On July 12, 2026, Star City Studios welcomed talented women from across the region for Searching for Sound, an afternoon dedicated to creativity, collaboration and community. Hosted by EP Musas, a nonprofit collective of female musicians, the event celebrated original songwriting while creating a space where artists could connect, learn and inspire one another.

Designed as a creative space for collaboration over competition, Searching for Sound featured songwriting challenges, recorded live performances and held networking opportunities and collaborations, allowing musicians of all backgrounds to share their talents and build lasting connections. Guests also enjoyed a selection of 100% plant-based cuisine and handcrafted mocktails from Dom and Redd’s Catering, whose curated menu complemented the event’s warm, welcoming atmosphere and encouraged conversation, connection and creativity throughout the day.

One of the event’s standout moments was a panel discussion featuring local artists Krystall Poppin and Amber Perez of the El Paso International Music Foundation. Together, they shared stories about their journeys as women in the music industry, discussing the successes they’ve celebrated, the challenges they’ve faced and the experiences that have shaped them both personally and professionally. Their honesty and encouragement resonated with guests, underscoring the importance of perseverance, authenticity and lifting others along the way.

I had the opportunity to sit down with event hosts Jordan Taylor and Chey Slowblade, along with guest speaker Krystall Poppin, to discuss the inspiration behind Searching for Sound, their shared mission to empower and support women in music, and why creating spaces like this has never been more important for the El Paso music community.

Q&A

Krystall Poppin:

Hello, I go by Krystall Poppin. I am a professional hip-hop artist based in El Paso, Texas.

My experience as a woman working in music has been a journey that has taught me so much, not only about myself but also about how to grow and become a better musician. Like any creative journey, there have been many ups and downs, challenges, lessons learned and rewarding moments of success along the way.

I think it’s important for everyone to remember that the difficult moments are a part of the journey. You have to experience the lows in order to truly appreciate the highs. Remember to stay committed to your vision, and most importantly, you have to believe in yourself.

Q: This event holds a special space for women in the arts and music to express creativity and collaboration. Why do you think community is so important for artists?

Krystall Poppin:

I think community is so important for artists because it helps them reconnect with their heart and remember why they started creating in the first place. Sometimes the music industry can become overwhelming and makes you lose sight of the passion, purpose and love behind your art.

When you connect with others and give back to your community, it brings you back to that original inspiration. It reminds you why you’re here, why you create and where your love for the art comes from. I truly believe in the importance of giving back and supporting the community. Being able to connect with others through music is one of the most meaningful parts of this journey, and I love finding new ways to give back to the community in any way that I can.

Q: For anyone in the audience who feels hesitant to share their creative work, what message would you want them to leave with today?

Krystall Poppin:

For anyone who’s hesitant to share their creative work, I want them to remember that everyone starts somewhere, and it’s completely normal to feel shy in the beginning. Art is sharing your vulnerability. It’s allowing yourself to feel open, raw and honest and to share your emotions and express the thoughts that come from within you.

And that’s why you create, so just trust that you have these feelings, ideas and creative instincts for a reason. Embrace them, and don’t be afraid to share them with the world. Your art has the ability to find the people who connect with your story, and through that connection, you might even become a part of someone else’s story. Never forget the impact your creativity can have.

Q: What changes have you seen in the local music community that make you hopeful for the future?

Krystall Poppin:

The changes I’ve seen in the local music community have been so amazing. I’m starting to see more workshops, more artists collaborating and more people coming together to share their ideas, their art and creative spaces with one another.

I truly believe collaboration, support and uplifting each other are essential for a city and its arts community to thrive. It’s been incredible to witness more connections and opportunities for artists to work together. Seeing that growth and support within our community gives me a lot of hope for the future.

Chey Slowblade:

Hello, I’m Chey Slowblade. I’m currently in a band called Hawwt Band, where I’m the singer-songwriter and soon-to-be bassist. I’m originally from Atlanta, Georgia, born and raised, and I moved to El Paso last year. When I first moved here, I really wanted to connect with the community, especially among femme musicians and artists in the city.

I took a tour of Star City Studios and became good friends with Larissa. I asked her if there were any femme-centered movements or creative communities or events happening. She couldn’t think of one and thought it was a great idea to start something together. That same day, we created an Instagram group called EP Musas, and that’s what brought us here today. We’re doing what we do best, which is building community, exploring each other’s talents, and creating opportunities to collaborate with other women we may not have crossed paths with.

With Searching for Sound, we challenged a group of singers, songwriters and artists from different backgrounds and musical experiences to come together and create an original song. We also encouraged them to perform those songs alongside their fellow musicians. The goal was to create a space where women could connect, create and celebrate each other’s talents. Being a part of this experience was pretty special. It showed the power of collaboration and the creativity that can happen when artists come together.

Q: This event holds a special space for women in the arts and music to express creativity and collaboration. Why do you think community is so important for artists?

Chey Slowblade:

I think community and collaboration are very important and such healthy outlets because, in life, my personal motto or mantra is to remember that you are not alone. I think that message goes a long way, especially as a creative, because it can be easy to feel stuck, get caught in your own thoughts or even lose confidence in yourself. Community gives artists the opportunity to collaborate, learn from one another and step outside of themselves. When you find support around you, you start to realize, “Wow, I’m actually not alone.” The challenges, doubts and experiences you’re having are shared by other people, too. Being surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through can help create an environment where you feel supported, inspired and encouraged to keep creating.

Q: For anyone in the audience who feels hesitant to share their creative work, what message would you want them to leave with today?

Chey Slowblade:

Just do it. Share your music. Go to the studio. Write whatever you want to write. Express yourself. Collaborate with who you want to collaborate with, and don’t hold yourself back. You only have one life to live, so take the chance and go for it.

When I first started making music professionally, I randomly wrote a song, went to the studio and the producer told me, “I’ve never heard anything like this.” That moment reminded me that you never know what can happen when you give yourself the opportunity to try.

I think creativity is a gift, whether you see it as something from the universe, from God, or simply an extension of who you are. Don’t let fear stop you from sharing it. Fear is one of the biggest things that can hold people back from pursuing their dreams. I would just like to say, take that risk, trust yourself and go after it. Sometimes you have to risk it to get the biscuit!

Q: What does this event mean for you?

Chey Slowblade:

This event means a lot to me because it represents an opportunity to create the kind of community I wish I had growing up. I didn’t always have access to spaces like this, so being able to help build that for other women and be an extension of that support means so much.

It feels meaningful to provide an experience where women can find connection, community and collaboration. Seeing people take time out of their Sunday to come hang out with us, create together, share their talents, and encourage one another has been really special. More than anything, I hope everyone leaves feeling inspired and motivated to continue pursuing their craft.

Jordan Taylor:

Hi, my name is Jordan Taylor. I’m a singer-songwriter here in El Paso, Texas. Today, we’re at Star City Studios with EP Musas for our songwriting challenge, Searching for Sound.

My experience as a woman in music has been very gratifying, especially working with these amazingly talented female musicians and after starting to work closely with EP Musas. It meant even more to me to be a female musician and to really branch out and try to make my way through as an artist. It’s been a learning experience, to say the least, but a very good experience, especially when I’m sharing it with fellow musicians.

Q: How can artists better support one another instead of competing?

Jordan Taylor:

I know life gets busy, but when you’re able to make it to each other’s shows, liking, sharing and reposting posts can help. Since we are in the age of the internet, even word of mouth matters. If you aren’t able to make it to shows or you’re not really present on social media, even just sharing stories of shows you went to or speaking well about your fellow musicians in the community can help. Knowing you have a supportive community behind you, rooting for you, means so much more than people often realize.

Q: For anyone in the audience who feels hesitant to share their creative work, what message would you want them to leave with today?

Jordan Taylor:

For anyone who’s hesitant to share their creative work, I’d say don’t focus so much on the people who are going to see it. I’ve found that whenever I worried too much about other people’s opinions, I often held myself back.

Your art comes from within you. It’s a part of who you are. I know it’s easier said than done, but I truly believe your art should be for yourself first and foremost. If creating makes you happy or helps you heal, then that’s what you should hold on to. If it’s doing something good for you, then don’t let the fear of someone else’s opinion stop you. Your art is yours and yours alone. If it brings you joy, let it go. Set it free. Release it into the world. Put out the song, share the painting, publish the poem or whatever it is you’re creating. You never know who it might resonate with or how far it could take you. Sometimes the piece you’re afraid to share is exactly what someone else needs to hear. That’s the mindset I try to keep.

Q: What does this event mean for you?

Jordan Taylor:

For us at EP Musas, we wanted to take the idea of a networking mixer to the next level. Rather than having people come together just to mingle, exchange social media handles and maybe reconnect later, we wanted to create meaningful interactions.

By bringing together women from different areas of the music industry — whether they’re vocalists, instrumentalists, producers, songwriters or creatives in any other role — we wanted to give them a space not only to meet one another but to take that connection a step further by creating something together that very same day. That’s what makes this event so special.

I also would like to encourage people to come out to EP Musas events. We’re always looking to welcome new members and build allyship with people who want to support women in music. If you’re looking for a place to start, EP Musas is a great first stop because we’re a community dedicated to uplifting female musicians. We regularly share upcoming performances and events while also highlighting some of our favorite female creatives throughout the community. The more we show up for one another, the stronger our community in the music scene becomes.

More than just a songwriting competition, Searching for Sound served as a reminder of the power of community. By bringing women together to write, perform, collaborate, and celebrate one another’s accomplishments, the event fostered an environment where creativity could thrive without comparison.

As the local music scene continues to grow, gatherings like these help strengthen the bonds between artists, open doors for future collaborations and most importantly, ensure that more women’s voices are heard. When musicians celebrate one another’s success and share their appreciation and stories, the entire community benefits. Events like Searching for Sound prove that the strongest songs often begin with people coming together.

To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, follow EP Musas (@Epmusas) on Instagram. Whether you’re looking to record your next project or searching for the perfect venue to host a live performance, creative gathering or special event, Star City Studios continues to provide a welcoming space where artists and the community can come together to create, connect and celebrate local talent.