Category Archives: news

Have You Heard the ‘Whispers?’ Kelsey Muse Releases New Single

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When we last checked in with our fellow UnderDog and UMC NEXT2RISE artist Kelsey Muse, she was putting the finishing touches on “Whispers,” her new single produced by MidDay.

The moody pop-R&B single — a celebration of one’s own individuality, even in the face of outside criticism and expectations — is officially out in the world. However, you won’t find it on streaming platforms just yet.

Kelsey has the single available for purchase at her official website in two bundles. The first bundle includes two versions of “Whispers” — the full version, and the radio edit — and a Kelsey Muse “Strike the Heart” t-shirt. The second bundle includes both versions of the song, as well as her previous single, “Sunglasses.”

Or, if you want a free download, you can help Kelsey spread the word by logging into Instagram, giving Kelsey a follow, and then liking this post and sharing it to your story. If you go that route, make sure you tag Kelsey in your story to claim your free download!

Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going: Part 1

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“Why dontcha make a few slides for a timeline, outlining key milestones that helped create the UMC we know and love today?”

So naturally, we had to be absolutely extra and document our lore.

This is the first in a multi-part series that will share the story so far — from the early days of The Quinn Spinn in Mom’s Basement Studios, to our transformative, globe-spanning 2025. At the end, we’ll also share more information on our plans, hopes, and dreams for the future that we think you’ll dig!

This was a blast to create, and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for Part 2!

NASHVILLE: Renaissance Certified Fall Showcase Set for Saturday, Nov. 8

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Tour season may be over for us, but there’s still plenty happening back in Nashville to keep things warm into the winter months.

For one thing, our friends at NuRenaissance — owned and operated by UnderDog and NEXT2RISE artist Nicolas Soul — are hosting their Renaissance Certified Fall Showcase this Saturday, November 8 at 615 Main St., Suite G1 in Nashville.

Join us from 8-11 p.m. for “a night of pure fire and unforgettable vibes.” This hip hop and R&B showcase is hosted by Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess and coordinated by Amore Dear, with sounds by DJ Sage. The lineup features performances from Nashville-based artists Itz Jaleel, Miles Creed, Simone J’Nae, Durtyhues, Southside MAB, and B. King.

Watch the official trailer below, and be sure to get your tickets here!

Apply to These 2026 Festivals & Conferences

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After last week’s epic trip to New Orleans for NOLA MusiCon — and a year that saw UMC everywhere, from Austin to London — we’re already dreaming of more travels in 2026.

Fortunately, new adventures are always on the horizon, for both artist and educator alike. In fact, some of our favorite haunts from the past couple years have open submission processes ongoing right now. So, if you’ve been bitten by the travel bug — and want to scratch the itch by doing your thing in new markets — we’ve compiled information on a few of our favorites right here.

SXSW London

Dates: June 1-6, 2026
Location: London, UK
Deadlines: November 24 (Performer), December 7 (Speaker)
Notes: The European edition of SXSW — now in its second year — has an open application process for those looking to make their mark overseas in 2026. Both emerging and established artists, as well as organizers of forward-thinking lineups, are encouraged to submit for performance consideration. That deadline is coming up quick, but you still have time. If you’re a speaker, you have a couple extra weeks to get your proposal together!
Link to apply: SXSW London 2026 | Public Submissions Now Open

Musikfest

Dates: July 31-Aug. 9 (Festival); Aug. 2-4 (Conference)
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Deadlines: November 15, 2025 (Conference), February 28, 2026 (Festival)
Notes: Musikfest itself is entering its 43rd year in 2026, and is the nation’s largest free, non-gated music festival, bringing nearly 1.5 million people to downtown Bethlehem in 2025. The Musikfest Industry Conference — now in its second year — aims to put world-class ideas and music industry knowledge (like yours) in front of the artists who comprise this growing, talent-rich regional arts hub (and UMC’s original hometown).
Links to apply: Festival | Conference

Gussapolooza

Dates: Aug. 21-23
Location: Cookstown, ON, Canada
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Notes: Our favorite weekend getaway is on for next August! This all-independent, three-day festival — nestled just an hour or so north of Toronto — brings some of the most notable rising acts from across North America together in the name of music, art, and community. Gussapolooza also invites vendors and artisans across the creative landscape to get involved. In that spirit, we’ll include the vendor application below, as well.
Links to apply: Festival | Vendor

Which events should we know about? Did we miss any? Let us know, and we’ll add them to the list!

Finding a Deeper ‘Innerstanding’ (ft. Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess)

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Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess is a spoken word poet, speaker, author, and mindset coach whose work begins from within. Jazzy’s raw transparency makes her a force to be reckoned with: a creative’s creative whose ability to lean into her truth inspires the community around her.

Jazzy makes her Quinn Spinn debut today to chat about a variety of topics, including creativity in the age of AI, the inspiration found through love, and the importance of doing our own inner work.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Follow Jazzy: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/goddessmindsetjazzy⁠
More about The Quinn Spinn: ⁠⁠https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn⁠

Exploring the Intersection of Business and Art (from NOLA MusiCon)

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One of the many highlights of NOLA MusiCon — seriously, we UnderDogs will be talking about this one for months — was the chance to sit down with David Adams and the folks at Elation Entertainment to join the live NOLA MusiCon broadcast of the Elation Podcast.

My interview — part of an epic three-hour episode featuring folks from around the conference — starts at 1:51:30. We discuss the ways environments like NOLA MusiCon give creatives a seat at the table, the importance of building genuine community in the music industry, and the one decision that defined my (and UMC’s) year.

TUNE IN: UnderDogs Across Borders, Live from New Orleans!

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The UnderDogs are in New Orleans, getting ready to take the Big Easy by storm all week long during NOLA MusiCon.

It starts tonight at 5 p.m. with a double round of Have You Met…?, featuring interviews with six creatives from Nashville and beyond. Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess interviews Yonna Jones, Joe Baze, and yours truly at 5 p.m. Then, our friend Mandy Ortiz from DAWn Audio will sit down with DJX, Amelia Ray, and Mac Infinity beginning at 6 p.m.

Then, stay tuned as we present UnderDogs Across Borders: Live from New Orleans beginning at 7 p.m. A stacked lineup of artists from New Orleans, Nashville, and beyond will take the stage at Cafe Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans), and we have plenty of surprises in store. Tune in below, and don’t forget to donate to help our artists elevate in their careers!

THIS MONDAY: UnderDogs Across Borders Reaches New Orleans!

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Before NOLA MusiCon officially kicks off this Tuesday, we invite you to get a head start on the festivities — whether you’re in New Orleans, or anywhere in the world with internet!

Immediately following our Have You Met…? interview broadcast, we’ll stay put at Cafe Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans) to offer you a special UnderDogs Across Borders lineup, featuring artists from across the Southeastern U.S. Several UnderDogs are making the trip to perform alongside rising stars on the New Orleans local scene, offering an exciting preview of the magic to come throughout the week.

The event is open to the public for a $10 suggested donation, which will directly support our ongoing UnderDogs Across Borders campaign. And, if you can’t attend in person, we have good news: this one will be broadcast on YouTube, as well! Funds from this campaign help us connect our creative community to amazing opportunities across the musical landscape — just like those we’ve helped create this year in the Big Easy!

As for the lineup? We think you’ll like it! It features performances from (in order of appearance):

Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess
Ja Fearce & Azure Skyz
Yonna Jones
DJX & DJ Agie Gee
Kelsey Muse
Kyle Alexander

Want to reserve your spot? Get tickets here, or make your donation to support UMC as we bring our UnderDogs Across Borders once again!

Meet the UnderDogs (and Special Guests) Monday Night in New Orleans!

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We’ve been talking about NOLA MusiCon for months, and it’s finally almost time to take the Starship UnderDog down to New Orleans and do this thing!

We’ve already told you about this amazing conference, and the official Crescent City Crossroads showcases that we’re co-producing alongside our friends at DAWn Audio and Tunetrax.

But… what if we told you there is more to the story? (Around here, there always is!)

Before the conference officially gets underway, we’ll be at Cafe Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans) this Monday, October 27 as we preview this year’s NOLA MusiCon with a special UnderDogs Across Borders live event. Join us in-person or online beginning at 5 p.m. CT, as we present two rounds of our popular Have You Met…? interview series. Round 1 (5 p.m.) will feature some of our Nashville crew, while Round 2 (6 p.m.) will highlight creatives from the Big Easy and elsewhere!

Round 1 (5 p.m.):
Host: Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess
Guests: Yonna Jones, Joe Baze, Gerard Longo

Round 2 (6 p.m.):
Host: Mandy Ortiz (DAWn Audio)
Guests: DJX, Amelia Ray, Mac Infinity

You’ll want to stick around after that. Beginning at 7 p.m., we’ll remain at Cafe Istanbul to bring you an UnderDogs Across Borders interstate showcase, featuring live performances from an array of artists. We’ll be dropping that full lineup a bit later this week, so stay tuned!

Da’ Healerz, Guidance Whiskey Team Up on ‘Everybody Need Some Guidance’

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Back in August, Da’ Healerz treated us to the live debut of their then-forthcoming single, “Everybody Need Some Guidance,” released in conjunction with Tennessee’s own Guidance Whiskey.

In case you need a refresher, here’s a video of that performance.

As it turns out, the studio version goes just as hard. Released on October 17, “Everybody Need Some Guidance” is a stadium-ready anthem which commemorates the launch of Guidance Whiskey’s Guidance Music imprint. It’s only appropriate that the first release is a celebration of ambition, creativity, and community — complete with a toast over its hard-hitting instrumental.

The release comes as Da’ Healerz get set to join us in New Orleans for Crescent City Crossroads, NOLA MusiCon‘s official after hours showcases presented alongside our friends at DAWn Audio and Tunetrax. The showcases take place Oct. 28 and 29 at two unique Big Easy venues, and full details are here.

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