Artist Spotlight

EMBRACING RECOGNITION IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY—Stratøs

Short and sweet interview with Los Angeles’s rising star, Stratøs! He shares his favorite aspects of making music, working with veterans in the game, and more upcoming fresh music.

Let’s start off by introducing yourself, you know the basics like name, age, where you’re from. As much or little as you’re comfortable sharing.

My name is Stratøs, I’ll be 26 this October 1st, and I’m from Ann Arbor Michigan. I currently live in Los Angeles, California.

What’s the best advice you ever received concerning music?

That the learning process Is cyclical. I don’t need to (and in fact, can’t) learn a concept perfectly before moving on. I’m supposed to come back to concepts again and again. It can be years before I revisit something I’m practicing. This helped me get over the paralysis of trying to get something “perfect” before moving onto the next thing.

What would you have done differently if you knew then what you know now?

Practice, write, produce, photograph more when I was younger and had more time!

What is still your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge would probably be just navigating the music industry as a whole. It’s a tough industry that’s currently not equipped to sustain actual musicians, and that’s a struggle every day.

What keeps you going when things get tough in the music industry?

The music does. No matter how tough things get, the art is still here. I’ll never stop making art because I simply cannot – it is my purpose in life. Taking a step back from your art is something stigmatized, but is perfectly okay, and healthy, and normal. This industry is grueling. It’s important to take a step back sometimes to gain perspective and preserve your sanity. It’s okay to step away for a bit and come back.

Talk me through your creative process.

There’s a lot that goes into my creative process. I’m a saxophonist, composer, producer, and film photographer, and each discipline takes a different set of skills. These days I’m doing a lot more composing because I’m working on my third album. My composition usually involves taking unrelated elements and try to make them relate. My tunes usually have some sort of concept at the core of them that I’m trying to work out.

How do you currently feel about the state of “Your genre” in general?

The state of “jazz” has always been interesting. Firstly because this style of music isn’t even really called “jazz,” because that was a name originally given to the music intending for it to be derogatory. This music falls under the “Black American Music” umbrella and from its inception it’s always been about progress and pushing boundaries. There’s a lot of amazing “jazz” these days because people from all walks of life and backgrounds are adding to it and making it more and more unique. It’s great!

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

I’d love to open for Flying Lotus some day!

How do you solve productivity/scheduling problems and reduce overwhelming situations?

I keep an organized calendar, and I try to write things down.

What are you focusing your time on now?

As I kinda touched on before, I’m currently working on my third album. I don’t wanna say too much, but I’m using all of the resources and knowledge I’ve learned from all parts of the album making process and putting them into this record. Also, since I just moved to LA, I’m focussing on getting connected in the music scene here and just getting settled down.

How can our readers follow you online?

You can follow me on all social media platforms @stratostones, as well as my website www.stratostones.com. I also have a print shop where you can buy prints of my film photographs here: https://stratos.darkroom.tech/. You can buy my first album Planets here: https://stratosmusic.bandcamp.com/album/planets and my second album Hohenheim Suites here: https://stratosmusic.bandcamp.com/album/hohenheim-suites. I’m also on all of the streaming platforms like spotify and apple music, just search “Stratøs.”

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Artist Spotlight

Empty Pinata turns heartbreak into a scorched riff in the recent single “Bonfire”

Have you ever found yourself navigating the chaotic aftermath of a devastating breakup, where your wardrobe and heart have suffered significant damage? The song “Bonfire,” Empty Pinata’s latest single, captures this tumultuous experience, exemplifying the art of transforming a personal calamity into an infectious auditory experience. It effectively juxtaposes a narrative of heartbreak with an upbeat sonic palette, empowering listeners to find joy amidst the emotional wreckage.

Musically, “Bonfire” is anchored in an authentic, albeit painful, narrative. It explores the remnants of a relationship as the protagonist’s former partner incinerates a collection of meaningful belongings. Instead of succumbing to melancholic introspection, the song propels listeners into an infectious groove. Co-produced with Gamal, the composition skillfully merges indie pop sensibilities with the heartfelt authenticity characteristic of bedroom pop while infusing a bit of soft rock grit. This fusion is complemented by engaging vocals and dynamic chord progressions, culminating in a vigorous rhythmic surge that evokes the volatile nature of fire.

The composition shifts from a somber recollection to an invigorating indie anthem, featuring nostalgic yet catchy lyrics that reflect on past experiences and reclaim them. It conjures the image of standing before a fire, prioritizing the warmth of roasted marshmallows instead of drowning in tears. The song’s conclusion is punctuated by Gamal’s incisive lead line, which emphasizes the outro and parallels the symbolic rise of a phoenix against the backdrop of twilight.

“Bonfire” is far from placid; it ignites a profoundly personal exploration rich with emotional complexity and stylistic flair. This track is poised to resonate powerfully with anyone who has witnessed love in its literal and metaphorical forms being systematically dismantled or has faced the loss of cherished possessions.

For more information about Empty Pinata, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Empty Pinata’s “Bonfire“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Empty Pinata | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook |

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Artist Spotlight

How to Dominate Google Rankings as an Independent Artist in 2025

In 2025, dominating Google rankings as an independent artist requires a layer of visibility that keeps breaking through the noise. This is one of the most effective ways to get discovered, build authority, and grow your fanbase to take over Google rankings. Your appearance on the first page of Google may make or break the brand when fans, curators, and industry executives search your name, music, or relevant keywords. Here’s how to manage your digital footprint and reach the top of search results;

Create a Personal Website (and Optimize It for SEO)

Your website is the home of your brand. It is well-designed professionally, mobile responsive, and fast-loading. But it also needs to be optimized for search engines.

Here’s how:

All content about your music should go on your web page (e.g., www. YourArtistName. com).
Your Homepage Title Tag (Ex: “YourArtistName – Independent R&B Artist from Atlanta”) and Meta Description should contain relevant keywords.
Musical Press And BioPages, Add also pages for tour dates
Include a blog or news section to share updates. Google loves new content.
Finally, Google Analytics, search console. (to track traffic search performance)

Pro Tip: Schema markup (aka structured data) can inform Google about your music, songs, albums, videos, and events. This allows your content to appear in rich results, such as music carousels and event snippets.

Optimize your YouTube and Spotify profiles.

Regarding ranking artists, Google pulls data from YouTube and Spotify.

Ensure both are fully optimized:

On YouTube, write keyword-rich descriptions and utilize relevant tags and playlists for your content.
On Spotify, claim your profile and update it periodically with new releases, photos, and bio info containing searchable keywords like genre and location.
Put your YouTube videos and Spotify player on your website and blog posts, too. This will build backlinks and tell Google you are relevant.

Music Blogs & Online Magazines Features

Backlinks from higher authority domains are the secret to climbing up on Google. One of the best ways to improve your SEO as an artist is by ensuring you are featured on reputable music blogs such as Honk Magazine, EARMILK, or Lyrical Lemonade.

Here’s why:

Since they are high DA blogs, backlinks from them count.
Stories about you often rank for your name or song titles.
Google takes evidence of press coverage as a sign of credibility.
Create a solid press release and submit your story to niche platforms, music journalists, and independent blog directories. Just one good article can ensure you own your branded search terms.

Use Google Business Profile (I know, even as an Artist)

Many artists make the mistake of ignoring Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business) because they think it’s only for local businesses. But guess what? It can also help you for shows and appearances locally with an artist brand or label listing.

To get started, claim your profile by tracking down your artist name.
Include images, tour spots, social media links, and updates.
Motivate the audience to write feedback after the performance or release.
This helps build credibility and aids in appearing in map results and knowledge panels.

Make Evergreen Content Related To Your Brand

And you don’t need new music to rank on Google. You can use evergreen content perceived as more valuable and target long-tail keywords to make you an authority.

Examples:

“[Y0urArtistName] were Significant Tracks”
“Behind the Lyrics: [Song Name] by [YourArtistName]”
“How [YourArtistName] Began Their Career in the Indie Circuit”

It’s not just your name that these posts rank. It brings in free, organic traffic from fans looking for content around your genre or the industry. Ensure consistency and optimize every post with relevant keywords, internal links, and meta descriptions.

Submit Your Business to Citation Sites

Being listed in popular music databases like AllMusic and Discogs increases discoverability and means more authoritative backlinks. Such listings often show up on page one of Google searches.

Ensure that you also submit your profiles for the following:

Genius (for lyrics and annotations)
Songkick and Bandsintown (for tours)
MusicBrainz (free music encyclopedia)

Every listing is another step closer to owning the search results.

Get Social on Social With SEO in Mind

Social platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok frequently appear among the top 10 regarding name searches. Keep bios artist, song, album, etc. keyword-rich (think genre, hometown, new release). Post links back to your website or landing page in your bio, and use the different link-in-bio tools to nudge fans across platforms. Remember to make it shareable. When your fans reshare your posts and blog links, Google pays attention to those and rewards that action with strong rankings.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, ranking on Google as an independent artist is about establishing a smart, sustainable online footprint. Your visibility after the music is what brings your music to the world. If you can marry SEO tactics with consistent content and press coverage, you’ll establish long-term success, not just streams but legs.

Do you wish to get ranked on a top site like Honk Magazine? Submit your new song here.

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