Independent Artist Spotlight
Lola Kinsey
Bringing a Little Disco, Country, and Rock 'n' Roll Back to Life
From a high school musical to a debut album inspired by the sounds of another generation, this Texas artist is finding her own way to keep the music she loves alive.
The Story / In Waves' Words
Some artists spend years trying to figure out what kind of music they want to make. Others know exactly what they love and build their sound around it.
For Lola Kinsey, an independent artist from Wylie, Texas, the inspiration comes from a time when Fleetwood Mac ruled the airwaves, disco was everywhere, and country music had a little extra attitude.
Although Lola has only been pursuing music professionally for the past two years, she's been singing for most of her life. Funny enough, even her own family didn't realize just how talented she was until her sophomore year of high school.
When she landed her first role in a musical, her parents showed up nervous about watching her sing in front of an audience. But the moment she started performing, those nerves quickly turned into surprise.
"Oh, she can sing," she remembers them realizing.
That performance became a turning point. From there, Lola and her family began taking her musical aspirations much more seriously.
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Keeping an Era of Music Alive
Ask Lola why she continues making music, and her answer is pretty straightforward.
“It literally comes down to me not wanting to do anything else. That, and no one is making new Stevie Nicks music!”
— Lola Kinsey
Her love for Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks has played a major role in shaping her artistry. Watching Daisy Jones & The Six only strengthened her connection to that era of music.
Rather than chasing whatever sound happens to be trending, Lola wants to bring something she feels is missing from today's music landscape. She's taking inspiration from the sounds she grew up loving and finding ways to make them her own.
That influence is especially apparent in her upcoming debut album, Saturday, a project she describes as disco glam country.
Her explanation of the sound might be one of my favorite descriptions of an album yet.
“It's a mix of John Travolta in Urban Cowboy meets John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.”
— Lola Kinsey
If that doesn't paint a picture of what she's going for, I'm not sure what will.
The Reality Behind the Music
One thing I appreciate about these artist spotlights is hearing about the parts of the journey that audiences don't always get to see.
For Lola, one of the biggest challenges has been learning to depend on others while working toward financial independence.
She currently lives with her parents while continuing to record, perform, and build her career. Like many independent artists, she's realizing that making a living from music isn't something that happens overnight.
“When they say it takes 10 years, that's not a joke.”
— Lola Kinsey
But she also recognizes that every person who supports her is helping make that dream possible.
Whether it's buying merchandise, attending a show, streaming a song, or simply interacting with something she posts online, Lola understands how much those seemingly small gestures can mean.
It's a reminder that supporting an independent artist doesn't always require spending money. Sometimes just showing up, sharing their work, or introducing someone new to their music can make a difference.
Finding Community and Looking Ahead
Networking has also become an important part of Lola's journey.
She enjoys connecting with other independent artists, especially when those conversations remind her that she's not alone in the challenges she's facing.
And when she sees another independent artist find success, she doesn't look at it as competition. She sees it as proof that the opportunities are out there.
She continues to look for industry professionals and collaborators who can help bring her music to a wider audience.
Her latest release, "Lesson Learned," is already available. She describes it as a glam country track and is currently interested in finding a rapper to collaborate with on a remix.
She also has another single, "Never Had a Broken Heart," scheduled for release ahead of her debut album, Saturday, which is planned for January 2027.
In the meantime, Lola continues performing throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, opening for national touring acts and building her audience one show at a time.
Following the album's release, she hopes to take the next step by launching her own regional tour across Texas in 2027.
A Few Words From Waves
What I really enjoy about Lola's story is that she's not trying to fit into whatever the industry expects an artist to sound like today. She's taking something she's genuinely passionate about and building her own identity around it.
I also appreciate how open she is about the challenges of being independent. There's a lot that goes into pursuing music that people never see, especially when you're putting in the work without knowing exactly when that next big opportunity will come.
And I love her attitude toward other artists finding success. I think that's something we need more of in music. Seeing someone else win should remind us of what's possible, not make us question our own progress.
I'm excited to see how Lola brings this disco glam country vision to life with Saturday. It's always refreshing to come across artists who aren't afraid to do something a little different.
Check out Lola Kinsey's latest release, "Lesson Learned," and keep an eye out for her debut album, Saturday, coming January 2027.
Keep Listening
Discover Lola Kinsey
From "Lesson Learned" to the planned debut album Saturday, Lola Kinsey is building a sound shaped by disco, glam country, and rock 'n' roll.
Artist streaming and social links can be added here once her official profiles are supplied.