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The MIC Music Group Celebrates 5 Years of Championing Independent Artists

originally published: 05/07/2025

(WEST MILFORD, NJ) -- What began as a passion project and simple music blog has blossomed into a powerful force in the independent music space. The MIC Music Group celebrates its 5-year anniversary, marking half a decade of amplifying the voices of emerging artists and reshaping the indie landscape.

Founded by music journalist and artist development specialist Stefani M.C. Janelli, The MIC started in 2020 as a blog spotlighting fresh talent. In 2024, it officially launched as The MIC Music Group—a full-fledged company dedicated to artist empowerment through The MIC Mag (its thriving online music magazine) and an expanding roster of label services that help artists build sustainable careers on their own terms.

Over the past five years, MIC-supported artists have gone on to achieve major wins—landing on top Spotify playlists, earning sync placements in Netflix originals and The Voice, and performing on legendary stages like SXSW. The MIC Music Group has carved out a reputation for giving indie artists the tools and guidance to thrive without compromising their independence.

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Behind this movement is Stefani M.C. Janelli, whose commitment to artist-first development and deep understanding of the modern music business has made her a sought-after voice in the industry. In the last year alone, Janelli was invited to speak to students at Ramapo College and taught her first masterclass on song release strategy.

“The last five years have been about community, creativity, and believing in the power of independent voices,” says Janelli. “I’m beyond proud of what we’ve built—and even more excited for what’s coming next.”




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As The MIC Music Group enters its next chapter, its mission remains clear: to uplift the artists shaping tomorrow’s sound and continue finding new, innovative ways to support them every step of the way.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

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Dru

Dru Hill

Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

James

James Day And The Fish Fry - MARDI GRAS MAMBO

Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

The

The New York Bee Gees

Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: music


 

NBPAC

NBPAC presents The Great American SoulBook

Saturday, February 21, 2026 @ 8:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Lez

Lez Zeppelin: The Song Remains The Same 50th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, February 21, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music


 



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EVENT PREVIEWS

Winners

Winners of the Spring 2026 New Jersey Film Festival Competition Announced!

The Competition component of the Spring 2026 New Jersey Film Festival has just concluded! Overall, we had a good festival this year.  We had a few screenings that were very well attended and a bunch with lower turnouts but that happens every festival for a variety of reasons.  The in-person show attendance was about the same as our Festival last year, but the online viewership is what has kept us afloat financially since COVID broke in 2020. All the Official Selection works of the Spring 2026 New Jersey Film Festival were selected by a panel of judges including media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. These judges selected the 33 finalists which were publicly screened at our Festival. The finalists were selected from over 600 works submitted by filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the judges chose the Prize Winners in conjunction with the Festival Director. Here below are the winners of the Festival. 



Music

Music at Bunker Hill presents David Kim on March 15th

(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill presents David Kim for his third appearance on the 18 year old concert series. Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, is joined by Burchard Tang, viola, and Priscilla Lee, cello, also members of the orchestra, in a concert on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 3:00pm. Concert selections include Serenade for String Trio by Dohnanyi, Passacaglia by Handel (Halvorsen) with Kim and Tang, and String Trio in C minor, Op. 9, No. 3 by Beethoven. The concert will be presented without intermission.



Newton

Newton Theatre presents GRUNGEFEST: Tributes to Pearl Jam & Chris Cornell

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Fans of grunge music will want to mark their calendars for GRUNGEFEST on Friday, April 10, 2026 at The Newton Theatre.  The Ledbetters will pay tribute to Pearl Jam and Superunknown will perform songs by Chris Cornell. Showtime is 8:00pm.



Lewis

Lewis Center for the Arts presents "How to Be Not Alone"

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater and Music Theater will present How to Be Not Alone, a concert of original and Broadway songs performed by the Princeton Playhouse Ensembles led by Solon Snider Sway and featuring guest tap dance artist Michael J. Love. Directed by faculty member Aaron Landsman and cosponsored by the Department of Music, the concert is on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Berlind Theatre. Showtime is 7:00pm.



Y

Y Arts in the Community presents The Great American SOULBook

(WYCKOFF, NJ) -- Y Arts in the Community presents The Great American SOULBook on Friday, March 6, 2026 at the Wyckoff Family YMCA. Take an exhilarating musical journey through the golden eras of Motown, R&B, and other timeless styles that have inspired generations. Showtime is 7:30pm.