The International Tastemaker Fest Thesis 2026

Jenna Paulette¹ is a country star who writes …country songs for the cowboygirls at heart…². Paulette was CMT Next Women of Country honoree in 2022, made her Grand Ole Opry debut and signed with independent label Leo33³. “Paulette, a Lewisville, Texas native who grew up moving cattle on her family’s ranch in Thackerville, Oklahoma, found her voice singing in church and during long, hot summers… “My granddad and uncle always expected me to be able to get the job done,” Paulette says. After college in Savannah, she settled in Nashville, where Ashley Gorley became her songwriting mentor, leading to collaborations with other songwriters and a publishing deal”⁴. Paulette commands the stage with confidence and professional presence. She will certainly see mainstream success with her radio friendly songwriting. Liv McNair⁵ is an up and coming country singer/songwriter from Southern Iowa. …[P]erforming high-energy acoustic shows for corporate events, private parties, weddings, and special events across the Midwest and nationwide.”⁶ She writes sad songs that make cowgirls cry. Her live show is certainly entertaining and her interaction with the crowd puts the audience at ease. That is a good skill when you are a solo singer/songwriter on stage. Her choice of covers compliments her songwriting style, specifically, Taylor Swifts⁷ “Mean.” “‘I grew up always wanting to sing and pulled a lot of inspiration from Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin and Loretta Lynn,’ said McNair.”⁸ Liv might get major label interest soon because of her solid songwriting and stage presence.

Dickie & Caley Conway

https://www.youtube.com/embed/UA5V0WR0ThA?si=_AkvxUosKIPmGTFS

Dickie, the stage name of Iowa songwriter Dick Prall, is mainstream indie rock that is imminently radio friendly. Dickie is certainly on the verge of mainstream success. “Prall had been close to mainstream success before. …His band…[t]he Starch Martins were on the doorstep in ’01, and Prall was signed by Reid Hunter, who was also representing John Mayer at the time and had similar ideas for Prall’s career. So when the “Dickie” album turned into a critical darling but landed just short of commercial success, it wasn’t new for him. But with material this deeply personal and unabashedly good, it felt crushing.”⁹ Regarding his songwriting process Dickie says “…I write songs based on relationships, but not necessarily relationships between two people; relationships people…experience…within society.”¹⁰. Dickie might soon realize the mainstream success that has thus far eluded him. Caley Conway is a songwriter who is rooted in gospel and folk, however, that is not necessarily an accurate description of her style. Caley employs electronic beats and loops that gives her a sound that can’t readily be defined. You might draw vague comparisons with PJ Harvey. However, Caley Conway develops a sound that is all her own. You might consider “…her sound through the lens of Lomelda, Sharon Van Etten, Aldous Harding and David Bowie. Each artist called back to the intricacies within the phrasing, harmonies and metaphor of Conway’s music.”¹¹. Keep your ears peeled because both Dickie and Caley Conway are radio friendly songwriters that are on the verge of mainstream success.

Jason Scott & the High Heat w/American Jackals

https://www.youtube.com/embed/zMQIjm2NQOo?si=8d0iEBCdm5QmwJGR

Jason Scott & the High Heat are a cool band from Oklahoma City. The sound is a mix of Americana and Southern-ish rock. The performance at the Raccoon Motel was certainly festival worthy. You can hear why the band earns praise from the likes of Rolling Stone¹² and NPR. Jason grew up Pentecostal and was once a youth and worship pastor. Now as a musician, he is writing songs while his bandmates joke about him once never having heard songs like “Stairway to Heaven.”‘¹³ Jason Scott & the High Heat are on the verge of becoming main stream and you can hear how close they are with their cover of Pink Floyds¹⁴ “Money.” Keep your ears peeled because Jason Scott & the High Heat are certainly up and coming talents you will soon hear on mainstream radio stations. American Jackals¹⁵ are a new band from St. Louis signed with Nashville’s Harbor Records. The sound is countryfied Americana with hints of Southern Rock. They never put a full band on stage yet, however, they are entertaining. The band has lots of potential and a full band would really help.

the Golden Fleece & Lark’s Tongue

https://www.youtube.com/embed/i6MkkMlnJ-o?si=iWZvW6ebgqcpB3T8

The Golden Fleece¹⁶ are a tight indie rock band from Peoria, Illinois. The band is certainly underground, however, the fan base and excitement at local Quad Cities performances is palpable. The Golden Fleece develop tight grooves that audiences love and you can hear the hoots and hollers from the crowd. The IQCF preserved their performance at Ragged Records in August 2025 and the future is bright with the Golden Fleece. Their debut album “…Mind Mirror was recorded to tape at Future Apple Tree Studio and engineered by Pat Stolley, original Daytrotter engineer.”¹⁷ We highly recommend giving the Golden Fleece a listen. Lark’s Tongue¹⁸ was the first band on the bill. The band name comes from the King Crimson album. The band is heavy and the songwriting is almost prog rock. The clever employment of a theremin gives the band a signature sound. These bands are both good live bands.

IQCF Film Festival Element

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