Revolutionary artist T.R.A.N.E. Spitta is one of five performers slated to join us at Helping Our Music Evolve on Tuesday, September 16 for UnderDogs Across Borders: Vol. 3.
The Nashville-based hip hop artist, performer, educator, and entrepreneur always has plenty to talk about, and he took to the Sacrificial Conversations podcast on 104.1 Tab Radio in Nashville to discuss art, its impact, and to highlight his upcoming UnderDogs Across Borders performance. T.R.A.N.E. also speaks about the ways our UnderDogs Across Borders campaign serves to connect creators regardless of genre, creative discipline, or location (that part begins around the 41-minute mark).
Check it out below, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch UnderDogs Across Borders: Vol. 3 from everywhere next Tuesday!
John Peterkin pays homage to his late cousin on “Power of Life,” the latest single from The Peterkin Project.
“This heartfelt song was co-created with my late cousin Mark, who fought a brave battle against cancer and inspired me to pursue music,” Peterkin said on the band’s official Facebook page.
The steady rocking new single features a warm acoustic sensibility, which underscores some hopeful, U2-inspired licks from lead guitarist Shawn Andrew. Peterkin’s lyrics paint a picture of those who leave indelible imprints on our hearts and minds — even after they transition from this Earthly plane.
For more about “Power of Life” and all things The Peterkin Project, John is one of several guests who join us on The Quinn Spinn this coming Monday, September 15 as part of our series taped live at Gussapolooza 2025, which took place last month in Cookstown, Ontario, Canada. Be sure to tune in!
Our return to the Big Easy this October’s NOLA MusiCon just got a whole lot sweeter!
We’re proud to announce that we are partnering with NOLA MusiCon alongside our friends at DAWn Audio and Tunetrax to present this year’s official showcases. The team is currently putting the finishing touches on two spectacular lineups — one set for Tuesday, October 28 at Cafe Istanbul, and another on Wednesday, October 29 at The Rabbit Hole — which will showcase talent from across the musical spectrum and geographic borders.
We’ll be announcing full lineup and event details shortly. In the meantime, we’re looking for a few good partners to support us in making this year’s NOLA MusiCon one to remember! Your organization can sponsor these incredible showcase events, and we’ve provided a few informational slides below.
The Quinn Spinn is BACK for Season 13, and we’re keeping the party going the same way we began: by podcasting in someone’s basement!
Be assured, however, that we’ve all grown in the decade-plus since Episode 1 hit the internet. For one thing, we’re all certified Uncs now. For another, all of that experience makes it easy for us to find ourselves in midseason, pants-removing, Stupid News-sharing, Love Island-and-Morgan-Wallen-bashing form!
In addition to all of that fun, we also welcome Da’ Healerz to our season premiere to talk about their Heal Talk EP, their forthcoming collaboration with Guidance Whiskey, and where you can catch a Heal Talk Experience near you.
Based in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, High Tea consists of Isabella DeHerdt and Issac Eliot. Combining thoughtful songwriting with world class musicianship, Isabella and Issac have gone above and beyond with their new album, A Small Notion. The album provides songs that are gentle, alongside selections that bring a noticeable rebellious punk energy filtered through folkier sensibilities.
A Small Notion has emotional weight drawn from their personal experiences of loss and change, with stories created to guide the listener through the journey. Starting with the title track – a folk rock offering with pop hooks – we are led into “A Stray in Lee County,” which is a true bluesy romp rock song, complete with strings and excellent vocals.
“Paper Mache” is lighter and sweet, showing a softer side of the band, while “Ouch, Oh Shit” highlights the band’s ability to write a big chorus. I loved the layers of vocals on “Bittersweet Evenings,” a song which also includes a feature from Corey Latiman.
“Heartbreak Kid” and “The Metaphysical and Technicolor End” both highlight the band’s musicianship, while “Scuba Diving” – a full band version of High Tea’s 2023 single – fits the album well.
With another big chorus on “There Goes My Old Soul” – and, truthfully, nearly every song on A Small Notion – High Tea solidifies its knack for writing a hook. Then, to close out the album with a bang, we have “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” (featuring Chris Freeman) and “Shadows and Shadows” (featuring Heather Maloney). A Small Notion is a polished album created by experienced musicians. High Tea has successfully blended folk music with rock and punk, and made an album unlike any I’ve heard before. When listening, it’s impossible not to be impressed with the band’s songwriting abilities. Each song has its own distinct hook and identity.
As we recently teased on social media, our next installment of UnderDogs Across Borders: The Concert Series will take place live from Helping Our Music Evolve in Nashville on Tuesday, September 16 from 7-9 p.m.
Co-hosted by Nicolas Soul (with an assist from the guy writing this post), our next UnderDogs Across Borders concert is perhaps our most genre-diverse offering to date, featuring performances from across the musical spectrum and beyond.
Our September 16 lineup includes:
Impactful spoken word artist Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess
If you’re in Nashville, join us at H.O.M.E. (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville). If you’re not, join us from absolutely anywhere in the world with internet on our YouTube channel. As always, we kindly ask you to make a $10 suggested donation to our UnderDogs Across Borders campaign, which you can do anytime by clicking on…
Earlier this summer, we told you about the Alabama Shakes tribute show that our friends Mandy Moon and Chelcie Jette are putting together. It will take place Saturday, October 11 at Acme Feed & Seed, right at the corner of 1st Ave. and Broadway in Nashville.
While the house band lineup is complete, they’re still on the hunt for a few good artists who love Alabama Shakes, and who can sing and even play a little guitar (or keys). Through this Monday, September 8, you can submit for the opportunity to perform a couple songs during this all-star event.
All you need to do is head over to this form, answer a few questions, select your favorite Alabama Shakes songs from the official show playlist, and wait to see if your number is called to join the band this fall. Best of luck!
The excitement is building toward this weekend, as we get set to make the trip up to Cookstown, Ontario for our return to Gussapolooza!
Of course, you can tune into our YouTube and Instagram channels for updates throughout the weekend, and you can expect recap galleries to make their way onto The Blog the following week. However, we felt this year was a perfect time to kick things up a notch…
Enter the UMC Media Booth!
We’ll be onsite all weekend, welcoming artists, organizers, vendors, and guests to join us at the UMC Media Booth. There, we’ll have our 12-channel mixer at the ready to record short interviews and acoustic performances our Official Podcast, The Quinn Spinn. Swing by throughout the weekend and schedule a time to chat with us!
In addition, we’ll have information available on UMC and our UnderDogs Across Borders campaign, and a couple of special, this-weekend-only deals on select UMC merch and fall BRANDCAMP enrollment. It’s an opportunity for all those in attendance to tap in with us, as we develop a creator-centric music industry throughout the rest of 2025 and beyond!
Pictured: “Sorry” from The Manic Boys and Girls Club
We are counting down the days — it’s four, as of this post — until the start of Gussapolooza 2025, all the way up in Cookstown, Ontario, Canada! We’re super excited to rejoin the Gussapolooza family this year, and they’ve just released something to get us even more pumped…
The Official Gussapolooza 2025 Playlist is here!
Below, you’ll find nearly 30 videos from this year’s lineup of Gussapolooza artists, giving you just a small taste of what’s in store when things kick off North of the Border later this week. From returning favorites to new friends, we know you’ll find something you love.
The best part? Later this week, we all get to enjoy these songs together! For now, your mission is to make sure you know them by heart in time for this weekend!
