Pop Conference 2025 announces call for proposals
PopCon 2025 has announced its call for proposals under the theme of “Pop Music, Fashion, and Style at the Edge.” This year’s conference will be held on March 13-16 at USC, in collaboration with the United States’ International Association for the Study of Popular Music. PopCon invites proposals “that listen with intensity to the frequencies… Continue reading Pop Conference 2025 announces call for proposals
USC Thornton alumni win 2024 Emmy Awards
On Sept. 15, three USC Thornton alumni won 2024 Emmy Awards for excellence in television programming and individual achievement. Composer Carlos Rafael Rivera (MM ’04, DMA ’10) won his third Emmy in the Outstanding Music Composition category for “Lessons in Chemistry.” Music editor Ben Schor (‘02) won his first Emmy in the Outstanding Sound Editing… Continue reading USC Thornton alumni win 2024 Emmy Awards
Patrice Rushen to perform in Walt Disney Concert Hall
USC Thornton Popular Music program faculty member Patrice Rushen will perform a piano concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall on May 2, 2025 for the LA Phil’s jazz series. The Grammy-nominated artist recently completed her 2024 European Summer Tour, which featured 13 sold-out shows across Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Tickets for her upcoming… Continue reading Patrice Rushen to perform in Walt Disney Concert Hall
MUNA’s Katie Gavin announces debut solo album
MUNA’s lead singer Katie Gavin (’15) has announced that her debut solo album, What a Relief, comes out on Oct. 25 via Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records. She released her first single off the album “Aftertaste” on Jul. 23, ahead of the band’s performance at Newport Folk Festival. In an interview with Boston’s NPR station… Continue reading MUNA’s Katie Gavin announces debut solo album
Popular Music program alumni receive Salt Lick Incubator grants
USC Thornton Popular Music program alumni Jordyn Simone (’22), Quinn D’Andrea (‘18), Lauren Jones (‘18) and Georgia Greene (‘18) have received grants from the non-profit organization Salt Lick Incubator. Salt Lick Incubator provides project grants and mentorship to musicians in songful, contemporary genres. The organization’s artist advisory board includes USC Thornton faculty member Patrice Rushen,… Continue reading Popular Music program alumni receive Salt Lick Incubator grants
Singer-songwriter Lila Forde joins 2024 Steinyfest
Singer-songwriter and USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumna Lila Forde (’21) has joined the 2024 Steinyfest lineup scheduled for October 5 in Mamaroneck, New York. Forde’s music is a blend of folk, soul and country genres. In 2023, she competed in the Top 5 on Season 24 of NBC’s The Voice. Steinyfest is an annual music… Continue reading Singer-songwriter Lila Forde joins 2024 Steinyfest
Patrice Rushen honored at 2024 Black Music Honors
USC Thornton Popular Music program faculty member Patrice Rushen was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ninth annual Black Music Honors. The ceremony, which recognizes artists who have contributed to African-American culture and American music, took place on May 18 in Atlanta, Georgia. “We are extremely proud to bring more visibility to these… Continue reading Patrice Rushen honored at 2024 Black Music Honors
Jensen McRae releases new single “Massachusetts”
Singer-songwriter and USC Thornton Popular Music alumna Jensen McRae (’19) released her first single of the year, “Massachusetts,” which was featured in KCRW‘s Best New Music section. She shared on X that the song is about “all the pieces of a person that get left behind after they leave.” McRae released her debut album, Are… Continue reading Jensen McRae releases new single “Massachusetts”
Dean Jason King quoted by TIME Magazine
USC Thornton Dean Jason King was quoted in a TIME Magazine article where he discussed the significance of the song “Les Fleurs” by Minnie Riperton. The song appears on the soundtrack of the new Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black. King explained how Riperton’s lyrics, composition and vocals combine to make “Les Fleurs” the perfect… Continue reading Dean Jason King quoted by TIME Magazine
Remi Wolf announces new studio album “Big Ideas”
Remi Wolf (‘18), a USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna, will release her second studio album Big Ideas on July 12 via Island Records. The alt-pop artist recently debuted her first single off the album called “Cinderella.” “‘Cinderella’ is a lyrical collage of the ups and downs and mood swings and transient lifestyle I was… Continue reading Remi Wolf announces new studio album “Big Ideas”