Tag Archives: alternative rock

UMC20: A Sonic Melting Pot (Feb. 20, 2024)

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From song to song, and moment to moment, you never quite know where this week’s edition of UMC20 is going to go.

There’s a lot of genre-bending goodness throughout the playlist. You’ll hear plenty of instances where elements of one genre sneak their way into another.

And, of course, there are two bonus tracks, because we’re releasing two episodes of The Quinn Spinn per week now. One highlights the journey of an exciting new artist; while the other, just released today, shows a different (i.e.; the original) side of our Official Podcast. Past meets present, indeed!

Track listing
Foundation Mecca ft. Carissa Kohne – Brand New
Cyrille Aimee – Here
Fuchsia – Backseat Blues
Malcolm DeWayne – Amethyst Nights
Jasce – River
EMMI IIDA ft. Peachkit – Higher Self
Aaron Lee Tasjan – The Drugs Did Me
Flyin’ Hot Saucers – Ollantaytambo
Deidre – Every Breath You Take
Andrea von Kampen – Such Love Does
Gabrielle Grace – Both Ways
Lindsey Lomis – Long Way Down
Kitty Coen – yellow light
Steve Conte – Shoot Out The Stars
Old 97’s – Where the Road Goes
Frontier Ruckus – I’m Not the Boy
Parker Barrow – Back to Birmingham
Sarina Haggarty – Lipstick to Myself
Emily Ann Roberts – Whole Lotta Little (Cabin Sessions)
Armchair Boogie – Livin’

WATCH: The Mad Sugars Cook Up Trouble with ‘Dare Me’

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The Mad Sugars ft. Monte Mader - Dare Me

For all the potential downsides, mischief can certainly have its fun moments.

The Mad Sugars — our favorite storytellers when it comes to tales of nightlife misadventures — capture that sense of fleeting, restless merriment in the music video for “Dare Me,” featuring Nashville-based vocalist Monte Mader. Directed by Brian Thompson and shot at Helping Our Music Evolve, the video is an opportunity for the band to let loose in the spirit of high-energy rock and roll.

“‘Dare Me’ is a dance rock tribute to the nights you hit it off with someone who makes you want to go out and get into trouble,” the band said.

“Dare Me” is from the band’s forthcoming full-length album, Personal Space, available everywhere on March 22. You can pre-order the album here, and watch the video below!

UMC20: The Best of January 2024

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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?

PHOTOS: Absolute Silence, Keep The Eleven, and YEARB4 at The End

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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.

Plus, they gave us a Creed cover, and I’m a sucker for a good Creed Bomb, anytime…

UMC20: Coming In from All Corners (Jan. 16, 2024)

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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.

This week’s bonus track is our Quinn Spinn conversation with Zhaklina, whose new single, “M.D.B.M.,” is also featured early in this week’s playlist.

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

UMC20: Let’s Diversify (Jan. 9, 2024)

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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.

Also, check out this week’s bonus track: the first Quinn Spinn Solo Mission of 2024, where we touch on how to turn a viral moment into something more.

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

Ready for a ‘Blank Page’ in 2024? Cooper Carr Has a Song for You

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Photo credit: Isaac Wetzel

Feeling a tad uncertain as we head into 2024?

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.

LISTEN: Zac Young’s One-in-a-Million Holiday Tune

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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!

LISTEN: Lone Tree is ‘Holding On’ Through the Hurt

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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!

LISTEN: With his new Leather Baby Project, Soheill Embraces the Darkness

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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.

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