A troubadour of truth, Nashville resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. An award-winning, prolific lyricist and composer, Matthews blends Country, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. She is made for these times.
Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest
emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.”
Justin Hiltner of Bluegrass Situation adds, her gift is a "reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides." In her own words, Matthews says her mission is: "to amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice." Her new album is an embodiment of and a testament to that mission.
When Matthews attended a panel at Folk Alliance International in February of 2024, she heard a Scottish Folk artist inquire as to how many record labels pursue what the artist referred to as "music from my tradition," four words that intrigued Matthews. "I loved the idea of that. It seems like the best way to talk about music: what is your tradition, who are your people, what is the fabric of you?
A daughter of the South by way of Nashville now and North Carolina forever, and the
self-proclaimed poster child of intersectionality, Matthews is boldly answering those questions on her new album aptly titled Reclamation.
"This album is both sonically and ideologically the fullest representation of who I am as an artist and as a human," she says. A preacher's kid, a Black woman, a Butch lesbian, and a proud Southerner who sings social justice music right alongside 'traditional' Country and Americana music, Matthews is reclaiming not just of the space Black artists have been denied in Country and Americana music, not just of the space LGBTQ people have been denied in communities of faith, not just of the autonomy women have been denied over their own bodies, she is reclaiming the South that raised her.
https://www.crysmatthews.com/
IG: @crysmatthews
FB: crysmatthewsmusic
Heather Mae isn’t just writing songs—she’s writing revolutions. A genre-defying artist-activist, she fuses the grit of alternative rock, the infectious hooks of indie pop, and the storytelling depth of folk to craft anthems for the outsiders, the survivors, and the seekers of radical joy. Her music is an unflinching mirror reflecting the raw realities of mental health, queer liberation, survivor empowerment, and the fight for justice.
In 2025, Mae released WHAT THEY HID FROM ME (alternative) and kiss & tell (pop), a groundbreaking double album project that marks a bold return after years of transformation. These records dive into the pain of unlearning, the fire of self-discovery, and the freedom of living unapologetically. Brought to life by an all-women and nonbinary creative team in Nashville, the albums signal a powerful shift in both sound and structure.
Visceral, unfiltered, and deeply introspective, WHAT THEY HID FROM ME is Mae’s most revealing work yet. Produced by ZDAN and featuring an all-female band—including Grammy winner Allison Russell and the powerhouse duo SistaStrings—the album explores religious trauma, survival, and resilience. "What I Know Now" is a gut-wrenching survivor anthem that unpacks consent and self-blame, while "All’s Not Lost" transforms the daily battle with depression into a folk-rock catharsis. "Black Lives Do" is a searing call for racial justice, written from the perspective of someone whose partner is Black. With a fierce blend of Americana, alt-rock, and storytelling, WHAT THEY HID FROM ME confronts the past with clarity and courage.
If WHAT THEY HID FROM ME is the reckoning, kiss & tell is the radiant aftermath. Co-produced by Mae and Nashville’s pop mastermind Lollies (Timbaland, Hayley Williams), the album is a celebration of queer joy and unapologetic love. "take it slow" drips with R&B-infused sensuality featuring a rap verse from ATL’s Yani B Fly, while "shook" and "ode to joy" explode with hands-in-the-air euphoria. The breakout single, "Kissing Girls," released in June 2024, is both a bi-anthem and a love letter to LGBTQ+ folks who grew up in spaces where their queerness wasn’t an option.
Mae isn’t just releasing music—she’s reshaping the space around it. Every note, every lyric, every decision is an act of resistance in an industry that continues to sideline marginalized voices. These records aren’t just albums—they’re declarations.
With WHAT THEY HID FROM ME and kiss & tell, Mae plants a flag: for the misfits, the lovers, the fighters. For anyone who’s been told to quiet down. Her music is a fist in the air and a hand on your back. And with every show, every chorus, she reminds us:
We’re still here.
We’re still loud.
And we’re not going anywhere.
https://www.heathermae.net/
IG: @heathermaemusic
FB: heathermaemusic
6:30pm Doors, 7:30pm Show. Tickets $20 advance, $25 doors.
You may also like the following events from The Royal Room:
Also check out other
Arts events in Seattle,
Music events in Seattle,
Entertainment events in Seattle.
