Testimonial by Collective Member: Maxine Juno Sinclair

Testimonial

Aug 1

"When I began crafting the inner-workings of my project Phantómódel a few years ago, I was very skeptical of putting my trust into record labels and essentially "sellings my soul" to the capitalistic and whitewashed music industry. Everything I do in life including my art is dynamic and intentional - sharing my art with the world is a big deal to me, which is why I was ecstatic to discover and eventually become a part of Grimalkin Records. Grimalkin isn't just like any other record label because they integrate community organizing and intersectional values into creating art. In a general sense, I believe that art, music, and politics are inextricably linked. As someone who values community care, grassroots organizing, and representation of marginalized identities within creative spaces, I knew immediately I wanted to collaborate with Grimalkin in their vision to build community among QTBIPOC and disabled artists.

Within Grimalkin I am given the privilege to take up space as an artist with multiple marginalized identities, and have autonomy over my creative endeavors. It is also important to me, within any organization, to have horizontal leadership to ensure that everyone is given a voice. I have felt welcomed observing the ways in which collective members collaborate with one another whilst contributing their own unique abilities. Autonomy is paramount within organizing spaces, and allows people to collaborate more harmoniously. I think more record labels should be akin to Grimalkin in the sense that strong community values are prioritized and imperative to keep the label running. Overall I'm grateful to be a part of Grimalkin and I'm not sure where I'd be as an artist right now without their help and their belief in everything I create. So far I've released my debut EP "Panic Picnic" (2019) and have even greater things on the way. Please consider donating to Grimalkin or joining our Patreon. Funding our collective makes our vision possible and helps smaller independent artists like myself flourish.

Big thanks to everyone at Grimalkin and all of our supporters :)" -Maxine Juno Sinclair/Phantómódel

Founding member of Phantómódel, Maxine (he/they) helps us with reviewing submissions and occasionally with A&R. He also helps us fundraise once a year and creates exclusive content for our supporters.

Here’s a digital remaster of Panic Picnic, a collection of demos they released through Grimalkin Records in 2019. A new album is on the way!