Tag Archives: indie rock

UnderDog Releases: Abundance, Keen Observations, and Whispers

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As the world has been turning, we’ve been celebrating this incredible year, and getting ready for what’s next, the UnderDogs have been hard at work churning out new material here in Q4.

Let’s check out what some of the members of our community have been up to lately…

Artist: Amelia Ray
Video: Pretending to Read
Released: December 4, 2025
What you should know: The visual companion to Amelia’s July single, ‘Pretending to Read’ was filmed and recorded at San Francisco’s Women’s Audio Mission. Ever-attentive to detail — this song recalls all of her observations from behind a book during a train ride — Amelia has us attempting to decode the symbolism behind the stack of books In addition, her expressive performance behind the microphone has us hanging on every lyric — making us believers that, aside from what’s taking place in front of her eyes, our protagonist has a lot to process.

Artist: Kelsey Muse
Song: Whispers
Released: November 14, 2025
What you should know: As promoted on The Quinn Spinn (and released as a direct purchase-only single last month prior to hitting streaming platforms), “Whispers” is about letting the people keep talking as you carry about your business. Society might make a lot of noise, but moving with purpose holds the key to drowning it out.

Artist: Yonna Jones
Song: ABUNDANCE
Released: October 17, 2025
What you should know: As ‘SUNRISE’ greeted us with the promise of a new day earlier this year, ‘ABUNDANCE’ represents high noon in the realm of new opportunities. Jones’ delivery is lightning-quick on the track, and her confidence shines as she makes it clear that her success is not just possible; it’s inevitable.

The Rock ‘n Roll Opry Brings Original Music to Lower Broadway

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Since we arrived in Nashville about seven years ago, we have known Broadway as a place where musicians go to break in. Seven days a week, you’ll find the city’s working musicians making their living along the street’s iconic strip of honky tonks, performing in 4-hour blocks from mid-morning until the wee hours of the evening.

Some work doubles (and even triples), fielding song requests from tourists who have emerged from all corners of the globe to take in the city’s culture. Once in a while, these performers will sneak in an original tune, giving revelers and passers by a glimpse into their artistry.

On Wednesday nights, however, those who head to the top floor of JBJs on Broadway can catch more than a glimpse. Original music has the floor from 6-10 p.m. during the Rock ‘n Roll Opry, a weekly showcase which gives Nashville’s emerging artists center stage.

Started by a group of Nashville-based musicians, the Rock ‘n Roll Opry gives Nashville’s artists a place to hang out, network and, of course, perform. The house band consists of multi-instrumentalists Mic Guy (vocals/bass/guitar), Rob Talton (vocals/keys/bass), Rory Kennedy (vocals/guitar/bass/drums), and Thomas O’Brian (vocals/drums/bass), who support aspiring performers during the open jam portion of the evening at the end of the night — after a genre-diverse lineup of rising stars have the opportunity to showcase a few of their strongest tunes, to the delight of anyone who ventures up to the top floor in search of something new.

As for the lineup this past Wednesday night, we caught sets from country rock artist and Texas native Hannah Bell, pop rock songwriter extraordinaire J4, and funk-pop powerhouse Ginn. Each artist brought their own brand of thunder to the evening, providing a compelling sample of the talent that resides in every corner of Music City.

Want to learn more or submit? We encourage you to head to rocknrollopry.com — and then come out in support of some of Nashville’s best every Wednesday night!

LISTEN: The Peterkin Project’s ‘Power of Life’ Offers a Touching Tribute

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“Last summer, you inspired me to sing.”

John Peterkin pays homage to his late cousin on “Power of Life,” the latest single from The Peterkin Project.

“This heartfelt song was co-created with my late cousin Mark, who fought a brave battle against cancer and inspired me to pursue music,” Peterkin said on the band’s official Facebook page.

The steady rocking new single features a warm acoustic sensibility, which underscores some hopeful, U2-inspired licks from lead guitarist Shawn Andrew. Peterkin’s lyrics paint a picture of those who leave indelible imprints on our hearts and minds — even after they transition from this Earthly plane.

For more about “Power of Life” and all things The Peterkin Project, John is one of several guests who join us on The Quinn Spinn this coming Monday, September 15 as part of our series taped live at Gussapolooza 2025, which took place last month in Cookstown, Ontario, Canada. Be sure to tune in!

ALBUM REVIEW: With ‘A Small Notion,’ High Tea Showcases a Knack for Big Hooks

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Based in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, High Tea consists of Isabella DeHerdt and Issac Eliot. Combining thoughtful songwriting with world class musicianship, Isabella and Issac have gone above and beyond with their new album, A Small Notion. The album provides songs that are gentle, alongside selections that bring a noticeable rebellious punk energy filtered through folkier sensibilities. 

A Small Notion has emotional weight drawn from their personal experiences of loss and change, with stories created to guide the listener through the journey. Starting with the title track – a folk rock offering with pop hooks – we are led into “A Stray in Lee County,” which is a true bluesy romp rock song, complete with strings and excellent vocals. 

“Paper Mache” is lighter and sweet, showing a softer side of the band, while “Ouch, Oh Shit” highlights the band’s ability to write a big chorus. I loved the layers of vocals on “Bittersweet Evenings,” a song which also includes a feature from Corey Latiman. 

“Heartbreak Kid” and “The Metaphysical and Technicolor End” both highlight the band’s musicianship, while “Scuba Diving” – a full band version of High Tea’s 2023 single – fits the album well. 

With another big chorus on “There Goes My Old Soul” – and, truthfully, nearly every song on A Small Notion – High Tea solidifies its knack for writing a hook. Then, to close out the album with a bang, we have “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” (featuring Chris Freeman) and “Shadows and Shadows” (featuring Heather Maloney). 
A Small Notion is a polished album created by experienced musicians. High Tea has successfully blended folk music with rock and punk, and made an album unlike any I’ve heard before. When listening, it’s impossible not to be impressed with the band’s songwriting abilities. Each song has its own distinct hook and identity.

Keeping Tabs: Electric Lemonade Releases ‘You’re Watching Me’

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Electric Lemonade fascinates me. Based in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, the trio made of Sarah Murphy, Hannah Mazurek, and Rob Jones prove the fact you don’t need to be in large, oversaturated music markets like New York or L.A. to be worthy of coverage. Electric Lemonade proves that musicians who focus on their own communities and stories tend to be among the most authentic, interesting artists. 

From the very first drum beat, their song “You’re Watching Me” pulls you into this organic spacious jam which highlights the band’s excellent musicianship – while reminding us that rock is far from dead. Lyrically, “You’re Watching Me” is the story of the end of a relationship, and the decision to move forward through the pain, choose yourself, and embrace who you are.

“You’re watching me, I see you in the list of viewers
On my Instagram story, you know that I can see you.
I believe that mistakes lead us to places that we’re bound for.
Can you let me go? Can you let me go?”

Those are my favorite lyrics from this song, as they highlight an absolutely modern phenomenon of the online interactions and algorithms we share with people. Personally, I haven’t had the experience of breaking up with someone and have them still watch my Instagram stories. How awkward that must be… 

On the song, the band states: “We wrote this one in the studio when we were working on our upcoming EP. It started out with a version of the lyrics and some musical ideas we had floating around for a while. We came up with a rough version to play for our producer (Jordy Walker) and tweaked it a bunch, but really, the bulk of the song was written over one jam session.”

I hope to find myself walking the streets of Whitehorse one day. It’s an amazing city nestled in brilliant mountain wilderness, and judging from what I’ve heard from Electric Lemonade, I bet its music scene is mature. I imagine hiking around the area, getting some food, and then heading to a show. Hopefully, that would mean I would be lucky enough to catch Electric Lemonade play their music. For now, I’ll be listening on repeat moving forward.

REPLAY: UnderDogs Across Borders, Vol. 1

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TONIGHT! We’re going live from 7-9 p.m. for the first-ever UnderDogs Across Borders benefit concert. Join us as we present a genre-diverse interstate lineup featuring independent artists from within the Underground Music Collective community.

By supporting UnderDogs Across Borders, you are empowering UMC to open the gateway to even greater collaboration. Your support bolsters UMC’s presence at major conferences and festivals in North America and Europe, while helping us build a stronger, more sustainable music industry that is ripe with fresh opportunities for our artists.

The lineup (in order of appearance):
Virtues
Nicolas Soul
Matt Schmoyer of Powder Valley Bang
Southside MAB
Kfhox

How to attend:

  • In person: Helping Our Music Evolve, 615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville, TN 37206 (Doors 6:30 p.m.)
  • Virtually (from ANYWHERE!): Our YouTube channel (embed below)

How to support:

Not Sure Where to Go Next? Listen to This Song from Jon Worthy

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Nashville-based indie alt rock artist Jon Worthy has given all he has to music. He’s toured across the nation, consistently released music, and has been featured in 150 popular media outlets. He’s even been to the Lehigh Valley’s very own Musikfest in Bethlehem, where I’m from! To many aspiring artists, he has certainly made a successful music career.

After the pandemic, his music career went in a different direction. He began focusing on studio sessions, songwriting, and production, while answering the COVID-era question on every creative’s mind…

“Where do I go from here?”

Jon’s new tune, “I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down,” reminds you that you aren’t alone if you don’t know where to go. The dreamy, wayward tune details how his own journey changed direction, leaving him feeling like he didn’t know what to do next.

“It’s about living day by day, and just trying to enjoy life as it came to me,” he said. “It speaks to all the highs and lows of life, but being complacent and, at the same time, hoping something will really change for the better.”

I am most fascinated by the fact that Jon found healing in music, even as his path in the industry became uncertain. It’s almost like entering down the path of being lost is inevitable in order to find where to go next. It’s also inevitable for artists to create, because its apart of who we are. Expressing the confusion of feeling lost allows us to find our way. This is inspiring to me as an up-and-coming artist, and helps tame the questions and doubts in my own mind. It’s a reminder that it’s OK to not have it all figured out, all the time — just keep going and letting the music take you.

Stay on the lookout for Jon Worthy’s next collaborations, to be released in coming months. And remember: even if you don’t know where to go, have the hope one day you’ll make it

-Matt Schmoyer

LISTEN: Evan Kreutz Releases Spontaneous Summer Love Song, ‘last call’

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Summer is the time to lose track of time, forget your inhibitions, and fall in love.

Evan Kreutz captured the celestial spontaneity of discovering a new connection with his latest single, “last call.” What begins as a slow burning, acoustic rock daydream progresses with intensity toward alt-pop hyperspace, providing us with a proper interpretation of what it’s like to lose yourself in the excitement of exploring someone new.

“A breezy, feel-good ride built on impulse and connection, ‘last call’ is the sonic equivalent of taking the long way home with someone who makes you forget your worries,” Kreutz said. “It’s less about thinking and more about feeling—spontaneous, sweet, and exactly what you needed.”

“last call” was produced by Kreutz’s Young and Eager Entertainment co-founder Douglas Grama, and is the latest genre-bending stop on the road toward Kreutz’s forthcoming EP and deluxe album. Make sure you give Evan a follow to stay up to date on the latest!

LISTEN: YEARB4 Roars Back with ‘Rebel Without A Cause’

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Have you ever gone carelessly into a relationship, too distracted by the dopamine rush to recognize the abundance of red flags waving all around?

If that sounds like you — and if you like hard-driving, guitar-heavy rock and roll — you’re going to dig the latest single from YEARB4.

Titled “Rebel Without A Cause,” the scorching new summer anthem takes us from love bomb to discard in less than 3 1/2 minutes, leaving us breathless like the fling that ends without warning. The single was produced at Nashville’s East Iris Studios, and is the band’s first new offering since 2024’s “On My Own.”

“Rebel Without A Cause” kicks off a busy summer for YEARB4, who will perform in Nashville this Thursday, May 22 at Vinyl Lounge. After that, they’re hitting the road with our pal ARREIS, performing at Musica in Akron, OH on Sunday, June 15.

With ‘Loser,’ Lips Speak Louder Inspires Us to Get Back Up, Even in Defeat

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“It evokes that familiar, deflative feeling we’ve all experienced before.” -Angie Lese, drummer for Lips Speak Louder

Lips Speak Louder’s sixth single release, “Loser,” is the UnderDog anthem you want to blast at full volume on a rainy day, when you’re fed up with life dealing continuous blows (despite your many attempts to keep your head up).

The song begins with building harmonic anticipation on a melodic guitar. The verse comes in, reminding us of the innocence of youth and all the expectations we had for life when we grew up. Then, chorus busts in with an admission: “I’m tired of proving, I’m so good at losing,” before telling us to stay tuned, to see if the band makes it out of “the same black hole.”

“It’s a song about burnout and frustration that comes with growing up, and realizing that you can  try your hardest and it won’t always be enough,” the band told us.

When you initially hear “Loser,” it gives the vibe of carefree life, spent cruising down the street on a skateboard before hanging with friends to catch a glorious sunset. Then, you feel the vulnerability of admitting that it’s tough to stay resilient when everything around you feels like it’s not working out.

Despite this sense of defeat, there is also a feeling of hope on “Loser” that things can and will be better on the other side of the struggle. The song provides a lonesome reminder that most of us are doing the best we can, even when the days constantly feel like an uphill battle. We remember not to bee too hard on ourselves and to keep pressing on, even at times when “doing our best” wasn’t good enough.

It’s important to keep getting back up. Then, just maybe, you’ll get a win every now and then.

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