Music
Maggie Szabo Releases Pride Anthem for Trans Youth, “Don’t Give Up”

Prolific songwriter and pop powerhouse, Maggie Szabo, has released her popular Pride anthem, “Don’t Give Up” on DSPs for the first time. This beautifully authentic and heartfelt song is dedicated to transgender youth around the world who live in fear and suffer from rejection and exclusion. The uplifting pop anthem’s music video was originally released in 2017, catching the attention of many, including Billboard and the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles. Szabo was then invited to film a live performance of the song with the Chorus for LA Pride. It went on to be featured by The Advocate, praised by the Huffington Post, PopDust, and is still performed live on stage at Pride events. Video proceeds are donated to the Ali Forney Center, supporting homeless, LGBTQIA+ youth. May 20, 2022, is the first time the audio has been available on all platforms.
“We should all be treated equally and with love, no matter our gender identity, who we love, where we come from, and what we look like,” said Szabo. “Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed many situations where that’s just not the case, and that’s where the inspiration for ‘Don’t Give Up’ came from. Since writing the song, I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to perform it with the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles at countless fundraisers, Prides, and various events around southern California. Too many stories have been shared with me where transgender youth are being discarded by their family and forced to live on the street. It’s really opened my eyes – even more – about the importance of awareness for the Trans community.”
Szabo has dedicated her career to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, using her music and online platform to conquer social injustice and fight for equity. Her single “Rebuild,” released in June 2021, was featured by Yahoo! and named a 2021 Pride Jam by Queerty. The music video was directed by a trans woman (Alexa Best), stars a trans woman (Dr. Kathryn Davis), and follows Kathryn’s struggles, from losing her job and being forced to detransition, to her nearly fatal emergency surgery, which was her wakeup call.
Originally from Canada, Szabo’s hit single ‘My Oh My’ was named Stingray Radio’s “Trending Track” in Oct. 2021 and hit the Canada Hot AC Chart at #27 (alongside Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, and Adele), taking over radio throughout Canada.
In addition to releasing her own music, Szabo is a choice songwriter in the industry, writing with and for the best. Her latest hit,“SloMo”, written by Szabo, Leroy Sanchez, Keith Harris, Ibere Fortes, and Arjen Thonen, came in third at the internationally known Eurovision Song Contest, May 10-14, 2022. Maggie is also a co-writer on the “Welcome to Eden” soundtrack (#2 Netflix show in the U.S.).
If you think this is your first time hearing of Szabo, you’ve likely heard her music in notable films and on TV networks such as E!, Disney, ABC, NBC, and Netflix.
Keep Up with Maggie Szabo: Website - Tik Tok - Instagram - Youtube - Spotify – Facebook - Twitter – Soundcloud
Artist Spotlight
“Little Louis” by Tom Collins turns an introspective heartache into life’s hopeful anthem

Tom Collins presents himself as a captivating talent and noteworthy figure in contemporary songwriting, distinguished for conveying essential lifelines through his music. With his newest single, “Little Louis,” the rising indie artist has created something even more profound, luminous, and truly unforgettable, effectively exploring themes such as vulnerability and defiance. It marks an impressive advancement in his artistic evolution, exhibiting a blend of lyrical sincerity and nuanced storytelling that may soon establish him as a prominent vocalist within the timeless indie genre.
Upon the initial guitar strum of “Little Louis,” listeners are introduced to intricate guitar work and musical elements reminiscent of a late-night introspective revelation. As the composition progresses, it transforms into a resonant anthem for the morning, encapsulating the experiences of two young hearts, one boy and one girl, each burdened by challenging beginnings as they endeavor to move beyond the influences of their pasts towards uncertain futures. This track is a subtle yet powerful testament to those who courageously pursue their aspirations in a society that frequently neglects their struggles. It embodies the essence of a quietly confident anthem, symbolizing the journey of an individual who’s lived a little, experienced difficulties, and still dares to dream.
What makes “Little Louis” particularly special is its emotional duality, skillfully balancing elements of grit with tenderness and grandeur with intimacy, while simultaneously offering glimpses of hope. The chorus carries an undercurrent of resilience that resonates with the listener long after the final note fades. The composition establishes a dynamic tension by effectively contrasting themes of pain and perseverance, while juxtaposing the haunting shadows of the past with an aspirational quest for light. The instrumentation is rich yet tastefully restrained, featuring jangling guitar riffs, sweeping melodies, and deeply relatable lyricism, thereby fostering a visceral connection to the narrative for the audience.
Collins’ artistic trajectory aligns favorably with contemporaneous artists like Sam Fender, whose narrative-driven songwriting resonates with audiences similarly. He draws influences from Jamie Webster and The Hunna, both known for their sophisticated melodies and polished production techniques. Collins is navigating a grounded and humanistic path within the music industry, and his track “Little Louis” exemplifies this perspective. The song explores themes of heartbreak, the search for existential significance, and the innate desire for an introspective connection. It serves as a poignant reminder of the shared struggle for companionship and understanding amid life’s inherent challenges, positioning it as an essential inclusion for any discerning music enthusiast’s repertoire.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Tom Collins’ “Little Louis“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Tom Collins | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | Facebook |
Artist Spotlight
PURE XTC stirs the emotional wheel of heartbreak with her anthemic new single “Drive”

Alt-pop artist PURE XTC has delivered a heart-wrenching ballad with her latest single “Drive,” the sonic embodiment of emotional unraveling. This track doesn’t just play through your speakers; it resonates deep within your bones, showcasing PURE XTC’s most cinematic moment yet that feels like the soundtrack to a breakup you didn’t see coming until it was already behind you.
Co-written by Taylor Hughes with lyrical contributions from Mariel Loveland, “Drive” encapsulates the gut-wrenching moment when love unravels quietly, culminating in a profound realization. It deviates from the typical narratives of angry outbursts or dramatic breakdowns; instead, it focuses on the slow deterioration of love, capturing the ache of recognizing that someone you once believed was your forever has become a stranger sitting beside you. It conveys a sense of surrender wrapped in reverb, portraying a state of being too exhausted to fight, too numb to hope, and simply ready to move on, not necessarily forward, but away.
Musically, the track features hypnotic synths and reverb-drenched guitars that shimmer like streetlights on wet pavement. The steady beat mimics the rhythm of a long drive with no destination, fueled solely by the urge to keep moving. Hughes’ vocal performance paints a vivid soundscape that feels like emotional release in motion, a moody companion for late-night solitude.
What makes “Drive” compelling is its honest restraint and refusal to glamorize heartbreak. Instead, it embraces the ambiguity and messy emotions involved in letting go, ironically making it resonate even more. The vulnerability present isn’t just in the lyrics; it permeates every layered sound and tension that never quite resolves.
PURE XTC isn’t merely creating music; she’s building an intimate and vast sonic universe. With this release, she solidifies her status as a master of emotional storytelling through sound, demonstrating her ability to transform the messiest feelings into something beautifully haunting. Buckle up as she invites listeners into her world, one that lingers long after the last note fades.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM PURE XTC’s “Drive“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH PURE XTC | Instagram | TikTok |
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