Category Archives: 2024

LISTEN: Spence Brown Tells Us Life Isn’t Always ‘Easy’ — and That’s OK!

After a long, contemplative winter and spring, Spence Brown has reached the summer with a new sense of perspective and — dare we say? — optimism.

That’s what shines through on “Easy,” Brown’s latest single, released May 31. The final release before his album, 4am in Nashville, arrives this summer, “Easy” is a breath of fresh air, and the first glimpse of sunlight over the horizon after a cold winter’s night.

“One of the most fascinating emotions to me is the feeling of something being bittersweet, and at the end of the day, that’s really what life is like,” Brown said. “We’re here living, trying to figure out who we are and what to do with this one life we get. In the process, we end up feeling the full spectrum of emotions that we can as human beings, and realize that we — and everyone we know and love — will someday leave this plane of existence. That is the most bittersweet feeling that there is, so don’t take it for granted. Understand that, for the good to exist, the bad must also exist, and sometimes things just take a little bit of time and hard work.”

Like the rest of Brown’s releases, “Easy” was self-produced, with every detail curated to provide a thoughtful, cathartic experience for artist and listener alike.

“I started this song with a sample from Splice, but as I often do, I wanted to make the song my own and create something that still felt original,” Brown said. “So, I used the sample in the verses, and then mirrored the melody into a different instrument in Logic and added the vocal stacks that fill out the background. I tweaked the mix for months, just trying to make it perfect, because the song just meant so much to me.”

One Night. Multiple Musical Experiences. (ft. Alex Radus)

Alex Radus is a multi-genre songsmith who performs under is own name, as well as with versatile Pennsylvania-based alt-rock band, Hot4Robot. Alex’s ability to meld genres and captivate audiences is must-see, and you’ll have a chance to experience it as part of our Sounds of the Underground mini-festival, Friday, June 21 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA.

Today, we team up with our partners at Your Next Favorite Band to chat with Alex, and get a preview of what’s in store for the big night in Christmas City!

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve (H.O.M.E.), Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

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LISTEN: Ben Carr Laments Repeated Lessons on ‘Same Mistakes’

Having trouble getting out of your own way? You’ll relate to this…

Ben Carr released “Same Mistakes” over the holiday weekend. The Irish-born, Nashville-based songwriter blends his soulful Celtic croon with a spacious, up-tempo folk soundscape to call out our shared human tendency to repeat hard lessons.

“The song is somewhat of a lament, detailing a frustration of making similar mistakes over and over, and not learning from past downfalls,” Carr said. “At the same time, the song carries an energetic bop that will hopefully keep people entertained wherever they listen.

Carr has a busy summer up ahead; in addition to an EP release in June, he’s set to return to Donegal, Ireland for a run of summer shows. Follow him for the details, and check out “Same Mistakes” below!

Finding Quality Mentorship & Building a Platform

The one and only Ender Bowen returns to The Quinn Spinn for his third appearance. This time, the musician, author, blogger, podcast host, father, and aspiring compassionist returns as the first graduate of the UMC Academy.

We catch up on Ender’s journey so far, the lessons he’s learned and applied, and his own inclination toward educating fellow creatives on the journey. This is a big episode for anyone interested in personal and professional growth!

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve (H.O.M.E.), Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

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God Jots 

LISTEN: Center Yourself with The Mighty Calm’s ‘Joy of Missing Out’

Some prefer the bells and whistles that come with a long weekend. Others prefer to use the extra day as a time to rest and come back to center.

If the latter applies to you, then you’ll want to check out “Joy of Missing Out,” the latest instrumental cut from Portland, Maine’s The Mighty Calm. Written by guitarist Andrew LaVogue, this gentle summery tune has just one mission: to make you feel good.

“I had originally wrote this song as a solo guitar piece, but (drummer Jonathan Moore) and I got invited to perform on a local music video series called Between The Bins and we needed material,” LaVogue said. “So, he added drums to the song and we played it for the first time as a duo. When (bassist Alan Fernald) joined the band, he wrote the bassline, and then the song just started to sound huge.”

Take a moment before you spring back into action. Relish in the “Joy of Missing Out.”

WATCH: Sounds of the Underground Featured on WFMZ (Allentown, PA)

Our Sounds of the Underground event is coming to SteelStacks in our hometown of Bethlehem, PA on Friday, June 21 — and the hype machine is fully operational!

The good folks at WFMZ 69 News in neighboring Allentown hosted Phillip Reese — our co-conspirator and host of Your Next Favorite Band — to shine a light on Sounds of the Underground among other regional events taking place this summer. In addition, local songwriter Alex Radus — who you will have not one, but two chances to hear on June 21 — gave us a musical preview of what is to come with a rendition of his song, “North Star.”

PHOTOS: Tenille Townes & Friends Pay Tribute to Patty Griffin

One of country music’s modern-day stars took the 3rd & Lindsley stage in Nashville this week, gathering a few notable friends to honor a folk legend.

Tenille Townes headlined a sold-out evening celebrating the songs and stories of multi-time GRAMMY winner, Patty Griffin. The 90-minute set featured a variety of cuts from throughout Griffin’s revered 30+-year career, presented with the passion and reverence befitting a folk icon.

Townes was joined by an all-star lineup of special guests throughout the night. These included GRAMMY-, CMA-, and ACM-winning Ashley McBryde; Nashville-based Southern rockers The Cadillac Three; and rising country artists Caylee Hammack and Meg McRee.

What Happens When You Shift Your Mindset?

The mindset you carry and the energy that you bring to the world will determine the opportunities and relationships you attract.

Is it time for you to shift?

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

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LISTEN: Blair Gun Calls Out Your Complacency on ‘Don’t Think’

Cover art for Blair Gun's single, "Don't Think."

San Diego power punks Blair Gun — set to release their new album, There Are No Rival Clones Here, in just a few weeks — are showing off their range on their new, folk-infused single, “Don’t Think.”

The new tune — in contrast from previous single, “The Thief” — is built on a rootsy acoustic foundation, letting the band’s Americana sensibilities shine, while not losing the fuzzy, gritty edge that we fell in love with in the first place. Thematically, “Don’t Think” inspires quite the opposite, making us ponder how easy it can be to let ourselves become entangled in situations that do not serve our higher purpose.

“I wrote it about how hard it can be for anyone to make meaningful change in their life, and how often we can all end up complacent in toxic situations,” said vocalist/guitarist Joedin Morelock.

Produced, engineered, and mixed by Eric Bauer, There Are No Rival Clones Here will hit your favorite streaming platforms on Friday, June 7. Get another taste below!

NASHVILLE: June 12 Battle of the Bands Contestants Announced

Last month, you learned that ARREIS is teaming with Chicago-bred festival organizers Local Nation on presenting a Battle of the Bands competition this summer and fall throughout Nashville.

The first event will take place Wednesday, June 12 at The End (2219 Elliston Pl.), and we have your lineup right here…

Judges for the June 12 event include:

Want to perform at a future Battle of the Bands? Applications are still open through May 24. Submit for consideration!

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