Parenthood changes everything - but it doesn’t have to mean putting your creative dreams on hold. For many artist parents, music and family life do not exist in separate worlds; instead, they interact in surprising, beautiful and often chaotic ways.

In this exclusive parenting panel interview, we sit down with Madame Z - a musician, parent, and full time professional who has learned to navigate the ever shifting balance between raising a family and nurturing a creative career.

There’s a particular kind of urgency that runs through George Collins’s latest single “New Way.”

It’s not the urgency of rebellion for rebellion’s sake, but one of transformation — personal, societal and deeply generational.

On the surface, this song is a stomping, riff driven rocker with shades of Seven Nation Army and echoes of Springsteen’s resilience. But beneath its electric charge, George Collins shows himself as a songwriter who is not just working through the chaos of the modern world.

He is re-imagining it through the eyes of a father.

There’s something about a great rock song that makes you feel like you’re in motion, even when you’re standing still. Dan Lowe’s Creatures of the Radio has that kind of pull - the kind that makes you want to roll the windows down, let the wind whip through your hair, and get lost in a song that feels like it was made just for you.

For many musicians, creativity is a constant force - an instinct, a lifeline, a way of making sense of the world.

But when parenthood enters the picture, the creative process can shift in ways both unexpected and profound. Late-night songwriting sessions might be replaced with lullabies, and the once-solitary pursuit of music can become a family affair, filled with new voices, perspectives, and priorities.

Andrew Stonehome is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who knows this balance all too well. Originally from North Dakota and now based in Beaverton, Oregon, Andrew crafts catchy and retro-tinged pop-rock that resonates with emotion and introspection.

Collin Derrick is no stranger to the art of reinvention. From his early days touring the Southeast with the prog piano trio The Fire Tonight to his current role as a solo artist blending retro charm with modern indie pop, his career explores versatility and creativity.

As a producer and mix engineer, Collin has collaborated with Grammy winners Jeff Coffin and Nir Felder, as well as prominent artists like Offset and 2KBABY. His work spans genres and mediums, from synth-driven singles like “You’re Magic” to ambient tracks placed with Apple TV+.

Today, we are thrilled to sit down with Laura Baron, a powerhouse in indie folk and jazz whose music has captivated audiences with her powerful storytelling and genre-blending magic.

Laura’s career spans years of award-winning work, including her latest album, “Beauty in the Broken”, which has already drawn widespread acclaim for its delicate exploration of resilience, vulnerability, and the hidden beauty in life’s challenging moments.

George Collins’s “Songs for Grown Ups”

Marla Lewis, a New Jersey-born artist, has worn many hats throughout her remarkable career.

Known as a singer, songwriter, and dedicated educator, Marla's latest single “Te Quiero a Ti” stands out for its creativity and simplicity, as well as showing the deep love that drives her creative journey.

This enchanting track, offered in both Spanish and English versions, has sophisticated musical arrangements and impeccable vocals from Marla that come together to create a real warmth and romance.

Shelly Rudolph is a soulful vocalist whose powerful and captivating voice has made her a firm favorite in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, as well as around the world.

Paul Hashemi of Faint Halos releases latest single “Skyline Hill” from his upcoming album “I can see a million light.”

Karina Pardus is the President of the Female Composer Safety League, Chair of the Executive Committee of Mamas in Music, and works in music education as the Music Director of the Adults with Disabilities Program at Tanner Dance through the University of Utah.

We talk to Faint Halos’ Paul Hashemi