#LetTheGirlsPlay: Kacey Musgraves’ Hands-On Approach Inspires Maybe April
Like every #LetTheGirlsPlay artist, Maybe April are quick to give credit to the women who came before them. They admire the legends, but also appreciate the efforts of relative newcomers like Kacey Musgraves. The "Follow Your Arrow" singer is a modern-day trailblazer.
September's featured act of the month collectively agree that Musgraves' commitment to an original style is inspiring. She's remained true to her sound and protected her artistry, despite demands to lean into the mainstream. Maybe April's sound also lives on the edges of country music. Depending on the day and song, you could call them Americana or country.
“We just wanna do our thing,” Katy Bishop says as her bandmates Kristen Castro and Alaina Stacey nod or voice agreement. “I don’t think we wanna force ourselves to fit into where radio is going to play us.”
A female artist like Musgraves is a shining light through dark clouds. There has been progress for women in country music over the last 18 months, but challenges remain, especially for females who won't budge from who they are to chase that elusive radio hit. The Texan is a singer who makes sure she has her hands in every aspect of her career, and that's something else Maybe April admire.
“She’s definitely out-of-the-box for what country is right now," Castro says. "She’s paving her own way, and everybody’s like ‘That’s cool!’”
Look for Maybe April regularly at Monday night Song Suffragettes singer-songwriter rounds at the Listening Room in Nashville. It's a safe and exciting place for female artists to come and share their ideas, music and perspective. It's an all-for-one, one-for-all approach that's given a boost of confidence to dozens of young female musicians in Nashville.
Watch Maybe April Sing "Too Late"