A Community Built to Uplift and Support Femme Creatives in LA

Zealyn, founder of Push-Up Bra LA, pictured on the left. Photo by Ashley Crichton (IG @_ashley_crichton_)

The pandemic hit musicians hard, especially those just starting to gain traction. For some, it was a time for reflection and songwriting. For others, it brought anxiety and self-doubt. For Zealyn, it felt like the universe was telling her to pause her plans. Just days before the national emergency was declared, the LA-based artist and songwriter launched her new showcase, Push-Up Bra LA, which has since become a nonprofit.

“It was clear this showcase was built around the artists. It aimed to pay them, provide content, and create a great experience with their fans,” she said. “It’s the dream showcase for an artist to feel respected and valued in an industry where that’s rare.”

Once the pandemic struck, Push-Up Bra LA went on a temporary hiatus. Zealyn admitted, “It was discouraging to have such a successful first event and then suddenly stop. It felt like that was it.”

Many organizers might have called it quits, but not Zealyn. In 2023, she got a nudge from her friend and now team member, Natalie Lane, to give it another shot.

“I think it was such an important event that people remembered it. Suddenly, it was selling out again,” Zealyn shared. “It felt like no time had passed when we brought it back in 2023.”

The Artist's Perspective

Zealyn has been an artist for most of her career. While she’s grateful for every opportunity, her experience organizing events made her realize that artists deserve more than they usually receive.

“I’ve played every showcase in LA, and they all end up costing me money,” she said. “You pay your band, gas, food, and rehearsal space. You’re losing money, yet the showcase wouldn’t happen without you. It’s literally happening because artists say yes to it, right?”

“The night wouldn’t happen if the artist didn’t say yes, yet they’re not getting paid anything. They're losing money.”

She recalled a show where she covered the marketing costs and secured ticket sales. But when she arrived at the venue, there was little thought given to the band’s needs. No safe place for bags, no free water, and a sound engineer more interested in talking than listening. “I noticed a pattern of disrespect towards artists. It’s not just female artists, though that makes it worse,” she said.

Like any jaded yet defiant LA musician, she decided to take action. The idea for Push-Up Bra LA came from a post-show venting session with her husband, David James. She listed everything that made her feel disrespected that night. He simply replied, “Why don’t you start your own showcase?”

It was a thought Zealyn had never entertained. “I said, ‘If I did, it would have to pay artists, give them content, and feature only female artists.’” He encouraged her, “Do it. You should call it Push-Up Bra LA.”

That support was just what she needed. Two months later, she had a soft launch, and one month after that, the grand opening.

“Everything Push-Up Bra LA has done has been me asking, ‘What do I wish I had as an artist?’ and solving those problems,” she said.

Making a Difference

This year, Push-Up Bra LA hosted fundraisers for femme musicians affected by the January fires, music workshops for teen girls, and networking events that doubled as pajama parties at the home of trailblazing songwriter Allee Willis. (She co-wrote hits like “September” and the Friends theme song, “I’ll Be There For You.”)

Push-Up Bra LA has also organized all-female songwriting camps in Los Angeles and France. They go above and beyond for the writers and producers involved—curating rooms for the best creative outcomes, showering them with gifts, and creating memorable experiences like sound baths. “So many incredible songs came out of both camps,” Zealyn said. “We host listening parties at the end, and I’m always blown away by the talent.”

“The biggest goal is for the writers to feel safe and wanted there.”

Photo by Emily Marcovecchio (IG @emilymarcovecchio)

Currently, they focus on four main events: all-femme showcases, all-femme writing camps, workshops for the nonprofit Altadena Girls, and networking events. Zealyn credits the success of Push-Up Bra LA to musicians who show up with good intentions.

“Genuine connection is rare and getting rarer each year,” Zealyn said. She firmly believes you get what you give. While networking in LA can feel like bartering at a flea market, her biggest advice to musicians is to keep the joy alive.

“Can we just stop being so network-y? That’s not the heart of Push-Up Bra LA,” she explained.

“It’s not, ‘What can we get out of each other?’ It’s, ‘Can we just support each other no matter what?’”

That kind of support happens internally at Push-Up Bra LA too. Creatives Natalie Lane and Carla Calderon help out as team members. This year, the team hopes to expand their programming and increase their impact exponentially. “I couldn’t do this without the two of them,” Zealyn said. “Running a nonprofit is no joke, and I’d never want to do it alone.”

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for their six-year anniversary on March 8, which is also National Women’s Day, at the Hotel Cafe. If you can’t wait, Push-Up Bra LA’s first showcase of the year is coming up soon. It will feature three female artists playing three songs each in an acoustic Nashville-round style. Rest assured, all profits go to the artists. Performers also receive a live performance video, free content, and an evening surrounded by people who are in it for the right reasons.

Interested in checking out Push-Up Bra LA? Their next showcase will be January 10 at Orangewood Showroom. RSVP at this *Partiful Link

Conclusion

Push-Up Bra LA is more than just a showcase; it’s a movement. It’s about creating a supportive environment for artists to thrive. So, whether you’re a musician, producer, or songwriter, consider joining this vibrant community. Together, we can uplift each other and create amazing music.