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Artist Spotlight

Exclusive Interview: Rising Artist Awall MG

Hello Awall MG, Thanks for coming to Honk Magazine to talk about your career.

Tell us a little more about when you first got into music? 

I’ve been around music since I was born. My family is a pretty musical family so I was always surrounded by it. My dad had his own studio where the first famous person I met was Gladys Knight and the pips. That was my very first introduction to the musical environment. By 2 years old I had my first keyboard by 3 I was banging on drums and it kinda just kept going from there. 

If you could describe your sound/style in one word, what would it be and why?

VIBES!  Most of my songs I make are from a real perspective but I make it to where it just sounds good and it cultivates the listeners ears to take em to a place where they can relate but also feel good about

What would you say to any aspiring recording artists who look up to your work?

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I would say never give up on what you love most. That means fight through any obstacle life gives cause it only happened to make you a stronger person And never put all your eggs in one basket!

What quote or mantra do you live by?

LIVE GREAT TO BECOME GREATER.

That’s my slogan for my company Live Great Productions. It basically says like we are living to be great but once you make it go beyond that and then beyond that too!

What is your hobby outside of music?

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When I’m not doing music I’m usually playing video games. I just got into the twitch community. I play basketball and football on a recreational level ..and cooking I love to cook

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I’m gonna be one of those names that you see in the big festivals like Rolling Loud or Coachella. I’ll be engineering still but super exclusively cause I really see myself as one the next best Producer/Artist on the come up.

Do you have anything new or upcoming we can expect to see from you?

 I got lots of singles I’m dropping in 2022 along with visuals of course and doing more shows in the ATL scene. Also as a Producer I’ll be launching my website this month so the public can buy them. Before I was just making beats exclusively in front of them.

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What is the inspiration behind your latest song?

My last song OWN is about two girls really. One girl I dated for about 3 years then we went our separate ways.. the other girl I met around Thanksgiving of 2021 thinking she could be the one cause the new girl I really liked a lot but somehow we drifted and I can’t lie that shxt was hurting my soul so that’s why I say I’m on my own and it probably better off that way until I meet Ms Right

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Get a internship Right after school: I didn’t start interning at other studios till probably 4 years after I graduated from Music School..No regrets about it but it could have sped my process up and learned more earlier

Don’t be Afraid To Make Mistakes but don’t make it happen Twice: When I first started working at Patchwerk Studio I recorded Cocoa Vango.He was the first major artist I got to work with there. The session was probably my worst ever. He was very frustrated with me the whole time but he knew I was new so it just went with the flow…That session taught me things I should be doing and I never made a mistake like that again..Which is why I’m still at Patchwerk till this day.

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BE VERSATILE: I Engineer both studio and live. I’m an Artist. I’m Also a musician of 7 different instruments (Drums, Piano, flute, baritone, sax guitar and bass) and a producer and learning how to DJ. Doing all those things made me stand out vs ppl who just engineer or just produce.. I’m a one stop shop basically and ppl these days love that. And learning one skill helped me learned another along the way 

GET OUT THE BEDROOM: For a while I was the producer who made beats And posted it in a beat store and just showed off on social media.. IT GOT ME NOWHERE. I still had to work a regular job and live in my parents house.. When I started networking at different events or applying to studios that’s when life changed quickly.. More ppl were hearing me which grew my outside presence but also my social media at the same time. Now I’m in rooms with major Artists getting paid way more and literally paying everything just by creating music 

GET RID OF SELF DOUBT: I used to compare myself to others like my music doesn’t sound like theirs or wondering if ppl gonna like what I put out. All that self doubt just made me think too much instead of having fun… The moment I got major confidence for myself is when the music was sounding good ppl were buying beats that I made quickly… and that confidence transfers to others now they wanna give you a chance with a bigger deal 

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out” ?

Just make sure whatever you doing that you love it..Cause I’ve burned myself out a couple of times but I love music so much I was able to find something to learn or something new out my comfort zone that made me fall in love with it like it’s my first time making music

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How can our readers follow you online?

On all platforms I’m AWall_Mg insta twitter twitch all that

Artist Spotlight

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

Empty Pinata

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.

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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:

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  • 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.

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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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