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Artist Spotlight

HeIsTheArtist Opens Up about New EP, Faith and more!

Can you tell us a little about your musical background and how you got started in the industry?

Growing up, I was always in some type of choir and band. I didn’t take music seriously, however, until I was an adult, when a music producer from my hometown discovered me online singing covers for fun on my Instagram page. He loved what he heard and invited me to his studio to record a single (now titled “Honey”). The rest is history.

Your new EP, “Dreaming In Emerald City (Wicked Deluxe Edition),” is a tribute to two iconic films. What inspired you to create this project?

In recent years, musical movies have grown in popularity. That alone inspired me to create this project, which mixed the essence of my favorite two musical movies with R&B.

How do you infuse elements of Broadway and neo-soul into your music? 

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I was deliberate with the nostalgic instrumentation to give an old-school Broadway sound. I mixed in the Neo-Soul element with my soulful vocal delivery.

The theme of empathy and self-love is prominent in this EP. Can you speak more on the messages you hope to convey through your music?

This EP is about self-discovery (which is the theme of “The Wizard of Oz” as well). The EP takes you on a journey, from love of others to self-love. By the end of the EP, I hope listeners have a little more love to give in their hearts.

Your cover of Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” has gained a lot of attention. What made you choose this song and how did you put your own spin on it?

I chose “Lovin’ You” because it’s the epitome of earthy love songs. I put a spin on it by just being myself while still honoring the original.

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The EP also includes a remix of your original song “Mi Amor.” Can you talk about the inspiration behind this song and its remixes?

The song itself was inspired by “The West Side Story” (which is why the lyrics are mostly in Spanish). The song is about falling in love in a world that often times breaks lovers apart.

The retro remixes were inspired by the 1989 musical movie “Teen Witch” where the main character had trouble finding love until she realized she always had the power to find love, she just had to find love within herself.

Your music has reached international success, particularly in the UK. How does it feel to have such a wide audience for your music?

It feels great that my music is reaching larger audiences. It shows that my God-fearing music is being embraced in a world that can be so heartless at times.

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You have been described as a Christian R&B artist. Can you tell us about the role of faith in your music?

God is everything in my music. God is love, which is why every song I sing is about love.

Can fans expect any live performances or tours in support of this EP?

Yes, towards the summer, I will be doing various live performances. Stay posted to my social media for performance dates!

What can we expect from HeIsTheArtist in the future? Any upcoming projects or collaborations to look out for?

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On May 10th I will be releasing a cover of “(At Your Best) You Are Love” by The Isley Brothers paired with a cinematic music video. I call this project “Dreaming In Emerald City 1.5” because it expands on the concepts that my EP “Dreaming In Emerald City” touched on.

www.artistecard.com/heistheartist

 

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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