At this point, 2025 is well underway. So, let’s take the training wheels off, and let’s rock!
Martyrs grace us with “The View From A Memorial Bench,” a turbo-powered alternative rock single inspired bya conversation the UK-based duo had with an older gentleman at Pegwell Bay, overlooking the sea in Kent, England. The tune touches on“grief, and the way memorials can hold so much meaning — both for those gone, and those left behind.”
“It’s about how we process loss by adhering to the mundane tasks of life, and how this can lead us to realizations and awakenings,” said Martyrs co-founder Michael Hall.
Those who have been following the band for a while might notice that “The View From A Memorial Bench” offers something different from the “fiercely independent” project, leaning on high-octane influences like Queens of the Stone Age and Faith No More.
“It is a huge departure for us, leaving synths and strings to one side and leaning into our formative loves of alternative rock and grunge,” Hall said.
On Tuesday night, we rang in 2025 with 200,000 of our closest friends.
The masses descended upon Bicentennial Capitol Mall for Nashville’s Big Bash — the nationally broadcast country music New Year’s Celebration. This year’s edition — which we live-blogged from the scene of the action — featured performances from Keith Urban (who also co-hosted the CBS telecast following his performance), Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer, Kane Brown, and local legend Jelly Roll.
Spirits remained high throughout the night, even as snow flurries began to fall at different points throughout the event. Overall, the party was a fitting send-off to 2024, and an exciting start for the year to come.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 12:19 a.m.: One more from Jelly Roll to send us home. Happy New Year!
11:23 p.m.: Another prime example of Jelly Roll’s connection with the Nashville crowd.
11:15 p.m.: Jelly Roll has had this crowd locked in on his every word. A magnificent homecoming for the Nashville native.
10:29 p.m.: Here’s Kane Brown again, letting that fiddle talk. Jelly Roll is coming up at 10:45.
10:05 p.m.: Shaboozey performed a highly emotive rendition of “Good News,” impressively creating an intimate moment with an ENORMOUS crowd!
9:57 p.m.: Kane Brown is here, dressed to impress on this New Year’s Eve!
9:54 p.m.: We’ve got snow flurries! Oh, and some videos of Kane Brown, plus one more from Shaboozey. Hang tight!
9:21 p.m.: Heading back out for Kane Brown… BUT FIRST, we caught some of Brittney Spencer’s performance, and she brought friends!
9:16 p.m.: I actually decided to brave the crowd before that, though, toward the end of Keith Urban’s set. Here, he welcomes Alana Springsteen to the stage, whom we met before.
9:06 p.m.: Here’s that video of “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” as promised!
8:46 p.m.: Shaboozey played a couple tunes for us, including his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Video to come (upload speeds are being compromised by the large crowd).
8:27 p.m.: Decided to brave the wilderness of the crowd for a few minutes for a closer look!
8:18 p.m.: We got a Jelly Roll sighting early! The packed crowd chanted the local legends name, and he told us of hid plans to run a marathon. Here’s video evidence!
8:01 p.m.: Shaboozey is next to take the stage at 8:35, followed by Brittney Spencer, Kane Brown, and Jelly Roll. Plenty of show still to come!
7:43 p.m.: Captured one more from Keith Urban’s set — the classic “Where the Blacktop Ends.”
7:37 p.m.: I totally wasn’t supposed to be on that elevated riser btw…
Anyway, here’s Keith Urban asking if you’re as messed up as him.
7:24 p.m.: Fun fact: My first ever industry job (besides The Quinn Spinn) was Event Staff at Musikfest 2014 back in Bethlehem. Whose show did I work on closing night?
Keith Urban.
The journey never stops providing full circle moments!
7:22 p.m.: Tonight’s co-host Keith Urban kicks off the telecast with a SCORCHING set. Much more coming from this one!
6:20 p.m.: BUT APPARENTLY there’s an ELEVATED media riser that I’m just le a ring about. This information could come in handy later…
6:13 p.m.: By the way… this stage view from the media riser is always immaculate.
6:11 p.m.: HAPPY NEW YEAR… Ireland!
Our moment is coming, after plenty of moments in between. Just getting started!
5:41 p.m.: Doors are open, kickoff is approaching, and a delicious treat from Daddy’s Dogs has been procured!
4:22 p.m.: When asked what lesson she would go back and teach her younger self at the start of her journey, Alana said: “Stop caring so much about what people think. The only thing in this life that’s worth chasing is the most honest, authentic version of yourself.”
3:44 p.m.: While we wait to interview Alana, I’m trying to troubleshoot why my YouTube embeds into this post are having issues. In the meantime, feel free to catch our video updates over there.
3:25 p.m.: Media is gathering ’round inside the Nashville Farmers Market for a chat with rising artist Alana Springsteen — one of many surprises in store for tonight!
3:19 p.m.: Stage is looking great! Genuinely, it’s nice to be back.
3:18 p.m.: Arrived on the scene not too long ago!
Tuesday, December 31, 11:52 a.m.: Welcome one and all to our now-annual New Year’s Eve tradition here at Underground Music Collective!
Tonight’s the night we and about 200,000 of our closest friends will arrive to Bicentennial Capitol Mall for Nashville’s Big Bash. This year’s edition features performances from Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer, and more — and we can’t wait to take in the sights and sounds as we welcome 2025 with a bang!
My credentials are in-hand, and I’ll be heading over to the site shortly. I’ll be checking in throughout the day, all the way to midnight and beyond!
As creatives, we begin our journeys with little more than an idea, and the faith that it can one day become what we envision. We often don’t know how we’re going to get there — or even, where to begin figuring it out. We just feel called to pursue the purpose that has been put in our hearts and minds. Even in times when it doesn’t seem to make much sense, we resolve to push on through.
As we continue pushing, we begin to see that vision take shape. We also start to see challenges inevitably rise to greet us along the way. Some of these challenges were anticipated from the start, but the vast majority — due to our own inexperience at the beginning of the journey — were not. It is in these moments that our faith and vision are tested, and that the comfortability of swimming back to shore — to a 9-to-5, “normalcy,” and the illusion of safety — becomes a tantalizing notion.
Despite this, I urge you to keep going. It may not feel like the wise thing to do when your resources are running low, new opportunities are in a drought, and life isn’t going quite as planned. However, facing these challenges and innovating around them is the only true path toward growth.
Find new ways to create resources. Yes, that may mean lining up some alternative income sources, while you’re still in the building phase. Create an opportunity which suits you and your lifestyle, and gives you the chance to invest the time, energy, and money into your larger vision. And, if something isn’t yielding the results you desire, be open to change!
Seek — and become the person to attract — new opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and do the work to discover the value you can provide to create more meaningful, mutually beneficial collaborations more often. Once you’ve done that, shoot your shot! The more seeds you plant, the more likely you are to reap the harvest. This goes in business, as well as in life.
Hold your frame when life ambushes you. Maybe you’ve incurred an unexpected expense. Maybe you’ve lost a job. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one, or a relationship didn’t work out. No matter what, you remain in control of your responses and the actions you’ll take from here. Take time to heal and process your emotions, while resolving to find ways to transmute your grief into love, and your pain into purpose. Then, pour it back into yourself and all that remains.
When life’s pressure mounts, those who emerge as stronger, wiser, better versions of themselves are the ones who face those challenges head-on. Resistance builds resilience, and these are the times when we must lean into our Values, Mission, and Vision the most. These are the flickering flames which light our darkest hours, and help us uncover the path forward.
If you’re ready to uncover your Values, Mission, and Vision to illuminate your creative journey, we invite you to join us for the first ever BRANDCAMP from UMC Academy. BRANDCAMP begins January 6. Register now by December 30!
AND… if you want 60+ more lessons from the creative journey, pre-order my book now (available Feb. 25 — paperback pre-order coming soon!)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We hope that you’re enjoying this time with your loved ones.
I’m feeling festive, and I want to share something with you. I stepped onto the stage at Helping Our Music Evolve and cooked up a special rendition of the Elvis Presley classic, “Blue Christmas,” just for you.
Please enjoy, and have a safe and happy holiday season!
We couldn’t let the holidays come and go without a fresh edition of Underground Holiday Hits!
This extra special playlist comes but once a year, and is loaded with more than an hour’s worth of our favorite indie holiday tunes through the years. From modern takes on holiday standards to original compositions, there’s plenty to enjoy during your holiday gathering.
Track listing: THUNDERCLAP! – They’re Callin’ For Six Feet The Fifth Wheel – I Miss You Christmas The Mad Sugars – Christmas Wrapping Lily Lane – Blue on Christmas Shattervox – Home for Christmas Kate DeL – Sleigh Ride Ice Island – The Little Drummer Boy Josie Cotton – Every Day Like Christmas Coley Kennedy & Justin Collins – The King of Christmas Eve Sofa City Sweetheart – Christmas in California Amanda McCarthy – Christmas Without You Meghan VK – Christmas Tradition Andi Jane – You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch Cat Lines – It’ll Still be a Merry Christmas Scott Kurt – Run Run Rudolph Olivia Frances – Harmonica for Hanukkah Rose Starring – River Rofo Audio – Stay Till Morn The Beautiful Distortion – We Three Kings Zac Young – Blacked Out on a White Christmas Glamper – Elf on the Shelf Worldwide Groove Corporation – When the Holiday Brings You Home
Don’t let the title fool you: we do way more than gush about our cats with our special guest, Nashville-based country artist Brittany Bishop.
But, now that we have your attention, we invite you to dive into this conversation, where Brittany opens up about her creative process and the importance of keeping it real, as she puts the finishing touches on her debut full-length record, coming in 2025!
This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville, TN.
David Tucker’s new self-titled EP is a reflection on the road he’s traveled not only as an independent artist, but as a human being. The rising pop-country artist is no stranger to overcoming adversity, having battled an autoimmune disorder and surviving a near-fatal car wreck on his way to a place of gratitude, connection, and creative fulfillment.
David shares his courageous story with us on this week’s episode of The Quinn Spinn.
We love it when you push musical boundaries. It makes our world more interesting and colorful.
That’s why we love rolling out the Indie Darlings playlist, in conjunction with Circle Back Entertainment Group. This is where we throw out convention and blur the lines between genres, giving you a unique compilation of tunes that you won’t find anywhere else.
This month, we give you an opportunity to immerse yourself in new sounds, and appreciate the experimentation taking place across the world, from high-end studios to home setups. Step into the experience!
Track listing: The Stremes – Got Myself Together Nico Son – Let This Go The Ivy – Every Little Ladder CIAO MALZ – Two Feet Tall Orland Sunset – Bullshit Alyssa Joseph – Another Year Julia Kahn – Badlands BoyWithUke – Gaslight Accidental Friend – Empty Love almost a.m. – Stand Still Hunter West – Don’t Cry Hugs, Parking Lot Funeral, & Karaoke Bar – hummin Post Meridiem – Love Pierce Alexander – Doll Parts Sierra Carson – skeletons Davis Evanoff – Cranberries (2024) rakey – Everything Is Summer Adam Lamah – Even If Common Man – Vermont Noorani – oceans
Your first weekend of December has its official playlist.
Let’s be real: the same goes for all of your other weekends.
This month’s Poppin’ Off playlist presents you with plenty of opportunities to dance your cares away. Once you return to those cares, never fear: there are some reflective tunes here, as well. We also snuck a holiday selection in, and look out for a super-slick synth pop section nestled into the middle.
“Pop” can mean a variety of things, and as always, all of those things have a home right here!
Track listing: Streamers The Band – Gone In A Flash Daniel Arci – Cold as ICE Mara Liddle – hush hush CMAGIC5 – Rock Paper Scissors Alis Vibe – Body as a Vessel Natisa Gogol – Heavens create Sid Seth – Wave Emma Driver – I Don’t Hate It, It’s Just Different Caroline Romano – Born to Want More znels – future now Alison Leah -Meet Me in the Garden Lawrence D. – Runaway virtues – U. Moody Joody – El Camino High The Silent Room – Veins Lo Fi Ho Hum – Boundaries Charity Bliss – joy algorithm Arya Phenyx – Please 2.0 Stranger Cat – Come My Darlin To The Sea Lily Lane – Blue on Christmas
