in using my music as a medium to confront the depths of my own experiences, to gain understanding and acceptance. It’s about zooming in on the most vulnerable parts of myself, magnifying them, and bringing them to the surface on my own terms. I aim to challenge societal norms and expectations, shedding light on topics like body dysmorphia, self-image, and the struggles of being different. Collaborating with talented writers and producers who push me creatively has been an incredible growth experience. I strive to create a cohesive sound that reflects my clear vision. My goal is to make music that resonates deeply with others, allowing them to feel seen and understood. I want my art to inspire introspection, courage, and healing, inviting you to embark on your own journey of self-discovery.”
Genre: R&B
“I feel like all artists are really holding space for people to process the joy and sorrow and mundanity that are all a part of the human experience. It’s for you AND for me. We are all ‘in it’ to some degree and my music reflects that as honestly as it possibly can. I think it’s important that music tells a truth – whether yours or someone else’s. I want to hold space and I want to tell the truth and I want to create moments that allow people to feel seen through my experiences. I think that’s really important and extraordinarily powerful.”
Genre: Acoustic Pop
“My guiding principle is to write music that spreads self-love. I went through a lot during my self-discovery journey/coming out; for a long time, I thought I’d never be able to live life as peacefully as I do now. That’s why I write about my lesbian identity, recovery, sobriety, and more; I believe my vulnerability is my strength. Each song I’ve written aims to empower some part of myself, and in turn, hopefully empowers listeners. “Loud,” “Henrietta’s,” and “Proud of Me” celebrate my identity; “Things Don’t Fit” and “Beautiful Little Life” deal with topics like recovery and sobriety; and my future project, which I hope receives your support, aims to speak to my younger self.”
Genre: Indie Pop/R&B
“Creating music and spaces that are meant for EVERYBODY. I explore a lot of different genres and topics within my songs, which sometimes means acknowledging negativity, struggle, and mistakes. However, I always want the sound of my music to be fun, upbeat, dance-y, allowing listeners to move and groove. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I aim to create an inclusive discography which comes out partly in my storytelling. I omit the use of pronouns in my music (besides the first person “you” and “I”) in order to create songs that can be sung by any individual. The industry is overwhelmingly heterosexual sometimes, and there are spaces that aren’t meant for everyone. However, my discography is meant for any person to indulge. I have also started studying sound healing, and seeing how I can incorporate that within my songs. I want to infuse these vibrations into my music so that listeners experience the music in a physical way, going beyond lyrics and melody. In this extremely fast-paced world that we live in, I strive to create bodies of work. Everyone wants a 15-second earworm to indulge in, no thanks to the attention span the internet has given us. But those who are looking for novels (albums) with multiple chapters (songs) can start with Track 1 to explore the sonic journey I take my listeners on.”
Genre: Pop/Soul/Americana
“In September 2022, Autumn co-founded eQuality Events, an organization focused on creating extraordinary opportunities where music can transcend gender, identity, genre, color, or who you love. It creates safe, welcoming, authentic, and affirming concerts and events that build communities and celebrate how music keeps us in tune with who we are and who we aspire to become. It seeks to change the narrative, create lanes, and open minds so that we focus on how being human is what unites us as human beings. The organization hosted its first two events on NYE at City Winery in Nashville, presenting the city’s first LGBTQ+ NYE concerts. They are also curating an LGBTQIA+ round on opening night at AmericanaFest. Autumn was asked by the iconic Bluebird Café to host its first shows to celebrate Black History Month, curating two shows on February 4. Autumn will also host The Bluebird Café’s first Pride round on Thursday, June 22, ahead of their performance at Nashville Pride. Their experience as a mixed, non-binary, gay artist has opened doors and eyes in Nashville, informed their writing, and inspired Autumn to tackle issues including identity, women’s rights, equality, mental health, and other issues. Autumn’s song “On A Sunday” is their own personal story of realizing who they are as a human, “Not Gonna Do This Anymore” could be an anthem for a woman’s right to choose. Dealing, released in the fall of last year, is about mental health and the pressures faced in today’s social network-driven world.”
Genre: Ambient Indie
“I want to be a voice for fellow queer, Asian, female creatives in the music industry. I want to continue making music that speaks my truth, whether it be about love, heartbreak, pain, trauma, or mental health, in hopes that it resonates with other fellow minorities and underrepresented souls like me. My music is for the paradoxes of the world who felt like they didn’t belong and were rarely ever given a chance to be heard. I want people to drown in the cinematic soundscapes I produce, coupled with raw and authentic lyrics to make them feel the things I feel and see me for me. I hope to write stories that allow people to be interwoven into mine.”
Genre: Queer Pop
“Some of my favorite moments in my life so far are at pop concerts. That absolute high you feel when you finally get to see that artist you’ve been loving, amidst live production magic. LED Screens, flashing lights, confetti, and at the core of it all, beautiful music. I am such a huge fan of the scale of Pop. It’s grandiose. It’s not afraid to take risks, push buttons, and do it with the most stunning sheen. There’s no other genre I’d rather play and create in than Pop. When imagining the mark I’m going to make on the world and the industry, I imagine a bold new perspective. Lil Nas X’s unapologetic queerness meets Max Martin-esque hooks. My voice is one that is not afraid to make music that appeals to everyone while holding strong in my truth and my messaging.”
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
“Born on a high desert wind, Sheverb is a womxn-led, collectively run, psychedelic desert rock band based in Austin, TX. Armed with their instruments, the Ladies of Reverb are out to challenge our understanding of the romanticized old west, a masculine mythology permeating our contemporary society, with their cinematic, surf-infused sounds. They represent an alternative to a Manifest Destiny-esque worldview, honoring coexistence over conquest, collaboration over domination.
Being womxn-led and with over 50% queer members, we are very conscience that the troupes and myths of the old west can be problematic for people such as ourselves. We use our music to create conversations about how we can re-imagine these myths by actually understanding the reality of the old west. In order to survive you need to be in a community, working with the land and each other.”
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
“I want people to feel less alone than they did before listening to my music. I love infusing my sense of humor, my burning desire to share the most authentic version of myself, and my lack of shame around mental health, queerness, and body neutrality, into every single performance. I love channeling my inner camp counselor, playing for a group of stargazers, and providing the soundtrack for a memorable, poignant, honest moment. I refuse to hold back from the stigmatized, quiet the parts of me I’ve been told are ‘too much,’ or make something more palatable for audiences not on board with my queerness. I want to be a role model to any queer person out there, scared that their full self will not be accepted. My music says not only will we accept you, but we will love you, and we will groove out while we do it.”
Genre: R&B
“The message that I want to share is ‘be you’. As corny as that sounds I feel like the world worries too much about what others think/believe. I myself often struggle with that myself being a mixed gay man. I always feel like I have to find myself constantly but who I am now in this moment is enough.
What inspires me is being unapologetic. I love people who do what they want (within reason) and don’t care.”
Genre: Rap
“I want those who listen to my music to feel invincible, unbreakable, unwavering in their faith. I want to serve as a reminder that if you try hard enough and remain true to yourself, then that is enough to be anything in this world that you wish. I am inspired by everything around me and the success of others like me. More importantly, I am inspired by my own journey and personal growth. When I was younger there were very few LGBTQ+ artists or openly queer people in general. I am inspired when I see people like me accomplishing their goals and reaching their dreams. I created a space (open mics) for artists like myself to come express themselves and showcase their talents. I want to inspire people to go after their dreams, be the example I never had. I hope and know that one day I will be able to be that light for someone else. I want to be a voice for those who are thinking about giving up and quitting, who have no hope. My motto is ‘Don’t quit,’ I have it written as a tattoo, and as a poster above my desk in my at-home studio. I want to serve as an example of what happens when you don’t quit especially as an emerging LGBTQ+ artist.”
Genre: Hip-Hop/R&B
“I have dreamed of becoming a well-known musical talent since I was six years old. I started as a band head and lover of musical instruments in fifth grade when I began playing instruments that included the baritone, trombone, and cymbals. As I got older and started appreciating who I have become as an artist, representing LGBTQ lesbians, my music appreciation grew. I challenge myself to learn words daily and apply them in my artistry to reach a worldwide range of people who are representative of myself and those who feel unheard or not accepted in society.
I envision my music as a story for people to understand who they are and stand on their values. To learn how to open up and not stay silent. I vision my music to inspire people to accept who they are and understand judgment as a builder, not a downplay of who they are as a unique person or member of the LGBTQ community. I am inspired by the most underrepresented class of society. I want to be a voice of reason for LGBTQ lesbians in Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B.”
Genre: Pop
“I like to weave in my experiences and the experiences and stories of those in the world around me, into the fabric of my music; creating a sense of authenticity and making it OK for my audiences to embrace their raw emotions. Listening to my music, one might say that I’m inspired by love or heartache. But I’d say that I’m inspired by the everyday human experience. My music isn’t complicated, and I purposefully write that way. I’ve written music inspired by the feeling you get when your ex-partner has moved on to a new relationship, and you haven’t. I’ve written songs about the euphoric feeling of falling in love at first sight, if only for the night. These are human experiences. These are raw emotions. Complex stories, perhaps; but these stories simply boil down to emotions and the human experience. And, I always want my audience to share in the storytelling journey that I go on. I want people to fall in love with the feeling they get when they listen to my songs.”
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
“My artistic vision is to create a sonic and visual space that is accessible and empowering to humans, especially humans who are women, LGBTQIA+, Asian, and/or children of immigrants. I make music for people who are healing, who are carving their path, and who are learning who they are.
In more concrete terms, I want to release an album of songs that I feel proud of (well-produced, thoughtfully created). I want to create music that resonates. I want to create music that makes at least one person feel less alone in their experience. I want to create music that celebrates our uniqueness, music that represents unity.”
Genre: Indie-Folk
“Everyone goes through some sort of alternative experience(s) throughout their lifetime, but people very rarely talk about them. The less we talk, the more isolated we become. We start to feel like we’re the only ones who have ever felt this way. Obviously, some difficult experiences are more normalized in music: breakups, mostly. And don’t get me wrong, I have my own melodramatic breakup song (as every singer-songwriter does, see: ‘colorblind’). But I also have songs about addiction, getting sober, breaking up with a friend, and if we’re really going there, feeling like you aren’t good enough and no matter what you do or say, never will be.
I also make a conscious effort to be open and honest about where I come from. In my experience, there’s a sort of exclusivity in pursuing music. Being raised by Jewish immigrant parents, English being my second language, writing my first song at seventeen, not going to college, being a more masculine presenting lesbian- none of those things fit the bill of what I was told I needed to be in order to pursue this, but here I am.
All of this is to say: my ultimate goal is to make someone who needs it feel understood, and hopefully, less alone.
The moment I learned that I wasn’t alone in my feelings my world opened: how beautiful it is to feel heard.
How beautiful it is to know that changing someone’s life can be as simple as writing a song.”
Genre: Folk
“Since I can remember I’ve been able to express myself through music. My mother shares the story of me playing the tambourine at age 3 in Lima Peru, during a family gathering next to my aunt who was playing the guitar. I was perfectly keeping the beat! I don’t remember being in a world without music. What moves me every day is this very intrinsic connection, this gift I was given and which helped me survive through years of emotional trauma, loss, and disconnection. Music has always made sense to do, and to be in. But it wasn’t until I was able to come out as non binary/trans masculine five years ago, when my true and real artistry started to exist. Being able to be the real me writing, creating, and performing music has been my healing and my mission!
On stage, my music is a reflection of how my two cultures merge, they become one, they are true collaborators, highlighting each other without clashing, bridging the gap between differences, and connecting the audience with pure emotion. I am grateful for being visible and actively advocating as a Latinx artist during shows and/or interviews, sharing that moment of growth with the listener, being who I am, exposing my voice, and my queer look as an opportunity for them to receive without judging. Becoming a producer in the last 2 years, during COVID, has given me the opportunity to take this even further, and be able to share it with the world.”
Genre: Pop
“Ultimately, I want to affect and impact people with my work. Even if only one person can feel seen or understood by one of my songs, that makes it all worth it! Artistically, I hope to continue to push myself and break boundaries within myself and within the music industry. As an LGBTQ artist, I aim to make popular music that includes LGBTQ stories. I create a lot from my own personal experience, so I hope if I dig as deep as possible within myself, I can connect to a wider audience. I also wish to make art that has a cultural impact. I believe art is the most powerful way to make change and get messages across. As long as I am making music I am always keeping that in the back of my mind. Lastly, I want to make art that equally celebrates the human experience, and examines it. My favorite artists have songs that feel euphoric to celebrate to, and songs that connect you to the deepest parts of your soul.”
Genre: R&B/Soul
“I suffered from emotional abuse as a child, I spent a lot of time pretty shut down and didn’t always feel safe expressing vulnerability. Writing and journaling became a huge outlet for me. In high school, I would free write for 10 minutes a day and let whatever needed to come out, out. I used to listen to a lot of Corinne Bailey Rae, Macy Gray, India Arie, Lauren Hill, Alicia Keys, and many others who wrote about their own pain, healing, intimacy, and vulnerability. I would sit there, break down their lyrics, and try to apply their words to my own life. I found a lot of truth and guidance in other people’s music and applied that and my own healing. My dream is to create the same safe space and guidance those artist created for me. It’s been extremely powerful and validating to hear and observe how others connect with my music. I’ve had audience members come to me after my shows in tears sharing their own experiences and it’s been really rewarding learning I’m becoming that same outlet some of those artists were for me.”
Genre: R&B/Soul
“With the mantra ‘Live. Love. Dance’ at the core of my art, my vision is to use my music to create safe spaces for Black queer folk and Black women. My EP, ‘MAN.MUSE.MAGIC.’ was inspired by conversations about love and relationships that I’ve had with people who sit at the intersection of those two identities. Those conversations were filled with life lessons, joy, accountability, and compassion and I believe that music can deliver those same sentiments. I want audiences to feel free to sing, dance, and even cry at my show because they know that they’re surrounded by community. From the studio to the stage, I hope to encourage my listeners who may feel othered and affirm that their uniqueness is truly divine.”
Genre: R&B
“My goal with my music has always been to create relatable music. There’s nothing more fulfilling than listening to one of your favorite artist’s songs and feeling like it was made for you because you connect with it so much. I want to be real and transparent with whoever is listening to my music. I also don’t just want to write songs about love. We as musicians/artists are able to create change even just with our words and become very political like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Jimi Hendrix, HER, and more. It’s important to be aware of our influence even just through our music and the change we can create as well.
I also want to show that minimalism in music is ok…Through my music, I want to show that you can be successful in this business even just by having minimalist music production and looks. You don’t need much to connect with people because there’s an audience for everyone and they’ll love you for who you are. I want to stay true to that.”
Genre: Neo-Soul
“My album, ‘Pain With Benefits,’ came about after one of my lowest points in life. I had just been dumped, the country officially went into lockdown, and my mental health was plummeting. I found myself wanting to put all of these feelings of everything and nothingness into something solid. That is where the record was born. I was able to connect the theme of pain and success in my life and I realized that with each pain came a benefit. Unfortunately, a lot of suffering seems to precede light/goodness. In coming to terms with this, I realized that perhaps this was a necessary balance in life. This album encompasses tracks that sonically and lyrically touch on mental health, grieving, self-awareness, and ultimately self-love.”
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
“My dream is to create new American standards that humanize the LGBTQ+ experience and promote social justice. I also want to inspire other “late-bloomers” to find creative courage later in life and embrace their artistic voice – no matter how “uncool” we might be :-)”
Genre: Alt-Pop
“My artistic vision is to continue to experiment and explore my intuition around my work, visually and sonically. Release not only music but multi-media experiences around the music…The goal is to always collaborate with people that really love music and don’t mind pushing boundaries and telling their truth.”
Genre: Pop
“As an artist, my vision is to make music that not only makes the listener feel good and gives them something to relate to but to create a platform for myself that allows members of the LGBTQ+ community to have someone like them that they can look up to. The message I share through my music is freedom of expression.”
Genre: Alternative R&B
“My artistic vision is an all-encompassing view of my artistry and all those around me. It is vital for me to exist as someone I didn’t get to see growing up, someone embracing all my intersections…I hope that my music will inspire listeners to be honest, raw, and vulnerable with their own creations, that their stories are worth telling, and that we are all creators. People like me deserve a seat at the table and are ready to be seen.”
Genre: Pop/Alternative
“I want to be what I didn’t have growing up to generations to come…I want to be a part of the movement to break that wall down entirely and open the floodgates for fluidity. I write to inspire queer kids/adults like me.”
Genre: Alternative
“My music is informed by a place of love and loss. I hope to evoke that emotion from my audience and really encourage them to lean in and feel along with me. My goal is to increase visibility so that one day no one has that feeling of having missed out on life or play catch-up. And how lucky am I that I get to do so by song?”
Genre: R&B
“My purpose in creating, releasing, and performing my art is to share my raw thoughts and experiences as a queer Filipina and to contemplate, out loud, what it means to live a life of character, respect, forgiveness, courage, love, and joy. My goal is to build a community of like-minded people who resonate with my art. And through shared values, encourage each other to be bold enough to be the best selves that we can be in each moment— to self-actualize with grace.”
Genre: Electronic/Dance
“My main inspiration is to represent, propagate and perpetuate my Brazilian ancestors’ expression and art and share to the world. I am a queer activist, as independent as an artist can be, I want to inspire others to be their true self free from judgments.”
Genre: Rock
“My vision is to create harmonically rich music paired with vulnerable, honest lyrics. I believe that the personal is political, and that sharing my innermost thoughts, fears, aspirations, and dreams is the essence of emotionally moving art. I seek to inspire deeper thought, remind those feeling emotionally stifled that they are not alone, and provide aural beauty along the way.”
Genre: Alternative/Indie-Pop
“It is our dream to be full time musicians. We want the chance to be able to create music every day without the difficulty of working another job. The ultimate goal for the next year or so would be to go on tour and write and produce as much as we can. We will use the funding to create the strongest musical project and visuals we possibly can.”
Genre: Electronic
“Music for me has always involved breaking down boundaries, borders, and binaries. I don’t ascribe to genre, and draw threads where different influences, communities, and aesthetic worlds can touch…Music is a space of expansion and redefinition, where people can access their deepest core selves, destroy, and rebuild anew.”
Genre: Neo/Soul
“My artistic vision is to create music that changes the way people think. Music that people can connect and feel something from. I want human beings to feel less alone while listening. In a world that can be so dark, I want to sing out the light I feel inside me.”
Genre: Pop
“I strive to write songs that are both complex and straightforward. I am inspired by the nuance of the world around me and the experiences I go through, using songwriting to access a deeper vulnerability, and hopefully motivating others to do so as well.”
Genre: Electro-Pop
“For me, music is the purest form of mental health advocacy. During the times when I felt so desperately alone, I could put in my headphones and remember that someone out there knew exactly how I was feeling. Musicians are leaders. They are brave enough to walk on the path less traveled. I want to follow in their footsteps and create new trails of my own.”
Genre: R&B
“My overall message as an artist is to not allow anyone to put limits on our creativity or box us into one title…I resonate with dreamers. I am inspired by people who relentlessly go after their dreams despite what others may say. It is how I try to live my life, and it’s what I want to inspire others to do as well. Break the mold and follow your own path, not just the one everyone says you’re supposed to be on.”
Genre: Chamber-Folk
“While creating music, I aim to make sense of my internal and external worlds while exploring our interconnectedness. I use composition, writing, experiential performance and filmmaking to find balance between darkness and light; sound and silence while striving towards healing and wholeness.”