NEW ARTIST FINDS: CAYNE

Nashville’s CAYNE brings together the best of rock ‘n roll, soul, hip-hop, and gospel, becoming the face of Music City’s future.

Beyonce raised more than a few eyebrows, including Jack White on 2016’s “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” off of her legendary Lemonade album. After all, what does the Motor City madman have to do with the cutting edge of avant-garde hip-hop, from the likes of boots, Diplo, James Blake, and Kendrick Lamar? Taken in context, however, White’s crunchy, diesel-soaked garage rock makes total sense, making for one of Lemonade’s most striking moments, and bringing Queen Bey a whole slew of new indie fans.

CAYNE - IN THE WEEDS

Nashville’s Jessica Cayne performs a similar alchemy, but in reverse. As CAYNE, Jessica Cayne updates classic soul roots rock with a powerful, hip-hop/r&b low-end. Kick drums bang like an artillery section, while ponderous hand-claps bring the party vibes, undeniable and irresistible.

Despite being one of the Uniterd State’s biggest music capitals, Nashville isn’t as influential as it once was, outside of the Country Music Industry. Consider any season of The Voice when Blake Shelton is judging. There will be one or two Stetson-ed contenders amidst a bunch of Pop Idols and would-be rappers. Artists like CAYNE could help put Nashville back on the map, bringing its illustrious musical history and the incredible chops it produces to a larger audience.

Take a listen to 2016’s “In The Weeds,” co-written with Jon Buscema to get a sense of what Nashville might sound like, in 5 years. And remember, you heard it on We Are: The Guard first!

J. Simpson occupies the intersection between criticism, creativity, and academia. Based out of Portland, Or., he is the author of Forestpunk, an online journal/brand studying the traces of horror, supernatural, and the occult through music, fashion and culture. He plays in the dreamfolk band Meta-Pinnacle with his partner Lily H. Valentine, with whom he also co-founded Bitstar Productions, a visual arts collective focused on elevating Pop Culture to High Art.