Fraught is a sibling dream-pop duo blending jangle-pop, synthy atmospheres, and early ’90s college-radio energy. Discover their music, story, and sound on GRRRL Music. Fraught GENRE: Dream Pop RIYL: Alvvays, Beach House, Throwing Muses Upcoming Releases: 'Trace Of You' Out On 3/11 Fraught, the sibling dream-pop duo Kate and Brian McLaughlin, have been making music since their earliest days, harmonizing to the radio in the back seat of their parents’ CR-V on long family trips. Brian went on to found the platinum-selling indie rock band The Rare Occasions, best known for the viral hit song “Notion.” All this time, the brother and sister duo never stopped singing and playing instruments together whenever they visited home. Their weekend musical experimentations led to “Everyone’s a Fake,” the first demo they released together as Fraught. Now, Kate and Brian have reconvened, extending the sonic universe of their initial demo to a full EP. From jangle-pop belters to synthy dreamscapes, Fraught exudes the early 90’s college alternative sound of Throwing Muses and The La’s, while also building on contemporary influences like Alvvays, Winter, and Beach House. Fraught is here in 2026 whether or not the world is ready.

Tonii is a Los Angeles–based singer-songwriter creating ethereal indie R&B and alt-pop rooted in Black queer love, softness, and emotional honesty. Tonii GENRE: R&B RIYL: Jamila Woods, UMI, Ravyn Lenae Recent Releases: 'talk me thru it' '“talk me thru it” captures Tonii in full command of her artistry, delivering bold energy, sensual confidence, and undeniable presence.' - Cage Riot 'The song's lyrics embrace longing with honesty and accessibility, especially for anyone starved for more unapologetic, sweet, fun representation.' - Ear Milk Playlisted on Hidden Gems , Indie Measure , BREAKOUT INDIE Tonii is a Los Angeles–based singer-songwriter by way of Atlanta, Georgia, crafting music that lives in softness, sensuality, and emotional depth. Guided by her sultry voice, she moves through ethereal soundscapes and sweet melodies that mirror the complexity and rawness of her lyricism. Her work centers Black queer love, vulnerability, and radical self-expression, creating space for tenderness and honesty to exist without apology. Tonii’s songwriting feels intimate and expansive at once, blending dreamlike production with deeply personal storytelling. Over the last few years, she has steadily grown her audience through the dreamy ballads “Hesitation” and “Indulge,” songs that highlight her ability to make softness feel powerful. Her latest single, “soft,” continues that exploration, leaning into gentleness as both sound and statement. Through each release, Tonii invites listeners into a world where emotion is not hidden, love is celebrated in its fullness, and vulnerability becomes a form of strength.

Step inside Sam Fender’s sold-out night at Terminal 5 in New York City through the lens of photographer Stephanie Axelrod. Explore the full gallery capturing his powerful performance, raw emotion, and the energy of the crowd. Sam Fender Terminal 5 in NYC Photos By: Stephanie Axelrod

Prithvi Prakash is a Los Angeles–based artist blending indie pop, electronic music, and Indian classical influence. Over 400K streams and growing. Prithvi Prakash GENRE: Indie Pop/Electronic RIYL: Angie McMahon, Bear's Den, ASHWYN Upcoming Releases: 'Skeptical' Out On 2/27 Recent Releases: 'Ghost' Prithvi Prakash is an artist, songwriter, and producer shaped by a global musical upbringing. Born in Texas, raised in Bangalore, and now based in Los Angeles, her work reflects a fluid blend of cultures, traditions, and modern production. With over 15 years of training in Carnatic music, Prakash weaves Indian classical influence into indie pop and electronic soundscapes. A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Electronic Production and Design, Prakash approaches music with both technical precision and emotional intention. Drawing inspiration from artists like A. R. Rahman, Coldplay, and Lauv, her sound bridges cinematic melody, electronic texture, and classical depth. Over the past four years, Prakash has released ten singles, amassing over 400,000 streams across platforms while building a dedicated and growing fan base. Her work has been featured on Spotify editorial playlists including Women of Indie India, Fresh Finds India, and EDM India, and highlighted by outlets such as Rolling Stone India. At the core of Prithvi Prakash’s artistry is a commitment to immersive storytelling. Each release is crafted as a sonic narrative, inviting listeners into richly layered worlds designed to resonate emotionally and linger long after the music ends.

GRRRLs Backstage is GRRRL Music’s exclusive series featuring interviews with indie artists before and after their live shows! Join us as we fan GRRRL over our favorite emerging musicians, diving into behind-the-scenes stories, tour life, and creative journeys. Watch video interviews with the next big names in music, as we connect with them in candid conversations and bring you closer to the artists shaping the indie scene. 1 2 3 4 5

Tuvaband’s upcoming album Seven Ways of Floating blends delicate vocals with immersive production. We talk dreamscapes, dissociation, and emotional balance. Tuvaband Balancing wispy, layered vocals with moments of musical serenity, Norwegian artist Tuvaband builds a world where drifting into your own dreamscape feels entirely natural. Her upcoming album, Seven Ways of Floating, doesn’t just explore quiet, hushed sounds—it dives deep into the textures of sound itself. What might feel like an ASMR video is simply where Tuva exists creatively: in the space between softness and stillness. The quiet is so intentional, so tactile, that when her voice enters, it feels like a whisper echoing through a forest. The self-titled single, “Seven Ways of Floating,” sets the tone for the album—posing a haunting question: can floating and dissociation become survival tools? Can we truly be present while tuning out the chaos of the world around us? Or does that emotional drift risk pulling us further from ourselves—and each other? Through subtle, immersive production and introspective lyrics, Tuva uses every moment in her music to search for that delicate balance. What remains is a stunning, calming meditation on identity and escape. Seven Ways of Floating releases on all platforms on October 24, 2025. The title track is available to stream now. We spoke with Tuva about the album’s creative process, her 2026 tour, and what she hopes listeners will feel when they press play. Photo By: Daniel Almås Instagram Other Links GRRRL Music: Your new single and title track “Seven Ways of Floating” just dropped a few weeks ago—congrats! What inspired this song, and how does it set the tone for the rest of the album? Tuvaband: This was the first song I wrote for the album, and as I was writing it, it felt like an introduction to a new chapter of my life and the new album. I tend to use songwriting as a way to figure things out, as a way to reflect, digest, or mark an end or a start. Musically I was inspired by trip hop when I decided to replace the organic drums with electronic drums. Moving on from song to song, it felt natural to evolve from trip hop to hip hop, then to dub, and suddenly to waltz to break it up, and then to some other undefined type of beats and rhythms. The other elements in the songs were inspired by a lot of different genres and various music. GM: Your music always feels like a carefully constructed world—dreamlike, intimate, and full of texture. What were some of the key sonic elements or moods you wanted to explore on this album? T: I wanted to create soothing music, as I was trying to calm down and needed a rest. I also noticed people around me seemed to be in the same state, so I was hoping I could make music that could do the same for more people than myself. The world and the time we live in felt, and still feels, noisy and a little terrifying. Sometimes music can help, if only for a few minutes. I had an idea that I would add some sort of ASMR element to each song on the album, both for that tingling feeling and for extra texture. GM: The atmosphere of “Seven Ways of Floating” is incredibly ethereal and cinematic. Do visuals ever play a role in your creative process, even before the music videos? T: When I made this album, I had this little obsession with images of flower fields and various nature landscapes. I had them as backgrounds on my computer, phone and as temporary cover art in the music player for the album. I also made a lot of moodboards for the album with these photos. I imagined myself being in a lot of dream-like places that didn't exist, as I was trying to fall to sleep, and while I was creating the music. I think this played a role in the music. GM: The title Seven Ways of Floating is poetic and open-ended. Can you share any insight into the “seven ways” referenced in the album title? T: When I started on this album, I had a real holiday for the first time in a very long time. I was swimming and just floating around in the sea in various ways, trying to find some peace. Each night, when I was struggling to sleep, I also imagined myself floating weightless either in the air or in water. I thought a lot about the term 'floating' and all the meanings to it. Suddenly this sentence just popped up in my mind before writing this first song, and stayed with me for the whole album process. In the songs on the album I am kind of reflecting on how we can transfer the floating to real life. I realized during the process that quests like this might as well end up in a typical western self-absorption, which is a little ironic; as caring for others, and being with other people, is one of the most important ingredients to balance and happiness. GM: With a 2026 tour already mapped out across Europe—and possibly the U.S. and China—what are you most looking forward to about bringing this album to the stage? T: These days I'm thinking a lot about how to play this album live. For some years now I really wanted to show off how this solo project sounded like with a full live band. I somehow wanted to present it like a rock band live, after playing quiet duo and solo shows for some years. Now I feel free to do something different, as the music is also a little bit different. I'm thinking a lot about vocal layers, like the ones presented on the last song of the album. GM: Lastly, for listeners just discovering Tuvaband through this single—what’s the one thing you hope they take away from your music? T: The dream scenario would be that the music could be of help or relief in any sort of way. Or if some of my previous songs could lead to any new thoughts and reflections, that would be great.

Baby Bulldog is a queer weirdo-pop/rock artist with music featured in Ginny & Georgia, Love, Victor, and Shrill, and touring drummer for Zayn Malik. Baby Bulldog GENRE: Indie Rock RIYL: Wet Leg, The Regrettes, Remi Wolf Upcoming Release: 'Ride' Out On 2/20/26 Baby Bulldog is an undeniably exciting weirdo-pop/rock, queer performer, songwriter, and drummer whose work lives at the intersection of chaos, charm, and raw honesty. With an auto-tune–free, playful approach to songwriting and production, she blends ear-worm choruses, quirky lyricism, and an unfiltered sound that feels both rebellious and deeply human. Her music has been featured in major television series including Ginny & Georgia, Love, Victor, and Shrill, and she made an acting appearance in Showtime’s The L Word: Generation Q. Beyond her solo work, Baby Bulldog (aka Steph) is also the touring drummer for Zayn Malik (One Direction), bringing her high-energy musicianship to some of the world’s biggest stages. As an artist, Baby Bulldog embraces imperfection and individuality, crafting songs that are bold, weird, and unapologetically fun. Her sound rejects polish in favor of personality, inviting listeners into a world where vulnerability and humor coexist, and where being different is the point.

Dulce is a Philadelphia-based Pop R&B artist blending empowerment and vulnerability through genre-fluid, fearless music and bold performances. Dulce GENRE: R&B RIYL: Jazmine Sullivan, Amaarae, Tinashe Recent Releases: 'MOTHA' 'Materials' Dulce is a rising Pop R&B star born and raised in New York City, now based in Philadelphia. Her music lives at the intersection of empowerment and vulnerability, blending genre fluid sounds that celebrate self worth, sensuality, and resilience. From high energy anthems like MOTHA to stripped back, emotionally raw ballads, Dulce’s performances reclaim space for femmes, queer folks, and anyone who’s ever been told they’re too much. An accomplished songwriter, Dulce won the 2020 ASCAP Harold Adamson Lyric Award and has written for artists including INIKO, Hydra, Leaf, and more. Beyond music, she is a co-founder of Project HUE, a nonprofit providing safe, affirming spaces for displaced LGBTQ+ youth. Her work both on and off stage reflects a lifelong commitment to community, empowerment, and representation. On stage, Dulce’s performances feel like a late-night phone call with your favorite cousin, intimate, hilarious, and unexpectedly healing. She has opened for artists like Clay, Tears and Gearz, Bentley Robles, and Zee Machine, and has performed at Lancaster Pride. Her bold, authentic presence and deeply relatable lyrics are quickly earning her a devoted following.

At the Shabang Festival, GRRRL Music caught up with DJ Mandy, aka Amanda Shultz, a UC Berkeley student known for her viral TikTok mixes. Mandy shared her journey from accidental internet fame to serious DJ aspirations, blending humor with music across genres like house, techno, and jazz. With her sights set on Coachella and a collaboration with Peggy Gou, Mandy’s future looks bright. DJ Mandy Amanda Shultz, widely recognized as DJ Mandy, has carved out a unique niche as perhaps the internet's most delightfully offbeat DJ. Balancing her studies as a full-time student at UC Berkeley with her growing career as a DJ and producer, Mandy resides in California. Her claim to fame stems from her knack for crafting viral-worthy mixes on TikTok, where she seamlessly blends an eclectic array of genres and sounds in ways that are both innovative and comedic. Drawing inspiration from a diverse spectrum of music, encompassing everything from house and techno to jazz and classical, Mandy's goal is to foster a sense of unity through the universal language of music, infused with her signature comedic flair. Amanda Shultz, widely known as DJ Mandy, balances her full-time studies at UC Berkeley in California with her thriving career as a DJ and producer. Renowned for her unique style, she has gained fame on TikTok for her innovative and humorous mixes, weaving together a wide spectrum of genres and sounds. Drawing inspiration from diverse musical influences such as house, techno, jazz, and classical, Mandy aims to foster unity and joy through her music (and comedic flair). GRRRL Music: Hi Mandy! I have been a big fan of yours for a while, and I am so happy I got to watch your silent disco set in the rain! How are you today? DJ MANDY: I'm doing really good! It's a nice day! Photo Credit: Provided By Artist GM: You just finished your silent disco set. How did it go? DJM: It was really fun. I never played a silent disco or, really attended one, but it was good vibes for-sure. It was cold and muddy and I felt bad for the people not covered, but I hope everyone's body heat and energy kept them all warm haha! GM: Let's do a recap - if we go all the way back, your Tik Tok blew up by accident. You combine comedy with music, memes, pop culture humor etc.. Where did you kind of get that idea? Did you always know you wanted to DJ? Did you just want to have fun? DJM: Yeah, I never saw myself going into music or DJing. So, it was very impulsive. I started watching Boiler Room sets and getting into house music and watching those sets all the time because I was bored. And then I thought, “oh, I should try this”. I had also seen I'm not the first one that came up with funny remixes and jingles. So I saw other people doing it. I wanted to try it too. And then my videos just started blowing up for some reason… who knows? The algorithm is crazy!I just got lucky, I guess. Then once that started happening, I was like, “whoa, I kind of want to take it seriously.” I know I've always loved music and I kind of want to see what happens! GM: So this is your first Shabang? DJM: It is! GM: Is this the first festival you've played for? DJM: This is the first festival I've ever been to! Yeah. I have never been to Coachella or anything. So I guess the first festival I've gone to, I've also played for, which is crazy. This has been really fun. It's such good vibes. I think Shabang is a good first festival to go to! GM: Who has inspired your DJ career so far? What prompted you to even start? DJM: I mean, honestly, seeing so many different sets on YouTube. The first “DJ channel" I saw who had posted hour-long sets, was “Book Club Radio”. I love them. I just met them recently & they're so cool. I'm obsessed & was fangirling. They're one of the main reasons I started getting into the DJ world. Then I started listening to house music artists, such as Peggy Gou & I also love Mall Grab. So, those types of artists are how I started getting into it. GM: What's been your biggest challenge so far? DJM: My biggest challenge, I guess, is kind of the fact that most people know me for being like a “joke” on the internet kind of thing, which I totally get. Because obviously that's what my first stuff was when I was blowing up. But, it's just weird that some people do not know I “actually DJ”... So I am definitely trying to make it a more serious thing. GM: Who is your dream collaboration or dream venue for the future? DJM: Oh that's hard. I mean, my dream venue would definitely be Coachella. GM: I can so see you playing the best set at the Do-Lab DJM: That's totally a vibe. My dream artists I would collaborate with would have to be Peggy Gou. Just because I feel like she's just an icon. I look up to her so much & she's killing it right now. I feel like having more POC & women in such a male dominated & white male dominated space is obviously so important. GM: Do you have any advice for younger girls who want to get into the DJ space? DJM: I would say, this may sound stupid, but literally just start trying. I think starting is the hardest part. And then once you take that initial first little step, it could open new doors for you. Just don't be afraid to put yourself out there even if it's a different route. Just try new things. GM: Since you are a student attending UC Berkeley - I am assuming you play college parties or college shows? Do you get nervous? DJM: I've played a couple of frat parties there and just like a local venues type thing. I like it because I know a lot of the people attending, and I have a lot of friends there, so it's so awesome. That is my community, you know? I totally get nervous about everything. I feel like most people do. But I really like the college crowd because I'm in college so I feel like it's just my people! GM: What artist are you loving right now? DJM: I listen to literally everything. So I've recently been obsessed with SZA. I've been listening to her album “SOS” on repeat. GM: May we ask if you will be releasing new music anytime soon? DJM: Yes, I have been working on new stuff! Hopefully going to release original music very, very soon. That is my main priority right now. GM: What is your favorite kind of music genre(s) to remix? DJM: House is my favorite! But specifically, I really like mixing in the piano. I think instruments and the piano brings a different kind of richness to tracks. Saxophone or brass instruments…I just love the classical sounds. Then taking that into electronic music is probably my favorite. GM: What is your thought process when you're crafting your sets? How did you plan what to play for Shabang? DJM: I usually like keeping tracks where people will know some of the songs and be able to sing along. But then I also like bringing in unique, random tracks I find that are fun to dance to and stuff like that. So I try to make a balance. I'll make a playlist of a balance of all that, and then just see the vibes as I'm playing. I see what people like. GM: Do you have any intrusive thoughts when you're playing a set? DJM: When I'm playing, obviously I'm thinking, “airhorn! airhorn!” or “I want to hit this random button” haha! I will do that sometimes, but I can't overdo it. I'm dancing between a fine line of, “the airhorn is on brand for me, but I am also working on being taken seriously!” GM: Of course, that makes total sense. We all love a good airhorn moment ! Mandy, thank you so much for being here today. We at GRRRL are huge fans & I was so stoked to see your set! Instagram Other Links

Meet Your Next Favorite Artist is GRRRL Music’s longest-running series, featuring video interviews with exciting up-and-coming artists from around the globe. Get a quick introduction as artists answer fun questions like their go-to karaoke song and share insights into their creative process. Discover the freshest talent in indie music and put these rising stars on your radar—you won’t want to miss them! Meet Your Next Favorite Artist Our longest running series, Meet Your Next Favorite Artist is a video interview with some of the most exciting up & coming artists from around the globe. Designed to be a quick introduction, the artists dive into questions like 'your go-to karaoke song' or 'what's the importance of collaboration to your process'. Put these artists on your radar, you won't want to miss them. SIESKI AINJO EMMY ADELLE HAMISH ANDERSON LULLANAS GIRLI BRYONY WILLIAMS CXLOE CELINE LOVE KYSHONA ESSENCE MARTINS KELI HOLIDAY CHLOE PARCHE SABRINA SONG JETTA MOONSEA HANA EID JORDYN TAREAZ JADE LEMAC AVA KING ANITA. HOLLOW HEAD MOLLY MILLINGTON More Ali Wolverton GENRE: Sad Girl Pop Ali Wolverton GENRE: Sad Girl Pop Ali Wolverton GENRE: Sad Girl Pop