Category Archives: community

UnderDogs in Austin, Pt. 2: Sahara Lounge

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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.

UnderDogs in Austin, Pt. 1: Kenny Dorham’s Backyard

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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…

Branches of the Cellotree (ft. Andy Beckey & Sarah Clanton)

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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.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Learn more about Cellotree Arts Presents
Learn more about The Quinn Spinn

Vote Now to Shape This Year’s Gussapolooza Lineup!

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While we’re on the topic of exciting, community-based August music festivals, we’ll also be taking our third trip up to Ontario for Gussapolooza, the three-day extravaganza featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent from across Canada — and the globe!

Our friends up there have received so many submissions this year that they need a little bit of help sorting through them. That’s where you come in!

Introducing Sound Check, a chance to discover new artists and help shape the Gussapolooza 2026 lineup. Every few days, they will be unveiling a new genre category with a fresh batch of artists from around the world. Your job is to head over here, listen, and vote for the artists that you want to see perform at Gussapolooza. The artists with the most fan support move forward in the selection process.

Want your vote to go even further? You can access 3x voting power by purchasing a Gussapolooza Insider Pass. The Insider Pass costs only $25 CAD, lasts throughout the 2026 Gussapolooza season, and includes even more perks, including giveaways, exclusives, and more.

It’s all in the name of creativity and community, as Gussapolooza comes our way August 21-23 at the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds in Cookstown, Ontario. Get those tickets here!

ACT FAST: Musikfest Music Industry Conference Early Bird Rates Expire April 1

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As we excitedly announced months ago, we’re returning to our original home of Bethlehem, PA this August for the Musikfest Music Industry Conference, a three-day meeting of the industry minds set to occur in the middle of the nation’s largest free, non-gated music festival.

If you want to get in on the action for the lowest rate possible, you’d better hurry: Early Bird badge rates expire this Wednesday, April 1.

The Musikfest Music Industry Conference (MIC for short) will take place from August 2-4 inside of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks brings together artists, educators, producers, industry professionals, and students for three days of conversations, workshops, mentoring, and performances focused on the real world of music today. (Also, rumor has it that someone you may know is a featured presenter once again this year…)

View conference badge options and get yours here. While you’re in town, don’t forget to enjoy the entire Musikfest experience, taking place throughout Bethlehem from July 31-August 9 (with the popular Preview Night taking place on the South Side on Thursday, July 30).

SAVE THE DATE: NOLA MusiCon Returns to New Orleans Oct. 28-30

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For the past two years, we’ve concluded October — and the year’s tour schedule — by taking a trip to New Orleans for NOLA MusiCon, a platform for artists and industry professionals to connect, learn, and inspire during three days of informative panels, inspiring interviews, and unparalleled networking.

This October 28-30, we’ll make it three in a row. NOLA MusiCon is BACK for 2026!

We hope you’ll join us once again in The Big Easy, and we’re excited to be a part of this incredible community once again. Details on conference and live music programming are sure to come in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, keep an eye out, because early bird badges will soon be made available for just $99 until July 1.

Want an inside look at our experience at NOLA MusiCon 2025? Relive the magic with our official vlogumentary, produced by our friends and fellow UnderDogs at NuRenaissance.

You Asked, We Listened: Music Business Accelerator Virtual Applicants are Now Welcome!

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A number of folks asked if we would be offering The A&R Foundation’s Music Business Accelerator program virtually, for those who are unable to attend weekly on Saturdays in Nashville this spring.

So, we got together… and we decided to open this thing up. Now, virtual attendees — UnderDog or not — are eligible to join us for this 12-week program!

The Music Business Accelerator is a 12-week program tailored for performing musicians and creative arts businesses within the music ecosystem who are looking to strengthen business acumen and build sustainable, long-term creative ventures.

The program is divided into two core tracks:

  • Entrepreneurial Fundamentals: Covering the foundations of starting, structuring, and operating a creative business.
  • Music Business Essentials: Diving into industry specific topics, real world application, and developing a healthier, more intentional relationship with money.

Throughout the program, you will gain practical tools, frameworks, and guidance you can immediately apply to your careers, whether you are just getting started or looking to level up an existing project.

With this news comes another update: we’re extending our application deadline one final time to Tuesday, March 24! This is an opportunity to receive FREE access to the information you need to structure your creative business – no matter where your journey takes you this spring!

APPLY NOW

This March, the Underground Revolution Heads to Austin!

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Last year, we made our way to Austin for our first ever trip to SXSW. It was an epic week — one which altered the course of UMC history, and gave rise to the era of the UnderDogs.

Such a life-changing experience was bound to have a sequel, and you had to know that we’d be running it back in the Live Music Capital of the World in 2026!

We’re teaming up with our friends at New York-based Rhythm & Soul Radio — who we met at another one of our favorite conferences, NOLA MusiCon — on two showcase events in Austin during SXSW week. The first one — titled Music, Art, Life — takes place on Saturday, March 14 at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (1106 E. 11th St.) beginning at 12 p.m. This one features UnderDogs Yonna Jones and Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess as part of a full day of music. You can RSVP and find full lineup info here!

Then, join us on Monday, March 16 for The Rendezvous in ATX, taking place at Sahara Lounge (1413 Webberville Rd.) beginning at 5 p.m. That’s where you’ll catch UnderDogs Kelsey Muse and T.R.A.N.E. Spitta in their element as part of another full lineup.

Want to hang with us before the live music kicks off? We’ll also be at The Long Play Lounge (704 W. St. John’s Ave.) on Friday, March 13 between 8-11:30 p.m. for The Array Party. This special evening will feature the opportunity to network with creatives from around the world, while you listen and dance to tunes spanning multiple genres and decades.

Of course, we’ll be in town from March 11 all the way through the 16th, so there will be plenty of opportunities to connect throughout the city of Austin. Follow along here at The Blog, as well as on Instagram and YouTube, for updates before and during the big week!

Going Further Together (ft. Austin Breckenridge)

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Austin Breckenridge is the Executive Director of The A&R Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Texas nonprofit entity dedicated to transforming creative passions into sustainable businesses, by providing independent musicians and creative arts businesses with tools, resources, and education on entrepreneurship.

The A&R Foundation offers the Music Business Accelerator cohort, a 12-week program which teaches musicians and creative entrepreneurs the fundamentals of building their businesses. Austin joins us on The Quinn Spinn to discuss the program, which is coming to Nashville for the first time this spring, alongside details on how to apply.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded at The Russell: https://russellnashville.com

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Join our mailing list or become an UnderDog to apply!

Learn more about the Music Business Accelerator
Learn more about The Quinn Spinn

Da’ Healerz Added to Music to Life’s Juried Artist Roster

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The Heal Hop Movement just reached new heights.

Da’ Healerz — fronted by Nashville-based emcees Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca — have just been accepted into Music to Life‘s Juried Artist program, a nationwide program “dedicated to cultivating and empowering a network of musician change agents.”

A national non-profit founded by 60’s civil rights icon Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary), Music to Life provides Juried Artists with opportunities to promote their work, train as a change agent through their Musician Changemaker Accelerator program, and engage in their National Changemaker Network of like-minded artists and collaborators.

The news comes on the heels of a successful 2025 for Da’ Healerz — one which saw the duo celebrate the release of their Heal Talk EP by hosting live Heal Talk Experience performance and talkback sessions, launching Da’ Healerz Circle podcast, and performing across the Southeast, with notable stops at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and NOLA MusiCon.

Learn more about Da’ Healerz — Music to Life’s newest Juried Artist — at musictolife.org.

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