Tag Archives: indie music reviews Nashville

REVIEW: Craig Greenberg Offers Hope on ‘If You Stop Believing’

“So step out from the shadows,
The place where you’re alone
Wage another battle, throw another stone
Find another reason, to keep your hope alive
Cause if you stop believing then the dream will surely die
Yeah if you stop believing the dream will surely die.”

It’s safe to say we live in odd times. The economy is in shambles. The bourgeoisie class of tech bros and certain politicians seems dedicated to making life more difficult for all of us peasants. Sometimes, even the little things feel like they’re not going our way.

Through it all, the promise of a brighter day can illuminate the darkest corners of our minds. That’s where Craig Greenberg, New York City’s troubadour piano man, comes in.

Greenberg — who, you may have heard, is set to join us in New Orleans next week — offers hope with “If You Stop Believing,” an exuberant, piano-driven anthem that inspires us to keep the faith, even when the world has dealt a hand we don’t feel equipped to play.

Life is a complicated journey, and there is comfort in knowing we’re not alone. On “If You Stop Believing,” Greenberg walks alongside us, offering the perspective that every situation we encounter — whether good, bad, or bowling-shoe-ugly — has something to teach us, and holds the keys toward where we’re going next.

“If You Stop” believing was co-produced by Greenberg and Wayne Silver, who also mixed and engineered the track. Mastering was performed by Alex Psaroudakis. Greenberg performs most of the instruments — piano, vocals, guitar, and percussion — and received contributions from Hiroyuki Matsuura on drums and Tony Tino on bass.

We’ve shared the Bandcamp embed below, because it gives you the chance to buy the track after you try the track. Dig in — and be sure to keep the faith!

Jonah Kagen Announces Headline Tour in Support of New Album, ‘Eternity of Anything’

Photo credit: Olivia Bee

Jonah Kagen has become a rising force in the Americana world over the past few years, and his legend will grow upon the release of his sophomore album, Eternity of Anything (available everywhere October 30).

To celebrate the release of the album, the Savannah, GA native is embarking on a quick, intimate acoustic fall tour through select cities — with a Nashville date at The Basement on tap for Sunday, November 22.

Here are the cities where you can catch Jonah Kagen on the road this fall!

The tour was announced after the postponement of Dermot Kennedy’s The Weight of the Woods tour, which Kagen was scheduled to support. It’s an opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with Kagen as he performs songs from the new record, alongside favorites from 2025’s breakthrough, Sunflowers and Leather.

In contrast to its predecessor, Eternity of Anything is an introspective effort; one which resulted from the troubadour working in near-isolation. For “an intense two-to-three-month” stretch, Kagen finely tuned every detail — recording, writing, producing, recording, engineering and mixing the album himself, while keeping the record from outside ears until its completion.

Tickets for the fall tour are available now, and can be purchased at jonahkagen.com/tour. While you wait for the album (and your tour stop of choice), get a sneak preview with “Do Better” and “Don’t Feel Right” below!

WATCH: Jack Barksdale Comments on the Modern American ‘Battleground’

How do you find the light in a dark room?

How do you hold onto hope, when all seems hopeless?

Why fight the battle, when you’re likely to lose the war?

These are the questions that come to mind from listening to “Battleground,” the new single from world-aware folk artist Jack Barksdale (ft. Julian Taylor on backing vocals).

This sparse, haunting slice of alt-folk finds Barksdale commenting on the ever-intensifying battle between the ultra-wealthy and the common person in modern America, as seen through the eyes of a small-town woman who ends up on the right side of wrong. The Texas native paints a bleak picture of the one-sided power dynamic in today’s society, as our protagonist presses ahead through stacked decks and lost allies. She resolves desperately to create a brighter day — until her defiance ultimately catches up with her.

The music video for “Battleground” starts Erica Qualy, was filmed by Jamie Harmon, and was edited by Turtle Moon Films. Bailey Bigger joins Taylor on backing vocals, and the track was produced by Mark Edgar Stuart, engineered and mixed by Kevin Houston, and mastered by Matt Qualls.

The Quinn Spinn: Live from Gussapolooza 2026, Day 1

We are BACK on your feeds — just in time for the 13th anniversary of Episode 1 — with an all-new edition of The Quinn Spinn recorded LIVE at Gussapolooza, our favorite all-indie Canadian music festival in Cookstown, ON!

It was Battle of the Bands day (sponsored by ROCK 95 Barrie), and we had three of the five contestants — TRAUMAQUEEN, New Anthem, and the winners… Mirrage!

We also welcome grant writer and independent artist advocate Ryan Farley (Hubris Entertainment), who dropped some industry knowledge to close us out!

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

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

LISTEN: Spence Brown’s ‘Scotch Thoughts’ Are ‘A Meditation on Time’

A sobering fact of life? None of us knows exactly how much time we have left.

So, let’s not waste any of it.

Spence Brown — who, you may recall, recently made his triumphant return to the artist side of the tracks — just hit us with another new single, “Scotch Thoughts” is a slick and soulful hip hop vibe; one Brown calls “a meditation on time” in light of his father’s recent heart attack, and the realization that it’s up to us to make the most of every moment.

“(It’s about) realizing that everyone’s time is limited, including your own,” Brown said. “It’s part of a larger project coming in the spring called 4am In Nashville, and one of the overall themes is opportunity cost; trying to figure out what is the right move to make. This is song number one on the project, and is the entrance to a dark place that we explore through the project.”

We’ll soon have even more glimpses into 4am In Nashville, with new singles due on March 29 and April 26. For now, we invite you vibe with this one!

NASHVILLE: Free Tax Strategy Session Wednesday, March 6

Does tax season have you stressed out? Not sure how to make sense of the many important nuances that arise this time of year? Just need a refresher on what to do, and how to do it?

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you’ll want to join us Wednesday, March 6 at 519 Donelson Pike in Nashville. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., Connor Christian of The Southern Gothic will be hosting a free tax information seminar to get you ready for the April 15 filing deadline.

As a former full-time touring musician, Connor has learned the ins and outs of tax season. He has since applied that knowledge to owning and operating Liberty Tax franchises across Greater Nashville. Join Connor as he reveals tips and strategies, and answers your questions to ensure that tax season is as successful — and stress-free — as possible.

This one is on us, Nashville! All you need to do is click this link and RSVP for free, and we’ll see you there!

Finding Clarity, Purpose, and Ways to Innovate (ft. BREEZE)

On today’s #QuickSpinn edition of The Quinn Spinn, I welcome my NashLive! co-conspirator BREEZE to the show. A content creator, artist, and creative force, Breeze brings energy and insight from her years in the industry to any collaboration.

This conversation highlights the unique, curated live music experiences to be presented by NashLive!, as well as the winding roads that aided the evolution of the platform and our own lives.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

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UMC20: It’s a New Month, Yes it Is! (Feb. 6, 2024)

It’s time to turn the page to a new month, and its first weekly installment of 20 fresh tracks.

As always, we keep things interesting, with plenty of genre-bending-and-breaking throughout this adventure. You’ll find sounds you never expected together, blended in perfect harmony. You’ll also find some straightforward cuts here, if that’s your bag.

And, you’ll find our bonus track: an episode of The Quinn Spinn featuring Nashville-based hip hop artist Raw Proof, who stopped by to chat about changing landscapes, community impact, and living a balanced life as a creative.

Track listing
Gangstagrass ft. Jerry Douglas – The Only Way Out is Through
Spence Brown – 2024
Lord Goldie – On da Line
Foundation Mecca ft. Ari Shavon – TKO
Yarin Glam – BURN IT DOWN
Fame & Fiction – Not the One for You
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – Revelations
David Haerle – El Camino Sierra
Leon Frear – A Morning House
Julian Guba – Get Rid of You
Evan Boyer – Home to You
Dustin Kensrue ft. Cat Clyde – Death Valley Honeymoon
Frontier Ruckus – I’m Not the Boy
Josh Fortenbery – Heirlooms
Ty Warner ft. Olivia Frances – This is Not Goodbye
Orland Sunset – ON THE RUN
KNOTTS – The Offer
Mandi Crimmins – LOSE CONTROL
Kim Krans – Dead Stars
Jasce – Ecstasy

WATCH: Harris Hills is All About ‘ACTION, MAN’

One of the true gems of the New Year so far belongs to Nashville-based rapper and producer Harris Hills, who combines the soulful sensibilities of Nashvllle with the quick-hitting, grime music influence of his native U.K. on his latest single, “ACTION MAN.”

The well-traveled artist — who also spent his teenage years in Washington state before coming to Music City — pairs slick production with a delivery that moves as swiftly as an independent artist on the rise. A true hustle anthem, “ACTION MAN” adds a fresh voice to Nashville’s already thriving hip hop scene, diversifying Music City’s sonic palette in a way sure to resonate with fans in any location.

The single is accompanied by a video, which features the adventures of Hills and his entourage traveling through many haunts on and around Lower Broadway.

Perhaps these visuals signal what we already know to be true: they’re taking over the city, and it’s only a matter of time.

On ‘Don’t Mess with Ol’ Smoky,’ The Bankshafts Honor Their Roots

Rising bluegrass outfit The Bankshafts might be based in Nashville, but they’ll never forget their roots in East Tennessee.

Their new single, “Don’t Mess with Ol’ Smoky,” honors the time the band’s members have spent among the grandeur of the Smoky Mountains. They include mandolin player Rocky Carnell, who grew up in Bristol, TN, and co-frontman Addison Simmons, who has family in East Tennessee and spent some time at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

“I started writing the song while we were on the road in Chattanooga playing some gigs. We started talking about the Smoky Mountains a bunch, and it got the wheels turning,” Simmons said. “I wrote the majority of the song; then. I brought it to the guys and got some help finishing it. This was the first song we did as a group, so it’s a special song for us.”

Although written about East Tennessee, the band got an assist in a neighboring state — and a contribution from The SteelDrivers’ Gary Nichols — to help the tune to life.

“Recording it down in Muscle Shoals (AL) was just the cherry on top. That’s where we get the best stuff done,” Simmons said. “There’s something about recording music down there that just makes the music a little extra special. It was a group effort. We had almost everyone at the studio be a part of the song in some way.”

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