Tag Archives: indie music publication

Vote Now to Shape This Year’s Gussapolooza Lineup!

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While we’re on the topic of exciting, community-based August music festivals, we’ll also be taking our third trip up to Ontario for Gussapolooza, the three-day extravaganza featuring some of the best up-and-coming talent from across Canada — and the globe!

Our friends up there have received so many submissions this year that they need a little bit of help sorting through them. That’s where you come in!

Introducing Sound Check, a chance to discover new artists and help shape the Gussapolooza 2026 lineup. Every few days, they will be unveiling a new genre category with a fresh batch of artists from around the world. Your job is to head over here, listen, and vote for the artists that you want to see perform at Gussapolooza. The artists with the most fan support move forward in the selection process.

Want your vote to go even further? You can access 3x voting power by purchasing a Gussapolooza Insider Pass. The Insider Pass costs only $25 CAD, lasts throughout the 2026 Gussapolooza season, and includes even more perks, including giveaways, exclusives, and more.

It’s all in the name of creativity and community, as Gussapolooza comes our way August 21-23 at the Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds in Cookstown, Ontario. Get those tickets here!

ACT FAST: Musikfest Music Industry Conference Early Bird Rates Expire April 1

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As we excitedly announced months ago, we’re returning to our original home of Bethlehem, PA this August for the Musikfest Music Industry Conference, a three-day meeting of the industry minds set to occur in the middle of the nation’s largest free, non-gated music festival.

If you want to get in on the action for the lowest rate possible, you’d better hurry: Early Bird badge rates expire this Wednesday, April 1.

The Musikfest Music Industry Conference (MIC for short) will take place from August 2-4 inside of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks brings together artists, educators, producers, industry professionals, and students for three days of conversations, workshops, mentoring, and performances focused on the real world of music today. (Also, rumor has it that someone you may know is a featured presenter once again this year…)

View conference badge options and get yours here. While you’re in town, don’t forget to enjoy the entire Musikfest experience, taking place throughout Bethlehem from July 31-August 9 (with the popular Preview Night taking place on the South Side on Thursday, July 30).

Asking Life’s Tougher Questions (A Solo Mission)

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A milestone birthday — and the approach of a The Big 4-0 next year — brings about deeper questions about life on today’s episode of The Quinn Spinn.

How do work, relationships, and other passions fit together in the greater mosaic in this season of life? What does it mean to truly be a man in 2026? I felt compelled to explore that — while teasing some ideas that have been rolling around in my mind.

Opening theme:⁠ ⁨REVEL 9⁩ ⁠ – All I’ve Become

SAVE THE DATE: NOLA MusiCon Returns to New Orleans Oct. 28-30

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For the past two years, we’ve concluded October — and the year’s tour schedule — by taking a trip to New Orleans for NOLA MusiCon, a platform for artists and industry professionals to connect, learn, and inspire during three days of informative panels, inspiring interviews, and unparalleled networking.

This October 28-30, we’ll make it three in a row. NOLA MusiCon is BACK for 2026!

We hope you’ll join us once again in The Big Easy, and we’re excited to be a part of this incredible community once again. Details on conference and live music programming are sure to come in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, keep an eye out, because early bird badges will soon be made available for just $99 until July 1.

Want an inside look at our experience at NOLA MusiCon 2025? Relive the magic with our official vlogumentary, produced by our friends and fellow UnderDogs at NuRenaissance.

You Asked, We Listened: Music Business Accelerator Virtual Applicants are Now Welcome!

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A number of folks asked if we would be offering The A&R Foundation’s Music Business Accelerator program virtually, for those who are unable to attend weekly on Saturdays in Nashville this spring.

So, we got together… and we decided to open this thing up. Now, virtual attendees — UnderDog or not — are eligible to join us for this 12-week program!

The Music Business Accelerator is a 12-week program tailored for performing musicians and creative arts businesses within the music ecosystem who are looking to strengthen business acumen and build sustainable, long-term creative ventures.

The program is divided into two core tracks:

  • Entrepreneurial Fundamentals: Covering the foundations of starting, structuring, and operating a creative business.
  • Music Business Essentials: Diving into industry specific topics, real world application, and developing a healthier, more intentional relationship with money.

Throughout the program, you will gain practical tools, frameworks, and guidance you can immediately apply to your careers, whether you are just getting started or looking to level up an existing project.

With this news comes another update: we’re extending our application deadline one final time to Tuesday, March 24! This is an opportunity to receive FREE access to the information you need to structure your creative business – no matter where your journey takes you this spring!

APPLY NOW

Exploring the ‘Cougar Pheromone’ (ft. The OG Fam)

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A Stupid News involving an intimate moment with a household appliance. Our greatest Halloween costumes. The Quinn… as a cougar magnet?

We learn a lot about each other — and the human condition in general — on this episode of The Quinn Spinn.

We also pay tribute to the late Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, provide you with Something For Your Ears from Dirty Heads, and give you something to feel good about to conclude today’s adventure.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Learn more about The Quinn Spinn: ⁠https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn⁠

This March, the Underground Revolution Heads to Austin!

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Last year, we made our way to Austin for our first ever trip to SXSW. It was an epic week — one which altered the course of UMC history, and gave rise to the era of the UnderDogs.

Such a life-changing experience was bound to have a sequel, and you had to know that we’d be running it back in the Live Music Capital of the World in 2026!

We’re teaming up with our friends at New York-based Rhythm & Soul Radio — who we met at another one of our favorite conferences, NOLA MusiCon — on two showcase events in Austin during SXSW week. The first one — titled Music, Art, Life — takes place on Saturday, March 14 at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (1106 E. 11th St.) beginning at 12 p.m. This one features UnderDogs Yonna Jones and Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess as part of a full day of music. You can RSVP and find full lineup info here!

Then, join us on Monday, March 16 for The Rendezvous in ATX, taking place at Sahara Lounge (1413 Webberville Rd.) beginning at 5 p.m. That’s where you’ll catch UnderDogs Kelsey Muse and T.R.A.N.E. Spitta in their element as part of another full lineup.

Want to hang with us before the live music kicks off? We’ll also be at The Long Play Lounge (704 W. St. John’s Ave.) on Friday, March 13 between 8-11:30 p.m. for The Array Party. This special evening will feature the opportunity to network with creatives from around the world, while you listen and dance to tunes spanning multiple genres and decades.

Of course, we’ll be in town from March 11 all the way through the 16th, so there will be plenty of opportunities to connect throughout the city of Austin. Follow along here at The Blog, as well as on Instagram and YouTube, for updates before and during the big week!

Going Further Together (ft. Austin Breckenridge)

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Austin Breckenridge is the Executive Director of The A&R Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Texas nonprofit entity dedicated to transforming creative passions into sustainable businesses, by providing independent musicians and creative arts businesses with tools, resources, and education on entrepreneurship.

The A&R Foundation offers the Music Business Accelerator cohort, a 12-week program which teaches musicians and creative entrepreneurs the fundamentals of building their businesses. Austin joins us on The Quinn Spinn to discuss the program, which is coming to Nashville for the first time this spring, alongside details on how to apply.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded at The Russell: https://russellnashville.com

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Join our mailing list or become an UnderDog to apply!

Learn more about the Music Business Accelerator
Learn more about The Quinn Spinn

The Art of Life (ft. Stéphane Wrembel)

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Stéphane Wrembel is a world-renowned guitarist and band leader. Influenced by luminaries including the great Django Reinhardt, the French-born Berklee grad has experienced many highlights throughout his decades-long career, including having his music featured in Woody Allen films like ‘Midnight in Paris.’

Stéphane’s creative process meets at the intersection of art and life, and we welcome him to today’s episode of The Quinn Spinn to share how his journey empowers him to create and collaborate from an organic place.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded at The Russell: ⁠https://russellnashville.com⁠

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

Learn more about The Quinn Spinn: ⁠https://umcworldwide.com/thequinnspinn⁠

Da’ Healerz Added to Music to Life’s Juried Artist Roster

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The Heal Hop Movement just reached new heights.

Da’ Healerz — fronted by Nashville-based emcees Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca — have just been accepted into Music to Life‘s Juried Artist program, a nationwide program “dedicated to cultivating and empowering a network of musician change agents.”

A national non-profit founded by 60’s civil rights icon Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary), Music to Life provides Juried Artists with opportunities to promote their work, train as a change agent through their Musician Changemaker Accelerator program, and engage in their National Changemaker Network of like-minded artists and collaborators.

The news comes on the heels of a successful 2025 for Da’ Healerz — one which saw the duo celebrate the release of their Heal Talk EP by hosting live Heal Talk Experience performance and talkback sessions, launching Da’ Healerz Circle podcast, and performing across the Southeast, with notable stops at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and NOLA MusiCon.

Learn more about Da’ Healerz — Music to Life’s newest Juried Artist — at musictolife.org.

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