Musicians You (Maybe) Didn’t Know Are USC Alums
by Lauren Liang ‘24
One of my favorite music-discovery easter eggs is finding out an artist whose work I love is a USC alum. Here are some of my favorites, straight from my playlist:
photo credit: @caitytakesphotos
Jensen McRae (Thornton BM ’19)
The first time I heard Jensen’s music was by chance (or Instagram’s algorithm knows my music tastes a little too well). I was immediately captivated by Jensen’s lyricism and command of melody (this is the exact Reel I saw). If you like listening to alternative folk-pop with heartbreakingly illustrative lyrics, I highly recommend checking Jensen’s music out. I also recommend checking out her second account, @jensenwrites_, for additional poetry, prose, and potential easter eggs.
Recommended Listening:
“It Wasn’t Supposed to Be Like This…” (YouTube exclusive)
“Adam’s Ribs” – “You break it makes me bloom, it’s like I’m made of you”
“Wolves” – “Thank God women learned to whisper / But I crave a megaphone”
“Dead Girl Walking” – “Friends come often / With their praise and problems / I’m a dead girl walking for a good time call”
“Immune” – “What will we be to each other if the world doesn’t end?”
“I Don’t Miss You” - “There will always be a gap between / Who I loved and who you really used to be / I will always save a space it’s true / For the man I thought you were / No I don’t miss you”
MUNA (Katie Gavin, BA ‘15; Josette Maskin, BA ‘16; Naomi McPherson, BA ‘15)
After hearing “Silk Chiffon” on Phoebe Bridgers’s Instagram story, I was hooked. MUNA’s ability to combine synth-pop sounds and wry, self-aware lyrics (“Weren’t you gonna love me if I just did everything right” – “Navy Blue”) makes for music you can both sob and dance to.
Recommended Listening:
“Silk Chiffon” (ft. Phoebe Bridgers) – “Watch her turn halfway down the aisle / With that you’re on camera smile / Like she wants to try me on”
“Taken” – “I just want it, I just thought that / If I could take it from her / Maybe then it would prove that I'm worth something”
“I Know a Place” – “Cause I can recall when I was the one in your seat / I still got the scars and they occasionally bleed”
“Number One Fan” – “So iconic, like, big, like, stan, like / I would give my life just to hold your hand / I’m your number one fan”
Remi Wolf (Thornton BM ‘18)
I was introduced to Remi Wolf when she opened for Lorde’s Solar Power tour in 2022. Her funky soul pop sound is perfect for driving around LA with friends, dancing alone in your bedroom, and basking in the sun while picnicking. Plus, where else are you going to find the words “disco man” and “fiscal plans” rhymed (“Disco Man”)?
Recommended Listening:
“Hello Hello Hello”- “When I'm gone my baby makin' eggplant parmesan / When he's with his other baby he's a vegetarian”
“Sugar” - “Wintertime under the harvest moon / Newborn baby and my skin's so smooth / I haven't seen you and I don't care to / Rehabilitation is / So sugary sweet”
“Monte Carlo” –– “Think I’m gonna rent a Monte Carlo / Drive around your neighborhood, like, real slow / I love Lucy, I’m Ricky Ricardo”
“Sexy Villain” – “Draw blood with the way I hold your heart / Keep my eyes closed when I throw darts”
“Liz” – “And it was Liz, Liz / She taught me how to live”
“Pink + White” (Electric Lady Studios cover)
Trousdale (Quinn D’Andrea, BM; Georgia Greene, BM; and Lauren Jones, BM )
Named after the campus parkway, Trousdale’s folk-pop sound is perfect for your fall playlist. Admittedly, I’m still exploring their discography after being introduced via Spotify’s algorithm, but have enjoyed every track I’ve listened to thus far.
Recommended Listening:
“What Could I Say” – “I’ve been thinking my dear / I’ve been thinking for years / What could I say to you / To make it okay again?”
“Any Day Now” – “You were so good at telling me what you think I should be”
“If You’re Hurting” – “Been scared to start ‘cause you don’t know the end yet / Like the cards in your hands, but you don’t wanna play”
“Happy Anymore” – “Maybe you were in love, but you never loved me”
Also be sure to check out Thornton’s Popular Music Program end of semester performances! They are open to the public and a great way to discover your next favorite musician.
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