INEZ

Music programs are usually the first to be cut. I got a chance to share my story with The Recording Academy about the impact my Perry band directors, Rick Lane and Gerald Watkins, had on me and my career trajectory.

You can go from Pittsburgh Public Schools band rooms to having a full career in music.

Happy Music In Our Schools Month.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWSjJ23ABwl/?igsh=MW4xMXZrc20zYnFhMw==

"I would not be where I am if it were not for the music educators in my life early on." INEZ's band directors not only encouraged her journey in playing music as a part of her high school's marching band, but also led her to teach music and become "someone who not only cares about the notes on the page, but cares about the kids." Has a music teacher inspired your journey in music? Spotlight them using our Music In Our Schools Month social media toolkit at the link in our bio.

🖤💛

Pittsburgh City Paper is BACK! 🐦‍🔥

You thought we were dead and gone, didn’t you? So did I. But to be honest, only very, very briefly.

When it was announced over New Year’s that Pittsburgh City Paper was shuttering, it took no time at all — barely 24 hours — for a groundswell of support to emerge. The city rallied. You guys shouted from the rooftops (and on the internet) that losing our only free alternative newspaper after 34 years was a huge gut-punch to Pittsburgh. It wasn’t surprising, then, that a buyer stepped forward with a plan, not just to keep the lights on, but to turn them up.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce to yinz that Pittsburgh City Paper is coming back, baby!

The City Paper you’ve loved and supported for more than three decades will return to your screens, and to the streets. That’s right — we’re relaunching both online and in print so we can reach the community digitally and IRL, showcasing the creative, weird, and uniquely Pittsburgh things you're doing.

You thought print was dead and gone, too, didn’t you? If City Paper is alive, so is print — beginning soon with monthly issues. Print is City Paper’s essence. A real-life, free, physical newspaper that keeps you informed and entertained with feature-length storytelling is the antidote we all need to noisy, meme-filled algorithms.

We’ll be back on all our beats: community-centered news, politics, protests, up-and-coming art, counterculture, events, food finds, opinionated rants, undie runs, jagoffs, and perhaps our favorite: roving adults-only vans. (IYKYK) Soon you can once again scroll through our newest stories, or get outside and find our latest issue at your corner coffee shop or bus stop. Wherever you are, we’re there, too.

We’re bolstered with new, local ownership, new ideas, and a new strategy that prioritizes the needs of our neighbors — with accountability, sustainability, and creative new projects.

We have what we need to get started, but we need you to join the party if we’re going to take this thing to the next level. We fell apart once, and to make sure that never happens again, we can’t rely on advertising alone. Your support matters most because your enthusiasm will unlock doors to resources that will keep us thriving for the long haul.

The best way to help is with a sustaining membership. While all our content, in print and online, will always be free, your contribution will ensure we keep going week after week, year after year.

A free press exists to create conversation and strengthen community. We can’t wait to get back to that — and to grow it bigger and better with you.

With immense gratitude and excitement,

-Ali Trachta

Executive Editor, Pittsburgh City Paper

Very grateful for the opportunity provided by OpenDAW and Sourcery Collective. Met some incredible creatives and I’m very proud of what we all made. The talent in this camp was off the charts. ✨

✨2025 ✨

412 to Cali
+
Muses
bound
Barbering. Jennie/Doechii “ExtraL” set w/
Mother
Chosen family for CC Tour

My fav FOH work w/
Rainbow.
Chapter Governor. Philly Love.
My favorite star
“We made an album!” global Ft Wayne - w ✨
w

My faves are back
I became a fellow ✨
My friends fulfilled a dream
The kids are alright. I know ball.

See you 2026. God is the greatest. ✨

From INEZ, with ❤️‍🔥

I designed my first sample pack available now on BandLab ✨ We Make Noise

We Make Noise Present: The Basement

Sounds inspired by one of my favorite childhood hideouts — my grandparent’s basement.

https://www.bandlab.com/sounds/pack/we-make-noise-present-the-basement

Thrilled to share the news – I have been selected by the as a Strokes of Genius
Fellow! I look forward to creating new work amongst a dynamic community of artists and arts professionals.

Check out https://www.theblackgeniusfoundation.org/fellows to learn more about this year’s Fellows.

🟡 Beatland USA Music Conference ⚫️

Very honored to be part of the inaugural Beatland USA music conference at Emerald City Pittsburgh

and I will be speaking on panel — Inside The Producer’s Mind. In this conversation, we’ll unpack the journey of making music and dive into songwriting structure, sonic identity, collaboration workflows, and the balance between art and commercial appeal.

Tickets + Schedule
Visit beatlandconference.com

✨ Every beat has a backstory, and I’m honored to help tell it.
Thrilled to join the Recording Academy Sound Board 💫 — a group of artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, and Professional members dedicated to sharing the real stories of our music community.

👏 Grateful to be part of the inaugural group of 14 creators recognized for creativity, storytelling, and community impact.

Pittsburgh to the 🌎

So excited for another opportunity to be amongst incredible musicianship, songwriting, production and energy.

Thankful to .global and

Ready to make some magic ✨

Join us for an enchanting evening of theatrical fashion at ✨Illuminate: All the World’s a Stage✨

I am so honored that tapped me to create the music for the runway. Cat is truly one of our best and a visionary in every sense of the word.

Join us:
August 27
Frankie Pace Park (901 Center Avenue)
5:30PM - 9PM

Ticket Link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/illuminate-all-the-worlds-a-stage-tickets-1417511989519?aff=oddtdtcreator

July 2025.

Lo + Chlo 💞 📸:
Philly. 🤞🏽 Pgh. .colaizzi
Views.
House Party.
Platform.
Sparkler.
Bluey.
Intermission.
Face.
NYC.