When Underground Underdogs first started, I don’t think I knew what the fuck I was doing.
As a matter of fact, I know I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing. The idea originally came to me as a concept I was pitching for a college radio show at DePaul University. It was fairly straightforward. I’d play SoundCloud rap for an hour on an online radio station.
It was something fun to do, and having the ability to talk about the underground for a whole hour without someone stopping me was pretty amazing. I’d post the recordings on SoundCloud and Tweet about them, just in case there was the off chance that the artists who were played could hear what I had to say about them.
To my surprise a lot of artists actually listened, and not only listened, but shared the show. In a just a couple months, I realized that Underground Underdogs had the potential to not only become a place where artists could have their music heard, but also their voices. I bought UndergroundUnderdogs.com and made the website a couple months later. Today, October 10th, we’re a whole year later from that first radio broadcast. Never would I have anticipated people from all over the world would be wearing Underground Underdogs T-shirts, let alone would there be people attending concerts that were put together by some rap blog.
But more importantly, UU would not be possible without a whole multitude of individuals. Without our fans, supporters, and avid readers, we wouldn’t be standing today. I personally can not thank each and every artist we have covered enough, those who trusted in our vision and dedication to tell their story. Even more so, I can’t even begin to thank everyone who contributed to UU as a writer, designer, or anything in between. Who would have thought a rag-tag group of creatives could make something from nothing?
– Jack Angell, UU Founder/Editor-in-Chief
“UU is arguably one of the best things to hit the underground music scene in a long time”
Underground Underdogs Show in Boston, 8.29.18. Photo by Johnny Bling.
We asked some of our team members what their experience with Underground Underdogs has been like this past year:
“It’s really humbling to see how many have welcomed UU and makes the work rewarding to see the positive reaction — seeing someone get excited when their favorite underground artist is going to be interviewed or referencing work we’ve done is super motivating. I’m proud that we can be a positive part of the community and hope to see us grow and be able to cover the underground for a long time.”
“There’s artists that used to struggle to get people to listen to 3 minutes of their music, and now people are willing to read hundreds of words about their art — that’s pretty fucking cool. I never expected an article about a vegan rapper I submitted to an Instagram account with a couple hundred followers last February would lead to a chance at interviewing some of my favorite musicians”
“So far it’s been quite the journey. A lot of opportunities opened up to me because of UU. I got to speak with tons of interesting artists that I thought would never be possible in my previous position as a fan. We’ve already grown so much over the short time UU has been around. I’m excited for everything to come in the future”
“Underground Underdogs has progressively made its mark throughout the underground in only a year. As one of the original writers, I remember being so happy when I was told I could create content for them. Writing and interacting with [some of my favorite artists] are only some of the most important opportunities I have ever had. I could not have done it without the founder Jack Angell. The endless amount of things that can and have already happened regarding UU is stupendously important to me as not only a journalist, but as a fan of music in general.”
“The fact that people not only care about what we have to say, but respect it, that is beyond me.”
Underground Underdogs Show in Los Angeles, 3.20.18. Photo by Jack Angell.
“UU has brought opportunities to my life I didn’t know were possible. The fact that people not only care about what we have to say, but respect it, that is beyond me. The ability to write about the things I’m passionate about and work with a group of people who are equally as passionate, that has been a dream. When I joined UU I had no idea what I was doing. I still don’t. But the support we give each other as a team has always given me the confidence to keep going. I that’s what makes us true Underdogs, and what has kept us so authentic through this process.”
– Megan Thomas, UU Lead Editor
“What a team of people from all over the world have accomplished out of passion is pretty incredible. And the fact that UU has changed my life in many ways, I will be forever thankful.”
– Avery Harder, UU Lead Designer
“I think the best thing that sums that up is when Jack would get stressed out I would tell him, ‘Imagine what this is going to be in a year.’ And now you’re there, so how does it feel?”
– Aaron Starling, Former UU Editor
“Regarding the fashion side of UU, we initially began by categorizing trends within the underground by linking them to significant moments within the scene, which helped emerging artists recognize the importance of styling, fashion, and appearance within their personal brands. The fits of the week component encouraged a healthy competition among the community to flex in their best outfits, helping artists improve their image with the incentive of a small, attainable web feature. The interviews helped make the general aesthetic of the scene accessible and understandable by providing profiles on brands supported by the underground. I would say overall, the fashion section has just encouraged people in the community to be aware of the importance of their personal brand as an artist.”
– Leanna Perry, Former UU Fashion Editor
“UU is arguably one of the best things to hit the underground music scene in a long time, literally defining the name Underdog. And I’m glad to have been apart of it. I can’t wait to see what this becomes, even after growing so much as much as it has this past year, UU has always excelled forward in its vision. Again, very glad to be apart of it — this brand has been nothing but good to me so far.”
“UU is a force. There is so much energy behind it.”
Underground Underdogs Show in Chicago, 5.20.18. Photo by Elise Gerskovich.
“UU is a force. There is so much energy behind it. A tiny amount of time has passed, and it’s been able to move things in the scene. For a ton of artists it has been a huge notch In their belts. First shows, interviews, things like that. At a personal level it’s put me in contact with people that I’m not sure I really thought I’d be around ever. So many genuine friendships have sprouted around UU. To also see that UU’s values reflect my own in terms of quality writing, music and culture, is super encouraging. It’s a bit of a beacon to me.”
Happy birthday, Underground Underdogs. Here’s to many more.