Category Archives: news

NASHVILLE: Prepare Yourself for UMC Super Saturday

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As the UMC Creator Lab campaign rages on, we’re heading out on the trail this Saturday for not one, but two events showcasing art, music, and the power of community.

Begin this adventure with us at the Antioch Arts Party, hosted from 4-7 p.m. at 2783 Smith Springs Road in Nashville. Presented by Arts N Antioch, this celebration of creativity, culture, and community will feature a total of seven live performances — including from UnderDogs Mandy Moon, Kelsey Muse, Yonna Jones, Nicolas Soul, and Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess & Cosmic Sound. The event will also feature interactive, all-ages fun including a community art wall, blackout poetry, color mapping and more!

After that wraps up, head on down the road to Murfreesboro for the monthly Barz in the Boro hip hop showcase and cypher at Cedar Glade Brews (906 Ridgely Road). Hosted from 7-10 p.m. by E.T. and Raw Proof, this month’s lineup features Nashville hip hop OGs The Elderz, alongside D Suppa and artists from Clique Tight Circle Entertainment.

Both events are free to attend, and give you the opportunity to hang with us and support the UMC Creator Lab. Spend your Saturday with the UnderDogs!

NEW SHOW ALERT: ARREIS ‘Angel’ EP Release June 17 at The East Room

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Over the past several months, ARREIS has been building toward the release of Angel, her new EP which features re-imagined versions of songs from her first album, alongside new music that illustrates her growth as an artist and a person. Recently, we even did an interview about the project!

Now, Angel is almost here — and we’re returning to one of our favorite East Nashville haunts to celebrate the release!

On Wednesday, June 17, the Angel EP Release Party will take place at The East Room (2412 Gallatin Rd., Nashville). This special evening will feature a live performance from ARREIS, with support from an array of standout Nashville locals, including Mandy Moon, Limestone Loveseat, and REHAAN.

The Angel EP releases on June 26. However, rumor has it — because we’re starting it — that the new record will be available early to those who attend this event. If you want to get your hands on Angel before anybody else, this is your one and only chance!

Oh, and did we mention that this special engagement is in support of the UMC Creator Lab campaign? It’s a great opportunity to show your love, and help us build a space in Nashville where Creators Have the Power!

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 day of show, and tickets are available here. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m.

TONIGHT, 7p: Stones “The Bass Playa” YouTube Takeover

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Stones “The Bass Playa” is the bassist for UnderDogs Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess and Shawney Rainne.

This Wednesday, June 3 from 7-8 p.m., Stones — perhaps alongside surprise special guests — will take his talents to our YouTube channel, all in the name of our UMC Creator Lab campaign.

SUPPORT THE CREATOR LAB

PHOTOS: Creative Pulse Open Mic at New Heights Brewing

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Creative Pulse is an organization that gives independent artists the opportunity to perform in a variety of settings throughout Nashville. From established and up-and-coming local artists, to those traveling in from out of town, they are providing a platform for artists across all genres to be heard.

Last month, we had a chance to attend their open mic and spotlight series at New Heights Brewing, just south of Broadway. There, we were treated to a tremendous feature performance from soulful piano pop songwriter, a human (yes, that’s his artist name!), in between open mic performances by a host of Nashville’s standout indie artists.

The series returns to New Heights this Wednesday, June 3 from 7-10 p.m., featuring a spotlight performance from South African-born country artist, Wynn Hansen. While you wait, enjoy some photos from our previous adventure below!

On ‘What We Can’t Say,’ Ty Warner Observes a Love Disconnected

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Our friend and fellow UnderDog Ty Warner has been on a hot streak so far in 2026. It wasn’t too long ago that we told you about “Connor’s Crawl,” the instrumental, jazz-influenced single released in honor of Warner’s precocious young grandson, Connor.

This time, the Air Force veteran-turned-full-time musician adds his voice back into the mix with “What We Can’t Say,” a mid-tempo Americana ballad which explores the ways our minds can interfere with love.

“Romance is an illogical concept,” Warner said in a video posted to social media. “It’s not like balancing a checkbook or knowing when your car payment is due. It’s based on emotion.”

The story of “What We Can’t Say” positions Warner as an observer of two lovers struggling to work through communication issues and find common ground through the love they share. The tune’s beautifully layered Americana soundscape — produced by Jim Thacker of Kazen Music Group — adds a wistful tone to support the narrative. A listener might imagine “What We Can’t Say” weaving into the post-breakup montage of an indie film, as two individuals pause, reflect, and realize that they’re stronger as a pair.

“What We Can’t Say” features Warner on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, with Thacker performing electric and bass guitar duties. Asha Sun provided backing vocals, and GRAMMY-winner Robin Ruddy added a classic country touch with her work on the dobro. Elements of the single were tracked both in Nashville by Scott Griffin, as well as by Vante Anderson at Wyoming Wave Studios in Cheyenne, WY.

As for the artwork? The tradition of artwork designed by the Warner grandchildren continues, as the cover art for “What We Can’t Say” was designed by Warner’s granddaughter, Nora Jo.

Who will be the first to say, “I love you?”

Trusting Your Creative Vision (ft. Jesse Lynn Madera)

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Jesse Lynn Madera is making some of the most authentic music of her career. The LA-based songwriter’s latest single, “Woke Up In LA,” is a tender slice of Americana which serves as “a testament to resilience and the persistence of love, even through ‘the dog days.’

We get to know Jesse Lynn on this episode of The Quinn Spinn, where she discusses the many stops along the road that have led her to uncover and share her truth, as only she can.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at The Russell, Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Learn more about Jesse Lynn: https://www.jesselynnmadera.com/
Learn more about The Quinn Spinn: https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn

Gussapolooza Reveals Full 2026 Lineup

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Gussapolooza Music & Arts Festival returns to the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds in Cookstown, Ontario on August 21–23, 2026 for its fifth annual edition. What started as a backyard gathering has grown, year after year, into one of Southern Ontario’s most distinctive independent music weekends — three days of live music, original art, and community built entirely from the ground up. 

Built by musicians, for musicians — and the community that keeps showing up for them. 48 acres of open grounds, three stages, and a lineup drawn entirely from the independent Canadian music scene. 

2026 Lineup 

Headlining Saturday night is Feral Minks — the Kitchener rock outfit who have been building serious momentum across the Canadian independent scene. Produced by Jay Emmons of The Glorious Sons, their breakout single “Matador” cracked the Top 25 on the Canadian Active Rock charts, and the band earned HTZ FM’s Rock Search title in 2024, joining a lineage that includes Finger 11, The Trews, and The Glorious Sons. Multi-year Gussapolooza alumni and the festival’s 2025 Band of the Year, the Feral Minks return to close out Saturday night and receive a gold vinyl award on stage. 

Also on the 2026 bill: Propter Hawk — the Toronto five-piece fronted by Malorie Jo Blake, whose horn-drenched rock and roll has earned features in the Toronto Star and placement on Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada; Taming Sari, the bilingual Ontario-Atlantic rock outfit whose single “Crazy” hit 50,000 Spotify streams and 50,000 YouTube views within weeks of release; HARKNESS, Toronto’s psych-pop solo artist known for a commanding live presence and building a loyal following across Canada and beyond; Cabin Fever, the southwestern Ontario folk/roots trio whose single “Devil Is A Friend” was featured on Season 3 of “The Trades” on CraveTV, and whose music has landed on CBC’s Alt Country and Canadian Country playlists and drawn coverage from outlets in the UK and New Zealand. Returning to the Gussapolooza stage: The Manic Boys and Girls Club — the Toronto alt-pop/rock sibling duo whose EP was produced by Gavin Brown, the award-winning producer behind Billy Talent, Metric, and The Glorious Sons. 

The full 40+ artist lineup spans rock, country, folk, and alternative, and includes Tony Rust & the Mudhorses, The Thick, Feura, Suzi Kory, Dumb Crush, Kill/Death Radio!, Black Paint, Coco Rose, The Meringues, Joanna Bronson, The Connors Brothers, and many more. Full lineup and schedule at gussapolooza.com. 

About the Festival 

Gussapolooza is an all-ages, three-day independent music and arts festival rooted in community, creativity, and connection. Since 2022, it has created a gathering space where independent and emerging Canadian artists play to the families, music lovers, and loyal regulars who have made this weekend part of their summer. 

Programming spans three music stages — the Main Stage, Barn Stage, and Side Stage — alongside a dedicated Kids Zone, Health & Wellness Zone, Vendor Village, Creator’s Convention (an outdoor podcast and media activation space), and Artist Alley. 

New in 2026: WonderGround, an immersive art zone featuring large-scale installations. 

A Platform for Independent Canadian Music 

At a time when independent artists face shrinking venue circuits and consolidating festival rosters, Gussapolooza represents something built differently. The festival was started by a musician who wanted to create a stage worth playing — and has grown entirely on word of mouth, community investment, and a commitment to keeping the lineup independent. 

For many artists on the 2026 bill, Gussapolooza is one of their largest stages of the year — and the crowd that fills those grounds came specifically to find them. 

Festival at a Glance 

  • Dates: August 21–23, 2026
  • Location: Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds, Cookstown, Ontario
  • Format: All-ages, three-day outdoor music & arts festival with camping
  • Stages: Main Stage, Barn Stage, Side Stage
  • New in 2026: WonderGround — immersive art zone
  • Tickets: Available at gussapolooza.com

LISTEN: E.T. Preaches Family Values on ‘Never Wanna Give You Away”

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Few things in life will give us a truer sense of “it’s bigger than me” than parenthood. The perspective shift — often from staunch, dedicated individuality, to carrying the responsibility of providing for and nurturing the next generation — aligns us with our purpose, and helps us cut through the noise to realize what truly matters.

E.T. delivers that perspective on “Never Wanna Give You Away” — and he recruited longtime collaborator Iyce and fellow Nashville emcee Aye West to join him on the mission.

Produced by Konscience Beatz, “Never Wanna Give You Away” is a soothing offering of Southern hip hop and soul. Both E.T. and Aye West speak on their experiences navigating fatherhood, making clear their intentions to show up as a secure presence in their children’s lives, no matter the weather.

In between verses, Iyce adds a gorgeous refrain that complements the overall message — and even manages to sneak a clever tribute to one of Otis Redding’s most legendary moments into the bridge. (See… now you’ll have to listen for that one!)

Why don’t you get to it, then? Vibe out to “Never Wanna Give You Away” riiiiight here…

IT’S TIME: Support the UMC Creator Lab!

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SUPPORT HERE

We started in Mom’s Basement — just a laptop, a USB mic, and an idea.

Back in 2013, Underground Music Collective was born in a basement in New Jersey with a simple intention: highlighting the journeys of inspiring artists and creatives from around the world. What started as a podcast called The Quinn Spinn grew into something none of us saw coming.

Since then, we’ve connected with over 700,000 artists across 5 continents, collaborated at major industry events in 12 (now 13 as of May!) cities across North America and Europe, and had the privilege of speaking at SXSW, Departure Conference, NOLA MusiCon, Confluence Carolinas, and more.

Through UMC Academy, we deliver workshops, seminars, and one-on-one consultations covering artist development, branding, content creation, sync licensing, production, and tour routing.

We amplify those same creators through artist interviews, music reviews, and feature content that put independent artists front and center.

We’ve also partnered with organizations like NOLA MusiCon, Gussapolooza, and Creative Pulse (and many more) to expand educational and performance opportunities for working creatives.

For as long as there has been a music industry, creators haven’t had a proper seat at the table. We’re building our own.

Now we’re taking our biggest chance yet. We’ve partnered with City Limit Studios to bring the UMC Creator Lab to life in Nashville, Tennessee – a dedicated space where producers, artists, songwriters, and content creators can record, write, shoot, and collaborate. Need to lay down a track? Run a songwriting session? Shoot content or record a podcast? We’ve got you – at the most accessible rates in Nashville.

We have 60 days to raise $10,000. This is an all-or-nothing campaign, which means we only receive funding if we hit our goal. Every contribution goes toward renovating the Creator Lab and acquiring recording equipment (sound treatment, music production software, podcast gear), a content creation wall, team travel, and operating costs — hello, rent.

As a thank you for your support, we’ve put together rewards ranging from exclusive UMC Creator Lab merch to karaoke night with Gerard, VIP event backstage access, and even a shot at winning more prizes.* Check out the rewards below and be a part of our movement!

Throughout the 60 days, we’ll also be rolling out special activation events and milestone celebrations — including where contributors can win even more prizes along the way. Be sure to follow @umcworldwide and stay subscribed to our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing.

As the world becomes more automated and AI touches every corner of the music industry, creators are craving something real. Real collaboration. Real opportunity. Real community. UMC is here to build that space.

Back in the Mom’s Basement days, there was a sign hanging in the kitchen that read:“May you always have the courage to take a chance.”

Thirteen years later, we’re still taking chances. Follow along at @umcworldwide and join us – let’s build a space where Creators Have the Power. Thank you for watching this video and for your contribution!

— Gerard Longo, Founder & CEO, Underground Music Collective

SUPPORT NOW

Artist Advocacy: An Essential Part of Artist Development

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If you’re in artist development, advocacy is part of your job description.

We need more people on the “business” side of the music business who will stand up for artists as they navigate a challenging, ever-evolving landscape. It is our duty to make sure that artists’ best interests are properly represented, and that we are developing artists in a way that empowers them to build sustainable creative businesses – in terms of dollars and cents, as well as ethics and values.

This means giving artists a seat at the table by bringing them to industry events, including conferences and festivals. There, they can learn, perform, and build relationships with real  human beings, planting seeds for future collaborations and opportunities.

There is so much that can be done at the local level, as well. Opportunities to perform, connect, and collaborate are all around us – and meaningful opportunities are more likely to come when we function together as a community, instead of as individuals. This is why we must work to uncover what is important to the artist – not only as a creative, but as a human being. This is what will point each artist’s compass toward a truer north, as they move into alignment with the people, organizations, and causes that resonate with who they are (and which often inspire them to create art in the first place).

True artist development means arming artists (and the creative teams who serve them) with the business knowledge necessary to build their ecosystems – and teaching them business skills that would help them flourish in any industry. There is so much more to succeeding as an artist than write-record-release-perform-repeat. Not to mention, hedging your bets on a piece of content going viral is as viable a growth strategy as hope itself (i.e.; not very). Like all other entrepreneurs, artists need to understand the fundamentals of operating a business entity, and then implement the nuances of their industry. Putting the cart before the horse – or worse, completely ignoring the need for a horse in the first place – leads to stagnation, frustration, burnout, and dreams of what could have been.

While the creative process is important, true artist development is so much more than sticking a bunch of artists and songwriters in a room to “cook up” until they write a hit. It is our responsibility to teach artists that there are so many ways to build a life and career you are proud of. We have more tools than ever to choose our own adventures in this industry, based on our goals and the lives we wish to lead.

There’s nothing wrong with getting placements and signing to a label… if that’s what you want.

If that isn’t what you want? Good news – it isn’t the only way forward.

As artist developers, it is our responsibility to help artists construct their careers and lives, on their terms. We must do this instead of forcing their creativity into a box, or using their platform as a vehicle to capitalize on a trend that, most likely, has already peaked by the time we start to “cook up.”

Simply put, artist development means developing the whole artist in a way that aligns with the life and career they want — even if it doesn’t fall in line with current trends or industry agendas. And yes, it is possible.

We must never forget that we are here to serve artists – not the other way around.

Connection over commodification.

Independence over dependence.

Ecosystems over EGOsystems.

Artistry over the algorithm.

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