Push-Up Bra LA: Empowering artists and community
Book More Women chats with Push-Up Bra LA founder Zealyn after their sold out Support the Girls Fest
When you think of a push-up bra, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Similar to their namesake, nonprofit organization Push-Up Bra LA started as a showcase aimed to support the next generation of femme artists and fans alike through their events from live concert showcases to songwriting camps and mentorship programs.
In March, Book More Women attended the sold out Support the Girls Fest featuring indie pop acts like Carol Ades, Debbii Dawson, Ally Salort, and more artists performed, and roamed and engaged with fans while excited attendees poured in. Each set was engaging, interactive, and a genuinely good time. Performances felt intimate and intentional, across both stages. Whether it was an acoustic melody or a track everyone could dance to, it was clear that everyone attending wanted to be there - which may not happen as often as you’d think.
We sat down with Push-Up Bra LA founder Zealyn to understand how the unique energy of the event and organization came to be. Read below!
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As Zealyn told us,
“The biggest goal was to create shows that were for the artist and not just the fans.”
This was new to me. In an industry where money talks, artists who aren’t in the first few lines of lineups often get left behind. As an artist who has been through her own journey, Zealyn knows this all too well. This knowledge drives her to provide and care for the artists she features at Push-Up Bra LA events. Artists are welcomed, taken care of, and advocated for.
Their intention is to “provide performance AND content opportunities.”
Not only does Push-Up Bra LA tap into local scenes to book artists of varying identities, followings, and genres, they also support these artists with content creation at the events. While it is standard to take photos and conduct an interview, I was impressed at the intentional content support provided by Push-Up Bra LA to the featured artists.
We all know how stressful, time intensive, and hard to navigate media can be; especially for an artist towards the beginning of their career. Larger events and festivals could take note here and support their independent, younger acts in ways past providing them a slot.
“Note to artists: have some type of email listed somewhere!”
For practical advice as someone who has been on lineups and creates them, Zealyn urges newer artists to list an email “SOMEWHERE - ANYWHERE!” Make yourself easy to reach (most other talent buyers / promoters will not do the passionate, investigative A&R Zealyn and her team will ;).
Quick hits from our conversation:
Zealyn’s favorite venues:
“If you would have asked me six years ago it would have been very different answers… R.I.P Bootleg and The Satellite. Now Goldiggers, I love Goldiggers. Great for an intimate show with up and coming artists!”
What local artists should we be watching?
“Oh man, there are so many… Some that come to mind first are The Two Lips, Carol Ades, Niko Rubio, After, Baby Rose, Jessie Mazin, The Aces, Ally Evenson, Zina Delphia, Maeta, Kid Sistr, and Hailey Knox (she’s no longer in LA, but had to give her a shout out. So talented). I will forever be in awe of Lindsey Lomis and Sarah Defney Gray’s voices. And I’m so glad Eli and Amelia Moore are popping off - both incredible!”
Favorite place to eat after an event/show?
“In n Out. Always.”
Thank you to Zealyn and Push Up Bra LA!
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