This is our first monthly “Best Of” edition of UMC20 in the better part of a year and, well… what a way to bring the HEAT back!
Y’all did a great job giving us some fresh sounds heading into the New Year, and it pays off in this multi-faceted compilation of some (but not all) of the best things we’ve heard in recent memory. We invite you to dig in!
Bonus track: Last week marked our first Quinn Spinn OG Family episode of 2024, as JD came back into the fold to chat about championship football and our 2024 intentions. Check it out here!
Track listing Harris Hills – ACTION MAN Intellect ft. Dave East – Too Many Losses Mykel ft. Mileage – Rhythm Of You Zhaklina – M.D.B.M Kendra & The Bunnies – Manic Pixie Nightmare ROM COM – Tom Cruisin’ Aaron Lee Tasjan – Horror Of It All Alex Jordan – Saving Grace The Steel Wheels – Hero Laura Mustard – Good Enough Teagan Stewart – New Nashville J.Antonette – Run Girl Run Quickdraw Kid – Bittersweet Tennessee Fame & Fiction – Famous Paul Nestler – That Dance We Do Jon Worthy – Things Are Looking Up Radio Flower – Winters Alone Elise Browell – In My Mind The Mighty Calm – Boardwalks Keep the Eleven – Do You Wanna Change The World?
This past Thursday, Nashville’s Rock Block certainly lived up to its name.
On this particular night, we had a stellar trio of homegrown bands to thank for that, as a steadily packed house at The End had the opportunity to enjoy the sounds of Absolute Silence, Keep The Eleven, and YEARB4.
Absolute Silence led things off, fresh from a cowboy-themed music video shoot. Their expansive set touched on a variety of styles, with elements of garage rock, punk, Americana, and even a little bit of pop blended brilliantly together into their set. (Plus, there was this epic drum solo, which we still haven’t gotten over.)
Keep The Eleven was up next. The Chicagoland natives kept the momentum going, bringing a dynamic, high-energy performance to the stage that showcased their unbridled creative spirit. From start to finish, this garage rock power trio didn’t relent, opening up their diverse catalog and building connections with an audience who hung on their every note and lyric.
Speaking of audience connection, it was clear to anyone in attendance that YEARB4 has mastered the art. The band’s collective stage presence — led by confident and charismatic frontman Lucas Blair — is the perfect complement to their swaggering brand of modern rock, and made clear why this band has enjoyed success from coast to coast.
International artists? Rock and Roll Hall of Famers? What special occasion could possibly bring all of these incredible talents under the same roof?
For us, it’s just Tuesday.
Where else can you find a weekly indie music playlist that offers as many unique flavors as UMC20? We’ve got everything you need right here, pulled together every Tuesday from all corners of the musical landscape.
Track listing: Chloe Stroll – Run (PINES Remix) Zhaklina – M.D.B.M NOANNE – White Glove Fie Eike – The Nile Intellect ft. Dave East – Too Many Losses My Life Story – Running Out of Heartbeats Aaron Lee Tasjan – Horror Of It All Alex Jordan – Saving Grace The Steel Wheels – Hero Spencer LaJoye – How Are You Mary McGuinness – Touchstone Frontier Ruckus – Clarkston Pasture Jobi Riccio – Whiplash Teagan Stewart – New Nashville Reid Haughton – Man Made Money The Washboard Union – Neon Needs The Night The Sleeping Souls – Scared of Living Ricky Byrd – Rhapsody in Blues (One for Jeff) The Blues Emergency – Quicksand Campanula – She Said
The beautiful thing about our UMC20 playlist has always been that you can find music of any genre, from artists in any location in any given week.
This week, we bring you everything from dance music to study music, hip hop to folk, and just about anything else you could possibly need. The best part? All we had to do was run through the music that you, People of the Underground, submitted for consideration to compile this all-star list.
Track listing Goodnite Robicheaux – Pinewood Daisha McBride – All is Well NIXED – Sacrifice Camille Marchadour – Fire Me DaChri – I LOVE ME! Mykel ft. Mileage – Rhythm Of You Til Now – Waste My Life leisure fm – weather warning Hope Vista – Hot Blood The Welters – Soldiers The Ohio Hopefuls – Sidewalk Chalk Shedonist – Ask Me Why Kendall Bowser – You Don’t Call Me Arih SK – Miss You Like I Should Radio Flower – Winters Alone Elise Browell – In My Mind Quickdraw Kid – Strawberry Supermoon Laura Mustard – Good Enough Kim Krans – Golden Tears StreamKitty – streets of montreal
The silver lining behind that uncertainty is that you have the choice on where to go from here. Nashville-based troubadour and producer Cooper Carr delivers that empowering message on his debut single, “Blank Page.”
“This song is for the ones who aren’t quite sure what’s next. The ones who change the subject when asked about the future, because you’re afraid what you really hope and dream for is impossible,” Carr said. “The ones who are looking around at other’s seemingly quick success and wondering what the secret formula is. The ones who feel paralyzed by heartbreak. It can be so terrifying to look at the future and just see a blank page — but, it also means there’s endless possibility and opportunity out there.”
Currently, two versions of “Blank Page” are out in the world. The original version is a rollicking, acoustic-based tune that carries us toward our dreams as diligently as the steadfast march of time. The acoustic version is more pensive; the slower-tempo version features an emotive piano and string arrangement, which adds a new level thoughtfulness and depth. Meanwhile, Carr’s distinct tenor rings out to comfort us along the journey.
No matter your flavor, the message of “Blank Page” is clear: time is going to pass by, regardless of the actions we take. In that case, we might as well commit to living a life of purpose.
As purveyors of the new and interesting, we are always looking for unique submissions to feast our ears upon.
In that regard, it’s like Zac Young already knows us. In turn, he delivered a holiday tune to our doorstep unlike any we’ve ever heard.
“Blacked Out on a White Christmas” breaks past the overwrought, inescapable holly jolly-ness that permeates every facet of our lives this time of year. Instead, we are treated to a sprawling art rock soundscape that carries us through a variety of tinsel-covered settings — while acknowledging the heaviness of the season that is so often overlooked.
“The holidays for everyone are different, but for most people, they are heavy times,” Young said. “I mean that positively and negatively. For some, the holidays are heavy and warm with love, family, (and) memories. For others, they are heavy for the lack thereof. This song brings that intensity, and I feel it’s relatable to most.”
He continued, “And as we know, the holidays likely involve drinking.”
Are you ready to experience the sounds of the season like never before? Get “Blacked Out on a White Christmas” below!
From Nairobi to Nashville (and plenty of places in between), alt-rockers Lone Tree have a knack for delivering relatable concepts on top of an eclectic sound; one which runs an international gamut of musical perspectives.
Their latest single, “Holding On,” hits the mark yet again. On top of these infectious grooves, funk-influenced guitar shredding, and a potent melody resides a message of two young lovers yearning to make things work — despite the relational challenges they’ve yet to overcome.
“‘Holding On’ is about two broken hearts attempting to repair the love they once had. That love is still very much there, but it’s been damaged by both people in different ways,” said guitarist Patrick Sanders. “Although they’re hurt, their love is eternal, and they will always keep holding on to what they have.”
The band’s palpable chemistry is on full display on this track. It’s no surprise, then, that “Holding On” came to fruition in the studio very quickly.
“‘Holding On’ one of those few songs whose melody, rhythm, and message came together very naturally,” Sanders said. “Largely autobiographical, most of the song was written on the same day. In fact, within the same hour.”
If you’ve ever fought for love, you’ll relate. Check out “Holding On” below!
We’re no strangers to featuring Soheill here at Underground Music Collective. Several of his cuts have made previous editions of our UMC20 playlist, and we even reviewed his 2020 single, “Can’t Stop Thinking,” riiiight over here.
Through the years, Soheill’s sound and affinity for sonic experimentation have evolved. This fall, he took a turn toward the darkness by unveiling his new darkwave project, Leather Baby.
The project’s debut single, “Weapons,” take us on a steadfast march through the perils of the world. A methodical, yet persistent drumbeat underscores ominous, heavy synths which seem to loom larger as time ticks away.
However, underneath many layers of darkness, “Weapons” offers a message of hope. Listen closely to the lyrics, and you will uncover the story of a love and commitment so strong, that it can weather any storm.
We all have those people in our lives who drift in and out. We don’t know when, and we don’t know where, but we know our paths will cross again.
However, that doesn’t make missing them any easier.
Quickdraw Kid visits that topic on “Bittersweet Tennessee,” their final single before the release of their debut, full-length album this Friday, December 1. The song was written after their bandmate Cesar Alva-Cano — with whom they formed Quickdraw Kid as students at Middle Tennessee State University — moved to California. While the single’s wistful undercurrent represents the process of letting go, sweet memories bring about a sense of optimism as the song progresses, as these old friends look forward to reuniting down the road.
“(Bittersweet Tennessee) is the story of missing someone who can’t stay in one place, but always knowing you’ll find your way back to one another again,” the band said.
Sonically, the tune hearkens to 90s and turn-of-the-millennium alt-rock, with guitar tones reminiscent of early Weezer (that outro has “Sweater Song” vibes all over it) and a poignant, Jimmy Eat World-esque melody.
If that sounds like your jam, why not check out “Bittersweet Tennessee” below?
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!
