What better way to boost morale and celebrate Women’s History Month than hearing four amazing artists sing about sisterhood!
KT Tunstall (Grammy nominee with hit song “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”), LOLO (Broadway singer who wrote “High Hopes” for Panic At The Disco), Nikki Vianna (singer/songwriter), and Devyn De Loera (co-wrote the single) have banded together with The Highland Park Collective (owned by Morgan Dorr of “Boys Like Girls”) in partnership with Sony to release “Together We Are Stronger,” the new anthem of female empowerment. The powerful anthem has been adopted by the United Nation’s Gender Equality Initiative to promote Women’s Equality and Empowerment on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2021) as part of WE ALL RISE.
FWM: Tell us about what life has been like for you over the past few years.
I have found myself wanting to re-prioritize my time. I definitely want to spend more time at home being creative and rooting down rather than constantly being on the road. I live at the top of the hill in Topanga Canyon in Los Angeles and have a home studio, so it’s a heavenly place to spend my days! Obviously, this last year has been wildly different from any other year I’ve ever experienced. It’s been so sad witnessing the hardship and heartbreak that this past year has caused so many people, and I’ve been sorry to not be be able to play for all the people looking forward to shows that have been postponed. In my own life, I have embraced the forced break and have made the most of every minute at home, adopted a gorgeous little doggy which I’ve always wanted to do, bought a bunch of house plants which I’ve never been able to look after before, and flexed my creative muscles in different directions which has all been really nourishing. So thankfully I can say it has been a positive time for me.
FWM: It is Women’s History Month. What is your best advice for young women today?
When we talk about feminism and female strength, I feel like the conversation is often focused around being completely independent, and strength as something hard and willful. I love what Brené Brown says about vulnerability; she says that strength and vulnerability are really the same thing, and I agree, that the bravest, boldest, hardest, and strongest thing to do is to be honest and vulnerable. So I would encourage young women to be absolutely and unapologetically themselves, whatever that looks like, and that being yourself takes great strength, especially when that doesn’t necessarily look the same as how the world around you may perceive the words ‘strong woman’.
“Music is an amazing connective tissue in the world, especially at this time when we can’t all be together in person.”
FWM: You have a powerful new anthem coming out. Tell us about “Together We Are Stronger.”
It’s been very fun being part of creating a banging group anthem for International Women’s Day while facing the adversity and forced isolation of the lockdown, and also so fun to work with 3 brilliant artists I’ve never even met in person yet! Music is an amazing connective tissue in the world, especially at this time when we can’t all be together in person.
FWM: Can you share a favorite verse in the song?
I LOVE my rap! It’s so full of attitude. I think my favorite line is, “I don’t care if I sound a little rude.” As a Scottish woman, that line sits well with my heart!!
FWM: What does women’s empowerment mean to you?
Women’s empowerment to me means being able to move through this world as a woman in whatever way, shape or form you choose, without judgment or criticism for simply being who and what you are, and enjoying equal opportunities to live the life you dream of. Every person deserves respect, dignity, and opportunity to be their best selves. There is still a huge gender disparity in our world, and I hope for a time when there is no need left to fight to elevate all women to a place of equality, dignity, and success.”
FWM: Share your new projects in 2021.
I am currently working on my first Musical Theater project which is hugely challenging, but I’m absolutely loving it! I’m also working on the third record in a trilogy based on soul, body, and mind.
