We’re excited to introduce Sylvie Abate, the founder of Artists & Activists Records, a groundbreaking record label based in Austin, Texas, that merges music with a strong commitment to animal rights activism. With a passion for promoting vegan artists and advocating for a more compassionate world, Sylvie has carved out a unique space in the music industry. Her label not only funds and produces music that inspires change but also amplifies the message of kindness toward all sentient beings. Today, we’ll be discussing Sylvie’s journey into music activism, the label’s newest releases, and what’s on the horizon for this inspiring project.
What inspired you to create Artists & Activists Records?
Artists & Activists Records was born out of my passion for animal rights and the power of music to create change. I’ve always believed that music is a universal language that can inspire people on a deep emotional level. I wanted to create a platform where artists who share these values could collaborate, express their creativity, and raise awareness about the urgent need to end factory farming. Our mission is to use music as a tool for activism, and to show that artistry and advocacy can go hand in hand.
What can you tell us about your latest song release?
Our latest release, Heart Break Like Mine, Featuring Bryon Harris, perfectly embodies the mission of Artists & Activists Records. It’s a poignant and emotionally charged track that invites listeners to connect with their own sense of empathy. Rather than directly addressing the issues of factory farming, the song plants a seed of compassion, encouraging introspection and emotional resonance. Through its profound lyrics, we hope to inspire listeners to explore deeper truths and motivate them to seek change, without the message being overt. The song’s strength lies in its ability to touch hearts and gently guide people toward awareness.
And how is the release going? The release is going exceptionally well! We've received positive feedback from listeners all around the world, which has been incredibly encouraging. Our new YouTube channel is seeing steady growth, with over 6,000 listens and hundreds of new subscribers joining every day. This has also led to a significant spike in traffic to our website, www.animalrightsmusic.org, where more people are engaging with our message. It’s exciting to see the song resonating with so many and driving increased interest in our mission.
How has your personal journey into veganism and activism shaped the music you produce?
My journey into veganism and activism is about giving a voice to animals trapped in a system of corporate greed, government complicity, reproductive exploitation, and violence.
These animals, who feel pain just like cats and dogs, suffer unmeasurable cruelties at the cost of our humanity. Veganism not only spares them this abuse, but it’s also a powerful step toward inner peace and world peace.
To understand why I chose music as my voice for activism, one has to understand the concept of cognitive dissonance. This is a long answer, but I think it's important. Meat consumption is so deeply embedded in our culture that we rarely question it. This internal dissonance along with speciesism allows us to shut down our humanity. This mindset is the root of inequality.
When people are faced with the harsh realities of factory farming, they often respond defensively because we all love animals! Consider this: according to USDA reports, 850,000 chickens and turkeys are boiled alive each year. If anyone one of us saw someone boiling a chicken alive in the backyard, we'd call the police! Pigs—slaughtered at nearly 1,000 per hour—are sometimes sent to scalding tanks alive due to the speed of processing. The legal practice of “thumping” piglets—slamming their heads into concrete—only deepens the horror. And there is forced molting, the practice of starving hens to produce more eggs. In the dairy industry, gentle motherly cows are continuously impregnated and separated from their calves, their heart-wrenching cries a haunting reminder of the suffering they endure. This grim reality becomes even more unbearable when you consider the daily filth, confinement, mutilations, and brutal transport conditions these animals face. For these sentient beings, life is nothing short of a living hell.
Even though the reality is unbearably sad and cruel, and contradicts everything we’ve been taught about kindness to animals, cognitive dissonance causes conflicting beliefs. To resolve this inner conflict, people often avoid information that challenges their eating habits. They dissociate, or they focus on perceived flaws in the message or the person delivering it, rather than confronting the truth.
This is where music comes in. I believe music has the power to break through that dissonance, reaching the deep well of empathy and compassion that everyone has for animals. That’s why I write songs about it—because music can touch people emotionally in ways facts alone can’t. It stirs compassion on a deeper level, creating space for change in the heart.
What advice would you give to other artists who want to combine their music with activism?
My advice would be to stay authentic and let your passion guide you. Activism through music can be challenging because you’re not just creating for the sake of art—you’re creating for a cause. But if you stay true to what you believe in, that authenticity will shine through and resonate with people. Also, don’t be afraid to take risks. Art activism is about pushing boundaries and starting conversations, so let your voice be bold and unapologetic.
Where do you see Artists & Activists Records in the next few years?
I see us continuing to grow as a label. We’re building a legacy of music that will inspire future generations to rethink their relationship with animals. In the next few years, I envision us expanding our roster of artists, hosting events, and collaborating with other organizations that align with our mission. Ultimately, I want Artists & Activists Records to be synonymous with meaningful, powerful music that changes lives. For more information, please visit Artists & Activists Records at: animalrightsmusic.org or artistsandactivists.org
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