Category Archives: news

OUT NOW: Yonna Jones Greets the ‘SUNRISE’

A brand-new era of Yonna Jones’ artistry begins with the bright promise of a new day.

“SUNRISE” is an affirming anthem that encourages us toward seeing a life full of possibility. The new single is the first of a new batch of “movement music” from the Chicago native (and NEXT2RISE artist), who aims to motivate and inspire with messages of perseverance.

And, with empowering lyrics like these, it’s safe to say that Yonna has hit the intended target with this one:

“Everything that you need is right in front of you.
I know you don’t want to lose. We chase the ‘W’.
I was sitting, wondering what my life was coming to
Until I chose to open up and let the light shine through.”

Sonically, “SUNRISE” spreads its golden light upon us with a blend of pop and hip hop, complete with clean, jangly guitars and shimmering melodies. Let it brighten up your day!

An Exclusive Talk with Nashville’s Rising Star, Blvck Wizzle

Hey UMC Fam, it’s your girl SADGURL!

This summer, I had the pleasure of partnering with Melodic Convos (part of the Mobile Melody Show) for an exclusive talk with Nashville’s most beloved rising star, Blvck Wizzle. This Nashville native has captured the hearts of the city and held the public’s attention since the moment he began sharing his signature songs at open mics in 2015. Blvck Wizzle mixes guitars, storytelling, and unforgettable rhymes to create a refreshing and undeniably catchy sound.

Wizzle has had a whirlwind summer, from being featured on the album Step Brothers 4 Life with Tennessee legends Starlito and Dontrip, to Mayor Freddie O’Connell dubbing Wizzle’s record “Cashville Be Ballin” the new city anthem!

Watch this interview for a closer look at this country boy’s inspirations and the pivotal moments that initiated the unfolding of this superstar in the making.

Everything You Need to Know About Tonight’s UMC Events in Nashville

October and the home stretch of 2025 are set to begin with a bang tonight, right here in Nashville.

We’ll be back at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville) this evening for a double dose of fun with the UnderDogs, beginning at 6 p.m. with a live taping of our Have You Met…? interview series. Join host Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess as she welcomes outstanding UnderDogs and special guests to share about their projects, processes, and the ways life informs the creative journey. Tonight’s lineup includes:

  • Hip hop artist, producer, and 1/2 of Da’ Healerz Foundation Mecca
  • DJ, sound engineer, producer, and songwriter Agie Gee
  • Revolutionary hip hop artist and industry educator T.R.A.N.E. Spitta

Speaking of industry education, you’ll want to stick around after Have You Met…? concludes, as we offer a special, FREE presentation of our Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop. This workshop — as experienced at SXSW 2025, and soon to be experienced at Confluence Carolinas and NOLA MusiCon later this month — guides musicians (and other creatives) through the steps of developing a purpose-driven, values-based creative ecosystem. Building Your Authentic Artist Brand is designed to help artists identify the unique “why” behind their work; learn best practices for attracting their true audience across three key segments (fans, collaborators, and business partners); and build a sustainable, profitable creative business on their own terms.

Want the inside track on all of these opportunities and more? Consider checking out the buttons below!

Gussapolooza 2025: Day 2 (ft. Across Waves, Blast Toronto, and Jeff Gutteridge)

The Quinn and Pierce are back for Day 2 of Gussapolooza 2025 after an exciting Day 1! We sat down with more of the artists and supporters who make Ontario’s music scene special for some exclusive conversations about the festival, their creative platforms, and the landscape of art, music, and creativity in 2025.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Follow The Quinn Spinn: https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn

Across Waves: ⁠Instagram⁠
Blast Toronto: ⁠Instagram⁠
Jeff Gutteridge: ⁠Instagram

Have You Met…? Live! Returns to Nashville Oct. 1

It’s been a minute since we’ve sat down and gotten to know some of the UnderDogs, hasn’t it?

Let’s fix that — and let’s do it live!

Join us at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville) at 6 p.m. CT — right before our FREE Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop — for an in-person edition of Have You Met…? This series, hosted by Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, is an opportunity to get to know the creatives in our UnderDogs community through real conversations in an intimate setting.

Joining us for this edition of Have You Met…? are…

  • Hip hop artist, producer, and 1/2 of Da’ Healerz Foundation Mecca
  • DJ, sound engineer, producer, and songwriter Agie Gee
  • Revolutionary hip hop artist and industry educator T.R.A.N.E. Spitta

Attendance is FREE — and, unlike other editions of Have You Met…?, the only way to catch this one live is to be there in-person! A replay will be made available on our YouTube channel at a later date to be determined.

Want to be featured on an upcoming edition of Have You Met…? Join the UnderDogs today!

Can Sound Heal? DJX Aims to Find Out this Friday in Nashville

On Saturday, we became officially acquainted with DJX. The South Carolina native has arrived in Nashville, delivering a short, high-energy set last weekend as part of our UnderDogs Across Borders showcase during the Nashville African Street Festival.

Consider that an appetizer for what is coming this Friday night, as DJX seeks to answer the question: can sound heal?

DJX: The Public Experiment will take place this Friday, September 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville). This live experience is part concert, part ritual, part science lab featuring Four artists, three rooms, and one goal: to test what happens when music, technology, and human energy lock into the same circuit.

From live rap and cyber-trap, to acoustic resonance and soulful R&B, each set becomes a pulse that shifts the crowd’s frequency. EMF pyramids anchor the space. WiFi interference is tracked and visualized. Audience resonance is measured at the door and again at the exit.

By the end, you’ll have proof of how sound changed your system. This isn’t just entertainment—it’s Frequency Training.

NASHVILLE: ‘Building Your Authentic Artist Brand’ Returns October 1!

We’re gearing up for an action-packed October, with events happening all over the Southeastern U.S. — including our debut at Confluence Carolinas, and an exciting, expanded collaboration with NOLA MusiCon.

(More details on NOLA are coming soon, we promise — and they’ll definitely be worth the wait!)

Of course, it all starts from a solid foundation at home. That’s why we’re kicking off the month by bringing our popular Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop back to Nashville!

Join us at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville) on Wednesday, October 1 from 7-9 p.m. This interactive workshop — as experienced during SXSW 2025 — guides musicians (and other creatives) through the steps of developing a purpose-driven, values-based creative ecosystem. Building Your Authentic Artist Brand is designed to help artists identify the unique “why” behind their work; learn best practices for attracting their true audience across three key segments (fans, collaborators, and business partners); and build a sustainable, profitable creative business on their own terms.

Building Your Authentic Artist Brand is free to attend, and it’s all part of the work we do to educate and connect artistpreneurs through the UMC Academy. You can learn more about what we offer here!

The Quinn Spinn: Live from Gussapolooza 2025 Day 1!

In August, we traveled all the way up to Cookstown, Ontario, Canada to once again take part in Gussapolooza, one of Canada’s premier independent music festivals. We took it upon ourselves to bring the ol’ 12-channel mixer and invite attendees to chat with us throughout the weekend — whether artist, industry supporter, volunteer, vendor, patron, or any combination thereof.

On Day 1, we sat down with singer-songwriter John Peterkin, punk rocker (and 2025 Gussapolooza Battle of the Bands winner) Feura, Jake and Mike from Bad Music Club, and LA-based genre-bending artist Edi Callier.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Follow The Quinn Spinn: https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn
Gussapolooza: https://gussapolooza.com
The Peterkin Project: https://instagram.com/the_peterkin_project
Feura: https://instagram.com/feura.mp3
Bad Music Club: https://instagram.com/badclubmedia
Edi Callier: https://instagram.com/edicallier

REPLAY: UnderDogs Across Borders, Vol. 3

Donate to UnderDogs Across Borders here!

This month’s UnderDogs Across Borders concert is perhaps our most genre-diverse offering to date, featuring performances from across the musical spectrum and beyond.

Tonight and through October, your support of UnderDogs Across Borders helps us bring the UnderDogs to New Orleans for NOLA MusiCon 2025, taking place Oct. 28-30. More details about our plans are coming very soon!

Our September 16 lineup includes:

  • Impactful spoken word artist Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess
  • Nashville hip hop legend E.T.
  • Revolutionary hip hop artist T.R.A.N.E. Spitta
  • Multi-genre, multi-instrumental wizard Brother Dusty
  • Dynamic ‘ROCK&B’ artist Tony Carpenter

A Korn Fan Goes ‘Hog’ Wild! (ft. the OG Fam)

Previously, on The Quinn Spinn: Scotty Rock and L were about to head to the System of a Down and Korn concert at MetLife Stadium. Little did they know that the concert they’d attend would go down in history, thanks to the… um, antics of a gentleman in the front row of the upper deck!

We also share our thoughts on the current state of WWE, after the announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In the middle of it all, we preview our forthcoming episode series recorded at Gussapolooza 2025. The Quinn and Pierce sit down with John Peterkin of Ontario-based band The Peterkin Project, whose new single, “Power of Life,” carries a touching tribute to a relative lost to cancer.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Follow The Quinn Spinn: https:instagram.com/thequinnspinn
Follow The Peterkin Project: https://instagram.com/the_peterkin_project

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