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Up and Coming Artist: Jordy Searcy

On Saturday, April 21st, James Madison University Young Life College hosted their annual “Spring Fling” dance. This event takes place just before finals and has hundreds of goers. It typically features tasty hors-d'oeuvres, a DJ, and a night of dancing and fun. However, this year, JMUYLC hired an opening act: Nashville native and up and coming singer-songwriter Jordy Searcy. His performance was the perfect way to start the night, full of energy and beautiful melodies. 

view full instagram post here

This past Wednesday I had the pleasure of interviewing him to get a deeper insight into his life of a musician.

How old were you when you started playing/performing? Started playing when I was about 9, (harmonica first, then violin, then piano, then guitar. Forgot how to play everything but guitar!) Started performing at about 12 Which instruments do you play? I can fake my way on most instruments (except brass & woodwinds) but I really can only actually play the guitar and sing. 

What was the first tune(s) you remember learning? Blackbird by the Beatles. 

Is your family musical? Yes, very much so! My parents are worship leaders, published songwriters, recording artists, and my dad now works at a church and my mom teaches voice. My sister is an English teacher but also a great singer/songwriter, and my brother writes and performs musical theater.

Which famous musicians do you admire? Why? The Beatles, Jon Foreman, Randy Newman, and Ed Sheeran all come to mind. They have the perfect marriage of really hard work, and really inspired musicianship!

Have you had any teachers along the way? Yes! My high school guitar teacher had a huge impact on me musically and personally.

What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town? Probably my favorite musical memories are growing up playing at church with my dad!

Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones? Oh yeah-I didn’t listen to anything but the beatles until I was about 14, and discovered a world outside of the 1960’s!

Describe your experience being on The Voice. Did TV portray it differently than it was? It was a great experience! Everyone that works on that show is really fantastic and treats people really well. the coaches were super kind & talented, and I really did learn a lot. I will say that their first goal is to make a tv show, so there are definitely some behind-the-scenes things that make it more of a tv show than a music performance thing, but I wouldn’t say that made me have a bad experience at all.

"THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY DIFFERENT ABOUT JORDY" -PHARRELL WILLIAMS

Do you have a favorite performance that you’ve done? The last show I’ve played is always my favorite!

Has there ever been a favorite audience that you’ve had or memorable audience member? I think playing in Nashville is my favorite because when I look around a packed room in that town, I see all my friends that I know & love. It doesn’t get any better than that for me!!

How do you handle mistakes during a performance? I’ve learned that being hard on yourself during or after a performance doesn’t help anybody-its been great for me to realize that my career isn’t about me, it's about the conversation I get to have with listeners. Its way more productive to be hard on yourself during rehearsal!! Do you get nervous before a performance? Not about the playing! Sometimes I will if I have to say something on the mic that’s not part of the performance, I HATE public speaking. haha!

Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? I’ve played about 400 shows in the last two and a half years, in almost every kind of venue except big ones. haha!!My favorite shows are small theaters or house concerts, I absolutely love intimate settings like that!! It’s my favorite way to play. We have two nights in a small room booked in Nashville in May, and I’m super stoked for those shows.

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time? I think people’s stories are usually the most impactful things for me. Whenever I hear someone described in a new way, or see a situation painted differently than  I’ve seen it before, it always inspires me to write about it!

Could you briefly describe your music-making process? Pretty much, I just make absolutely as much music as I can, and let the good stuff rise to the top! A good day of writing is 3-5 hours a day, and I try not to have more than 2 days a week when I’m not writing.

What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous? I’d say two things-one, the more work you give your music, the more it will give you!! I can guarantee you of that. Two-just remember that your life & your talents are not about you or for you. You’re so incredibly and specifically crafted, that you’re at your best when you direct your talents towards something bigger than yourself! How often and for how long do you practice?I try to practice guitar for 30 min a day, and write for 3-4 hours a day!

What do you practice - exercises, new tunes, hard tunes, etc.? I practice almost anything. I think the most important thing is putting the time in.

How do you balance your music with other obligations - relationships, family, etc? Great question! With lots and lots of intentionality. I’d say I get a lot of great hang time with friends and family in Nashville, but I have almost no time that isn’t filled with something important-I haven’t watched a tv show or a movie that wasn’t in theaters in about a year.

What is your ultimate plan for your music? Where are you heading? My ultimate goal is really whatever God wants! Haha. I’ve learned that I’m actually not the best at planning my career-he seems to be much better at that than I am. The way I see it, as long as I can be home enough to have a community, make enough money to save and always be getting better at music, then music is worth it for me!

Are you working on anything now?Yes! I’m trying to write as many songs as I can for my next project, due in February 2019 with singles coming out this winter. I’m doing my best to make the songs as good as they can be!

Jordy’s music is full of heart and soul. You can really tell that he writes every lyric with passion and intention. It will certainly be exciting to see what the future holds for him. 

Follow Jordy on Twitter

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Breaking Boundaries: Brockhampton

What do you think of when you hear the term ‘boy band’? Four “conventionally attractive” white boys who sing and dance to love songs that make teenage girls swoon? Something like One Direction? According to Urban Dictionary, boy bands are nothing but a joke.

Yet the self proclaimed boyband, Brockhampton, redefines that stereotype completely. They’re my favorite music groups in the industry right now and if you haven’t heard of them before now, you will because 1. I cannot stop raving about them and 2. I think they’re starting a revolution.

Brockhampton began when one of its vocalist, Kevin Abstract, posted on the Kanye West fan forum “KanyeToThe” that he wanted to make a boyband. From there, the forum helped bring together this wide variety of artists to create “the world’s first internet boyband”.

15 members make up the collective and consists of rappers, singers, producers, designers, and photographers. Seven of which are the vocalists, but take on other tasks within the group.

Photo by: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times 

from left to right in the front: Kevin Abstract, Matt Champion. 

rear left to right: Bearface, Merlyn Wood, Dom McLennon, Ameer Vann, Romil Hemnani and JOBA.  

Visually and lyrically, they completely contrast with other boy bands. Their diversity in backgrounds flow beautifully together to create a variety of music that ranges from smooth R&B to fast paced rap. As Craig Jenkins from Noisey puts it, “Brockhampton doesn't behave like a rap group. The vocals are shared, voices intertwined, rather than traded off verse for verse.”

In their music, listeners can distinguish the “character” of each member and also see that they perfectly mesh together. With such specific character tones, Brockhampton has the ability to bounce between different subgenres of hip hop and R&B with ease.

The boyband also unapologetically discuss topics in their music that other boy bands flat out avoid such as race issues and lead vocalist, Kevin Abstract’s, sexuality. In the beginning of their single, JUNKY, Kevin Abstract addresses criticisms about him rapping about his sexuality for more than a minute.

He spits, “Why you always rap about being gay? ‘Cause not enough *****’s rap and be gay.” 

And it’s true. Not a lot of artists, especially rappers, have the guts to make music about queer experiences with such hard hitting lyrics and a simple, yet powerful execution.   

Brockhampton’s work ethic is also something that leaves their listeners in awe. On June 9 2017, they released their first studio album, Saturation. Only 2 months later, in August, they released Saturation II and the final installment, Saturation III, in December.

In that time span of a year, they produced over 132 minutes worth of incredibly creative beats and lyrics, produced their own music videos, created their own merch and went on plenty of nationwide tours. Plus, at the time Brockhampton was fully functioning without a record deal. I’d like to call them “The Boy Band That Never Sleeps”.

Brockhampton continues to expand and create music and content for their dedicated fans. In fact, they have 42 separate tour dates planned around the world from now until August.

They’ve gained so much attention within the past year and recently signed a $15M deal to RCA records on March 30. They released the news with this clip featuring similar artist, Jaden Smith.

The video teases fans with a clip of a new song they’re working on, but many diehard fans have questioned their choice to sign – as they’re afraid their unique sound might change. But only time will tell with their fourth studio album, PUPPY, that’s set to release this year.

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Spotlight Riser: Lauv

Ari Staprans Leff is an American singer and songwriter who goes by his stage name, Lauv. Lauv has been known to stray away from the established conventions of the modern pop industry. His electronic based, R&B influenced pop music is bound to keep you listening to his work.

From an early age, he was always writing love and break up songs. After Leff had a bad breakup in 2014, his music began to dig deep into his personal experiences that translated into his writing and recording process. During this time, he co-wrote “The Other,” and his rise to fame began.

His Facebook page showcases more of his photos, shows, and tour dates for his fans to stay up to date on his whereabouts. Lauv has done his fair share of songwriting for other popular artists in the past years. His work with Demi Lovato, Cheat Codes, Cash Cash and Charli XCX, has helped him gain popularity in the pop industry.

A song that helped lead Lauv to success was “A Different Way,” that was produced by DJ Snake with vocals from Lauv in September 2017. In a performance at iHeartRadio Austin, Lauv proves his passion for his music in this beautiful acoustic rendition of the song. There is no doubt that this performer knows how to connect with his audience and win over anyone who loves pop music.

Leff’s newest album, “I met you when I was 18.” came out this month and is advertised as the first chapter of Lauv’s music and story. His album is written as specific playlist that tells a story with every song.

A popular song on his new album was released back in October, 2017 and instantly became a song that you would always here on the radio. The song, “I Like Me Better,” went viral in many countries and embodies a hot pop beat that you won’t be able to get enough of. Be sure to check out Lauv’s new album and see how his innovative music plays a huge role in the modern pop industry! 

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Spotlight Riser: Tommy Majors

 By Joe Copple     

     Nashville is traditionally known as the center of country music in the United States. Young aspiring country artists from all over the country and beyond migrate there in hopes of sparking a career in the music industry. Today’s Spotlight Riser showcases an artist with a style that doesn’t generally come to mind when thinking of Nashville. Tommy Majors is a twenty-one-year-old college student and artist from Nashville, Tennessee attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 

     It’s difficult to nail his music to a specific genre, all I can tell you is that it’s good. Really good. A blend of pop, rap, and R&B, Major’s style is continuously refined and expanded upon. Although his talent and potential were never in question, the music wasn’t initially catching on at a major level, not because it wasn’t good, but because people hadn’t heard anything like it before. Songs like “ts interlude” and “west end” are ahead of their time stylistically, and in that sense, may have flown under the radar of many of his fans and followers. Then he dropped “Distance”, a hit that would take off on soundcloud. The success of Distance can be attributed to the fact that it is the most radio ready track in Major’s catalog, and yet it still retains the qualities of his unique style that set him apart from other artists. 

https://soundcloud.com/tommy-gorham/distance

     Perhaps the most interesting track in Major’s catalog is “References”. A mix of six separate song snippets, “References” does what its title suggests, referencing different experiences in Major’s life that influence his content. Although uploaded as one track on soundcloud, it can be characterized as more of a project than a single song. We’ve seen artists like Drake fit two separate songs into a single track, but there are six separate snippets in References, each providing the listener with a unique experience. At the start of the track we get a look into the mind of the artist as Major’s shares his frustrations with “stress from the classroom” and needing to escape that environment. For someone with major label talent, I can see how it would be agonizing to get up and go to class. However stressful it may be to balance being a full time student and artist, Majors is in no rush to get anywhere, continuing to move methodically when releasing new music. 

https://soundcloud.com/tommy-gorham/references

     It’s unclear what the future holds for Major’s music career, but we do know his potential is through the roof. The young artist’s buzz seems to be on the verge of exploding at any moment now. Currently, he is in the process of creating his first full length album which he says will be produced by himself and his brother. The Nashville native is poised to make a name for himself in the evermore saturated rap music industry. Check him out!

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Spotlight Riser: Mickey Guyton

How would you feel if others discredited your career and passion because of a judgement call based on appearance?

Rising singer/songwriter Mickey Guyton grew up in Texas and began listening to country music at an early age, yet people are surprised to learn that she is in the country music industry.

In an interview with TIME magazine, Guyton says that people will approach her and tell her directly that country music “isn’t her.”

“But it is me. Why can’t it be me? Why is it not normal?” Guyton questioned.

Guyton further explains a major problem that female country artists face in the industry. Unlike male country artists, getting songs on the radio can be a difficult task for female country artists. Guyton says she knew it wasn’t going to be easy, as there “isn’t a lot of diversity in country music.”

However, it is clear that Guyton is creating an impact and making a difference for hopeful young women. 

“I get a lot of messages on Facebook and Twitter from women about how I am opening doors for them,” Guyton says, “and that’s what pushes me, reading messages like that. I feel like I’m every woman.”

Guyton was the main headliner for Madipalooza, an annual music festival at James Madison University, on April 14th. When Guyton was on stage, her sound physically and emotionally moved the audience. 

Her breakout hit “Better Than You Left Me” left those in the audience that have experienced heartbreak with a sense of hopefulness through the comforting lyrics and empowering vocal provided by Guyton. She energized the crowd with “Heartbreak Song,” which has an undeniable rhythm that the audience couldn’t ignore. Guyton also performed a song called “Sister,” which she has yet to be officially released but said it was “inspired by her three blood-related sisters and her close friends that she considers family.”

Natalie Parrish, a sophomore at JMU, had not heard of Guyton until she performed at Madipalooza. She described Guyton as a talented vocalist and  performer that knows how to engage with a crowd.

Parrish said that when she and her friends asked Guyton to take a picture after her performance, Guyton’s face lit up immediately and said she would love to.

Through overcoming obstacles, Guyton's focus remains on bringing her unique sound to the music she loves. Guyton recently performed at the Grande Ole Opry, which is one of the highest achievements up-and-coming country music artists can receive.

Embed from Getty Images

“I just think about the amazing artists that have graced that stage through the years,” Guyton said, in an interview with Billboard. “For me to be a part of that national treasure is just unbelievable.”

As she continues to rise in the charts, it will be exciting to see where Guyton’s country music career and inspiring personality will take her in the future.

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Local Artists Rising: Strong Water

Born out of the vibrant college-based community that is Harrisonburg, Virginia, Strong Water is a Folk/Americana band. With a self-described sound of "smooth, with a little bite,” their shows are high-energy and hard not to enjoy. 

Over the years, what originally started as a duo, swelled to become a six-piece before settling on it's now-three dedicated members whose performance is built on strong Male and Female lead vocals supported by harmonies, driving Acoustic/Electric Guitar and Banjo parts, well crafted melodic Fiddle lines, rounded out by tasteful Drums/Percussion, and Bass Guitar. Strong Water's eclectic collection of original songs range from genres such as Bluegrass & Blues, to their personal spin on Americana and Folk-Rock, incorporating sounds and styles from influences such as Mumford and Sons, Judah & the Lion, and The Lone Bellow.

After large numbers of requests from fans who had enjoyed a previous EP launched in November 2014, Strong Water recorded and released a 14 track Debut LP in April, 2016. Armed with their new record and a newfound sense of direction, Strong Water has been busy performing throughout the Mid-Atlantic to crowds of all ages.

In 2017, they released a highly popular single, entitled “Bearfoot”.

The band's fast growing list of performances include opening for national and up and coming bands such as The Steel Drivers, Judah & The Lion, Cris Jacobs, Devon Gilfillian, Lucy Dacus, Boy Named Banjo, and many more.

Their next local show will me at Massanutten Resort on Saturday, May 26 during the ValleyFest Beer & Wine Festival 2018. You can buy tickets here.

Current touring band:

Vocals, Guitar // Greg Brennan

Fiddle, Vocals // JJ  

Drums, Vocals // Evan Hunsberger

Banjo, Guitar // Tim Cannon

Touring Bassist // Eric Sites

Subscribe to Youtube

Follow on Spotify

Follow on Facebook

Buy Album on iTunes

Discography

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Breaking Boundaries: Superorganism

In the summer of 2015, 17 year old Orono Noguchi, a Japanese American from Maine, visited her home country of Japan and stumbled across a band that she’d discovered on Youtube, The Eversons. After going to one of their gigs, they became instant friends.

Little did she know through the power of the internet and music, she’d add her own vocals to a demo to create their first single together, “Something for your M.I.N.D.” thus creating the collective that is Superorganism.

After the single mysteriously disappeared for awhile on soundcloud (due to an unclear sample), the group started gaining popularity after “Something For Your M.I.N.D.” was featured on FIFA 18. Now, the eight-person band lives together in a flat in east London that doubles as their recording studio.

Their self-titled debut album, Superorganism, features 10 songs and 33 minutes of what Apple Music describes as “a hybrid of laidback dream-pop and sunshine-soaked psychedelic jams that radiates pure joy.” It was released on March 2nd, 2018.

When you first hear their music, it honestly can be a little unsettling. Superorganism combines unexpected everyday sounds, like fizzing soda cans and children laughing, with colorful synth pop. For example, in their single, “Nobody Cares,” a sneeze at 1:24 turns into a glorious explosion.

Each song has a different aesthetic that reflects the diversity of each member of the collective – I think that’s why their sound is so unique. In a photo, they don’t look like they “fit” together. They’re not afraid to make “weird music” because they aren’t your typical indie band.

From their psychedelic music videos to their colorfully synthesized dream-like sound, Superorganism is a new group who breaks boundaries by not confining themselves to specific instruments or a specific sound. 

Photography by: Steph Wilson

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Spotlight Riser: BloodPop

Michael Tucker, professionally known as BloodPop, is most famous for his work with Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and John Legend. This American musician, songwriter and record producer is becoming increasingly popular in the pop genre across the world.

This artist began his music career uploading electronic instrumentals on to Soundcloud, as most new musicians do. With his original name, “Blood Diamonds,” he was eventually discovered by record companies and become more popular. His music is a mix between EDM and pop, which is why he made the decision to produce as BloodPop.

BloodPop successfully manages to bring an electronic beat and the pop genre together to create music that instantly draws in a crowd. His music targets a younger audience, but still seems to be played almost anywhere. Much of the writing and producing that BloodPop is involved in is with many well known singers. I think most artists would kill to work alongside Justin Bieber. BloodPop produced their song “Friends,” which was immensely popular worldwide.

Before hearing “Friends” on the radio, I cannot say I had ever heard of BloodPop before. Yet, after seeing his Facebook page, I can see his past collaborations with Madonna, HAIM, Lady Gaga, etc. His additions to these albums have greatly raised his popularity in music around the world. He is not completely mainstream, but definitely on this way there.  

BloodPop’s music always has a fun, insistent beat that can have anyone on their feet dancing. This artist does a great job of incorporating many music genres into his various productions. His most recent work is a song created with John Legend that infuses a funky, disco track called “A Good Night”. This song shows how BloodPop can create a catchy beat that is hard not to play on repeat. His use of electronic, pop, and funk music is unique and easily enjoyed by those listening.

If you have not had a chance to do your fair share of listening to BloodPop and all his impressive collaborations, I highly recommend checking him out! I am sure that in the next few years, everyone will know who BloodPop is.

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Spotlight Riser: Lund

By Joe Copple

With so many artists emerging from the underground rap scene, it’s getting harder and harder to stand out from the crowd. One man has flown under the radar of many large music blogs, yet has been able to consistently grow a large, dedicated fanbase over the past few years, all behind the guise of his signature CGI skeleton.

Los Angeles based artist and producer Lund has become a well-respected member of the underground community.  Lund began uploading music to Soundcloud as a producer, but over time began to experiment with laying his own vocals over his beats. Fans would begin to fall in love with his ambient production as well as his piercing vocal melodies.  Perhaps the most important element in Lund’s music are the lyrics. His ability to capture emotions and share them using the perfect words has allowed him to connect with his fans on a level most artists will never experience. 

https://soundcloud.com/lund/foresight?in=lund/sets/blkbird 

No song better exemplifies this ability than the second track on his most recent album “BlkBird”.  “Foresight” delves into the experience of something we can all relate to, the end of a relationship. Pain, confusion, and most importantly, hope for a start at something new, are just a few of the emotions that a listener might experience during the three minutes and seventeen seconds of Foresight. The vulnerability expressed in Lund’s music is rare in an era of rap where lyrics are beginning to matter less and less, but it is also what sets him apart from many of the artists trying to maintain a “too-cool-for-school” image. 

An artist genuinely dedicated to his craft for the love of the art, rather than pursuit of fame, is something Lund’s fans have grown to appreciate. The artist consistently interacts with fans and reminds them that he could not be where he is without them. Lund’s authenticity and genuine love for his craft have earned him millions of plays on multiple streaming platforms, considerations from major labels, and most importantly a dedicated fanbase, eagerly awaiting new music. Go check him out! 

https://soundcloud.com/lund

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Spotlight Riser: Dylan Schneider

By Taylor Jordan

Can’t wait to perform at #CMAfest in support of the @cmafoundation & music education! 🤘 Any of y’all going this year!? #itstartswithME #CMAfoundation

A post shared by Dylan Schneider (@dylanschneidermusic) on Mar 21, 2018 at 7:31pm PDT

Can you believe an on-the-rise country singer and songwriter helped a fan get a date to prom? Connecting with fans on a personal level is just what makes Dylan Schneider unique as an artist. Schneider engages with more than 1,000,000 fans across social media and streaming almost every day.

Schneider’s genuine love and care for his fans are what have made him become the successful rising country star he is today. Schneider says that his job is to “connect and show them a good time.”

if it ain't, I'll most definitely make arrangements for you and yours. https://t.co/EhTHDfvCXX

i really appreciate you out there fighting for us. we love you. https://t.co/LgbGyO8PbV

When I saw that Schneider followed me on Twitter, I did not know who he was. As a fan of country music, I can only assume that he found me through my tweets about the genre, which shows his dedication to finding potential fans. 

From the beginning of his career, Schneider knew how to promote his work using social media. He posted his first cover video on YouTube on April 11, 2014 and began to get attention from there. Schneider self-released his EP Wannabe in 2016, while he was still in high school. Later that year, he released his EP 17, which came in #3 on iTunes Country Album Charts. He also went on tour with other country music artists, such as Chris Lane and Granger Smith.

It wasn’t until I looked up Schneider and listened to his music when I decided to follow him back on Twitter. The first song I heard was “Wannabe” and from then on, like many of his fans, I kept clicking on the next song. Similar to Thomas Rhett or Brett Eldredge, Schneider crosses into the country-pop genre and mixes the rhythm of the music with his rich, southern voice to create his sound. His lyrics are memorable and relatable to fans young and old, as he transforms a range of themes into musical format, from wishing he grew up slower to confessing his feelings about a girl. 

Since being named “Country Music’s Next Rising Star” by Billboard in 2017, Schneider has continued to grow in country music. He went from having one radio single, “You Heard Wrong”, to being the face of Spotify’s New Boots playlist. 

In November 2017, Schneider became the first country music artist to directly sign with Interscope Records in Nashville and released a new single “No Problem” (in the video below). As of April 2018, the single has gathered over 11.8 million streams on Spotify alone since its release.

In January, Schneider told popculture.com in an exclusive interview that his goal for 2018 was to be “one of the big up-and-comers by the end of the year.” He goes on to say that he wants people to understand his music and realize “he has something.”

Although he is growing up in a spotlight that is only getting brighter, Schneider is already mature for his age. A survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Schneider responded with authentic empathy and concern for victims and other survivors.

pic.twitter.com/K8e7RdrMmC

route 91. love you. pic.twitter.com/rT7jCknuzl

17 yr old Hoosier @DylanSchneider sang in Vegas, then survived Sunday’s attack. Tonight, he’s back onstage in Vegas to raise $ for victims. pic.twitter.com/ix9DwQQtWv

His talent, down-to-earth personality, and ability to connect with fans brings a promise of a successful career for Schneider. He is currently headlining his own tour across the United States and working on a full album. 

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About Me: Joe

I’m a junior Media Arts and Design Major at James Madison University concentrating in Journalism and minoring in Music Industry. I’m from Mechanicsville, Virginia and music has always been a huge part of my life.  Growing up my father and brother were in a southern gospel quartet and all my siblings and I played instruments. My first love was southern rock and the twangy guitar solos of the Allman brothers and Stevie Ray Vaughn. As I got older I started listening to rap and eventually, underground rap.  I’m hoping to shed light on some really dope underground artists with mainstream potential who might otherwise get overlooked. 

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About Me: Samantha

I am from Short Hills, New Jersey and currently a student at James Madison University. I am passionate about writing and discovering new music. My favorite artists include The Neighbourhood, Lana Del Rey, Tame Impala and honestly most rappers. I think music is a great way to express yourself and  bring people together ~

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About Me: Elle

Howdy. My name is Elle Wood and I’m a sophomore at James Madison University studying Media Arts and Design with a minor in Studio Art. Growing up in the small town of Staunton, VA music has always been a part of my life. Mom and dad started taking me to concerts before I could walk, traveling all over from small towns across the state to Nashville, TN. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that the best way to spend my money is on things like concert tickets and festival passes. It would be hard for me to pick a favorite show I’ve been to, but some of the best performers I’ve seen include The Avett Brothers, Jimmy Buffet, Chris Stapleton, and Justin Timberlake. My music taste shows no discrimination towards genres.

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About Me: Taylor

Hey y’all - I’m Taylor and I am a sophomore Media Arts & Design major and Music Industry minor at James Madison University. My hometown is Fredericksburg, VA, which is where I discovered my love for music. I grew up around country music, since my parents are big fans of it, and it has become my favorite genre. A fun fact about me is when I was a baby, my parents used to play Travis Tritt whenever they couldn’t get me to stop crying. That’s how I know my love for music started at a very early age, and I have been a fan ever since. I also love to play guitar and sing. I mainly sing and play country music, but my taste in music crosses all genres. For my future career, I hope to work with a record company in Nashville, TN with promoting country music and helping advertise up-and-coming artists in the Nashville area.

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About Me: Leeyah

Hi! My name is Leeyah and I’m a sophomore at JMU!

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, music has been a huge part of my life since birth. From singing choral arrangements in public school to dancing to New Orleans bounce in my living room at age 7, I’ve embraced every genre (even some country tbh!). 

Some of my favorite artists/bands include Brockhampton, Frank Ocean, Haim and Yellow Days!