Category Archives: community

Coming to NOLA MusiCon? Enjoy 25% OFF Courtesy of UMC!

In case you couldn’t tell, we’re already more than a little excited to be back in the Big Easy for this year’s edition of NOLA MusiCon, taking place October 28-30 at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center in New Orleans, LA.

To celebrate the first round of official speaker announcements — where you just might see a familiar face appear — we’re here to bring you in on the fun at an exclusive rate!

From now through the conference, enjoy 25% off your conference badge when you enter the coupon code UMC25 at checkout. We’re grateful to NOLA MusiCon for offering this special deal to our UnderDogs and all those close to the UMC community, and we look forward to hanging out with you in New Orleans this spooky season!

SAVE THE DATE: UnderDogs Across Borders Vol. 2 Set for August 13

As announced on last night’s edition of Have You Met…?, we’ll be back at Helping Our Music Evolve on Wednesday, August 13 with an all-new lineup for Volume 2 of our UnderDogs Across Borders benefit concert series.

The concert — supporting our UnderDogs Across Borders campaign, designed to open the gateway to even greater collaboration for our community of creatives across genres, disciplines, and geographic boundaries — will once again be hosted on our YouTube channel, with those local to Nashville invited to attend in-person. Hosted by Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, this fantastic evening will welcome a diverse lineup of artists from across our community, including:

You can attend either virtually or in-person for a $10 suggested donation — which you can make anytime by following this link!

TONIGHT, 7 CT: Have You Met…? (Broadcast Info + More)

Those UnderDogs are at it again!

We’ll return to the stage at Helping Our Music Evolve this evening at 7 p.m. CT for another all-new edition of Have You Met…? — featuring all-new UnderDogs!

Join host Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess as she sits down with some of the most recent additions to our UnderDogs community, including:

  • E.T., renowned Nashville-based hip hop artist and host of Music City’s longest-running hip hop radio broadcast.
  • Brittany Beech, owner of Frozen Moments Photography.
  • SADGURL, songwriter, performer, and alchemist.

You can tune in below! Or, if you’re in Nashville, come on out to 615 Main St., Suite G1 in Nashville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and it is 100% FREE to attend!

Want to be featured on an upcoming edition of Have You Met…? Become an UnderDog today!

Have You Met These New UnderDogs?

Our popular Have You Met…? interview series is set to return in-person and online this coming Wednesday, July 23 — and this time, we’re introducing you to all new faces!

Join host Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess as she welcomes three of the newest members of our UnderDogs community to the stage at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville). We’ll go live at 7 p.m. CT, as we welcome incredible creatives, including:

  • E.T., renowned Nashville-based hip hop artist.
  • Brittany Beech, owner of Frozen Moments Photography.
  • SADGURL, songwriter, performer, and alchemist.

Be sure to tune in! And, if you want to be featured on an upcoming edition of Have You Met…?, become an UnderDog today!

WATCH: Brother Dusty Makes Us Go ‘whoa’

Last Wednesday — following our inaugural UnderDogs Across Borders livestream benefit concert — our friend and fellow UnderDog Brother Dusty held a special event in Nashville at The Underdog, in celebration of his birthday *and* the release of the music video for his new single, “whoa.” (Clips of the event have begun surfacing, in case you want to check ’em out.)

We can definitely understand why Dusty threw a party of such magnitude. This one is worth celebrating!

Produced in conjunction with Ensworth Guitars and directed by Anastasia Elliot and Josh Saltzman, “whoa” is a thrill ride that breaks the rules and bends the genres as only Brother Dusty can. The video was filmed on location at popular Nashville music venue The Underdog and the Garden Family Warehouse, and is as dynamic and explosive as the hard-hitting single for which it was created.

Brother Dusty is just getting warmed up. Make sure you keep an eye on his socials for updates, and watch the video below. It’s sure to make you go… “WHOA.”

Beyond the Music: What’s Happening at Gussapolooza 2025?

Gussapolooza Music and Arts Festival is turning up the volume—and the vibes—for 2025, with even more to experience beyond the stage. Taking place August 22–24, 2025, this year’s festival invites attendees to discover more than music, featuring an expanded Wellness Zone, an even bigger Kids Zone, and unforgettable outdoor camping fun for all ages.

Now in its biggest year yet, Gussapolooza continues to grow as one of Canada’s most exciting emerging festivals, spotlighting indie artists while building a creative, inclusive, and family-friendly environment. In addition to its stacked musical lineup, the 2025 event offers unique attractions for every kind of festivalgoer.

Expanded for 2025: The Wellness Zone

Back by popular demand, the Health & Wellness Zone returns with even more ways to relax, recharge, and reconnect. Guests can enjoy yoga and meditation sessions, breathwork classes, sound baths, healing arts practitioners, and wellness-focused vendors offering services and education in a peaceful outdoor setting.

The Kids Zone Returns—Bigger Than Ever!

Families are welcome at Gussapolooza! The enhanced Kids Zone includes crafts, face painting, music lessons, games, and child-friendly performances, making it easy for parents and little ones to enjoy the festival together.

Camping Adventures + After Dark Fun

Weekend passes include free tent camping, with upgraded RV and power site options available. Campers can enjoy the community vibe with a late-night fire, spontaneous jams, and exclusive after-hours sets on the legendary Rebel Stage—where surprises and secret sets keep the music going long after the main stage wraps.

“Gussapolooza has always been about creativity, discovery, and community,” says Festival Director Valerie Robson. “This year, we’re expanding what a music festival can offer—creating an experience where you can dance, learn, relax, connect, and explore, all in one place.”

Whether you’re a music lover, wellness seeker, parent, or just looking for a weekend escape, Gussapolooza 2025 has something for everyone.

Tickets are on sale now! Early Bird passes sold out quickly, but general admission and camping upgrades are still available at gussapolooza.com.

REPLAY: UnderDogs Across Borders, Vol. 1

TONIGHT! We’re going live from 7-9 p.m. for the first-ever UnderDogs Across Borders benefit concert. Join us as we present a genre-diverse interstate lineup featuring independent artists from within the Underground Music Collective community.

By supporting UnderDogs Across Borders, you are empowering UMC to open the gateway to even greater collaboration. Your support bolsters UMC’s presence at major conferences and festivals in North America and Europe, while helping us build a stronger, more sustainable music industry that is ripe with fresh opportunities for our artists.

The lineup (in order of appearance):
Virtues
Nicolas Soul
Matt Schmoyer of Powder Valley Bang
Southside MAB
Kfhox

How to attend:

  • In person: Helping Our Music Evolve, 615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville, TN 37206 (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
  • Virtually (from ANYWHERE!): Our YouTube channel (embed below)

How to support:

Love Alabama Shakes? Play an Instrument? Apply to Play this Oct. 11 Tribute in Nashville!

GRAMMY-winning roots rock band Alabama Shakes have carved out a unique legacy for themselves — one that continues to take shape, as the band embarks on its 2025 reunion tour this summer.

A pair of Nashville musicians looks to honor that legacy on Lower Broadway this fall — and they’re looking for a few talented professional musicians to join in the fun!

Nashville-based artists Mandy Moon and Chelcie Jette are spearheading a special Alabama Shakes tribute show, set to take place Saturday, October 11 from 8-10 p.m. at Acme Feed & Seed (101 Broadway, Nashville). Submissions are now open for interested musicians to join the house band — and it’s a paid opportunity!

All you need to do is head over to this form, fill out some information about yourself, share a couple of performance clips, and wait to see if you have been selected!

In addition, guest vocalists are invited to submit through a separate form, which can be found here.

Want to Engage Your Fans Directly? Check Out this Webinar July 1!

In our never-ending, ever-evolving quest to Give Creators the Power, we decided: isn’t it about time that we educate our UnderDogs on ways that they can engage their fans directly — without all of the gatekeeping and algorithmic middle-men?

That’s what we’re doing with the help of our friends at ForeverFan, a platform developed to “help artists, labels, and marketers activate real fan data, drive direct revenue, and build sustainable, long-term growth.”

On Tuesday, July 1 at 12 p.m. CT, we’ll be joined by Chance Emerson, founder, and Joshua Coase, leading Customer Success Manager, who will share how ForeverFan helps artists build real fan connections, sell music and merch, run pre-saves and giveaways, segment superfans, and track fan behavior—all without needing a team of marketers.

This Lunch & Learn is a benefit for UnderDogs members. That means you’ll want to Become an UnderDog before this Tuesday at 12 p.m. CT. You’d better get on that!

Want to learn more about ForeverFan? Take a deep dive!

TONIGHT, 6 CT: ‘Have You Met…?’ Tune-In Info + More

Tonight is a great night to get to know some of the creative souls among us!

Join us at 6 p.m. CT for the latest installment of ‘Have You Met…?’, an interview series that allows you face time with the artistpreneurs who make up our UnderDogs community. Tonight’s edition will be hosted by Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, and will feature three exclusive interviews and a Q&A.

DETAILS:

Guests: Lord Goldie, Brother Dusty, Mr. AdamsBTW
Time: 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT)
Location: Helping Our Music Evolve, 615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville, TN (in-person audience members are welcome!)
Where to watch: YouTube (see embed below)

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