Navigating the music industry as an independent artist can be a tricky beast; one which often juxtaposes artistic integrity against success.
Zhaklina is here to let you know that you have a choice to stand up for yourself and your art. With that, we introduce you to her new single, “M.D.B.M. (Money Don’t Buy Me).”
Co-written and produced by Nashville-based producer Pimp Fried Rice, “M.D.B.M.” breaks down conventional opinions on what success is. The self-worth anthem “challenges any industry trying to buy you into being someone you’re not, with Zhaklina delivering vocals as powerful as its message on top of a spacious, moody alt-pop soundscape, reminiscent of contemporaries like CHINCHILLA and DEZI.
Take a stand for artistic integrity. Check out “M.D.B.M.” below!
The end of a relationship brings questions and memories, as you recall all of the times communication got in the way of growing together, rather than apart.
Paul Nestler captures that feeling on “That Dance We Do,” on top of an ethereal pop rock soundscape whose shimmering layers bring about a sense of wonder.
“I wrote this song after a particularly hard breakup for me. It’s about the times you would be together and didn’t know which person would make the first move – that dance you both do, almost a game of chicken of ‘who’s going first,’” Nestler said. “The song also describes the feeling afterward of questioning whether it was even a good relationship to be a part of; was it really two people ready for a relationship, or was there more work to do?”
Clocking in at just over 3-and-a-half minutes, “That Dance We Do” combines timeless pop rock sensibility with glistening modern pop synth tones (a la The 1975 or The Midnight). The creative process was a slow simmer; one which took place over more than a year, and continued as Nestler entered the studio.
“For almost all of that time, it was just a first verse and some scattered lines as a chorus Only soon before recording did I really sit down and start to hash out where the song would go. Even during the recording process, I changed lines in the second verse,” Nestler said. “I sat on it for song long because I still kept thinking about the person who brought those lines out of me and the situation we were in.”
He continued, “The visual of the first line, ‘Cotton candy skies…’ kept popping up in my mind. It was working title for the longest time, until I settled on a line in the chorus that better encapsulated the spirit of the song.”
Nestler plans to release more music during the first half of 2024, and suggests that “That Dance We Do” could be a sign of things to come.
“As I record, I’m slowly starting to fine tune and home in on where I’m going as an artist,” he noted. “It takes time and there’s quite a long way to go, but this song in particular is something I’m proud to have placed in ‘sonic world’ where I see my music could grow.”
OK, we’re just a little excited. Can you blame us?
Nonetheless, there’s still an entire musical world outside of our hometown at our fingertips, and we want to be sure we remain tapped in to all that is happening elsewhere. Fortunately, we did just re-launch a music blog, and the indie musicians of Earth have responded by giving us plenty of choice cuts to sink our teeth into.
Here are just a few of those selections. It’s time to HEAR WHAT YOU SHOULD!
Artist: Jon Worthy Song: Things Are Looking Up Genre: Alt-Pop Why You Should Hear It: At first blush, it sounds like Worthy is flexing his pop muscles on “Things Are Looking Up.” Keep listening, however, and you’ll behold an artist painting from a multicolored palette. Cosmic keys and a steady-marching vocal cadence give this single the alternative edge you may expect from the likes of MGMT and Grouplove, while funk-infused guitars weave around a pulsing backbeat to give the listener a reason to dance.
As for the message? Worthy had this to say: “It’s a tough atmosphere to be an artist today, with constantly being able to compare yourself against other artists on social media. While it’s a good thing to measure yourself and what you’re doing compared to other people, it can be extremely overwhelming to see people potentially doing better than you, and doing things you wish you were doing. ,Things Are Looking Up, is about trying to cut off that negative energy and look on the bright side; dropping the bad emotions for positivity and reflecting on a difficult journey, but remaining hopeful for the future.
Artist: The MOTOR CONTROL Song: Get Down! Genre: Indie Rock Why You Should Hear It: Have you ever wanted someone you can’t have? The Motor Control’s Eric Deneen has, and here, he captures the hopeless optimism of a man aiming to please the apathetic object of his affection.
Sonically, “Get Down” delivers a strong hook; Deneen’s vocals pack a reverb-kissed punch on top of an infectious groove that captivates from the opening bell. All in all, it’s a fun modern rock offering!
Artist: Ren Richards Song: Myself With You Genre: Indie Rock/Alternative Why You Should Hear It: Built on a foundation of turn-of-the-Milliennium alternative sensibility, and made all the more enchanting with clever dashes of indie pop and Americana influence throughout, “Myself With You” appeals to listeners across a variety of tastes — and to anybody who finds themselves learning to love again.
Got something you think we should hear? What are you waiting for?! Shoot it our way, and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of Songs You Should Hear!
July had plenty to offer us. It featured sick beats, slick grooves, and tender moments alike. It gave us moments drenched with soul, and sounds that will remain etched in our minds.
Let’s commemorate this memorable month by offering some of its best and brightest releases!
Apologies for the unexpected gap between UMC20 playlists last week. Ya boy has been on a retreat of sorts, shoring up a few things and gearing us up for the second half of 2023 and beyond.
All that means is that there was more to choose from for this week’s edition of UMC20! So, we’ve put together a quality compilation of some of the jams that have been making their way into our world of late.
How fitting for us, an independent music outlet, to unveil the latest, freshest edition of our independent music playlist to celebrate the Fourth of July?
It’s worth noting that there are some VIBES on this one. It’s rich with R&B and soul, but that’s not all she wrote. This week’s playlist also brings the rock, delivers some bars, and even has some tender, heartfelt Americana to appeal to those tastes.
All and all, it’s a dazzling sonic fireworks show. Jump in!
Did you know that you can support Underground Music Collective, any time of year? By making a tax-deductible donation to UMC via The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, you ensure that we can keep sharing songs and stories from independent creatives everywhere, for years to come. Click here to get started!
Did you know that you can support Underground Music Collective, any time of year? By making a tax-deductible donation to UMC via The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, you ensure that we can keep sharing songs and stories from independent creatives everywhere, for years to come. Click here to get started!
Did you know that you can support Underground Music Collective, any time of year? By making a tax-deductible donation to UMC via The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, you ensure that we can keep sharing songs and stories from independent creatives everywhere, for years to come. Click here to get started!
Did you know that you can support Underground Music Collective, any time of year? By making a tax-deductible donation to UMC via The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, you ensure that we can keep sharing songs and stories from independent creatives everywhere, for years to come. Click here to get started!
