In a city known for its three mighty rivers, a fourth, hidden current flows beneath —an aquifer, unseen but vital. It’s this “Fourth River” that inspires the name of Pittsburgh’s newest and most ambitious electronic music initiative: a six-week grant and mentorship program supporting emerging musicians from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
A collaboration between the national Rising Artist Foundation nonprofit and local Honcho collective, the Fourth River Grant program kicks off its inaugural Pittsburgh edition this fall, and it’s aiming to do more than make beats.
For 10 selected Pittsburgh-based artists, Fourth River will provide a $1,500 stipend, music production software including Ableton Live and Logic, funds to cover health insurance, and six weeks of artistic and professional development led by internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Midland, aka Harry Agius.
Simultaneously, six public-facing music industry seminars will run Saturdays from October 11 through November 15 at Wood Street Galleries, covering topics such as publishing, booking, releasing music on a budget, and financial literacy.
Applications for the Fourth River Grant program will close Fri., June 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Grantees will be announced on July 21.
“We want to nurture artists holistically,” Ben Rafson, Rising Artist Foundation co-founder and longtime artist manager, tells Pittsburgh City Paper. “In our last program, only one of the artists even had health insurance. So we’ve made it a priority to provide that, along with the tools and acquaintance to help artists build sustainable careers.”
Fourth River is, in many ways, a continuation of Rising Artist’s 2022 Overtones program in Los Angeles, but deliberately pivots toward cities that often fall outside the coastal spotlight. “There was a real desire to do something in a place like Pittsburgh,” Rafson says. “Not just because I’m from here, but because it’s a city where cultural infrastructure is still developing. And we wanted to partner with a local group that really knows the scene.”
That group is Honcho, the genre-pushing, queer-centered DJ collective that’s been shaping Pittsburgh’s underground since 2012 through parties, festival programming, and community organizing. For Honcho, this partnership is a natural evolution.
“We’ve been throwing events for over a decade,” Aaron Clark, co-founder of Honcho and the after-hours club Hot Mass, tells City Paper. “But as we’ve gotten older, we’ve started thinking more about legacy. About how to uplift the next generation and give back to the scene that raised us.”
The name “Fourth River” isn’t just poetic; it’s symbolic.
“That hidden aquifer beneath the city is a powerful metaphor for the underground music community here,” Michael Moraine, Honcho managing partner, tells CP. “It’s this quiet, life-giving force that feeds everything around it. That’s how we see this program.”
Midland, the British producer and longtime Honcho collaborator leading the creative workshops, embodies that ethos as well. A thoughtful artist and vocal LGBTQ+ advocate, he plans to tailor the sessions to the final cohort, incorporating sensory-driven, interdisciplinary approaches. “He has such a strong sense of history and purpose,” says Clark. “He’s more than just a great DJ. He’s a mentor, and he cares deeply about this community.”
While the creative development sessions are reserved for the 10 grantees, the public seminars, open to anyone, are designed to demystify an often opaque music industry. Topics include how to monetize work, protect intellectual property, and build an independent label—all issues that disproportionately affect marginalized artists. The goal is to create ripple effects beyond the core cohort.
“Our system ties healthcare to employment, yet we celebrate independent creators,” Nereya Otieno, Rising Artist’s co-founder and managing director, tells CP. “We want this program to be a demonstration of what’s possible, of how art is real work, and artists deserve the same protections and resources as anyone else.”
Fourth River also emphasizes equity in its application and selection process. An external review committee, composed of one Pittsburgh community leader, one touring artist with Pittsburgh ties, and a former Rising Artist grantee, will review submissions, paying special attention to applicants from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds.
“For us, it’s not just about finding talent,” says Otieno. “It’s about removing barriers. About finding people who are serious about their craft but maybe haven’t had the same access or privileges.”
The long-term vision is even more ambitious. In addition to the workshops and seminars, the program will culminate in a live showcase and compilation album. Honcho also plans to launch a new local label, using the knowledge and infrastructure from this pilot to support future Pittsburgh artists.
With partners like the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Citizens Bank, Ableton, and electronic music magazine/community platform Resident Advisor already on board, the Fourth River Grant is shaping up to be not just a program, but a movement.
“Our hope is that the people who come through this don’t just make great music,” says Rafson, “but that they help shape the future of the city’s cultural landscape.”
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2025.
