Music

Alicia Keys’ She Is The Music Is The Nonprofit Helping Women Enter The ‘Boys Club’ Of Music

The artist’s nonprofit is working to increase diversity and inclusion efforts in the music industry so that women can get hired. …

In January 2019, the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative concluded that two years earlier, the music industry saw a six-year low for female creatives. The contributions of women remain underrepresented in virtually every corner of the field — from singers and songwriters to A&R professionals and marketing mavens. Because of these findings, She Is The Music is a necessary network for women in music to facilitate meaningful change in order to diminish the “boys club” industry mentality, which is why we wanted to showcase them in this debut episode of our new The Show Up series.

Founded by Alicia Keys in 2018, She Is The Music is a non-profit organization aiming to amplify underrepresented individuals in the music industry through networking, resources, and impactful initiatives. In the above video, Michelle Arkuski, executive director of the organization, says that the “overarching” goal of the organization is to “[harness] inclusivity, opportunity and visibility to increase the number of women working in music.”

She Is The Music fosters connections between its members and music industry giants in order to provide support and advice. Like-minded individuals can link up through the organization’s global online database of 7,000 she/her-identifying music industry members. She Is The Music also features programs unifying its members, like their all-female songwriting camp, their partnership with Step Up empowering female high school students, and their newly-implemented virtual mentorship program, Connect TogetHER, whose members launched their own music team after the program ended to help an alumna release her debut album.

Through instilling confidence in established and prospective industry personnel, She Is The Music provides a look into how limitless the field could be for women. “When people put gender into a title, it knocks you down a few steps,” She Is The Music’s songwriting committee co-chair and L.A. chapter head Hannah Babitt notes. “We need all genders involved to push a change and shift the numbers.”

Check out the video above to learn more about the group.

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Artist Spotlight

Karate Boogaloo find sunshine through the storm on “Wet Day Timetable”

Karate Boogaloo return with “Wet Day Timetable,” an instrumental piece that proves even the most ordinary disappointments can become something memorable. Inspired by the familiar feeling of having plans washed away by the rain, the track transforms that mood into an uplifting musical experience filled with warmth and character. Rather than dwelling on frustration, the band embraces the slower pace of a wet day, allowing every note to unfold with patience and purpose.

The result is music that feels comforting, reflective, and quietly joyful, capturing the emotional shift from disappointment to acceptance with remarkable grace. It is a reminder that some of the strongest musical statements are made through restraint rather than excess. As a snapshot of the forthcoming record Access All Areas, “Wet Day Timetable” highlights the qualities that make Karate Boogaloo such compelling musicians.

Memorable melodies, understated arrangements, and effortless chemistry combine to create an instrumental that lingers well after it ends. The band’s ability to turn a simple everyday experience into an emotionally satisfying journey speaks volumes about their artistic maturity. Without relying on elaborate production or dramatic flourishes, they deliver a track that feels genuine, timeless, and deeply rewarding. “Wet Day Timetable” stands as a graceful celebration of thoughtful composition, proving that even a rainy day can provide the perfect soundtrack for optimism.

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Artist Spotlight

Jeff Vidov elevates orchestral rock ambition on latest release “Signs of Life”

Jeff Vidov returns with “Signs of Life,” a powerful new single that reflects the depth of his compositional experience while embracing the expansive energy of a summer rock anthem. Marking his sixteenth musical release, the Canadian-born pianist and composer blends the grandeur of a full orchestra with the driving spirit of rock, creating a piece that feels equally at home in the concert hall and on the silver screen. The result is an immersive listening experience that highlights both musical precision and emotional scale.

As a choir conductor, session pianist, film composer, and musical theatre director, his background naturally shines through in “Signs of Life.” Having scored fifteen films and two television shows while performing with numerous jazz big bands, orchestras, touring rock bands, and tribute acts, he brings an unmistakable sense of cinematic storytelling to the track. Every orchestral passage feels intentional, while the rock foundation gives the composition an energetic pulse that keeps the arrangement engaging from beginning to end.

Jeff Vidov demonstrates that experience and versatility can exist alongside fresh creative ambition. “Signs of Life” is more than another release in an already impressive catalog, it is a celebration of musicianship built through years of dedication across film, theatre, orchestral performance, and contemporary music. The seamless balance between sweeping orchestral textures and rock influences gives the single a distinctive identity that stands apart while remaining widely accessible.

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