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Home , Anberlin, Carolina Rebellion, Emo pop, He Is Legend, Lowborn

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CRUISES AND THE Of Good Nature talk Sail Across the Sun, music in the Queen City, p8 offers sense of belonging A piece of history: The Milestone still CAROLINAS with debut single “Crazy.” p3 going strong after 40 years. p6 MADPARK DESIGNS

TOM: 704.351.1540 BRIAN: 704.284.2520

APRIL SPECIAL Nü Sound began with two Charlotteans recognizing a GILDAN SHIRT WITH ONE COLOR INK, ONE struggling music scene that desperately needed glue SIDED PRINT $6 EA. to hold it together. Nü Sound is determined to become your one-stop shop for all things music in BUY 40 OR MORE AND GET YOUR SETUP FEE and South Carolina, from upcoming shows to exclusive WAIVED $15. interviews with national and local artists. • QUALITY APPAREL We host showcases at venues across Charlotte to connect • AFFORDABLE PRICING live music aficionados with artists down the street and • IN HOUSE GRAPHICS encourage support. We review local and national shows • FAST DELIVERY across Charlotte and have an automatic web calendar for all music events throughout NC/SC of all genres.

Editor Caitlin McMahon [email protected]

Design Brian Cetina [email protected]

Contributors Natalie DaRe Molly Hudelson James Shotwell Secure media coverage, develop Sam Reed Matthew Alexander your social media, improve your branding and land some awesome www.nusoundclt.com shows with Nü Echo Media PR and artist development!

#1 PLUG FOR MUSIC IN THE CAROLINAS

APRIL | ISSUE 1 2018 [email protected]

Nü Sound 2 Issue 1 NÜ INTERVIEW By Molly Hudelson Lowborn offers sense of belonging with debut single “Crazy”

Coming from Greensboro, North Carolina, Lowborn describe their sound as “ meets more electronic vibes and more .” Recently releasing their debut single “Crazy,” Low- born held nothing back with the single’s music video. In all black and white, Lowborn leads the slamming new genre “emo/pop” with a delicious mixture of synth and dripping bass lines. Nü Sound recently chatted with vocalist / guitarist Wes Lauterbach about the band’s first show, the debut single, and what they want fans to get from their music.

MH: What did it feel like the first time Lowborn performed live?

WL: Terrifying. I’m used to about exes or other stuff that Photos by isn’t really as heavy. I started diving into my struggle with de- Whitney Newell pression and anxiety, trying to be super honest and not paint it Greensboro’s pretty…. Still have some relationship songs here and there but I Lowborn is creating a new felt like these new songs could be a place to really unload some genre: #EMO- stuff I was going through. It’s been almost therapeutic seeing POP. them be received so well and that others are relating, too.

MH: Can you tell me about the meaning of the song “Crazy”?

WL: It’s about having these feeling where you’re positive your friends hate you, or you’re so sure about something that isn’t true, and you’re kinda stuck in your head just fighting to get out and have clarity but people don’t always understand it. Trying MH: What do you want fans to get out of your music? to explain feeling that way sometimes makes you feel crazy be- cause you just keep going in circles to explain it until finally they WL: Just that we should all be comfortable with being ourselves. either get it or you give up and just deal with it alone. When I was younger and first started getting into Taking Back

Sunday and , when I’d get down it always helped hear- MH: What would be your advice to someone who struggles with ing these songs and knowing I wasn’t alone…. Life can be hard feeling the way you wrote about in that song? and I wanna make music that helps the way music helped me.

WL: Seek help. You aren’t weak, you aren’t alone, you aren’t crazy. There are lots of us out here struggling and coping and Be sure to stay up to date with doing what we need to do to get healthy and work through it Lowborn at lowbornband.com and and sometimes it’s messy, but seeking help is always worth it. by following them on their socials. People love you… don’t forget that.

Nü Sound 3 Issue 1 FESTIVAL GUIDE By Nü Sound

Carolina Rebellion 2018 Excitement for the 8th annual is rising and we have your festival guide to help you make the most of the best three days in May!

Although Charlotte is a huge, ever-expanding hub for live music of all genres, the city and surrounding areas don’t enjoy many large-scale festivals throughout the year. Since festivals are rare, rock and metal fans spend their spring season look- ing forward to the heavyweight 3-day festival: Carolina Rebellion.

Excitement for the 8th annual Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion is rising and we have your festival guide to help you make the most of the best three days in May!

GETTING THERE bathroom breaks and lie on your blanket breaks. Pig Out Village Wherever you’re coming from, your trek to the Charlotte Mo- features different BBQ vendors with gluten-free and vegetarian tor Speedway most likely includes i-85. From our experience, options available but prepare to take a chunk from your wallet we suggest you take any other way. Not only is the interstate for some dank food. usually crowded on the weekend in this area anyway, Carolina Rebellion attendees will have you stuck in bumper to bumper The Carolina Rebellion stages are pretty far from each other, traffic. Backroads are the way to go! Give yourself plenty of time ensuring you’ll be getting plenty of steps in. This weekend is to commute and park so you don’t miss your favorite bands! usually intensely hot with little to no shade available, so keep Remember: regular pass holders are NOT allowed re-entry, that in mind when deciding on your outfits. and make sure you check the list of what is and is not allowed through the gates. While it is tempting to see every band possible, don’t forget you have a long weekend ahead, so take care of your body. It’s BEST WEEKEND EVER better to drink water in between beers than to pass out during You’re in the gates and ready to rock, so what’s next? We sug- your favorite set. Don’t be that guy. If you need prescribed med- gest planning each day ahead of time. Create a list of what ication throughout the day, drop off your medication at the first band you HAVE to see and fill the time gaps with lunch breaks, EMS tent located inside the main concert gate.

Nü Sound 4 Issue 1 The medical staff will check-in your medication and you will have access to it anytime throughout the duration of the festival. Mo- bility platforms and ADA accessible bathrooms will be available May 5th, 6th & 7th and are included on the festival map.

NÜ SOUND’S CAROLINA REBELLION LIST We suggest you make a list of bands you can’t wait to see at the festival, so we are sharing our own! Catch us in the crowd.

Cait’s List Friday: , Underøath, , Stick To Your Guns Saturday: (my inner 8th grader is screaming), , Palisades Sunday: Incubus, Greta Van Fleet, Code Orange

Brian’s List Friday: Underøath, Andrew WK, Saturday: The Used, (because Lzzy Hale), Sunday: Muse, Billy Idol, (hello high school),

Get your weekend passes at carolinarebellion.com and let the countdown commence! Photos courtesy Carolina Rebellion Live Music every thursday on the patio at

Food & drink to book your band specials! [email protected] facebook.com 1933 South blvd. • 704-343-2727 /tybercreek NEW PODCAST COMING SOON!

Nü Sound 5 Issue 1 NÜ FEATURE By James Shotwell

a piece of history The Milestone still going strong after 40 years

Photos by Matthew Alexander and Caitlin McMahon

Nü Sound 6 Issue 1 It takes a lot for a band to succeed, and even more for the ven- ues that support them to keep their doors open. That might explain why so many venues in the Carolinas - not to mention other parts of the country - have struggled to keep their doors open in recent years. Charlotte witnessed the closure of four venues in the past few years, including now demolished, be- loved grunge bar Tremont Music Hall. While some areas of live music appear to be thriving, such as music festivals, indepen- dent venues around the country are feeling an increasingly tight pinch on their budgets. The reasons for this are numerous, from increased competition to changing consumer behaviors. Still, one Charlotte venue has persisted. The Milestone has found a way to make ends meet for nearly fifty years, and they show no signs of slowing their efforts to promote up and coming talent anytime soon. away on that hallowed stretch of aging wood. The only thing any- one can be in that space is themselves. Crack open a Dictionary (or in Millenial jargon, ‘Google’), and you’ll find the word milestone defined as an action or event Off Tuckaseegee Road in a run-down area, The Milestone has no marking a significant change or stage in development. That signed besides it’s name drawn on the side of the plain building. makes the name of Charlotte’s longest-running independent But a great venue is more than the shows it hosts and the paint venue a fitting one, as The Milestone has served as a proving on the walls; it’s something that is integral to the world of music. ground for artists from all walks of life since 1969. Name a popu- The Milestone has separated itself from other DIY venues in the lar rock or pop act who had to cut their teeth on the road before Carolinas by making a focused effort to not only cultivate a com- the industry at large took notice and chances are they have per- munity around the talent it supports but also consistently develop formed in this graffiti-riddled holy ground for the DIY commu- the relationships within it. Recently, this has included the addition nity. Created from a converted house and shop whose resem- of a free small library, which booking manager Wyley “Buck” Bo- blance it still bares from the outside, Circle Jerks to Nirvana have swell says is inspired by his encounters with free libraries across scribbled their names across the ceiling after their performances the country. at The Milestone. It is called the CBGBs of the South by some and a total shithole by other and that’s what makes it so glorious. “I kinda shamefully went through a period of a couple of years or so that I didn’t read an entire book at all,” he says. “I was on tour Bill Flowers, the man responsible for The Milestone in 1969, playing banjo in early 2015 (the whole 1st half of 2015 actually), claimed to have opened the venue after spending time in the and I had a national parks pass and was convincing my tourmate, thriving San Francisco music scene of the 1960s. That period in Steve, to visit all these historical places. He was a reader and music is defined by brilliants minds taking bold risks in pursuit of bought a book at a visitor center at the New Bedford Whaling something greater than monetary success, something pure. The Park in Massachusetts, he read it in a matter of days, handed it off artists from that era sought to bring truth to music, and through to me, it got me back into reading. Not long after that tour my doing so develop something bigger than themselves with the girlfriend and I flew to L.A. for a wedding and we visited a small world at large. Their efforts lead to movements, both musical coffee shop that had a free library of considerable size. With my and political, as well as radical new ideas on what constitutes fancy $5 coffee drink I also walked away with three free books, . The Milestone of today embodies these same one of which is probably my favorite book I’ve ever read. That ideas, and its tiny stage and poorly placed beams leave no room prompted me to look into creating a [free library]. I was moving for bullshit. Whatever hype, appeal or fame one may think they into a smaller place with less space around the same time, so I have accrued through time spent online is immediately stripped took a bunch of my already read books and a couple of shelves I didn’t need up to the club and set up the free book swap area. I’m hoping some folks will pick up some of the amazing books I’ve read and leave some new stuff in their place.”

Now, Neal Harper and Philip Shive have taken ownership and managed the keep the venue treading water. It’s been tough but The Milestone has shows every week, and at every one you can find the library available. You might also discover your new favor- ite bands, perhaps even two. More importantly, those who make the pilgrimage to The Milestone have the opportunity to become a part of something bigger than themselves that could outlast us all, and that is something increasingly few venues can offer. Wander through The World Famous Milestone on any day and you’ll stumble out with a new appreciation for local music, and probably some toilet paper stuck to your shoe.

Nü Sound 7 Issue 1 Float through 2018 with iTunes charting Reggae band Of Good Nature NÜ INTERVIEW By Caitlin McMahon

Fused together by rock roots and funky beats, Charlotte group Of Good Nature is mak- ing a big splash into 2018. With newest single “Take Me Anywhere” spinning on Sirius XM’s The Pulse, these lively guys find fans in every place (or ocean) they play.

So you guys are about to launch into your two-part Spring Take Me Anywhere tour, will fans be hearing new music at these shows? Is a new record being recording soon?

Yes! We recently hit the studio with Danny Kalb (Beck, Foster The People, Ben Harper, The Movement) and finished 4 tracks. We’re in the midst of releasing those as singles and are playing them live on the road as well. Part 1 of the tour hits VA, OH, upstate NY and part 2 we link with Mike Pinto to co-head- line NYC, Philly, DC, and the Carolinas. TMA Tour finishes at the end of May and we’ll head back to the studio in Charlottesville VA w/ producer Danny to finish out the full length record. Photos courtesy Of Good Nature Of Good Nature is making a big splash in 2018 with a new single “Take Me Anywhere.” Their live show leaves the crowd ready for a beach party.

Performing on Train’s cruises seems to be something you Pat Monohan of Train recently spun “Take Me Anywhere” on guys really enjoy! Can you give us some insight on what Sirius XM, how’s hearing your music on the radio? your latest Sail Across the Sun cruise was like? Hearing our new single on The Pulse was pretty crazy. Satellite Our second time on the boat, this year Sail Across The Sun 2018 radio is a HUGE platform and we feel blessed and excited to get was seriously epic. Its a 5 day music fest on a cruise that sailed our music out to more and more people. from New Orleans to Cozumel Mexico. Train is the headliner along with Michael Franti & Spearhead, Robert Randolph & The We really push our Spotify and other outlets as we’ve all discov- Family Band, Gym Class Heroes, Easy Star All Stars and other ered how streaming is the new age and a great way to reach a huge names. We got to meet, perform, and connect with all vast amount of people. of these listed here. Bringing the experience to a new level… Michael Franti asked us to learn and perform his unreleased and Tell us an interesting tour story that fans might not have yet to be performed single “Summertime Won’t Last Long”, heard before. which we did and it was incredible. Just the other day, on our way into Jacksonville FL to headline We learned it on the spot, in the artist lounge with the piano and Salt Life Fest, we crashed in the van as we often do on the move. acoustic instruments listening to the song on Michael’s iPhone. Last year OGN bought (aka making payments on) a Sprinter Van The whole time on the ship we were all getting up and sitting that we modified and typically crash in at Planet Fitness - exer- in with artists and they did they same on our sets. This year we cise and showers are key for us on the road. As we were resting moved up to some bigger stages and were stoked when tickets at 7 a.m., we hear a knock on the van and voices yelling “Sher- sold out for our show on the beach in Mexico. It was wild! iff’s Department.”

Local Charlotte snacc Adrian Crutchfield (saxophone, keys, e-wi) On drums and closest to the handle, David Hamilton Jr. slid joined us on both cruises and is a great addition to the group. open the side door and revealed our 4 man sleep van setup and Based out of the Queen City, Adrian performed with Prince the cops seemed curious as to what what was going on. We (2012-2016) and currently performs with Lionel Richie, Bette let them know that “we are in a band and playing the festival Midler, Cee Lo Green, Bootsy Collins, Young Jeezy, and more. downtown Jax Beach tonight” and told them about our P Fit

Nü Sound 10 Issue 1 Life. They seemed amused and told us they were responding to municate in your region and branch out to a more widespread a call about gypsies littering in the parking lot. Thankfully there audience. We believe touring as musicians is a key ingredient was none of that here so they told us to rest up and enjoy our to staying fresh as players and getting out to fans. It also makes stay. That was definitely a first! returning home and playing a very special thing that we enjoy.

What has been OGN’s favorite festival to play so far? What has been your favorite Charlotte venue to perform at and why? Cruise ships aside, Reggae Rise Up 2017 was a blast of an ex- perience. Two days of headliners like Slightly Stoopid, Dirty Visulite Theatre is a beautiful venue off Elizabeth Ave that we Heads plus after parties and jam sessions. St Petersburg, FL is a really enjoy. The room has a 3 levels which creates great interac- cool town for music and we enjoy visiting. Last year’s single, Sit tion with the crowd. All of us have attended countless shows at Around was produced and recorded with Ted Bowne (Passafire) Visulite through the years which creates just an awesome feeling at his home studio in St Pete. The song features Zach Fowler for the day of the show. Its a very special thing to see our name from Sun Dried Vibes. lit up outside and a full house inside at this place.

If you could play any festival this year, which would it be? We return to Charlotte NC at Visulite Theatre on May 18th!

California Roots Music and Arts Festival is a If OGN was mayor of Char- huge event that has always kind lotte for a day, what would of been a band goal. Festivals you guys do? are a great way to get in front of a mass amount of music lovers. We Now the light rail is finished… are down for doing that as much as Charlotte should focus on possible. using our current resources and reactivating these old Cam, you’re a born and bred building instead of demol- Charlottean. What has been your ishing them in this current experience (negative and pos- build up of Charlotte. A itive) with the Carolinas music focus on local arts, food, scene? and community is needed in the process. Austin TX Charlotte as a city is growing expo- and other towns have cre- nentially, and it definitely has come ated programs to support working artists, musicians, and with some great opportunities and real repercussions. A lot of educators so they don’t get priced out of the city. Something our historic venues have shut down and others seem to open like this can keep the culture thriving inside the city of Charlotte and close pretty quickly. Development and reconstruction is and that is the ultimate goal. the result of this crazy number of people and profits moving through our town. All of these venues closing is obviously a What is your favorite experience from the Carolinas music negative impact on the music scene but I do have hope this scene you guys have had? surge of attention to Charlotte will bring our local arts to the surface. There is a good vibe down here in our scene. Our friends in Sun-Dried Vibes head the Surrounded By The Sound Music and What do you think the Carolinas music scene needs right Arts Festival in Long Creek, South Carolina that happens Labor now to blast into success? Day Weekend every year. It is stacked full of bands from all over the nation with multiple stages, lodging, camping, and people We don’t have the buzz of some music towns like Nashville, enjoying life. We spent the whole weekend there and cant wait New York, or New Orleans because we lack the history of music for SBTS 2018. business in our cities. If we supported as a community and con- sumers, then the music scene would have room and opportunity Be sure to stay up to date with to grow into something more successful. Support local music OGN at ofgoodnature.com and and local evrrythang! The internet is also a wonderful tool to use by following them on their socials. and reach people all over the world. You can promote and com-

Nü Sound 11 Issue 1 NÜ INTERVIEW By Caitlin McMahon

Inspiring fans and encouraging community: BLACK LINEN

Nü Sound 12 Issue 1 Music has always been a pure form of self expression. In 2018, artists don’t need to look far to find topics that make others uncomfortable to talk about. From politics to sexism, the music industry has found itself thrown for a rollercoaster ride of trying to make a difference. Whether it’s belief-fueled tracks or call out songs, the music industry is experience a lack of positivity. While it’s easy to be caught in the rip-tide of negative news, one artist is always finding ways to connect with his community and lift up other artists. This artist walks with purpose and has an aura of genuine niceness to him. Meet Black Linen.

Your latest 3.0 was just released, can you share some You often perform in Charlotte, what’s your favorite venue of the topics that inspired these songs? to play at right now and why?

My songs are always inspired by the experiences from the last That’s such a hard one for me. Many of them are my favorites album until the current. Levitations for example is the realization for certain times and certain reasons. Right now it’s Petras. It’s that although we do this for the culture, we the mood and aesthetics. It reminds me of a true lounge, which also want our recognition and payout; honor- is my final artistic form. Plus Perry and all of those guys are just “We have ably. I see a lot of artist around me growing, great people. the chance to and as a more experienced and seasoned be legendary artist the first two tracks of all my projects DuppNSwat is my home away from home, I’m most expressive right now, are always dedicated to them, for motivation there. It’s such a beautiful place. It’s like a clubhouse for Adults. and that and inspiration. Davita and Dion have always been instrumental in my career alone has since I moved back to Charlotte. more weight Tran on the Way is inspired by 700K from than fame or BL2. It’s that feeling, the feeling when you I love Common Market for extra hype shows, and the dive look,; money.” know what’s on the horizon, it brings assur- The Evening Muse is Visually appealing & pleasing. Hatties has ance to its listeners. It features Ali Steele, this look from the stage that is wonderful, I love looking at the Black Linen Shulla on Djembe, and Poetic Chaos. iCry is crowd from that stage, and recorded video there looks well, and a song personal to me. It’s the one song that the back patio is just awesome. Camp North End is my favorite was the greatest relief therapy. It’s a song dedicated to those, outside venue, and the list goes on. like myself, who tend to over-apologize. We always see you supporting other hip-hop acts, what are “I keep over-apologizing, it never works you still crying, top some artists you would recommend to your fans? down ride in the rain, and I done cried over a million times, thun- derstorms all in my mind, running over tears switching lanes” I love them all, I wish I could just do a full list, but to adhere to the question my favs right now are; Indigo Jo, Jah-Montae, Very open you know. Music is best when it comes from the soul. Goldie, Demi, Merk, Bud da Rapper (Visuals are Crazy), Deniro It’s a different passion you receive. Farrar, Elevator Jay, it’s just a crazy list, I love all the hip-hop acts I support. What has been the most meaningful moment in your hip- hop career thus far? What has been your experience with the North Carolina mu- sic scene? Some negatives? Some positives? The most meaningful moment is this moment right now. Creat- ing 3.0, practicing & rehearsing the songs, creating the CDs, the I grew up in Decatur, GA, back when Outkast and all of those photo shoot for the cover, my friends and family being heavily guys were local artist. Back when local radio, only played local involved, the listening party at DuppNSwat hosted by Pardon artist. They treated local acts like stars, like it was crazy. Atlanta My Grind, producing the release show at Petras, getting every- played nothing else, and this is in its infant stages. thing on all major streamings sites, the feedback, over 1,000 people being Intuned; either coming to the show, buying the The only negative I see is people; especially those in the cre- album, or supporting. ative scene, not giving the city enough time to bloom. Not only not giving it enough time to bloom, but expecting it to produce For an independent artist it means a lot, and I can say I am fi- fruit for them without them watering it. It takes time for a young nally arriving. city to produce. The worst thing you can do as an artist is to

Nü Sound 13 Issue 1 Photos courtesy Black Linen “My songs are always inspired by the experiences from the last album until the current. Levitations for example is the realization that although we do this for the culture, we also want our recognition and payout; honorably,” says Black Linen. leave a fresh and bubbling scene, to go to an over-established What goals would you like to accomplish by the end of 2018? network, and then try to come back and gain your position back, by that time you will realize the city isn’t moving slow, it’s just not $10,000 or higher in revenue from BL3.0, so far I’m at $1,500, by moving fast enough for your liking. the time this releases, hopefully $2,000. If I can achieve that, I will go into my next phase of doing Artist & Development part- The positive are the people who understand this and are build- time aside from my own music career. ing a solid culture for tomorrow. We have the chance to be leg- endary right now, and that alone has more weight than fame or What’s your favorite quote? By who? money. “So early in my life, I had learned that if you want something, What do you think Charlotte’s next move should be to con- you had better make some noise.” Malcolm X from the Autobi- tinue the music scene development? ography of Malcolm X

Times are different, and so that directly changes the process it One of my favorite quotes, person, & book. I live by this. So will take to develop a scene. Press & Visuals will be the way. We many artist don’t believe in it, but it’s the solid truth. have to attract our audience, and we do that through making it visually pleasing. We have to get people to pay attention to the scene and the market. They have to see the profitability in it, and the only way to do that, is through creative & genius ways to Be sure to stay up to date market, advertise, and promote. If you build it, they will come. with Black Linen by following him on his socials.

Nü Sound 14 Issue 1 NÜ INTERVIEW By Sam Reed Charlotte’s very own pop-star teams with Blake Shelton on The Voice: Jaron Strom Jaron Strom is a multi-faceted pop musician who recently went from making waves in the Charlotte, NC scene to inspiring fans across the United States. With ten years invested into his music, both solo and with his band (Minutes and Years), Jaron decided to take the next step and audition for NBC’s popular music competition The Voice, where country star Blake Shelton felt a spark and decided to pull Strom onto his team. Constantly displaying a variety of vocal talents and showcasing his ecletic style, he caught the eyes of everyone in the room.

You’ve been a part of the Charlotte music scene for a major- job and career and keeping my sanity during all this was one ity of your life, what’s kept you so rooted in here? of the hardest parts. Also the anxiety and fear going on to that stage knowing you are being watched and judged by millions I think a major part of me keeping myself and my music routed is a major barrier to overcome but I feel that I succeeded and it into the Charlotte music scene has just been the fan base and made me grow stronger as a singer and person. support I have built in this area with fans, producers, and musi- cians, as well as radio stations and more! What was the most reward- ing moment you had while How has your transition from being in a band to being a solo working with Blake Shelton? performer gone? Just hearing Blake speak so I still currently perform my solo shows as well as shows with the highly of me not only as a sing- band but my goal this year is to transition heavily into a solo er but as a person was definite- career. I think this will be an interesting year for my career but I ly one of the biggest highlights don’t want to just stop performing with my band because they for me. He described me as the have been very loyal to me and a major part of my development full package having the music as a musician and performer. abilities alongside with dancing well, having a good personality, Social media has been a huge part of your career thus far, and great energy on stage. Photos courtesy Jaron Strom what platform is your favorite to utilize? #Feelz is the EP you released in June on last year, what mood At this point I feel like Instagram is my favorite social media plat- did you channel in that EP? form to utilize. I think that overall it is the most popular and I enjoy building my fan base there and responding to all of the This was my first album ever released and my goal and mood excitement and attention that has been flooding in. with this album was just to have a relaxed and feel good kind of vibe. I wanted people to really dive into my personality and feel Now that The Voice has been on for a few weeks now, have different emotions that I’ve truly been through as a person. This you noticed any changes in your following or in your home allowed people to get to know me on a personal level while still life in Charlotte? maintaining the top 40 sound for radio which I love. I also tried to bring in an old-school Motown vibe by keeping the I’ve noticed a major difference in my social media as far as fol- songs very simple with catchy melodies. lowers, friend request, and engagement on all of my posts. Also I’ve definitely noticed a major increase in the support I have in What are your goals for the remainder of 2018? Charlotte as well as my hometown Shelby North Carolina. I’ve had more interaction with radio stations, media outlets, produc- My goal is to grow my following, open for bigger major artists, ers, and with landing gigs! possibly work with other artists or be featured on a larger scale, and to possibly release new music later in 2018!

What was the most difficult part of being on The Voice? Be sure to stay up to date with Jaron Strom by following him on his socials I think traveling back and forth to LA while juggling a full-time or visiting jaronstrommusic.com.

Nü Sound 15 Issue 1 Nü Sound 16 Issue 1