With nothing more than some jazz-influenced guitar chords and her own stellar powers of observation, Amelia Ray has given us plenty to ponder about the human condition with her new single, “Pretending to Read.”
The new single — released in conjunction with the start of The Interpreter’s Soulveillance Tour — helps us connect and empathize with those spending life’s journey alongside us. Amelia assumes the role of a train passenger who, despite having an open book in front of her, is much more in tune with the plight of her fellow passengers. Smoky vocals and clean, simplistic guitar work help us float thoughtfully between characters and observations, before we come full circle to realize that all of these external distractions are preventing us from truly going inward.
If you want to learn more about Amelia Ray — and see if the Soulveillance Tour is coming to your city — head over here.
If you want to listen to “Pretending to Read” — and we’re sure you do — you can do that below!
The rumors are true! We’ll make our return to the Nashville live scene on Wednesday, April 30 when we present UnderDogs @ The Underdog,’ a songwriter showcase and networking mixer in celebration of our new Underdogs community!
Multiple NEXT2RISE artists — including Da’ Healerz, Nicolas Soul, and Kelsey Muse — will be featured alongside other longtime friends of UMC. $10 is the price of admission… but UnderDogs members already have a spot on the guest list!
The full lineup is below! If you’re not an UnderDogs member yet, now is a great time to join and have your ticket included in your membership!
6 p.m.: Doors open for networking! 7 p.m.: ARREIS, Kfhox, Timothy Myles, Virtues 8 p.m.: Adam Lawrence, Da’ Healerz, Kelsey Muse, Nicolas Soul
HEALERZ! Come join us for The Heal Talk Experience at NECAT Network! This in-person event is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from inspiring musicians, and engage in meaningful discussions about healing and hardships. Whether you’re seeking for a safe space to be vulnerable or just want to engage in sound healing , this event is perfect for you. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of The Heal Talk Experience! It features music from Da’ Healerz, a sound bath from Nikki Ray, & a reading from Psychic Marita. We begin taping right at 6pm, so get there no later than 5:45pm.
Students! Come join us for The Heal Talk Experience at NECAT Network! This in-person event is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from inspiring musicians, and engage in meaningful discussions about healing and hardships. Whether you’re seeking for a safe space to be vulnerable or just want to engage in sound healing , this event is perfect for you. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of The Heal Talk Experience! It features music from Da’ Healerz, a sound bath from Nikki Ray, & a reading from Psychic Marita. We begin taping right at 2pm, so get there no later than 1:45pm.
UMC NEXT2RISE Artist Ambassador Amelia Ray joins Kathy Zhou for the Central Station Hotel’s Live at the Tracks series. Enjoy craft cocktails and soulful songs from these award-winning musicians in downtown Memphis’s most stylish location.
Curated by @cruzcontrolradio
Hosted by @alanamclaughlin (Fox Nashville)
Location: The Tanker Room at Love & Exile Bar, Nashville TN
Cost: $20 at door. DISCOUNTED tickets directly from Kelsey Muse.
$15 per ticket, 2 for $20.
21 & up.
NEXT2RISE Artist Kelsey Muse will perform at Control the Ville 3. Judges and crowd participants will have the power to vote for their favorite artist in a live performance competition. Refreshments and retail vendors will be present.
Today, we are excited to reveal UMC’s first-ever official artist ambassadors, as part of our new NEXT2RISE Artist Ambassador Program.
We have hand-selected bright, talented, career-driven artistpreneurs to spotlight over the next calendar year. Each NEXT2RISE artist is already making moves, and our goal is to elevate them further through the UMC platform.
We have selected two divisions of NEXT2RISE artists for the Class of 2025 — one based in Nashville, and one comprised of artists from different locations around the world (our Abroad Division). Our NEXT2RISE artists will receive:
Periodic feature opportunities through Underground Music Collective, including music reviews, playlist features, and podcast interviews.
More performance opportunities, including our NEXT2RISE year-end showcase in November.
Connections to partnership opportunities with aligned brand partners.
1-on-1 and group coaching via UMC Academy and Ether Collective.
Additional opportunities to collaborate with partner outlets, venues, festivals, and more.
Meet the first artists in our NEXT2RISE Nashville division below. An announcement featuring artists selected in the Abroad division is coming soon!
Da’ Healerz: A Heal Hop duo speaking light and affirmation into the creative landscape, featuring established Nashville emcees Lord Goldie and Foundation Mecca.
Izzy Rage: A Hyperpunk Warrior whose music pursues themes of overcoming violence, accepting imperfection, and embracing “Radical Expression Through Peaceful Chaos.”
Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess: A poet, author, coach, and speaker previously featured by TEDx, Sound Therapy, and more.
Kelsey Muse: A genre-defying, award-winning singer, rapper, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist (featured by NACA, Nick @ Nite, and more).
Nicolas Soul: A Kenya-born, Nashville-based hip hop and R&B artist who aspires to inject honesty and soulfulness into his creations.
Roz Malone: Performing artist, musician, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur
Write the Block: A spoken word duo featuring poets and multidisciplinary artists NewLeeMade and Karimah Ariel
Yonna Jones: A Chicago-born, Nashville-based rapper, singer, and dancer who creates “movement music,” aimed at motivating and inspiring with messages of perseverance.
We’re switching things up for the next installment of our Next2Rise series at Flavor 90s Bar (1526 Demonbreun St., Nashville) by giving YOU a chance to show us what you’ve got!
Come out this Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 7-11 p.m. to play a few songs. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself on an upcoming Next2Rise lineup…
Want to hold your spot in line? We got you covered!
We’re switching things up for the next installment of our Next2Rise series at Flavor 90s Bar (1526 Demonbreun St., Nashville) by giving YOU a chance to show us what you’ve got!
Come on out on Wednesday, Sept. 25 to play a few songs. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself on an upcoming Next2Rise lineup…
We’re teaming up with Flavor 90s Bar (1526 Demonbreun St., Nashville) to give you the opportunity to catch some of the best emerging talent — from Nashville and beyond! Our bi-weekly Next2Rise series is a live music experience featuring artists who are destined for bright lights and big stages.
