Tag Archives: indie music blog Nashville

Everything You Need to Know About Tonight’s Holiday House Party in Nashville!

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Join us tonight for one more shot of holiday cheer!

We’re hosting our first-ever Holiday House Party tonight at The Nash Nest in East Nashville. This intimate gathering — held at a top-secret location provided only to those who RSVP — will feature acoustic performances from a variety of standout Nashville artists, as well as a Holly Jolly Open Jam to round out the night!

Here are the important details:

Time: Doors at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m., open jam from 9-10 p.m.
Location: The Nash Nest, East Nashville (RSVP for details — the final location email goes out at 4 p.m.!)
Lineup: Timothy Myles, Amber Sweeney, Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, Laurel Sabadosh, and YOU!
Admission: FREE with one warm clothing or non-perishable food item!

TONIGHT, 7:30 ET: Your Next Favorite Band’s Winter Wonder Pre-Jam!

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Back home in the Christmas City of Bethlehem, PA, our friends at Your Next Favorite Band are ready to express gratitude and honor the guests they’ve had throughout the year. They’ve invited more than a dozen of their closest friends back to the show tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET, where they will share messages for the season and perform a holiday tune.

Tonight’s special broadcast features messages and songs from:

  • Kyle Lacy & Amanda D’Amico
  • Hermosa
  • Lia Menaker
  • Avery Ballotta of Damn Tall Buildings
  • John Kim Faye
  • The Flying Vees
  • Koyal
  • Zach Miller of Dr Dog
  • Gina Zo
  • Nervous Nikki & the Chill Pills
  • Kahone Concept
  • Galen Deery
  • TIOGA
  • The Hot Mamas

You’ll also see highlights from last year’s Winter WonderJam event, featuring Joe Edelmann and Emma Bockrath, as they get set for this year’s annual fundraiser, taking place at the legendary Godfrey Daniels listening room in Bethlehem this Saturday, December 6 at 7 p.m. ET.

Did we mention it’s all for a cause? Your Next Favorite Band will honor and raise awareness for homeless shelters and food banks in our home community of the Lehigh Valley, including New Bethany Ministries and national non-profit Feeding America.

THIS MONTH: Relive 2025’s Greatest Hits

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Without question, 2025 has been a year for the ages. In fact, we’ve proclaimed it the best year of UMC’s life (so far), and we’re in a mood to celebrate.

P.S.: If you’re in Nashville, come celebrate with us this Wednesday night at Lowbar!

Whether you’re near or far, we’re going to keep things festive around here until the ball drops to ring in 2026. And, to show you how epic this year has been, we have an entire backlog of content captured throughout the year that we haven’t even rolled out yet!

We’ve got some catching up to do — and it gives us the opportunity to relive some of the year’s most magical moments with a series we call 2025’s Greatest Hits.

We have festival photos from Canada to New Orleans. We have special insights to share on the moments and lessons that made 2025 special. Throughout December, we’ll be popping in to give you a few last glimpses of this incredible year, while also providing a taste of what’s to come.

Stay tuned, because we’ll begin dropping these Greatest Hits later this week. We invite you to sit back, reflect, and appreciate the year that was!

Need Help Developing Your Creative Vision?

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You have the talent. You’ve developed your skills. You have big dreams about where you can take this music thing. All you’re missing… is the next step.

Your audience is out there. Connecting with them means joining in community with those who share your values. Keeping them in your orbit means finding ways to provide them with something that they won’t find anywhere else.

It might sound intimidating at first… until you realize that everything you need to connect with your audience — and keep them there — is already within you. You have a purpose behind your art that has yet to be uncovered. You have countless ideas, and just need some help organizing those thoughts into action. You have a story to tell, and more tools than ever to reach the masses.

We’re here to help you put it all together. That’s why we’re announcing the return of our popular BRANDCAMP from UMC Academy to start the New Year!

Our six-week program — beginning the week of Monday, January 12 — is designed to help creatives like you uncover your values and develop a clear vision for your creative ecosystem, complete with actionable goals. We achieve this by providing a proven brand-building roadmap, bespoke one-on-one mentorship, and access to a community of purpose-driven artistpreneurs.

BRANDCAMPers receive:

  • Our Values-Mission-Vision (VMV) Workshop, as presented at major international music conferences. ($500-1,000+ value)
  • Weekly 1-on-1 mentor sessions, aimed toward sparking fresh ideas and defining your goals.
  • Weekly Connection Calls with your fellow UMC Academy BRANDCAMPers.
  • A FREE UMC UnderDogs community membership for one year. ($250 value!)
  • Early “inside track” access to new UMC feature/performance opportunities.
  • A FREE signed copy of 60+ Lessons from the Creative Journey.

Sounds fun, right?

If you’re ready to enroll (or just want to learn more), head on over to the Academy page, where you can hear testimonials from previous UMC Academy grads!

NASHVILLE: Holiday House Party Benefit Concert Set for Dec. 11

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In addition to our official, kick-up-your-heels-and-sing-some-karaoke UMC holiday mixer on Dec. 3 (location to be announced this week), we have more yuletide fun on tap.

And this time, it’s for a cause!

We’re partnering with our new friends at The Nash Nest — a sweet luxury Airbnb in East Nashville — on our first-ever Holiday House Party! On Thursday, December 11 from 5-10 p.m., a musical lineup of Nashville locals will join us to perform live, while we collect warm clothing and non-perishable food donations for those in need this holiday season.

Entry is free with your donation. Stay tuned for lineup details, which will be announced the week of December 1.

As for the location? It’s a secret… and the only way to get in the know is to RSVP. Reserve your spot here!

(Note: Specific location details will be sent to attendees within 24 hours of the event.)

Barz in the Boro Returns to Middle Tennessee Dec. 6

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Barz in the Boro — a monthly hip hop showcase just down the road from us in Murfreesboro, Tennessee — will close out the year with a stacked lineup on Saturday, December 6 from 8-11 p.m.

The showcase — which occurs on the first Saturday of every month at Cedar Glade Brews (906 Ridgely Rd., Murfreesboro) — is hosted by E.T. and Raw Proof, with support from DJ Know Love on the 1s and 2s. Barz in the Boro is a platform for local and touring hip hop artists alike. Each month’s showcase features a uniquely curated lineup, along with an open mic portion, which provide aspiring performers with a chance to impress for a future opportunity.

The showcase’s official website offers this description:

Barz in the Boro is a monthly hip hop showcase and cypher where raw talent, sharp lyricism, and real culture take center stage. From local spitters to nationally touring acts, this is the spot where the underground and the spotlight meet. This event is designed to shine a light on performers, build connections within the culture, and bring something fresh and exciting to the Murfreesboro / Nashville music scene.

Presented and hosted by E.T. & Raw Proof and powered by the skills of DJ Know Love, every show is built to give you that authentic hip hop vibe, no gimmicks, just beats, barz, and energy.  This ain’t just another show, it’s for the artists, for the fans, and for the culture. Pull up, bring your skillz, and be part of the movement.​

The December 6 event will feature performances from UnderDogs Yonna Jones and Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess, alongside My Friend Wiley and New Orleans’ own Alfred Banks. Those interested in learning more or being considered for a future showcase are encouraged to reach out via Instagram.

Have You Heard the ‘Whispers?’ Kelsey Muse Releases New Single

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When we last checked in with our fellow UnderDog and UMC NEXT2RISE artist Kelsey Muse, she was putting the finishing touches on “Whispers,” her new single produced by MidDay.

The moody pop-R&B single — a celebration of one’s own individuality, even in the face of outside criticism and expectations — is officially out in the world. However, you won’t find it on streaming platforms just yet.

Kelsey has the single available for purchase at her official website in two bundles. The first bundle includes two versions of “Whispers” — the full version, and the radio edit — and a Kelsey Muse “Strike the Heart” t-shirt. The second bundle includes both versions of the song, as well as her previous single, “Sunglasses.”

Or, if you want a free download, you can help Kelsey spread the word by logging into Instagram, giving Kelsey a follow, and then liking this post and sharing it to your story. If you go that route, make sure you tag Kelsey in your story to claim your free download!

Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going: Part 1

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“Why dontcha make a few slides for a timeline, outlining key milestones that helped create the UMC we know and love today?”

So naturally, we had to be absolutely extra and document our lore.

This is the first in a multi-part series that will share the story so far — from the early days of The Quinn Spinn in Mom’s Basement Studios, to our transformative, globe-spanning 2025. At the end, we’ll also share more information on our plans, hopes, and dreams for the future that we think you’ll dig!

This was a blast to create, and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for Part 2!

Apply to These 2026 Festivals & Conferences

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After last week’s epic trip to New Orleans for NOLA MusiCon — and a year that saw UMC everywhere, from Austin to London — we’re already dreaming of more travels in 2026.

Fortunately, new adventures are always on the horizon, for both artist and educator alike. In fact, some of our favorite haunts from the past couple years have open submission processes ongoing right now. So, if you’ve been bitten by the travel bug — and want to scratch the itch by doing your thing in new markets — we’ve compiled information on a few of our favorites right here.

SXSW London

Dates: June 1-6, 2026
Location: London, UK
Deadlines: November 24 (Performer), December 7 (Speaker)
Notes: The European edition of SXSW — now in its second year — has an open application process for those looking to make their mark overseas in 2026. Both emerging and established artists, as well as organizers of forward-thinking lineups, are encouraged to submit for performance consideration. That deadline is coming up quick, but you still have time. If you’re a speaker, you have a couple extra weeks to get your proposal together!
Link to apply: SXSW London 2026 | Public Submissions Now Open

Musikfest

Dates: July 31-Aug. 9 (Festival); Aug. 2-4 (Conference)
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Deadlines: November 15, 2025 (Conference), February 28, 2026 (Festival)
Notes: Musikfest itself is entering its 43rd year in 2026, and is the nation’s largest free, non-gated music festival, bringing nearly 1.5 million people to downtown Bethlehem in 2025. The Musikfest Industry Conference — now in its second year — aims to put world-class ideas and music industry knowledge (like yours) in front of the artists who comprise this growing, talent-rich regional arts hub (and UMC’s original hometown).
Links to apply: Festival | Conference

Gussapolooza

Dates: Aug. 21-23
Location: Cookstown, ON, Canada
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Notes: Our favorite weekend getaway is on for next August! This all-independent, three-day festival — nestled just an hour or so north of Toronto — brings some of the most notable rising acts from across North America together in the name of music, art, and community. Gussapolooza also invites vendors and artisans across the creative landscape to get involved. In that spirit, we’ll include the vendor application below, as well.
Links to apply: Festival | Vendor

Which events should we know about? Did we miss any? Let us know, and we’ll add them to the list!

TUNE IN: UnderDogs Across Borders, Live from New Orleans!

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The UnderDogs are in New Orleans, getting ready to take the Big Easy by storm all week long during NOLA MusiCon.

It starts tonight at 5 p.m. with a double round of Have You Met…?, featuring interviews with six creatives from Nashville and beyond. Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess interviews Yonna Jones, Joe Baze, and yours truly at 5 p.m. Then, our friend Mandy Ortiz from DAWn Audio will sit down with DJX, Amelia Ray, and Mac Infinity beginning at 6 p.m.

Then, stay tuned as we present UnderDogs Across Borders: Live from New Orleans beginning at 7 p.m. A stacked lineup of artists from New Orleans, Nashville, and beyond will take the stage at Cafe Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans), and we have plenty of surprises in store. Tune in below, and don’t forget to donate to help our artists elevate in their careers!

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