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Writer's pictureMary Ann

Singer/Songwriter Katy DuBois Launches Lifestyle Apparel Brand, Music Pays My Rent

10% of Profits are Donated to the MusiCares Foundation (Covid-19 Relief Fund)



The purpose of “Music Pays My Rent" apparel line is to bring awareness to the fact that many individuals make a living in the music industry. Although pursuing music usually begins as a hobby and/or passion, when it’s translated into a career it’s still the way we pay the rent - just like any other profession! From artists, to songwriters, to producers, to stage hands, to managers, and so many more, every hand in this industry works together for a greater goal: to bring entertainment, happiness, and connection to people through music. This is a very tough time for many industries, especially music. So many shows are being cancelled which affects not only the artist, but thousands of people that depend on their paycheck from live shows. Whether you’re in the music industry or not, by repping one of our merch items you’re celebrating music as a career and giving back! 10% of all profits will be going to MusiCares which provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly influence the health and welfare of the music community.



Katy DuBois is a singer songwriter (half of the duo Maybe April) who started her lifestyle apparel brand Music Pays My Rent at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. As you know, most musicians rely on tips and the little money they get from gigging around town to support themselves. Outside of the music industry, I don’t think a lot of people realize this.Music Pays My Rent is trying to bring attention to that. 10% of profits are also donated to the MusiCares foundation (Covid-19 relief fund). Katy also features local performers on the MPMR instagram pages, where they tell stories about how hard they work for their money and what music means to them.




We had the opportunity to do a fun interview with Maybe April a few years ago about some of their Nashville favorites!

Being a Nashvillian, what are some of your favorite dishes and where are the best places to find them? Five Points Pizza anything! Margot (when we get a big paycheck) Two Ten Jack Brussels and veggie ramen. Jenis Ice cream! Anything at Virago is amazing. Also, Mas Tacos and a Pharmacy burger are a must!

Is there a place you haven't ate you have been dying to go? Places that we haven't eaten yet that we would like to try are Salt & Vine or Husk.

After playing a late show, what is your guilty pleasure food? After playing a late show it really depends what mood we are in. Sometimes we will just see what a good restaurant is in the area!

Let's Talk Nashville Favorites:

Best BBQ: Martins

Hot Chicken: Hattie Bs

Coffee: Cafe CoCo

Breakfast: Pancake Pantry

Live Music: City Winery or The Listening Room

Finally, if you could eat or have a drink with one person dead or alive, who would it be and what would you have?Robin Williams, and we would have him over to our house and Kristen would make him Mexican food.


ABOUT MAYBE APRIL: Maybe April is a Country Americana trio made up of Katy Bishop, Kristen Castro, and Alaina Stacey. Hailing from Jonesboro, AR, Simi Valley, CA, and Chicago, IL, the three met in the summer of 2012 at a music industry camp in Nashville, TN and wrote a song that would later take them to Los Angeles to play at a GRAMMY week event, along with Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, Allen Shamblin, Gavin DeGraw, J.D. Souther, Joy Williams from the Civil Wars, and many others. Since then, amongst hundreds of shows, the girls have opened for Brandy Clark and Sarah Jarosz, and have played Pilgrimage Music Festival and IBMA's Wide Open Bluegrass Festival. Maybe April is recognized for their three-part harmonies, strength as instrumentalists, original songs, and shared roles as frontwomen, each adding something different from their musical backgrounds to create a unique sound. Just like their harmonies, Alaina, Katy, and Kristen are a perfect fit. Their love for each other and their music continues to push them in their endeavors in Nashville, where they have been based since 2013.



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