Category Archives: 2024

A New Playlist for You ‘Indie Darlings’

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Last week, we told you about The Playlists, a series of UMC-curated Spotify playlists covering a variety of genre subsets.

What we didn’t tell you is that we forgot to include one in the initial announcement. So… let’s fix that!

We’re teaming up with our friends at Circle Back Entertainment Group to bring you Indie Darlings, a playlist highlighting shades of indie rock, pop, folk, and more. The exciting thing about this playlist is the variety you’ll find — because these are selections that are so eclectic, experimental, and quirky that they don’t quite fit anywhere else!

In addition to Indie Darlings, the other five playlists we’ll begin to roll out on Monday, November 4 are…

  • Rock On!: A compilation for all things rock & roll — indie, alternative, hard rock, and more!
  • Poppin’ Off!: Fresh pop finds, full of big sounds and even bigger hooks.
  • All-Americana: Straight from the heartland, this playlist features the best emerging country, roots, blues, folk, and bluegrass
  • Beats & Verses: The best discoveries from the world of hip hop and R&B.
  • From the Soul: Soul, funk, jazz, and R&B to make us sing, dance, and feel all the feelings.

Want to submit? There’s still time! Hit the button below…

SUBMIT NOW

LISTEN: Mobley is Haunted by ‘Y’r Ghost’

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Acclaimed songwriter Mobley just dropped his first new release since 2022 — and he’s wasting no time taking us on an emotional thrill ride.

“Y’r Ghost” is bubbling over with abrupt twists and turns — both in its sonic landscape, and the mood it serves to create. What begins with a sweet, soulful simmer transforms on a dime into a frantic, up-tempo dash, as our protagonist searches for answers after losing a partner whom he loved intensely.

“‘Y’r Ghost’ marks the return of Jacob Creedmoor, the protagonist from my last record, Cry Havoc!,” Mobley said. “It finds him reminiscing about the night he met the love of his life and mourning her loss, and the fact that she’s fading in his memory. The song’s shifts in mood and energy mirror the turmoil of our lovelorn hero, while the lyrics hint at a larger story still waiting to be told.”

That larger story — a continuation of the themes explored on 7-track Cry Havoc! EP — is coming soon in the form of a science-fiction epic. While we await more details, immerse yourself in the latest chapter!

LISTEN: With ‘Questions I Can’t Ask,’ falllift Finds Closure

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Sometimes, the only closure we’ll receive is that which we give ourselves.

North Carolina-based duo falllift explores the topic on their new single, “Questions I Can’t Ask.” The pair — songwriters Micah Cottingham and William Steven Hall — worked in tandem to craft the narrative, which addresses the words left unsaid after love has run its course.

‘”Questions I Can’t Ask’ is a song about closure where there was none,” they explained. “It’s about letting go and wishing someone peace, even when the same grace wasn’t given. This song is full of the things we would say to these people, the questions we would ask, if given the chance.

Listeners can expect a gorgeous, sweeping alt-folk arrangement; one whose impact hits us with a crescendo of both sound and emotion as the track progresses. Produced by Nick Bullock and mastered by GRAMMY Award-winner Kim Rosen, “Questions I Can’t Ask” features the talents of Clark Singleton (bass), Aaron Shafer-Haiss (drums), and Emanuel Wynter (violin).

“We chose Nick to produce the singles we’ve released this year, and we couldn’t be happier,” the duo said. “He took our ideas and transformed them into world-class tunes, while maintaining the artistic integrity we presented. Clark nailed the bass and Aaron added an effortless touch on the drums. Emanuel did what only he could do on the violin, and Kim taught us about mastering with her GRAMMY-winning touch.”

You may be hearing “Questions I Can’t Ask” around much more very soon. The song was picked up for sync placement on the long-running hit ABC series, Grey’s Anatomy.

Not only has falllift found success with this release — they’ve found great artistic and personal fulfillment.

“Although it can be difficult for some to address prior relationships, we felt it was important for us to give ourselves that space.”

LISTEN: David Tucker Has a Hard Time ‘Forgetting Her’

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Missing somebody means missing all of them — even the little things that make us crazy.

David Tucker explores the difficulties of moving on with “Forgetting Her,” a spacious pop-country waltz that makes us consider whether walking away is really the right move…

“I’m tired of getting eight hours cause she isn’t keeping me up
I’m tired of not being late cause her hair don’t look good enough
I wish I could still see the face that she makes
When something I did isn’t going her way
If you’re ever thinking that loving her is too much for you to take
Try forgetting her.”

-David Tucker, “Forgetting Her”

Co-written alongside longtime collaborator Jake Saghi and seasoned Nashville artist Qvint, “Forgetting Her” has been making waves on the musical landscape. The single was exclusively premiered by PEOPLE Magazine last month — and, with its heartfelt subject matter and absolutely gorgeous vocal harmonies, it’s easy to understand why this one has gained traction — with listeners and media outlets alike!

LISTEN: On “Charlotte’s Web,” Andi Jane Walks the Thin Line Between Love and Obsession

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What happens when love is taken too far?

Andi Jane explores the moments when love turns to obsession on “Charlotte’s Web,” a lush, haunting masterpiece just in time for spooky season.

Co-written alongside her partner at the time, Craig Anderson, the gothic folk single was crafted with inspiration from chilling real-life events.

“I wrote the song shortly after being physically threatened by my partner’s admirer; a woman who admitted to stalking him in order to become his friend,” Andi said. “After the incident, I met my first brown recluse spider, and I couldn’t close my eyes without thinking of spiders and stalkers. We ended stayed up all night to write this song.”

Representing the “battle between longing and harm, desire and destruction,” “Charlotte’s Web” features the one-man string section of Billy Contreras, who added depth to the sonic landscape by performing each the song’s five — yes, five — distinct violin parts.

“Watching him layer part after part, with each violin having its own unique name, was like watching a mad scientist at work,” Andi said.

Before ‘Heal Talk,’ Da’ Healerz Drop a ‘Jazzy Belle’ Freestyle

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With buzz palpable for Da’ Healerz forthcoming debut album, Heal Talk, on November 11 — and this one-of-a-kind listening party in Nashville on October 20 — the Heal Hop duo decided to drop something special on us early.

That would be their new “Jazzy Belle Freestyle,” complete with a video directed and produced by 28 Vision. According to a statement from Healerz Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca, the freestyle “pays homage to the legendary Outkast track, while diving deep into the ways we fall short and the battles we overcome to rise again. As the lead-up to our upcoming album, Heal Talk, this track sets the tone for the powerful stories and healing vibes to come.”

Welcome to Heal Hop—where music meets growth and transformation. Catch the vibe below, and don’t forget to RSVP to the Heal Talk listening party at Gras Haus in Nashville!

LISTEN: On ‘bad guy,’ Brooke Martin Flies Past the Red Flags

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Raise your hand if you’ve ever ignored the red flags in a relationship.

If you put your hand up, Nashville-based pop artist Brooke Martin has something fresh for you. Her new single, “Bad Guy,” is a mellow cautionary tale about what it means to ignore the warning signs.

The project began when Australian-based producer Mark “New Haven” Benedicto (Imagine Dragons) reached out to Martin via TikTok. After they connected, Martin teamed up with co-writers Colleen Francis, Tom Pino, and John Frank to bring the idea to life.

“I’m very excited about this song,” Martin said. “It’s my first release with Mark, so when messaged me and wanted to work with me, I jumped at the chance. He’s an amazing producer. And his timing was perfect, because I had a song idea I thought would resonate with every girl who ignores the red flags in relationships.”

If you’re looking for more where this came from, you won’t have to wait long. Martin is working on a forthcoming EP Billboard-charting producer and artist Andrew Kirk and Grammy-winning producer Chris Penny, set for release in 2025.

Choosing to Live Completely (ft. Jenna Vivacora)

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Jenna Vivacora attended the U.S. Naval Academy for college… until a medical disqualification (and the ensuing challenges) led her to music. Creativity helped Jenna find direction after this abrupt, fundamental life change — and it has helped inform her perspective about what it means to fully experience life.

Learn more about Jenna’s journey — and how its different components have informed her perspective.

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

Follow Jenna on Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/jennavivacora⁠

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WATCH: On ‘Philadelphia,’ William Harries Graham Shares Joyful Reflections

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Photo credit: Col Elmore

We can appreciate our youth for what it was, while realizing that there is happiness to be found in the present.

That is the theme of William Harries Graham’s new single, “Philadelphia.” The third single from Graham’s forthcoming album, Annie’s House (due out Oct. 25), the spacious folk ballad is hallmarked by hushed, reflective vocals and a wistful, yet steadfast acoustic arrangement.

“‘Philadelphia’ really is a song about looking back at the life you had when you were young and could do anything, but not missing it,” Graham said. “There is something nostalgic about that youth, but this song is about finding joy in every stage of life.”

The music video — directed by Ruby Lavin and WITH — conjures faded memories of summers gone by, as various adventures across the great American landscape are presented through a grainy lens. These scenes are weaved between Graham by himself, strumming and singing in a lawn chair. The Austin-based troubadour’s relaxed demeanor communicates a sense of peace for all that was, is, and will be.

“When people hear this album, I want them to walk away from it with some reflection on their own lives and experiences.” Graham said. “The music that I personally connect with is always music where I see some part of myself in it. I hope you see yourself in Annie’s House.”

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: The Playlists Debut from UMC on Nov. 4

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You need a place to listen to your favorite independent and emerging artists, and we’re happy to oblige.

On November 4, we will reveal The Playlists, a series of UMC-curated compilations on Spotify. This time, we’re doing things a little differently, by creating unique playlists for a variety of genre subsets.

No matter your musical flavor, we’ll have a place for you! The Playlists will include…

  • Rock On!: A compilation for all things rock & roll — indie, alternative, hard rock, and more!
  • Poppin’ Off!: Fresh pop finds, full of big sounds and even bigger hooks.
  • All-Americana: Straight from the heartland, this playlist features the best emerging country, roots, blues, folk, and bluegrass
  • Beats & Verses: The best discoveries from the world of hip hop and R&B.
  • From the Soul: Soul, funk, jazz, and R&B to make us sing, dance, and feel all the feelings.

Once released, The Playlists will be updated with fresh tracks on the first Monday of every month. To submit your music for consideration, click the button below!

SUBMIT NOW

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