Category Archives: opinion

Not Sure Where to Go Next? Listen to This Song from Jon Worthy

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Nashville-based indie alt rock artist Jon Worthy has given all he has to music. He’s toured across the nation, consistently released music, and has been featured in 150 popular media outlets. He’s even been to the Lehigh Valley’s very own Musikfest in Bethlehem, where I’m from! To many aspiring artists, he has certainly made a successful music career.

After the pandemic, his music career went in a different direction. He began focusing on studio sessions, songwriting, and production, while answering the COVID-era question on every creative’s mind…

“Where do I go from here?”

Jon’s new tune, “I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down,” reminds you that you aren’t alone if you don’t know where to go. The dreamy, wayward tune details how his own journey changed direction, leaving him feeling like he didn’t know what to do next.

“It’s about living day by day, and just trying to enjoy life as it came to me,” he said. “It speaks to all the highs and lows of life, but being complacent and, at the same time, hoping something will really change for the better.”

I am most fascinated by the fact that Jon found healing in music, even as his path in the industry became uncertain. It’s almost like entering down the path of being lost is inevitable in order to find where to go next. It’s also inevitable for artists to create, because its apart of who we are. Expressing the confusion of feeling lost allows us to find our way. This is inspiring to me as an up-and-coming artist, and helps tame the questions and doubts in my own mind. It’s a reminder that it’s OK to not have it all figured out, all the time — just keep going and letting the music take you.

Stay on the lookout for Jon Worthy’s next collaborations, to be released in coming months. And remember: even if you don’t know where to go, have the hope one day you’ll make it

-Matt Schmoyer

LISTEN: Evan Kreutz Releases Spontaneous Summer Love Song, ‘last call’

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Summer is the time to lose track of time, forget your inhibitions, and fall in love.

Evan Kreutz captured the celestial spontaneity of discovering a new connection with his latest single, “last call.” What begins as a slow burning, acoustic rock daydream progresses with intensity toward alt-pop hyperspace, providing us with a proper interpretation of what it’s like to lose yourself in the excitement of exploring someone new.

“A breezy, feel-good ride built on impulse and connection, ‘last call’ is the sonic equivalent of taking the long way home with someone who makes you forget your worries,” Kreutz said. “It’s less about thinking and more about feeling—spontaneous, sweet, and exactly what you needed.”

“last call” was produced by Kreutz’s Young and Eager Entertainment co-founder Douglas Grama, and is the latest genre-bending stop on the road toward Kreutz’s forthcoming EP and deluxe album. Make sure you give Evan a follow to stay up to date on the latest!

Wednesday Wisdom: How to Deal with Disappointment

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Disappointment really sucks, doesn’t it?

Although it’s a natural and very unavoidable part of life, it still hurts when it happens, and it can be difficult to cope with.

It’s so easy to feel discouraged and defeated when we’re faced with disappointment, but it’s how we deal afterward that makes all the difference.

If you’ve just come face to face with disappointment, here are some of my best tips for moving forward.

Acknowledge and experience your feelings.

One of the best ways to deal with disappointment–or any difficult situation for that matter–is to allow yourself to feel your feelings.

You’re entitled to feel how you feel, and it’s important to recognize what those feelings are. Whether you’re angry, sad, or discouraged, name it, sit with it, and reflect on why you’re feeling that way.

Of course, disappointment ranges in severity, from momentary, forgettable disappointments (like your favorite ice cream being out of stock at the grocery store) to what can seem like devastating setbacks (like being passed over for your dream job). So if you need to cry, let the tears rise to the surface. If you need to let out all that pent up frustration, hit the gym or punch a pillow.

Acknowledging your feelings is one of the healthiest things you can do to move on.  

Accept the situation.

Yep, you were disappointed. And yes, you probably wish you weren’t.

It might take a while for you to process the situation, and that is 100% okay. Don’t put pressure on yourself to get over it, and don’t judge yourself for taking the time to digest what happened.

However, there is major power to be found in acceptance. At the most basic level, acceptance is acknowledging reality and relinquishing control of a situation that is out of your hands. 

Trust me, I know how hard it can be to reach acceptance after disappointment. By doing so, it may feel like you’re giving up or that you’re telling yourself that you’re okay with what happened. But that’s not actually what you’re doing. Acceptance can help you make peace with the disappointment while empowering you to move forward with clarity.

Recognize the positives.

Even though disappointment can feel truly devastating in the moment, there is always a bright side, no matter the situation.

Sure, it might be hard to spot at first, but when you’re able to find the light peaking through the clouds, it changes your perspective.

Maybe that disappointment happened because there’s something better waiting for you to claim. Maybe that disappointment happened because you weren’t prepared to receive the outcome you wanted yet. (If you believe in a little thing called divine timing, you know exactly what I’m talking about)

And if you’re just so mad and upset that you’re really not able to see the upside, reflect on your life and recognize everything you have to be grateful for. I guarantee that you’ll find a lot when you start looking.

As an added bonus, when you start practicing gratitude, you’re training your brain to see the good in life, which means you’ll naturally be able to see more of it every day, and isn’t that a wonderful way to experience the world?

Spend time doing what you love.

Having hobbies and projects that light you up inside is super important when it comes to living a full and satisfying life. They are an important tool that can help get you through the bad times.

After being disappointed, doing something you love gets those feel-good hormones pumping in your brain and gives your mind a break.

Whether you love cooking or painting, crafting or reading, doing something you love can also help you feel productive and provide you with a sense of control at a time when you feel like you don’t have control over anything. 

Take the time to fill your cup. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
Disappointment is a natural part of life, but instead of getting consumed by it and letting it keep you down, there are plenty of ways we can cope with the hurt and come out stronger on the other side.

Inside the Hip Hop Renaissance (ft. Roc Raw)

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Roc Raw is the founder of Renaissance Recordings, a collective-driven record label that puts ownership, authenticity, and artistry above all. The Richmond, VA-based artistpreneur has learned the power of community and shared values by building a network of artists and entrepreneurs who share a common reverence for the soul of hip hop.

Take a deep dive into the Renaissance on today’s episode of The Quinn Spinn!

The Quinn Spinn is recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Check out Renaissance Recordings: ⁠https://renaissance-recordings.com⁠

The Quinn Spinn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3fhgcfrjZt19NLFagfRB5o⁠⁠

⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinn-spinn/id1455228949⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/quinnspinnofficial⁠⁠

LISTEN: YEARB4 Roars Back with ‘Rebel Without A Cause’

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Have you ever gone carelessly into a relationship, too distracted by the dopamine rush to recognize the abundance of red flags waving all around?

If that sounds like you — and if you like hard-driving, guitar-heavy rock and roll — you’re going to dig the latest single from YEARB4.

Titled “Rebel Without A Cause,” the scorching new summer anthem takes us from love bomb to discard in less than 3 1/2 minutes, leaving us breathless like the fling that ends without warning. The single was produced at Nashville’s East Iris Studios, and is the band’s first new offering since 2024’s “On My Own.”

“Rebel Without A Cause” kicks off a busy summer for YEARB4, who will perform in Nashville this Thursday, May 22 at Vinyl Lounge. After that, they’re hitting the road with our pal ARREIS, performing at Musica in Akron, OH on Sunday, June 15.

The Realest Interview I’ve Ever Done!

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I had the chance to return to The Poptimist podcast this week, hosted by my friend Taylor Berryman. One thing I admire about Taylor is his fearlessness to approach topics within the music industry that everyone’s *thinking* about — but hesitates to *talk* about.

We showed no hesitation on this episode! In this conversation, we cover a variety of topics informed by the Nashville music industry and our individual creative journeys, including:

  • The importance of building your creative ecosystem from your own true values.
  • The Art of Frame Control: How to keep your cool in times of conflict and high-pressure moments.
  • Too many Homelanders, not enough heroes: The difference between living in service, versus using service as a mask for self-interest.
  • And, of course… a discussion about the 2025 Major League Baseball season!

You want something completely unfiltered? Here it is!

Go “Under the Stars” and Reminisce with This Song

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Although I’ve never been to Maine, this song makes me want to plan a camping trip to this lake and camp “Under the Stars” with my favorite people.

Recorded at Monaco Studios in Maine, “Under the Stars” by Andrew LaVogue is an American primitive guitar instrumental inspired by spending a night camping lakeside with best friends. It begins with dazzling finger picking guitar drenched in reverb, creating a feeling of anticipation that comes with knowing it’s going to be one of those night you’ll never forget.

As you listen, imagine sitting by a campfire with your favorite people. You’re laughing, singing, and sharing stories; living the precious moments while they are happening, and as they transition and fade into nostalgic memories. 

Recently, I reconnected with my childhood best friend and we reminisced on all of our memories together. I showed him this song, and we both felt the song shift to signal that all good things come to an end.

Such is life. All good things must come to an end to create space for the future. We mustn’t dwell of the sadness that comes when these moments end, but show gratitude that they happened in the first place.

WATCH: Da’ Healerz Circle ft. Ron Obasi

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The questions are fresh. The perspective is deeper.

Da’ Healerz Circle is BACK!

Join Da’ Healerz for their latest conversation on all things healing. This week, Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca sit down with community builder, environmental activist, and father Ron Obasi, who shares the ways life’s journey has led him to a more mindful place.

Wednesday Wisdom: How to Avoid Burnout When You’re Hustling 24/7

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Burnout is a monster all its own. It can chew you up and spit you out. When not addressed, it can haunt you like a ghost.

When you’re an entrepreneur — and especially if you’re an entrepreneur in a creative field — burnout is very real. More than likely, your passion became your business, and your business became your passion. And all of that has gotten tangled up with your need to survive, leading you to get caught in a 24/7 hustle that you can’t escape from.

Once burnout sets in, it can be very hard–but not impossible–to recover. However, the trick to dealing with burnout is actually preventing it in the first place. Here are my best tips.

Set boundaries

    Personally, one of the most important rules I’ve learned when it comes to both business and living a healthy and satisfying life is setting boundaries.

    Boundaries are crucial when it comes to maintaining a good work-life balance, and if you’re not used to setting them, doing so can feel scary. You might feel like you’re going to upset or disappoint the people around you, and in business specifically, setting boundaries can make you feel like you’re threatening important relationships, or like you’re putting yourself in danger of losing work.

    Every day, you are teaching others how to treat you, and when you’re constantly allowing your boundaries to be broken, you’re teaching them that you’re okay with it. Not only that, but by putting others’ needs before your own and prioritizing their demands, you’re damaging your self-esteem, you’re sending yourself the message that your time and effort are not worth as much as that of others, and you can get caught in an endless cycle. And the more you allow your boundaries to be violated, the more it can shake your self-worth, stir up frustration and anger that you might not even realize you’re feeling, make you feel powerless, and yep, lead to burnout.

    When you finally make the effort to set boundaries, you might feel some anxiety to begin with–because saying no can be incredibly intimidating when you’re not used to it–but you’ll find that the more you do it, the easier it will be. 

    Take breaks

      This may seem like an obvious solution, but when you’re going going going, working with clients, working on trying to drum up business, working to survive, taking breaks can feel like a luxury. Heck, making time for life in general can feel impossible.

      If you’re stuck in the hustle 24/7, your brain isn’t getting the rest it needs to function properly, nor are you leaving yourself any space for new ideas and solutions to come through. 

      Your mind needs time to focus on other things, so make it a non-negotiable to do something you love every day, even if it’s just for five minutes.

      Whether it’s cooking or crafting, reading or watching movies, whatever it is that fills you with joy and makes you feel alive, do it. Regularly. Consistently. Just do it.

      Exercise

        A major key to preventing burnout is stress management, and one of the best ways to manage stress is through exercise.

        Stress needs a way to leave the body. Otherwise, it can fester and build up inside you, leaving you feeling exhausted, drained, and just plain unwell.

        There are endless benefits to exercise. It helps lower stress hormones, it helps you sleep better, it can help you feel happier, it can help you focus. At the very least, it can help you get your mind on something else, for gosh sakes. And when it’s combined with fresh air and sunshine? There’s nothing like it.

        So take a walk, do some yoga, hit the gym. Move your body in whatever way feels good for you. Get the stress out.

        Find support from your community

          Human connection holds a lot of power. Maybe even more power than we realize. It even has the power to heal.

          If you’re a business owner, your default might be to do everything yourself, and you might have trouble giving up control, even when it comes to the smallest tasks. And if you’re a solopreneur, you really do wear all the hats, which, let’s be honest, can not only be draining as heck but can put you on the fast track to burnout.

          If there’s one thing I’ve learned from starting and running a business it’s the power of community and the importance of building a good one for yourself. Whether you find it in friends, family, fellow business owners and creatives, or all of the above, your community plays a crucial role in your overall success and mental health.

          Being able to rely on people you trust will help you feel supported, and when you’re caught up in what seems like a never-ending to-do list, they’re the ones who will pull you back into the present moment and remind you that there is more to life than the hustle.

          Burnout is a beast, but it’s a beast you can avoid by making a few small changes to how you approach your work and life. You don’t have to do it all overnight, but putting in a little effort one day at a time will make you stronger in the long run and prevent you from reaching a point that will be difficult to bounce back from.

          With ‘Loser,’ Lips Speak Louder Inspires Us to Get Back Up, Even in Defeat

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          “It evokes that familiar, deflative feeling we’ve all experienced before.” -Angie Lese, drummer for Lips Speak Louder

          Lips Speak Louder’s sixth single release, “Loser,” is the UnderDog anthem you want to blast at full volume on a rainy day, when you’re fed up with life dealing continuous blows (despite your many attempts to keep your head up).

          The song begins with building harmonic anticipation on a melodic guitar. The verse comes in, reminding us of the innocence of youth and all the expectations we had for life when we grew up. Then, chorus busts in with an admission: “I’m tired of proving, I’m so good at losing,” before telling us to stay tuned, to see if the band makes it out of “the same black hole.”

          “It’s a song about burnout and frustration that comes with growing up, and realizing that you can  try your hardest and it won’t always be enough,” the band told us.

          When you initially hear “Loser,” it gives the vibe of carefree life, spent cruising down the street on a skateboard before hanging with friends to catch a glorious sunset. Then, you feel the vulnerability of admitting that it’s tough to stay resilient when everything around you feels like it’s not working out.

          Despite this sense of defeat, there is also a feeling of hope on “Loser” that things can and will be better on the other side of the struggle. The song provides a lonesome reminder that most of us are doing the best we can, even when the days constantly feel like an uphill battle. We remember not to bee too hard on ourselves and to keep pressing on, even at times when “doing our best” wasn’t good enough.

          It’s important to keep getting back up. Then, just maybe, you’ll get a win every now and then.

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