September 23rd, 2022 7pm Stage 2
Kelly Monrow
Kelly Monrow has lived through more than most do in a lifetime. The Texas native, who now splits her time between New York and Nashville, has endured two near-death experiences, one divorce, a rocky childhood and several career paths before she ultimately found her calling as a country singer. Monrow credits an ayahuasca ceremony in Joshua Tree after her divorce and a transcendental experience with chocolate mushrooms during the COVID-19 lockdown for realizing her musical purpose.
The truth is Monrow, also known in the acting world as Kelly Dowdle for her roles in “Billions,” “Lucifer” and “American Crime Story,” was always creative. At 19, she spent three months in New York to model. While she attended the University of Texas at Austin, Monrow studied radio, television and film and started doing independent films. She also appeared in Lonestar’s music video for “You’re Like Comin’ Home.”
Monrow says she feels a responsibility to pursue music for the women before her who have given up on their dreams to do what society often expects of them. “There's a level of me that feels it’s my birth assignment to do this, to fulfill that destiny,” she says. “I want to finish what a lot of women didn't start and didn't get to finish. … It feels almost like a service.”
She’s accomplishing just that. In less than six months of launching her music career, Monrow has amassed more than 2 million streams and more than 160,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. In March 2022 Monrow made her performance debut at South By Southwest in Austin, a full-circle moment for the young girl from the Lone Star State.
“I’ve been working a year to muster up the courage to do this,” she says. “I've manifested all this in two years. I’m having a blast creating and birthing these songs.”
For Monrow, the sky’s the limit. She’s finally embraced her authentic self and by doing so found her true calling in life – country singer.
Lanz Pierce
Lanz pierce is a rapper, singer, and director who was discovered and signed a decade ago by none other than Jimmy Lovine on Interscope records. She released three albums (Point Of No Return, Editors Eye, and Los City); toured with Snoop Dogg; collaborated with Juicy J , Three-Six-Mafia, battled on Sway in the Morning; won the BMI 'Who's Next' Songwriters on the Rise award alongside then budding Lady Gaga and has worked closely with the legendary producer/guitarist Nile Rodgers. The multi-hyphenate artist has directed music videos for Nelly, Kat Deluna, as well as brand campaigns for Sephora. Recent shows include SXSW, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits. Her current company LuminaryCreativeAgencyalso helps other artists and brands launch and tell their own story.