Zoe Robinson, known to many as Fesssi K, has been sparking St. Petersburg’s music scene since 2019. As a musician and producer, Zoe, along with a close-knit group of friends, wanted to create a space that felt fresh, inclusive, and community-driven. After spending time in local venues like Pastahouse and the American Legion, where house shows thrived, one thought kept resonating with her: “We need more diversity—and more women.”
In an Our Music Our Body survey from 2017, 92% of female fans reported experiencing harassment at a music festival. In a more direct example, a reporter for TeenVogue was groped 22 times in 10 hours at Coachella in 2018 while writing a story on sexual assault at music festivals. Further, in the past 17 years, Coachella has had well over seven reported and verified sexual assaults.
In 2022, Durham Law School followed up on this research. Thirteen surveyors discussed “feeling the need to risk assess and adapt to help reduce the risk of sexual violence” when attending music festivals. “Some had stopped going to festivals altogether,” the research team noted, urging festival promoters to rethink and change the way they arrange these festivals.
These statistics inspired St. Pete artists to create We’re Sweet Girls, a collective focused not just on music, but on building connections and celebrating diverse art forms. “We started talking to friends, asking if they wanted to join a collective that would put on shows, make mixtapes, and even create zines,” Zoe shared. Their goal was both simple and ambitious: to build a safe, welcoming community and bring the experiences they wanted to see to life.
We’re Sweet Girls Zine table |Photo by Kaylen Ross
From house shows to St. Pete staples
What began as an idea among friends soon blossomed. With a core of women musicians and creatives—including DJs Becca and Delaney, and members of the band Spoiled Rat like Soleil, Valentina, Cassidy, Megan, and Summer—We’re Sweet Girls started hosting events that infused St. Pete with vibrant energy and a sense of belonging. By 2022, their monthly DJ events at The Bends had become a staple. These gatherings offer more than just music; they’re a place where “girls to the front” is a promise kept.
“We wanted to create a space where people can experience music differently—somewhere safe, inclusive, and fun,” Zoe emphasized. The collective’s events focus on thoughtful curation, from the music and vibe to the community they invite. “My favorite part is seeing people really vibing, dancing, and feeling comfortable,” Zoe said. “It’s not about ego; it’s about creating something rewarding for everyone.”
Curating nights with purpose
Each event reflects the collective’s dedication to intentionality and care. Beyond the music, attendees can grab a piece of the We’re Sweet Girls experience through mixtapes, zines, and exclusive merch. These keepsakes, along with digital mixtapes on BandCamp and streaming on Spotify/Apple music, ensure the collective’s creativity lives on long after the night ends.
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