Explore the genre-defying musical journey of Akira Galaxy, who weaves dream pop with indie rock and draws inspiration from unexpected places.  Isabel Neumann, Photos by Erica Snyder  Indie rock and SXSW artist Akira Galaxy’s journey into music began at the age of 3 when she attended her first concert. Surrounded by melodies, inspired by her father’s expansive record collection and fueled by a creative impulse that ignited at a young age, Akira embarked on her journey as a musician.  Akira reminisces about her formative years, recounting how she penned her first song at the age o ..read more

Hip-hop fans gathered on March 13 at Stubbs venue to celebrate the release of the music documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told. Photo courtesy of Hulu By Hannah Nuñez. Photos by Hannah Nuñez Freaknik: a portmanteau of picnic and freak. It was a time for many late Gen Xers and early Millennials to express their wild sides while celebrating culture and community. After a long development cycle, the documentary about one of the country’s most iconic neighborhood functions made its debut at the 2024 SXSW film festival. The kickoff concert party, hosted by Hulu and Mass Appeal, served t ..read more

Sponsored Content The Greatness Agency and You Are Magic Media Shannan Hale, Jessica Campos and Micki Gram: the powerhouse team at The Greatness Agency and You Are Magic Media. These business women are experts in transforming brands through innovative social content, engaging community management and compelling storytelling via video. They work with businesses looking to enhance their digital footprint and want a practical alternative to hiring a full marketing team, reducing overhead while effectively boosting brand presence and impact. When not creating some magic, you’ll find the team imme ..read more

As night deepens on a rainy Thursday, not even conference fatigue could tamp the energy on Stubbs’ back patio. Photo courtesy of SXSW By Cy White, Photos by Cy White Rule #1 of SXSW: Pace Yourself Anyone who attends SXSW will tell you it can be a draining prospect. Pushing yourself every day to attend the conference, oftentimes starting earlier in the day with morning sessions, then ending early the next (music showcases, in particular, often wrap up at 2 a.m.). It’s not for the weak, or certainly not for those who don’t have a battle plan from the moment they buy a badge or wristband. It’s al ..read more

Rising band wilt stuns at Women That Rock showcase. By Bella Larralde. Photos by Bella Larralde As charismatic lead singer Chelsea Rifkin interacts with the crowd, encouraging the audience to sing the lyrics of an unreleased song back to her, the energy is electric. People clap, and the lights bare down on guitarists Aaron Liebman and Andrew Perrea as they begin their riffs. Bassist Jake Shpiner accompanies them, holding the heavy tone, and drummer Dan Bermudez immerses himself in the beat. This is the makings of a band that rocks. On March 13, Austin Monthly co-hosted Women that Rock’s fourt ..read more

Sponsored Content The Kindness Campaign | Kind Leader Photo by Joi Conti Aryana Dubey is a high school senior at Westlake High School and the creator of KindMind, a survey-based platform that evaluates stress, anxiety and mental health factors, then offers recommendations and resources for help. KindMind has an AI-powered chatbot that offers a listening ear and actionable tools for the user. “The chatbot can prompt the user to self-reflect so they can better understand what they’re feeling; then it can tailor advice to the user’s individual circumstances. For example, the chatbot could ask the ..read more

Sponsored Content Refine Aesthetics | Owner Photo by Yvonne Uwah Courtney Gill, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant and owner of Refine Aesthetics, a boutique medspa in downtown Austin. Refine offers an array of services from revitalizing injectables to transformative skin treatments and much more. After practicing as a dermatology PA-C for nine years, in October 2019, Gill experienced a rare heart attack called spontaneous coronary artery dissection 12 days after giving birth. Through this experience, she realized that life is short, so going after what you want now is the only way ..read more

Sponsored Content First United Bank | Market President Photo by Yvonne Uwah Stephanie Verdugo is a highly respected banking professional with 25-plus years of experience in the commercial banking industry. Her acclaim stems from a profound grasp of capital requirements, offering invaluable counsel for the expansion of local enterprises. She is renowned for her deep understanding of business needs and building lasting relationships with her clients. Verdugo’s dedication to excellence has made her a well-respected figure, currently serving as market president of First United Bank, where she has ..read more

Sponsored Content UT Health Austin | Obstetrician-Gynecologists Photo courtesy of UT Health Denise Johnson, M.D.; Justine Reilly, M.D.; and Karla Maguire, M.D., are UT Health Austin board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists in Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. Johnson, Reilly and Maguire hold faculty positions in the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health at UT Austin, where they help educate and train the next generation of women’s health experts. They provide specialized care for women across all stages of their lives, including b ..read more

Sponsored Content Bollier Ciccone LLP | Partner and Co-Founder Photo by Joi Conti Leslie J. Bollier is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is known for her courageous and compassionate advocacy in complex and contested family law issues. A trusted and confident leader, Leslie empowers clients through life’s toughest challenges. As a dedicated female business owner, she extends her influence by actively supporting community and philanthropic efforts, embodying the firm’s commitment to service and empowerment. bclawtx.com The post Woman to Watch: Leslie ..read more