Bryan Mugande, who goes by his artist name BRYN, fled Rwanda and became a refugee six years ago. He and his family had to leave the country for political reasons and were placed into an asylum seeker center near Vielsalm, Belgium. In the center, BRYN found an outlet through songwriting while his immigration status remained uncertain. Now 18,  BRYN wrote this letter on spending three years in the asylum center, the people who supported him, and embracing his identity through music. 

Essence Goldman, a singer-songwriter from San Francisco, started giving Bernie Dalton vocal lessons two years ago. Since then, Bernie has been diagnosed with the most aggressive form of ALS and likely only has months to live. Essence is helping Bernie fulfill his one dying wish: making an album. The band, made up of Bernie, Essence, Roger Rocha, Daniel Berkman, David Simon-Baker, and Bernie's daughter Nicole, just released the music video for the song 'In Your Shoes.' The full album will be released February 9th. Read Essence's full letter on Bernie's story and watch the music video below. You can give money towards Bernie's home care on Go Fund Me by clicking the 'Donate' button.

Yasmin Lajoie, a 29-year-old music manager in the UK, wrote this letter on her experiences with sexual assault in the music industry. She also appeared on BBC news to speak about what she's been through. Yasmin, along with three other prominent women in the industry, started the 'Stop 2018' campaign aimed at ending bullying, misogyny, sexual harassment, assault, and rape in the music business. 

Pierre Maulini, the frontman of STAL, never separates sounds from natural beauty. The cinematic, post-pop aura of STAL reflects the world outside of the studio. Pierre learned to blend the natural with the electronic while on tour with M83. He became close with Anthony Gonzalez, the mind behind M83, and became exposed to a side of music he had never experienced. After the tour, Pierre teamed up with longtime friend and drummer, Renaud Rodier, to form STAL. A fusion of electronic influences and Pierre's post-rock roots, STAL looks to break out with the release of their upcoming EP, Fresh Blood.