Bob Mintzer to release Blue Soul collaboration on Strikezone Records this June
Blue Soul, a collaborative album featuring Jazz Studies faculty member Bob Mintzer, is soon to release on June 5 on Strikezone Records. The album is a collaboration with guitarist Dave Stryker, with saxophonist and arranger Mintzer leading the WDR Big Band, a Germany-based ensemble for which he is director and conductor. “Bob is one of… Continue reading Bob Mintzer to release Blue Soul collaboration on Strikezone Records this June
Ayoni Thompson interviewed by V Magazine
USC Thornton Popular Music student Ayoni Thompson was interviewed by V Magazine about her music and inspiration. The artist was the “Pick of the Week” in the magazine’s Creativity 01 series highlighting up-and-coming creatives. Thompson discusses how she got her start writing music, artists that have inspired her sound, and her creative process while writing… Continue reading Ayoni Thompson interviewed by V Magazine
Maahir Shah wins Independent Music Award
New Music Production graduate Maahir Shah (BM ’20) recently won the Independent Music Award for Best Music Producer in the Dance/Electronica category for his album Electric. Released under his moniker, 5önikk, in the Fall of 2019, Electric is Shah’s first full-length project. Listen to the album on Soundcloud.
Brian Robert Jones releases LP with band Human Natural
Bassist Brian Robert Jones (BM ’15), an alum of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, has recently released a debut LP, Only Human Natural, with his pop funk duo Human Natural. Jones and his bandmate, Hannah Winkler, began releasing music together in 2018. Euphoria magazine sang the album’s praises, writing, “Every single vocal stem, beat,… Continue reading Brian Robert Jones releases LP with band Human Natural
New York Times highlights 320 Festival in weekend of live streamed events
The New York Times featured the 320 Festival in its roundup of the weekend’s top events to view live online. The festival kicks off today, May 8, for three days of music performances and educational sessions about mental health and the arts. For two semesters, students of USC Thornton’s Music Industry program have been hard… Continue reading New York Times highlights 320 Festival in weekend of live streamed events
Remi Wolf releases two new singles to warm reviews
Popular Music alum Remi Wolf (BM ’18) recently released two new singles and music videos, “Woo!,” and “Photo ID” on Virgin EMI/Island Records, after releasing her EP You’re A Dog! in October of 2019. In an interview with Wolf, i-D Magazine calls “Woo!” “impossibly fun.” A recent Hypebeast review says “Remi’s vocal range truly shines… Continue reading Remi Wolf releases two new singles to warm reviews
Singer-songwriter Jessica Harper featured in Daily Trojan
The Daily Trojan featured Popular Music student Jessica Harper in a recent article about her journey as a singer-songwriter. The sophomore released her EP Michigan in the spring of 2019, and is soon to release a music video for her song “Rainy Day.” Popular Music faculty members Sean Holt and Michael Arrom both remark on… Continue reading Singer-songwriter Jessica Harper featured in Daily Trojan
Ludwig Göransson writes and produces on new Childish Gambino album
Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Göransson (GC ’08) wrote and produced on the new Childish Gambino album 3.15.20, working with Donald Glover and other producers on tracks such as “Time,” featuring Ariana Grande. Göransson and Glover first worked together on the NBC television show “Community,” and have since been long-time collaborators. The pair took home two… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson writes and produces on new Childish Gambino album
Thornton students talk transition to remote classes with Daily Trojan
In an article published April 13, the Daily Trojan interviewed students from USC Thornton and other USC performing arts schools about the unique challenges they faced in the transition to remote instruction, and how they and their instructors have adapted to the new format. Dominic Anzalone, a sophomore in the Popular Music program, told the… Continue reading Thornton students talk transition to remote classes with Daily Trojan
Thornton alumni musicians host and perform online concerts with U.S. Army Field Band
The United States Army Field Band, featuring many alumni of USC Thornton, has launched We Stand Ready, a series of daily concerts streamed live on the band’s YouTube channel. The full-length, interactive concerts are hosted by the band’s members, such as USC Thornton alums Kevin Pick (MM ’01) and J.G. Miller (DMA ’13). While the… Continue reading Thornton alumni musicians host and perform online concerts with U.S. Army Field Band