_edited.png)
June is Pride Month, and we're highlighting some independent artists that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. There are well-known celebrities owning their truth now, but there are many more lesser-known and independent musicians. Check out some of these artists.
Vicious, all-female hard rock/heavy metal band, Stormstress, combines their shared love for heavy music, ambitious spirits, and a unified dream of achieving greatness while bringing their self-empowering message to the world. Stormstress strikes with electrifying riffs, thunderous grooves and catchy choruses. Stormstress aims to remind the people of the world to stay strong by accessing their inner power in these introspective times, and to use it to decide what deserves to remain with you on your journey, and what to leave behind. Tia "Mayhem" is one half of the frontwomen from Stormstress., alongside her twin sister Tanya "Venom" and drummer Maddie May Scott.
OK Cool is an emo/indie duo from Chicago, made of Bridget Stiebris and Haley Blomquist. Their second EP "Surrealist" was released in March of 2021 following their debut EP "Anomia".
You can find them just about anywhere online
Corday is a lesbo acoustic pop-rocker from California. One of her most requested songs is a parody called "Redneck Lesbo". Her songs are fun, catchy and a bit whimsical. As an award-winning artist, she has shared the stage with Melissa Etheridge, Sarah McLaughlin, Joan Jett, and Pat Benatar. Along with her original music, she has created the Melissa Etheridge Experience, where she plays Melissa's songs with her own twist.
You can find her everywhere; on every platform, working on films, and always involved in the LGBTQ+ community.
Hailing from Philadelphia, Avataria is a power rocker with riffs. She uses a mix of instruments and catchy melodies, along with loud wails, in her latest EP "Head Over Heels". Her music is about facing fears and inner demons, encouraging her listeners to do just that.
Check out the power that is Avataria
Hayden Joseph is an out country-pop singer in Nashville. He combines modern country and main-stream pop to create a sound that is unique. Lyrically, his songs touch the heart and are full of universal stories. He wants to break industry barriers and make country music everyone can relate to. He has found quite a bit of success on his TikTok platform.
His latest album "Different" was released in 2021, followed by the single "The Guy After The Guy".
Out on June 1st, he released "Out" just in time for pride month. This song go through the story of his own coming out.
Meet Medusa. They are a non-binary artist in New York creating alt-pop/alt-hip hop music. Their sound is one that is hard to classify, as they use so many different and unique sounds in music. Cheerleading chants and metal breaks are among the unique elements. they use. They have embraced the idea of "monstrocity" and use that to fuel their power and mission of passing on that power.
Their latest release is called "Kinda Outta Luck" featuring Boy Jr.
Chiika is an alternative hip-hop/R&B singer from London. Chiika writes songs that reflect on her experience growing up as a queer second-gen Indian immigrant, discussing relationships, aspirations, and self-reflections; her lyrics are honest and core-cutting in their finesse and simplicity. This is the music you put on when sitting down with a good friend and a drink. Her latest single "Catalyst" was released in 2021
LA based Indie Singer-Songwriter, Homer Marrs, released a cover of the Danzig metal "Sistinas" on June 1st. He strives to write songs that anyone can relate to, regardless of their pronouns or identities. His original songs are on a more serious note, though he comes from a comedic background.
Homer has played pride festivals and clubs in the LA area and has plans for a small tour this year. He also has new music slated to be released later this year.
Chris Jehnert is a dark alt-pop artist from New York. Originally from Baltimore, he spent his early years touring as part of a musical theater community, as he has a degree in classical music. He is part of a boy band experience troupe called Larger Than Life. Recently releasing his debut single, which hit #1 on the LGBTQUK Chart for 2 weeks!
Annie Foxx is an alt-pop artist from New York, who is releasing her debut single "Blood Runs Cold". She is unapologetically brining the alternative edge to pop music.
Goldilocks (pronouns - she/her/ella) is a reggaeton artist from NY by way of Spain. Her hit song "Saab Story" debuted on Spotify's New Music Friday Latin Playlist, she did liners for iHeart Radio telling her coming out story for National Coming Out Day 2020, and she did an Amazon Music 'Together At Home 'Concert' to premiere Bañador last summer. Her debut album 'Future Famous' will be out June 2021.
M The Myth is an indie-pop artist paving the way for the iconic new genre of queer-pop. M thrives on art, performance, dance, and music. M was created with both male and female energies, making M the Myth an androgynous, abundant expression of life. They are intrigued by iconography and mythology. These subjects led them to create a highly stylized, rhythmic, and surreal live show, full of bright costumes, dramatic make-up, and compelling yet heartfelt choreography. M is passionate about community leadership and LGBTQIA issues. M the Myth and Blonde organized a benefit concert for the victims of the Pulse Night Club shooting in both Fresno, CA (2016) and NYC (2019). They were able to raise over $1,500.00 for Equality Action Florida, Inc.’s fund for the families.
Multi-talented pop artist X. ARI has a simple but profound motto: "Pain Into Power". Living and thriving with (not despite) several co-morbid mental health diagnosis; she has spent her career spreading a message of strength and hope, while confronting the realities of mental illness with a sense of dignity often lost in mainstream representation. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, she self identifies as bisexual and combines her message of hope with a fierce activism meant to inspire and strengthen the community she holds dear. Her new EP "Anja" will be released on June 25th; this collection of songs is dedicated to and inspired by her soulmate and partner Anja.
Dance-pop singer-songwriter Bryce Bowyn has established himself as an unstoppable force in the industry thanks to his utterly hypnotic brand of uncensored, unfiltered dynamism. Based in Washington, D.C., Bowyn’s anthemic electropop tracks effortlessly pulls listeners into his ethereal world and invites them along on an incredible journey of endless entertainment.
Max Embers is an independent singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California in the Contemporary pop genre. Born and raised in a small town in Germany, he won the internationally renowned music competition Jugend Musiziert shortly before graduating from High School. He went on to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2019, Max was a finalist on the premiere of NBC's Songland, performing his original song “Back Home”.
Dance Music for the New Romantics! BRANDYN KILLZ is a multifaceted singer, songwriter & producer serving high energy, feel-good, soul captivating sounds. He creates with a purpose to bring his listeners Closer to Closure (navigating a positive headspace when dealing with heartbreak, loss, anxiety, etc) and back to the dance floor. With many projects in queue, Brandyn is prepping a satiating catalog of Electro Soul-Pop madness.
Sug Daniels is a singer, songwriter, and producer who is using the tools around her to capture the emotions of an era. Daniels’ work is as colorful, vulnerable, and charismatic as her personality. She thoughtfully combines elements of folk, R&B, and low-fi alternatives to create personal and tender music interlaced with messages of truth and positive change. Growing up in the rural town of Smyrna, Delaware, Daniels had felt first-hand both the extreme joy and the major isolation that many LGBTQ+ people experience in Southern Baptist-style churches. After coming out, she left the church but continued her journey armed with the love of powerful music and celebration of community. Daniels newest release “Heavy” is the horrible awkwardness of having romantic desires for a friend but not being sure if the feeling is mutual.
The World Over’s multifaceted approach, unique sense of creativity, and outside the box thinking is fueled by their desire to break down the restrictive genre barriers of today's music industry. The World Over promotes diversity in their music, allowing them to combine rock, pop and metal with killer tempo transitions, soulful choruses and spine chilling screams. Front-woman Tiaday Rocke identifies as LGBTQ+ and is keen on focusing her efforts on promoting inclusion and awareness. Website Facebook Spotify Instagram
Emerging from the prairie lands of Kansas with an avant-garde, rockeresque - pop sound Brittan Smith, now a Los Angeles based musician, is crafting dramatic musical worlds bathed in neon. A vocalist from a young age, Brittan turned to his mother in the car one day while jamming out to Bon Jovi and said “I’m going to be a rockstar.” With inspiration from artists such as Lady Gaga and Chester Bennington, Brittan Smith began to craft his sound while maintaining a message of embracing all the things that make you unique. Brittan being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and someone who deeply struggled with depression and anxiety faced hardships like much of the youth of his generation did. Brittan chose to fuel his art and focus on expressing the different ways music can be used to connect people. His first release “Tension” was in 2018 and since then he has continued to cement his sound while also delivering stunning visuals.
Hailing from Edison, NJ, John Roberts' deep-rooted love for music can be traced back to his youth. At the onset of the 90's he fell in love with the New York City rave scene. He was the front-man for Opti-Grab, a chart-topping band in 2017 and 2019. Flashforward to 2020, Roberts entered the studio with longtime club friend Junior Sanchez for its follow-up. “Freaks”—out now—is one of the many songs the two collaborated on that will appear on Roberts’ Lights Out album set for release June 4, 2021. He has also had success in the acting world, appearing on YouTube and Television.
Enrique Jesus Hernandez was born in Spanish Harlem, NYC and now resides in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. Prior to COVID they performed regularly at LGBTQ, activist, “safe-space” and art spaces such as the non-profit Art Share L.A.. At live shows, Hernandez uses movement as well as symbolic set design, costumes, and lights to express their personal journey as a survivor. Enrique creates each of their 'projects' as an event with a unique video, group of songs, dance movements and color scheme. eJH hopes their art empowers individuals on a journey toward comfort in the human body and mind.
Hero Magnus is a college student, songwriter, and musician. Her music is dynamic and lyrical indie rock, inspired by a whole slew of songwriters like Mitski, Regina Spektor, Phoebe Bridgers, and Joni Mitchell. Hero spent high school opening for punk bands in the DC area and released her first single, Breakfast Table, the summer before college. While attending Yale to study culture & performing arts, Hero worked with a ton of incredible artists, released more music projects, and fell in love with radio.
Hero’s recent EP, Make Me A Man, came out in March of 2021. It’s grounded in queer history and poetry. Hero is returning to college in fall 2021. In the meantime, keep an ear out.
Kommentare