Category Archives: opinion

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

Posted on by Leave a comment

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)

Posted on by Leave a comment

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

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

Posted on by Leave a comment

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…

Artist Advocacy: An Essential Part of Artist Development

Posted on by Leave a comment

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.

Ty Warner’s ‘Connor’s Crawl’ Instrumental a Family Affair

Posted on by Leave a comment

Ty Warner — songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Air Force veteran, and one of our most loyal UnderDogs — is in the flow of releasing music, with several singles and a full EP on tap for 2026.

Warner’s first offering of the year, “Connor’s Crawl,” was released on March 24. The tune marks previously uncharted territory for Warner, as it is the first song he’s released that is entirely instrumental.

“I find instrumental music in general to be incredibly inspiring and emotional in and of itself,” Warner told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle (Cheyenne, WY). “That’s the journey I’m on right now … I’m going to move towards (releasing) instrumentals.”

Inspired by the jazz artist Earl Klugh, Warner composed and recorded “Connor’s Crawl” on two nylon string guitars. Additional instrumentation was added by esteemed New York-based producer Bryan Crook, who mixed and mastered the track after it was recorded by Vante Anderson at Wyoming Wave Studios. The song does feature some vocal instrumentation, as well, with background vocals performed by Asha Sun.

As for the inspiration behind the name? Warner named “Connor’s Crawl” after his precocious young grandson, Connor, who also created the artwork for the release.

Those looking for more new music won’t have to wait long. This week, Warner announced a follow-up single titled “What We Can’t Say,” set for release on Tuesday, May 19. From there, more singles are coming down the pipeline in the lead-up to My Songbook — Volume 1, set for release later this summer.

The New School of Artist Development

Posted on by Leave a comment

When we talk about artist development, what do we mean?

I find that there are two schools of thought on what it means to develop artists in the modern music industry. The more common one in mainstream, “traditional” industry circles involves convincing artists to fit a particular image.

Look like this. Sound like that. Work with these producers and this creative team *only*. Get into a writers room and write, write, write until you can’t write anymore. Maybe one of your songs will be placed. Maybe a major artist will decide to record one. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll even get signed to a major (but only if we can get those numbers up). If all goes well, eventually you’ll be able to do whatever you want as an artist – but only after you’ve given us a hit. Or better yet, several.

The inherent flaw to this method of artist development is that it keeps artists in a constant state of chasing. The carrot has been dangled. You must keep in the race to be the one to catch it, and “make it big” before somebody else does. This creates a sense of competition and a mindset of scarcity. If there are only so many opportunities to go around, your artistic vision goes out the window. The focus turns away from creativity, and toward how to make the most commodified, commercially acceptable thing. Don’t bore us. Get to the chorus, and you’ll be a STAR, kid!

All the while, chasing outside of yourself is a recipe for trading your truth for membership. Your raw authenticity is exchanged for the promise of a new day… if only you fit this particular mold, at this particular time. So often, this pulls artists – human beings with real lives and real stories – away from themselves, and into a machine they didn’t sign up to help operate. And, while one of those songs or “viral” moments might bring in short-term fans and collaborators, you’ll have a hard time keeping them there if you haven’t built true connections. Striking gold on a current trend may bring a wave of new attention to you at the moment… but who will be left after the virality fades, and the industry has moved on to the next big thing?

What becomes of your artistry then? Who are you, after listening to somebody else tell you who and what to be?

There is another way to build a career that has been hiding under our noses this entire time.

We have more tools at our disposal than at any time in human history. These tools can empower you to lean into who you are, tell your stories, and build your community – whether fans, collaborators, or partners who align with who you are, what you do, and why you do it.

The best part? Those people will be there, even as the trends change and new viral moments come and go. They’ll continue showing up, supporting and investing in you, because of a genuine connection you’ve built that can weather any viral storm.

To build that kind of creative ecosystem – the kind that endures based on connection, not commodification – you must start from within.

It’s time for a new school of artist development: one that cares about your stories, ideas, and perspectives. The new school of artist development understands that the cookups – the writes, the jams, and the studio sessions – are important, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg of what makes a successful artist. The new school is here to help you uncover the thing that *you* want to build, based on your own unique values, perspectives, and experiences. The new school of artist development helps you use those things to identify your true creative mission, and empowers you to visualize ways to bring it to the world.

The new school of artist development is not interested in gatekeeping. Here, you have access to the resources, connections, education and opportunities to build your platform, on your terms. We teach artists to lean into not only their own creativity, but their own independence as entrepreneurs, providing them with expert insights on how to build a business to support the art.

To all of you “starving artists” out there: what would you create if you weren’t starving?

Let’s create new possibilities together.

BECOME AN UNDERDOG

On ‘Woke Up In LA,’ Jesse Lynn Madera Preaches Love — Even When It’s Tough

Posted on by Leave a comment

Photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen

“I don’t care how you treat me
I love you completely
Through the dog days
I’m yours anyway
I was begging and pleading
And you just laid there sleeping
And I prayed to fly away
I woke up in LA again today.”

Caught between mundane realities and greener pastures, Jesse Lynn Madera’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.’

Inspired by her early days of living in Los Angeles after re-locating from New York City, Madera paints a picture of love’s imperfections; the ways that our wounds show up when we try to love someone, the damage caused by words both said and unsaid, and the resolve to find a way forward despite it all.

“It’s the most me-sounding stuff I’ve put out yet,” Madera said. “It’s the artist’s job to reflect the truth, to hopefully help the listener feel seen and understood through having the courage to try to understand ourselves.”

It is in those attempts to find understanding that we uncover the truth about what’s best for us. Over time, we learn not to seek perfection from life, and we realize that the escapes we seek — to a simpler life in Montana, or anywhere else — offer only temporary relief from the underlying narratives that shape us as individuals.

The song’s official music video — curated and edited by Madera — is a live-action scrapbook of her story so far, intermingling heartwarming clips from early childhood to snapshots of her present-day reality. It’s an opportunity for the West Virginia native to lean all the way in, as she accepts and expresses all parts of what makes her human.

“I feel less protective of my experiences now,” Madera said. “I have so many tales to tell and I want to claim my story.”

Keep Stripping (ft. ARREIS)

Posted on by Leave a comment

Listen up, everyone. The music industry is a mess. The robots are trying to take over. There is snake oil for sale, and some artists have bought in. And yet, there is prevailing hope that this thing is turning back toward community and collaboration, in spite of the best efforts from some of the powers that be.

That’s why your music industry aunt and uncle — weatherers of many-a storm — are here to set the record straight. ARREIS joins The Quinn Spinn once again as our guest on a fiery episode that is sure to help you, independent artists of Earth, navigate this strange wilderness.

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 ARREIS
Learn more about The Quinn Spinn

Transformation Season (Solo Mission)

Posted on by Leave a comment

What if the only thing standing in your way are the stories you tell yourself?

A radical shift inspires this Quinn Spinn Solo Mission; one marked by the world of possibility that exists on the other side of the walls we put up.

We have two choices: follow the scripts our minds have written in order to protect us, or rip them up and write something new.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Learn more about The Quinn Spinn: ⁠https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn

LISTEN: Billy Bauer Returns with “Queen of Her Town”

Posted on by Leave a comment

For the first time since before the pandemic, a new, original studio release has emerged from the world of Billy Bauer Band.

This time, it’s the band’s namesake himself with a solo effort. Billy Bauer released the raw, acoustic cut, “Queen of Her Town,” on March 31. Produced by fellow artist and dear friend Bobby Siegfried of Chasing Daylight Productions, the tune was written more than a decade ago, on the road back to the band’s hometown of Bethlehem, PA from a gig in Milwaukee, WI.

“Queen of Her Town” features a tender vocal and the warm tones of Billy’s Martin Guitar, as he sings of a small-town girl with big dreams. One particularly exciting moment happens around four-and-a-half minutes in, when the last chorus gives way to a rollicking outro, showcasing Bauer’s signature scat vocals.

“After rehearsal, everyone cleared out—except me and former bassist Steve Zalalas,” Bauer noted. “What started as a jam became a one-take live recording, raw and mostly untouched. It was too special not to share.”

The song is available on all major streaming platforms — but that’s not the only way you can get it. The band has made “Queen of Her Town” available for downloadable purchase on Bandcamp for just $1, giving you an easy way to show your support.

Be sure to stay tuned, because we have it on good authority that there’s more where this came from. In the meantime, go ahead and meet the “Queen of Her Town.”

« Older Entries