Brian Robert Jones talks *NSYNC cover album with Lance Bass
Brian Robert Jones (BM ‘15), an alum of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, recently released No Strings Attached, an *NSYNC cover album celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band’s 2000 album of the same name. The album is filled with fresh takes on the original album’s iconic hits, and features appearances by some of… Continue reading Brian Robert Jones talks *NSYNC cover album with Lance Bass
Rozzi Releases new single, “Best Friend Song”
USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Rozzi Crane (BM ’13), known professionally as Rozzi, released her new single “Best Friend Song” on August 14 with S-Curve Records. The song is a fun and lighthearted friendship anthem dedicated to her best friend Tatti. “Quarantine has made me realize how much I’ve taken friendship for granted. I hope… Continue reading Rozzi Releases new single, “Best Friend Song”
Jensen McRae featured on KCRW
Popular Music alum Jensen McRae (BM ’19) was recently featured on KCRW’s In Residence series, with the outlet describing McRae as “unquestionably one of KCRW’s favorite new artists of 2020.” In her interview, McRae talks about the music she’s currently writing and why visibility is important as a Black artist in the folk-rock genre. “Black… Continue reading Jensen McRae featured on KCRW
Patrice Rushen and Thornton alumni invited into the Academy
Patrice Rushen, chair of the Popular Music program at USC Thornton, along with three Thornton alumni—Chanda Dancy (GCRT ’04), Roger Neill (BM ’86), and Jermaine Stegall (GCRT ’04)—have been invited into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Rushen’s classic song “Forget Me Nots” was sampled for Will Smith’s “Men in Black,” from the… Continue reading Patrice Rushen and Thornton alumni invited into the Academy
Remi Wolf featured in LA Times
Remi Wolf (BM ’18), an alum of USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times in an article highlighting her recent releases. After signing with Island Records earlier this year, Wolf released her first major label EP on June 24 called I’m Allergic to Dogs! The article highlights Wolf’s vocal… Continue reading Remi Wolf featured in LA Times
Patrice Rushen to speak at Justice Comes Alive virtual festival
Patrice Rushen, chair of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, will appear as a featured speaker at the Justice Comes Alive virtual music festival on Sunday, June 28. The donation-based event will feature performances by a lineup of more than 50 artists, and featured speakers such as Rushen in conversation about how to eliminate racial… Continue reading Patrice Rushen to speak at Justice Comes Alive virtual festival
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
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
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