WAV Artist Spotlight: Lift All Voices Lineup

Gigi Cox
Sep 9
3 min read

Our Lift All Voices event celebrates the heart of WAV’s mission: amplifying community voices through art and music. This year’s performers are not only talented artists, but also members of the WAV community as participants, facilitators, and songwriters. We’re thrilled to showcase this local lineup and invite you to support them by listening to their music and showing up on Saturday, September 20 to help us Lift All Voices!

Payton Ramirez

Payton is an incredibly talented WAV alumni, and we are beyond excited to have her as our first performer.

We first met Payton in middle school through our songwriting program at Wedgewood Middle School and have watched her grow into an amazing artist. She has performed with us at our WAV Open House, Hilltop Spring Jamboree, and our first Lift All Voices event in 2021.

At just 19 years old, this Columbus-based singer-songwriter is inspired by artists like The Lumineers and Noah Kahan, as well as many of the artists who work with We Amplify Voices.

Listen to Payton on Spotify

Follow Payton @paytonramirezmusic

Payton’s journey with WAV began during a 2020 virtual songwriting workshop, where a collection of student-created songs came together to form the Stay Safe album.

Her group at Wedgewood Middle School co-wrote the song “We Are Warriors,” featuring artists Stephanie Amber, Sarob, and George Barrie.

Check out the music video for a throwback to Payton's start with WAV.

Joey Aich

Our next performer is the one and only Joey Aich! We first worked with Joey as a songwriter for our Heartland High School workshop back in 2021, and again when he facilitated our year long program at Wedgewood Middle School!

Joey Aich, pronounced Joey H, is a hip-hop artist based in Columbus, OH. Voted the #1 musician for 2024 in Columbus, OH based on publication Columbus Underground, Joey is known for his electric performances and personal charm.

With the mission to inspire and leave the world in a better place than his arrival through music and live performances, Joey has releases several singles, EPs, and full length albums, and plans to carry the momentum from 2024 into 2025 with another solo album.

Aich is an energetic performer who has independently booked shows and tours across the country in cities such as Columbus, Cleveland, Chicago, Huntington (WV), Charleston (WV), Detroit, Indianapolis, New York City, Denver, Los Angeles, and many more. Joey Aich is able to perform solo, with his DJ Mike Dow, and full his band, Joey Aich & The Head Band, which plays off his signature headband look.

Outside of music, Joey Aich is a community member in Columbus and his partnered with local brands such as Columbus Crew, Ohio State Football Team, Pursuit, Land Grant Brewing Company, along with art enrichment nonprofits such as We Amplify Voices to benefit the next generation of leaders.

Listen to Joey on Spotify

Follow Joey @joeyaich4

Mery Steel

Our headlining artist for Lift All Voices is the incredible Mery Steel! We first partnered with Mery back in 2021 for our "Bridges of Love" songwriting program at The Ohio Reformatory for Women. Since then, Steel has continued to bring their unmatched passion to a number of our adult songwriting workshops.

Mery Steel stuns crowds with magnetic performances where silence breaks into thunderous applause. Her upcoming album "Dust" explores the tension between our wild interior landscapes and the manicured gardens of conformity. With energy that moves feet and vulnerability that touches hearts, Steel creates music that's both polished and raw—an artist who knows her path and walks it without permission.

Mery Steel is more than just a performer, but a powerful voice for our community, and we are so excited to have them headline our festival.

Listen to Mery Steel on Spotify

Follow Mery @themerysteel

Check out this Collaboration between Mery, WAV, and the CATCH Court Class of 2023.

Get Ready for the Festival with This Playlist

Featuring songs from each of the artists performing, this playlist is the perfect way to get familiar with the lineup and set the tone for festival day.

Give it a listen and start the celebration early!