It’s been a busy couple of months around here (and everywhere we’ve been), but we’re ready to introduce you to more members of our UnderDogs community!
Our Have You Met…? series returns Thursday, June 26, and will feature interviews from three hand-picked artistpreneurs from within the greater UMC universe. Livestreamed from Helping Our Music Evolve in East Nashville, audience members have a choice to join us in person locally, or catch the magic from anywhere in the world on our YouTube channel.
Joining us for this edition of ‘Have You Met…?’ will be…
Lord Goldie, Nashville-based hip hop artist, producer, manager, and one-half of Da’ Healerz.
Brother Dusty, Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist and performer.
Caroline West is the host of the Broadway Girls podcast, a rising reality TV personality, and a bartender at Barstool Nashville. The East Texas native came to Music City knowing that she was meant to create — and she’s found her way into the heart of the creative landscape.
We sat down with Caroline to discover what she’s learned about the creative journey, people, and life itself on today’s episode of The Quinn Spinn.
Fresh off the heels of their latest Heal Talk Experience, UMC NEXT2RISE artist Da’ Healerz have another opportunity to spread the message of Heal Hop.
The Nashville-based duo — comprised of Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca — will be a part of the Nashville’s Got Soul Community Showcase. The event — taking place Friday, June 27 from 7-9:30 p.m. at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) — “brings together 15 local artists, including poets, musicians, and DJs, for an unforgettable evening that celebrates Black Music Appreciation Month through storytelling, genre-bending artistry, and soul-filled connection.”
Nashville’s Got Soul is presented in partnership by NMAAM and Soul’d Creative Collective. Tickets range between $5-15, and include student and friends & family discounts.
You may have noticed a new friendly face around here by the name of Matt Schmoyer. Not only has Matt faithfully jumped in and begun reviewing music for UMC, but he’s doing it while also pouring plenty of love into his own musical project.
That project? Powder Valley Bang, a Lehigh Valley, PA-based rock band that creates Golden Moments of Rebellious Exhilaration. They’re hard-hitting, energetic, and offer a sense of familiarity while delivering something completely fresh to audiences.
We’re super proud of Matt and the guys today, as they appeared on WFMZ’s Music Monday program in Allentown, PA. Here, they play a couple tunes and share their summer plans — which includes a gig at this year’s Musikfest up in Bethlehem, and possibly even a Nashville date on the horizon!
(Also, special thanks to Matt for sharing some of what he learned from participating in BRANDCAMP from UMC Academy this winter!)
There are moments in life that call for us to push past our fears and limitations.
For these moments, we have “Anymore” — the smoldering new cinematic pop single from Bailey Cole. The contemplative new tune — described by Cole as “a declaration of self-worth and a reminder that growth means letting go of the fear that used to define you” — features Cole’s smoky vocals calling to us over a thoughtfully layered, atmospheric soundscape. The lyrics float through the ether with a palpable tension, not unlike the inner conflict that arises in us all before a major breakthrough.
“’Anymore’ is a personal reckoning—a song about the moment you realize you’re finally getting somewhere in life, and that quiet fear creeps in,” Cole said. “What if I lose it all again? It’s about refusing to let the past steal joy from your present.”
“Anymore” was produced by Adam Clark, mixed by Grammy-winner Mikaelin “Blue” Bluespruce (Solange, Nas), and mastered by Idania Valencia at Sterling Sound. It is the latest installment of Chapter 1, a series of singles that is set for a full project re-release later this year. Listen to it below, as you sttep away from your fears and into your power!
Brooke Martin confronts that question on “cross that line,” a groovy, upbeat new tune with melancholy undertones. Produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Chris Penny, the single’s shimmering pop soundscape juxtaposes adeptly with the sobering reality of a spark between two people that now struggles to ignite.
“To me, “cross that line” is such a fun, upbeat song—but the lyrics are quite sad when you really listen,” Martin said. “It’s about two people who love each other but are starting to realize they might not be right for each other anymore. There’s still hope—they’re trying to find their way back to the happiness they once had.”
“cross that line” was the first song written for Martin’s forthcoming EP, which is expected to drop later this September.
For now… go on. Cross that line. But once you do, there’s no turning back…
Daisy Sellas and Brittany Bishop are the co-founders of Anthems Against Abuse, a Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to providing support and resources to victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse. Their flagship event — a music showcase featuring all female-fronted artists — is in its second year, taking place at The Coliseum in Nashville on Saturday, June 14.
Daisy and Brittany share the story behind the organization, and we take a deep dive into why it’s important to identify and stop signs of abuse in their tracks.
Da’ Healerz will be back at NECAT Network (120 White Bridge Pike, Nashville) this Thursday, June 12 for an edition of The Heal Talk Experience featuring all-new special guests.
Join Da’ Healerz — Nashville hip hop vets Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca — as they bring you an immersive experience centered on live performance and healing discussions beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Supporting Da’ Healerz this time around will be a performance from hip hop artist and music industry educator T.R.A.N.E. Spitta, alongside a sound healing demonstration from singer, producer, and vibrational sound alchemist Milly Roze.
As always, it’s free to tap into The Heal Talk Experience. RSVP here!
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
Even when I took this photo in March, I can’t say I saw this coming so soon…
While I was in Austin a few months ago, I had a chance to learn about the first-ever SXSW London event taking place this year. The team was hosting a breakfast networking event near their bus inside of the Expo Hall, and I decided to pop by and check it out to begin my first full day in town.
Well, one thing led to another. Not even three months later, I find myself typing this at Boston Logan International Airport. My destination? SXSW London, to explore an entirely new city (and continent) on behalf of UMC. In the process, I’ll also be exploring possibilities to bring UMC and its artist community across the pond (and vice versa) in future years.
Man… what an unreal year 2025 has been so far. It started with the original #RoadtoSXSW, which produced so many amazing memories and connections. Then, we found ourselves in Toronto at the start of May for the first-ever Departure Festival & Conference (formerly Canadian Music Week). Now, we’re headed to London — and who knows where else between now and New Year’s Eve!
(OK, maybe I know at least *some* of those details. Stay tuned!)
As for this week, I look forward to the connections and conversations to come — and, in true #GoUnderground fashion, I’m excited to get a sense of what London’s music community is truly all about.
I also (finally) downloaded the Jetpack app — the one that allows me to post to WordPress — on my new phone. So, I’ll be able to provide updates on the fly throughout the event. Stay tuned here to The Blog (and of course, Instagram and YouTube) as I share the highlights, lessons, and updates from UMC’s latest international quest.
