Tag Archives: #KTMP

LISTEN: The Trampoline Delay Confronts Social Anxiety with ‘Excuses Excuses’

Have you ever felt like your own introversion is keeping you from living fully?

If so, you have something in common with Pete Marino of The Trampoline Delay. The indie rock songsmith penned “Excuses Excuses” as a way to address his own social anxiety — and the opportunity cost that comes with it.

“Lyrically, ‘Excuses Excuses’ is about letting your shyness or social anxiety take over,” Marino said. “(It’s about) that battle you have with your inner voice that makes excuses as to why you shouldn’t get out there and live your life.”

The song came from a moment of life imitating art; it was written and recorded in a few short hours, on a night when Marino opted to stay in, rather than go out and greet the world.

“Ironically, I came up with the verse first, which had the line,’ but excuses always keep me from my life,’ after being invited out by a friend to see a band they worked with called Excuses Excuses,” Marino said. “Like I sometimes do, my mind came up with an excuse as to why I shouldn’t go out that night… and I sort of regretted it within hours. Instead of just going to bed, I went into my home studio, wrote the verse, and basically wrote and recorded the rest of the song in around three hours.”

Sonically, “Excuses Excuses” is a bona fide alt-rock earworm, driven forth with firepower from behind the kit, courtesy of drummer Gerard Ross, while lead axe man Josh Macintosh showcases magnificent melodic sensibilities, kissed with a timeless rock and roll edge.

Check it out below, and be sure to stay tuned for more music from The Trampoline Delay later this spring!

LISTEN: Cardiac Half Makes a Comeback with ‘Gloom’

The brothers of Cardiac Half have taken a long, uncertain road on their way to their first new, original release since 2021’s self-titled album.

The duo — comprised of real-life brothers Drew and Dylan Miller — have returned with “Gloom,” an atmospheric and contemplative electropop instrumental which serves as a sonic representation of the doubt brought forth by challenging times.

“It’s been nearly three years since Cardiac Half released a new song. Fighting for what’s important, fighting for sanity, and even fighting for the health and wellness of ourselves and our families,” Dylan Miller said. “This is why music was put on hold for a season.”

The track begins with an emotive piano dirge, as searing synth tones begin to bubble up from the surface. A electronic dance beat moves us along — ready or not — like the passage of time, inspiring the listener to collect their thoughts and uncover the best way forward amid life’s ambiguity.

“I was about to move across state lines for the birth of my son, relocating to find treatment for my unborn son’s rare medical condition,” Dylan Miller said. “Drew was dealing with the most mental health issues he had ever faced. There was no guarantee where the band and the dream of music was going, and this song was formed.”

“Gloom” was written and produced by Drew Miller, who then passed it along to mix engineer Ryan Wilson for some additional studio magic. Have a listen below!

Connecting Through Mental Health & Music (ft. Lillian Grace)

Lillian Grace “creates music that will have you listen for the sound, but stay for the story.” The Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and producer is open about her trauma, and uses her experiences to connect to her audience.

This Quick Spinn edition of The Quinn Spinn gives us an introduction to Lillian, and the important work she’s doing through her artist platform.

This episode of The Quinn Spinn was recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve (H.O.M.E.), Nashville, TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

The Quinn Spinn
Spotify⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠
Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lillian Grace
Website
Instagram
Spotify

WATCH: With ‘Take It Away’, Crow and Gazelle Offer Catharsis to Your Inner Child

Photo credit: Carley Du Menil

Crow and Gazelle — the Texas-based Americana duo consisting of Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer Mike McClure, and his partner in music (and in life), Chrislyn Lawrence — offer healing for anyone still processing their childhood wounds with their new single, “Take It Away.”

The single — a tender ballad hallmarked by powerful two-part harmonies and heart-wrenching fiddle tones — is accompanied by a poignant music video inspired by Lawrence’s own healing journey. Lawrence leans upon her own memories to deliver an important message to anyone who has struggled to emerge on the other side of their own traumas.

The narrative for this video came from a very personal place. As a child I didn’t decide for myself that I was ‘unworthy’ and I didn’t make-believe scenes of death and overwhelming pain – in my world those messages and experiences came heavy and early and they were real. We all have childhood wounds. Whether it’s our own tragic experiences and losses, or someone else’s childhood trauma (a teacher or parent) that’s unhealed and spills over on us, we have them and they inform “who and what” we are.

My parents each carry something very deep and painful that happened when they were young. Thankfully, I know that now and have done the work to see how some things that happened in my life were trauma based responses, not done of or by free will. Most of the trauma I’ve carried has been transformed and released through mindful work, and lately a lot of that healing has happened in the presence of my parent’s healing their own wounds. Which has been an amazing gift.

The day before we filmed the opening scenes of this video, my mom shared details of something I had never known before that happened when I was four… it was very painful to hear, and brought back a flood of memories and feelings for us both. But it was also a revelation. And in that sense, it set us free because it was brought to the surface, into the light, where it could alchemize and be transformed. 

Trauma not transformed is transferred. Our hope is that this video, in some small way, moves someone else to lean into their own childhood wounds and to let that little one’s hurt be seen and heard. And that once it’s honored, hopefully it can be transformed and released. 

-Chrislyn Lawrence

Watch the video below, and stay tuned for Crow and Gazelle’s forthcoming album, As Above Now So Below, set for release on Friday, April 26.

Sales & Marketing for Independent Creatives (ft. Nicholas Loise)

Nicholas Loise is a Chicagoland-based sales and marketing mastermind, with decades of insights and experiences to share. His company, Sales Performance Team, operates on the philosophy that “high-caliber sales management can move companies to the next level.” Yes, that includes independent artists and creatives!

Nick joins us on The Quinn Spinn to share what he’s learned, and the common principles that can help any artistpreneur grow their creative platform.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

The Quinn Spinn
Spotify⁠ ⁠⁠⁠
Apple Podcasts ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram

Sales Performance Team
Website
LinkedIn

LISTEN: On ‘Heart,’ The Atomic Age Cedes the Need for Control

Moving forward in life can often mean learning to let go of all that we cannot control.

The Atomic Age offers an immersive soundtrack to that realization with his newest single, “Heart,” released on February 23.

“’Heart’ is a song about loosening my grip on my aspirations,” said The Atomic Age’s songsmith, JJ Schrick. “It’s so easy to white-knuckle goals like pursuing the things you love, but I’ve found that I’m most at peace when I’m not solely relying on my own abilities.”

“Heart” was constructed from the ground up, beginning with the drumbeat. The mellow rhythm guitar part was performed on a Bass VI, which combines with atmospheric elements to serve the track’s contemplative spirit.

If you’re looking for even more from The Atomic Age, you won’t have to wait long: “Heart” is the final single leading to an EP which is due out on March 20. For now, let this one resonate with you!

LISTEN: The Kentucky Gentlemen Channel Dolly on ‘Beg Your Parton’

Photo credit: Kate McNaney

Twin brothers The Kentucky Gentlemen share a reverance for country music, and a penchant for expressing that love with their own unique flair.

Now… who does that sound like?

These Gentlemen channel the one and only Dolly Parton on their new single, “Beg Your Parton,” as a way of expressing the important role the universally-beloved Queen of Country has always played in shaping their artistic journey.

“Her remarkable career has been a constant source of inspiration and blueprint for us. Watching her has taught us to unapologetically embrace our own unique style and voices,” they said. “Over the years, whenever folks hint at us as being a little over the top, the two of us started joking saying to each other ‘I Beg Your Parton?,’ and after a while that phrase started to serve as a reminder to keep going and doing our thing, no matter the obstacle or whispers we may hear.”

They continued, “Her infectious positivity has shown us the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to who we are, regardless of others’ expectations. We are forever grateful for the inspiration that she has provided, and the lessons she has taught us along the way.”

The up-tempo pop country single begins with a progression reminiscent of Parton’s 1973 mega-hit, “Jolene.” From there, this 2 1/2-minute romp features several lyrical nods to some of Dolly’s most iconic moments, musically or otherwise. In the process, The Kentucky Gentlemen showcase their own tenacity, as they fearlessly continue to blaze their own trail across the Americana landscape.

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

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’

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!

Hip Hop Symposium Coming to Middle Tennessee on Saturday, February 24

Celebrate all things hip hop culture this Saturday, February 24, when you take a trip up the road from Nashville to Clarksville for the first annual Hip Hop Symposium.

The Love Bistro (1009 S. Riverside Dr., Clarksville) will host the event from 7 p.m.-midnight. The event is highlighted by feature appearances from notable middle Tennessee hip hop artists Locksmith and Top Notch, as well as vendors, an art show, panel discussions, and performances from Nashville’s top emerging hip hop artists.

Pre-sale tickets are available now for $20 at lovebistro.org. Learn more about Love Bistro’s mission and additional programs at this link.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »