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LISTEN: On ‘bad guy,’ Brooke Martin Flies Past the Red Flags

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

Raise your hand if you’ve ever ignored the red flags in a relationship.

If you put your hand up, Nashville-based pop artist Brooke Martin has something fresh for you. Her new single, “Bad Guy,” is a mellow cautionary tale about what it means to ignore the warning signs.

The project began when Australian-based producer Mark “New Haven” Benedicto (Imagine Dragons) reached out to Martin via TikTok. After they connected, Martin teamed up with co-writers Colleen Francis, Tom Pino, and John Frank to bring the idea to life.

“I’m very excited about this song,” Martin said. “It’s my first release with Mark, so when messaged me and wanted to work with me, I jumped at the chance. He’s an amazing producer. And his timing was perfect, because I had a song idea I thought would resonate with every girl who ignores the red flags in relationships.”

If you’re looking for more where this came from, you won’t have to wait long. Martin is working on a forthcoming EP Billboard-charting producer and artist Andrew Kirk and Grammy-winning producer Chris Penny, set for release in 2025.

WATCH: On ‘Philadelphia,’ William Harries Graham Shares Joyful Reflections

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

Photo credit: Col Elmore

We can appreciate our youth for what it was, while realizing that there is happiness to be found in the present.

That is the theme of William Harries Graham’s new single, “Philadelphia.” The third single from Graham’s forthcoming album, Annie’s House (due out Oct. 25), the spacious folk ballad is hallmarked by hushed, reflective vocals and a wistful, yet steadfast acoustic arrangement.

“‘Philadelphia’ really is a song about looking back at the life you had when you were young and could do anything, but not missing it,” Graham said. “There is something nostalgic about that youth, but this song is about finding joy in every stage of life.”

The music video — directed by Ruby Lavin and WITH — conjures faded memories of summers gone by, as various adventures across the great American landscape are presented through a grainy lens. These scenes are weaved between Graham by himself, strumming and singing in a lawn chair. The Austin-based troubadour’s relaxed demeanor communicates a sense of peace for all that was, is, and will be.

“When people hear this album, I want them to walk away from it with some reflection on their own lives and experiences.” Graham said. “The music that I personally connect with is always music where I see some part of myself in it. I hope you see yourself in Annie’s House.”

LISTEN: The Trampoline Delay’s Wake-Up Call

Posted on October 5, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

We’ve all had that loved one whose destructive decisions are becoming worrisome. The Trampoline Delay is here to help us sound the alarm.

The band’s new single, “Little Lucy,” comes in with a thunderous urgency. The fast-paced alt-rock offering — which clocks in at just under two minutes — is written from the perspective of a friend who sees the crash coming, but feels powerless to stop it.

“‘Little Lucy’ is about watching someone self-destruct and trying to snap them out of it. Lucy’s caught up with the wrong crowd, doing things that drag her down—whether it’s drinking, drugs, whatever,” said frontman Pete Marino. “It’s that downward spiral you can’t always pull people out of. The first chorus is a wake-up call, like, ‘Get it together,’ but by the end, it’s more desperate, like, ‘Please wake up,’ after it’s too late.”

The scorching new tune was created out of a fun creative competition between Marino and other musician friends, where they pick a theme, select an existing song, and make it their own. “Little Lucy” started as an indie rock makeover of the Everly Brothers classic, “Wake Up Little Susie.”

From there, it found new life.

“I think it took about 30 minutes to program drums, record the guitars, bass, vocal. In this case, I loved the version I made so much, and it was completely different than the original, I didn’t want it to go to waste,” Marino recalled. “So, I wrote new lyrics, while still keeping that iconic chorus line of “wake up little…” but definitely took the song in a darker direction. Then, I went back to it, and added real drums and new vocals.”

LISTEN: Leah Burns Wants You to Go Out and Live Life

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

Photo credit: Kyrie Dial

Our time is finite. Best to live it up while we still can.

That’s the empowering message behind Leah Burns’ latest release, “WUT R U WAITING 4.” Influenced by the power pop anthems of our Millennial youth, the rocking new single is driven forward by blistering guitars and Burns’ distinct powerhouse vocals, which are used to deliver clear instructions: drop your baggage at the door, go out, and experience life.

“I wrote it one day after therapy. We were talking about how I just wanted to feel alive again and happy. I didn’t want to be the sad version of myself or was just floating through life,” Burns said. “So, the song is about not staying stuck in place. It’s about going out and living your life to the fullest, and not waiting for it. It’s about abandoning all the patterns you’ve been stuck in and changing them, and going out and doing everything you want. (It’s about) not holding back anymore.”

It’s fitting that we’re writing this review on a Friday, because it makes this the perfect moment to take action on Burns’ message…

“I hope everyone who listens to it is inspired to grab their friends, go out, and just live,” Burns said.

Better get to it — after you give “WUT R U WAITING 4” a listen, of course!

“Runaway” to the 80s with Lawrence D.

Posted on October 2, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

The neon glow of a clear Nashville night has nothing on the shimmer of “Runaway,” the new, 80s-inspired track from Lawrence D.

“Runaway” combines clean, catchy guitar riffs with retro synth tones and Lawrence D.’s silky-smooth vocals, taking us on a dynamic thrill ride that would find itself at home among The Weeknd’s best work.

Seriously… put it up against any track on Dawn FM, and try telling us it doesn’t fit right in. We dare you!

“My producer and I were sitting in his studio in Nashville, TN and he created this nice 80’s track,” Lawrence D. said. “I wrote the record that night. It reminded me of a Red Ferrari drive on the roadside of the beach somewhere in Miami. My other producer added the bass line, and I had the idea to bring the live electric guitar into the fold to give it an electrifying rock feeling. I love everything about this record, and I hope whoever is listening will love it, as well.”

On ‘Crush’, Lips Speak Louder Describe the Rush of Falling in Love

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

Lips Speak Louder may have a busy fall on tap, touring with Emily Wolfe. However, that won’t stop them from continuing to crank out the tunes.

The most recent? The pop punk anthem, “Crush.” Written by Lips Speak Louder’s Rachel Brandsness and Angela Lese and produced by Wolfe, the new single reminds us what it’s like to be overcome with cautious optimism as we (maybe? possibly?) fall in love.

“(‘Crush’ is about) the incredible rush of emotions you get when you first start falling for someone, and how one unexpected encounter can change everything,” Brandsness said.

Don’t forget: you can see Lips Speak Louder perform “Crush” and plenty of other tunes from their upcoming full-length record on Saturday, October 19 at The Lipstick Lounge in Nashville. Learn more about that here, and check out the latest below!

Gussapolooza, Day 3: We Are Guss!

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

The final day of Gussapolooza 2024 was a special day for me, personally. Before a note of music was performed, I had the opportunity to present my Perfect Your Pitch seminar to the artistpreneurs in attendance on Sunday morning. Thanks to the team behind the scenes at Gussapolooza and MTAV for making this amazing opportunity possible!

Once my seminar concluded — and after I had the chance to chat with few folks in attendance — it was time to grab my camera and get back out there for Day 3’s action-packed lineup.

Day 3 was bittersweet. It was a joy to appreciate the community that had gathered throughout the weekend in support of emerging artists. At the same time, we knew that our time together for 2024 would soon come to an end — which meant that we had to get as much out of the final day as possible.

And, as we had come to expect, the final day delivered. As the late summer sun glistened over Ontario once more, artists from across the Canadian music landscape offered us a snapshot of the creative world that awaits all those willing to explore. As the sun set and the festival’s final performances took shape, the die-hard Gusses soaked in every last minute of this year’s festival.

Then, we met at the barn for the afterparty, where festival organizer Russ Robson deftly wove his story — and the story of Gussapolooza itself — into an enthralling, five-song acoustic set before opening the stage up to an open jam that lasted into the wee hours.

Now, we leave you with a collage, featuring the many parting glances we took toward this year’s festival. We thank everyone at Gussapolooza for their warm welcome, and we look forward to supporting this amazing, three-day experience again — in 2025 and beyond!

LISTEN: Hot4Robot Tackles the Euphoria of Addiction on ‘Your Chemical’

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

It’s amazing how a creative spark from many moons ago can come back around, years later, and give way to something new.

That is the origin story of Hot4Robot’s tune, “Your Chemical.” The band just released an acoustic rendition on September 13, in advance of the band’s forthcoming unplugged album, recorded live at the legendary Godfrey Daniels listening room in Bethlehem, PA.

“The main groove of ‘Your Chemical’ was originally featured in a tune performed by The Foolz, a Lehigh Valley jam-band staple of the mid-aughts, whose lineup included 50 percent of Hot4Robot,” said frontman Alex Radus, who crafted the song’s prototype alongside guitarist Dave Cahill. “That tune is lost to the sands of time, but the groove was infectious enough to make its way into Hot4Robot’s songwriting toolkit. It was eventually refashioned into ‘Your Chemical’ – matched with completely different lyrics, melody and B-section.”

“Your Chemical” originally debuted on the band’s 2021 full-length, self-titled release. The pensive — some might say ominous — tune “chronicles the toxic and disorienting euphoria of addiction, especially to dopamine hits and external validation.”

Radus believes that this updated rendition gives the song’s message room to breathe, while keeping the structure and intricacies of the original intact.

“What was fascinating about reimagining this song unplugged, is that the acoustic format gave the tune an intimacy and vulnerability that conveyed the message just as well — or perhaps better? “Radus said. “It’s also pretty amazing how Dave recreates his intense and spectacular lead with no pedals or effects.”

Feel the intensity — check out “Your Chemical – Unplugged” below!

10 Minutes of Raw Gratitude

Posted on September 24, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

We are at the end of a truly incredible summer — one that saw our Underground Music Collective movement connect with thousands of new people, and venture to places we had never been before.

Before we forge ahead, let’s pause, reflect, and say “thank you.”

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

The Quinn Spinn
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Gussapolooza, Day 2: A Full Day in the Sun

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Gerard Longo Leave a comment

The weather gods continued to favor Gussapolooza all weekend long. While the morning started off chilly by my standards — since moving to Nashville, I think anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit is on the cool side — I woke up last Saturday morning to a beautiful day, without even the thought of a cloud in the sky.

There was a full day’s worth of music waiting to greet us across three different stages, and a series of seminars kicking off the day inside the MTAV Barn stage. After Friday provided us with a brilliant primer coat, we were prepared to take in the full Gussapolooza experience in all of its glory.

The beautiful weather, the opportunities to connect, and another diverse, talented lineup made Day 2 into a can’t-miss experience. Here, we got to appreciate the power of an idea, as we observed how a small festival that began in Russ Robson’s backyard has turned into a three-day celebration of creativity that brings people out in droves — not just from the surrounding area, but from across North America and beyond.

David July (IG | Spotify)