As we progress into our music careers — as hobbies become careers, and our responsibilities outside of the industry increase in volume and importance — we stop asking the same questions.Instead of putting our whole life on hold for music, we begin to ask: how do I make this career fit into my life?
This timely conversation with the returning Danny Spiro dives deep into that question, as we uncover the ways we’ve found to move forward as life, the industry, and our own endeavors have evolved.
This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded at The Russell, Nashville, TN.
“I don’t care how you treat me I love you completely Through the dog days I’m yours anyway I was begging and pleading And you just laid there sleeping And I prayed to fly away I woke up in LA again today.”
Caught between mundane realities and greener pastures, Jesse Lynn Madera’s latest single, “Woke Up In LA,” is a tender slice of Americana which serves as “a testament to resilience and the persistence of love, even through ‘the dog days.’
Inspired by her early days of living in Los Angeles after re-locating from New York City, Madera paints a picture of love’s imperfections; the ways that our wounds show up when we try to love someone, the damage caused by words both said and unsaid, and the resolve to find a way forward despite it all.
“It’s the most me-sounding stuff I’ve put out yet,” Madera said. “It’s the artist’s job to reflect the truth, to hopefully help the listener feel seen and understood through having the courage to try to understand ourselves.”
It is in those attempts to find understanding that we uncover the truth about what’s best for us. Over time, we learn not to seek perfection from life, and we realize that the escapes we seek — to a simpler life in Montana, or anywhere else — offer only temporary relief from the underlying narratives that shape us as individuals.
The song’s official music video — curated and edited by Madera — is a live-action scrapbook of her story so far, intermingling heartwarming clips from early childhood to snapshots of her present-day reality. It’s an opportunity for the West Virginia native to lean all the way in, as she accepts and expresses all parts of what makes her human.
“I feel less protective of my experiences now,” Madera said. “I have so many tales to tell and I want to claim my story.”
How do you build credibility without burning bridges? How can your creative brand become more visible to the right audience?
Our friends at Brandinc PR — the Austin, TX-based firm that helped put us on the map a few years back — have come to us with the answers to those questions and more, as you navigate the world of public relations and brand awareness.
They’ve made their webinar, PR for Indie Artists: How to Build Visibility Without Burning Bridges, available to our UnderDogs members for a DEEP discount. When you become an UnderDog, you will have access to this 1-hour strategy session hosted by Brandi Sims for just $147 when you use the code UMCPR at checkout — a $200 discount from its standard price of $347.
This is just one of the ways we (and our partners) are helping the UnderDogs navigate the ever-changing creative landscape.
Listen up, everyone. The music industry is a mess. The robots are trying to take over. There is snake oil for sale, and some artists have bought in. And yet, there is prevailing hope that this thing is turning back toward community and collaboration, in spite of the best efforts from some of the powers that be.
That’s why your music industry aunt and uncle — weatherers of many-a storm — are here to set the record straight. ARREIS joins The Quinn Spinn once again as our guest on a fiery episode that is sure to help you, independent artists of Earth, navigate this strange wilderness.
This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at The Russell, Nashville, TN.
Our SXSW 2026 adventure continued into the following week, as we had a couple more performances left in us before we got on the road back to Nashville.
This time, we were just up the road from where we left off at Sahara Lounge. There, we were joined once again by the good folks at Rhythm & Soul Radio — curators of yet another a magical experience — and the Rollin’ Souls house band, whose immeasurable talents were the wind beneath our wings, creating a send-off fit for an UnderDog.
It was there that Kelsey Muse brought the “Whispers” all the way to Austin, generating plenty of buzz that is still carrying weeks later.. Joining her on the bill was Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, who graciously stepped into an available slot at the last minute to deliver poetry spoken straight from the soul.
For the first time since before the pandemic, a new, original studio release has emerged from the world of Billy Bauer Band.
This time, it’s the band’s namesake himself with a solo effort. Billy Bauer released the raw, acoustic cut, “Queen of Her Town,” on March 31. Produced by fellow artist and dear friend Bobby Siegfried of Chasing Daylight Productions, the tune was written more than a decade ago, on the road back to the band’s hometown of Bethlehem, PA from a gig in Milwaukee, WI.
“Queen of Her Town” features a tender vocal and the warm tones of Billy’s Martin Guitar, as he sings of a small-town girl with big dreams. One particularly exciting moment happens around four-and-a-half minutes in, when the last chorus gives way to a rollicking outro, showcasing Bauer’s signature scat vocals.
“After rehearsal, everyone cleared out—except me and former bassist Steve Zalalas,” Bauer noted. “What started as a jam became a one-take live recording, raw and mostly untouched. It was too special not to share.”
The song is available on all major streaming platforms — but that’s not the only way you can get it. The band has made “Queen of Her Town” available for downloadable purchase on Bandcamp for just $1, giving you an easy way to show your support.
Be sure to stay tuned, because we have it on good authority that there’s more where this came from. In the meantime, go ahead and meet the “Queen of Her Town.”
Last month, the UnderDogs took a trip to Austin, TX to take part in this year’s SXSW week festivities. It was a chance to connect with old friends, make new ones, and bring the light of our community to the Texas Capitol.
We also lined up some performances for our artists, in conjunction with our friends at Rhythm & Soul Radio out of New York and featuring the wonderful talents of The Rollin’ Souls house band.
First up was a day at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, operated by the East Austin Creative Coalition. A beautiful, sunny Saturday lent the perfect energy to this unique, all-outdoor artistic space — the perfect backdrop for UnderDogs like Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, Nicólas Soul, and Yonna Jones to showcase their unique abilities and connect with new fans.
Enjoy these shots from this fantastic afternoon, and stay tuned. Part 2 is coming soon…
Through live events, production services, industry education, and community, Andy Beckey and Sarah Clanton are giving independent artists near and far a safe place to land.
The couple — both touring musicians in their own right — co-founded Cellotree Arts, which features a series of house concerts and a full suite of services for independent artists. Community is the name of the game, and they’ve built one that is robust and meaningful across the musical universe.
