Crys Matthews / Heather Mae
Crys Matthews, a Nashville-based troubadour of truth, is a standout voice in the new wave of social justice music-makers. Blending Country, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass, she delivers powerful performances rooted in tradition and driven by honest, original lyrics. Matthews has earned praise for her ability to weave socially conscious themes with warmth and strength—”lifting spirits just when we need it most,” says ASCAP’s Eric Philbrook.
Her latest album, Reclamation, was inspired by a question posed at Folk Alliance International: “What is your tradition?” For Matthews—a North Carolina native and self-proclaimed poster child of intersectionality—the album is a deeply personal reflection on identity, heritage, and purpose. It’s a musical journey that amplifies unheard voices and affirms love and hope as pathways to justice.
Produced by Levi Lowry and recorded in Nashville, Reclamation features artists like Heather Mae, Kyshona, and Melody Walker, alongside top-tier musicians. As a preacher’s kid, a Black woman, a Butch lesbian, and a proud Southerner, Matthews uses her platform to reclaim space—for herself, for others, and for the South that shaped her.
Heather Mae isn’t just writing songs—she’s writing revolutions. A Nashville-based, award-winning artist-activist, Mae blends alt-rock grit, indie-pop hooks, and folk storytelling to create anthems of mental health, queer liberation, and radical joy. Her powerful live shows—part concert, part communal catharsis—are often described as “church without the religious trauma,” transforming any room into a space of healing and belonging.
