Inside Oxford’s Music Scene: A Breeding Ground for Genre-Bending Artists
Inside Oxford’s Music Scene: A Breeding Ground for Genre-Bending Artists
By Emma Williams & Kamryn Reed — April 21, 2025
When you hear “Ole Miss,” football games, Greek life, and The Square are the first things that come to mind. But what about the artistic side of Oxford? For those looking, the music and arts scene in Oxford is not hard to find, and it is supported by Ole Miss students’ creativity, passion, and determination.
Oxford has rarely seen a week without a musician playing on The Square. This melting pot of art and music has encouraged talented Ole Miss students to find their individual sounds and create a space for their peers to enjoy their abilities together.
Golden Teacher Society (GTS)
Golden Teacher Society was started by now sophomore Thomas Turner, referred to by friends as “T,” from Jackson, Mississippi. The band played their first concert in February 2024 at Rooster’s Blues House during open mic night. Since then, they have opened at Proud Larry's for multiple artists, including a sold-out show opening for Izzy Arthurs.
GTS faced transitions with its members during its first year. However, its current members are lead singer/songwriter Turner, guitarist Aiden Chapman, drummer “MetroJoe” Wells, and bassist Henry Smith, one of Square Magazine’s own.
The band has faced ups and downs while getting started, from Turner playing in front of a Chick-fil-A food truck to make some cash, to GTS playing to an empty audience in Harrison’s bar basement. The ups and downs paid off when GTS scored their first show at Proud Larry’s opening for Hotel Fiction.
“You get your handful of good stuff. You get your handful of bad stuff. And you just figure out what works,” said Turner.
Since their humble beginnings playing punk rock and covers, the band’s sound has evolved into a new genre of “alternative surf rock,” inspired by their goal to connect with people and spread love to whoever may need it. There is a big heart behind the music GTS makes, and it is felt by everyone in the room when they perform.
“There are some people that may be lost; music saved me, so I want to share that with other people,” said Turner
Turner knows what it’s like to feel a little out of place. Music has helped him connect with people who may feel the same and let them know they are loved and not alone.
Golden Teacher Society is high-energy, a ton of fun, and has exciting things coming. They have released a few singles on Spotify and Apple Music, and you can listen to their newest EP “Electric Boogaloo” on a number of platforms on their link tree.
Happy Landing
Happy Landing is sure to give its fans an instant boost of serotonin. The band has been featured in multiple magazines and has performed at some of the most notorious music festivals, such as Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, but it all started right here in Oxford.
Matty Hendley, lead singer and guitarist, began writing songs in high school, but it wasn’t until 2019 that he decided to pursue music.
“I was sitting at my desk interning for the show ‘60 Minutes’ in New York City, but all I could think about was music.” When the pandemic hit, Hendley began to record. He recorded his first EP in Oxford with a producer, his brother, his sister-in-law, and Jacob Christensen, their drummer.
The first song, “She’s Got Brooklyn,” garnered roughly 30,000 streams the first month it was released.
“So I was thinking, dang, maybe we should really turn this into something,” Hendley remarked.
They put on an EP release show in Hendley’s friends’ backyard in Oxford in the fall of 2020—the band’s first live show.
“It was one of the best nights of my life,” said Hendley.
It was post-pandemic, with only 50 people in attendance. The cops shut it down due to a noise complaint, but Happy Landing had become real. They slowly started adding people to their lineup: Keegan Christensen on vocals and keys, Wilson Moyer on bass and guitar, and last but not least, Andrew Gardner on the violin and mandolin. All of the band members graduated from Ole Miss in 2021 and 2022.
To most musicians who begin here, Oxford is seen as a place where they can freely pursue their passion and gather support along the way.
“The local art scene has always been super vibrant in Oxford,” said Hendley, “...it’s what drew me to Ole Miss.”
Hendley knew he wanted to embrace his creativity and artistry throughout his college years—and ultimately his life.
“You don't have to be in a frat, you don't have to be in a sorority, there are other paths you know? It was a big surprise and relief to me when I got here.”
Hendley recalls the amazing bands and artists in Oxford that he looked up to while starting out.
“It’s cool to see that’s still the case here in Oxford. There is a really supportive arts community in Oxford. It's still thriving.”
Hendley feels a great privilege in being able to return and be an inspiration for young bands coming up now who are in the same place that Happy Landing was just a handful of years ago.
“We felt very supported [in Oxford] and that’s why we still claim it,” said Hendley.
Happy Landing’s sound comes from their dynamic as a band. They have fun together, and it shows in their music.
“Everyone says we're a really fun band,” said Christensen. “We genuinely have fun together, and that plays out on stage. It's gonna be an energetic, fun show no matter what's going on. We’ll distract you for an hour and a half, and it's gonna be a good time.”
The group’s sound comes naturally from the culture they have created within Happy Landing.
“We didn't sit down one day and say we wanna be a really energetic band. It just sorta came about and has worked well, and we like it,” said Christensen.
Hendley’s advice to students or anyone wanting to pursue their talents is simple:
“Go after your dream because, one: it won't come true if you don't try, and, two: it might come true!”
Hendley believes the thing that helped them the most starting out was being open to whatever opportunities presented themselves and going for them every time.
“Say yes. And don't act like anything is above you. Always be polite, always be humble, and be a good hang,” said Hendley.
Happy Landing believes in being “good people first, and good musicians second.” And that's exactly what their audiences can expect: really good people and really good musicians.
The band is currently taking their first break from touring since starting out to work on a new album. Keep an eye out for their next move on their Instagram and jam out to their debut album Golden on Spotify and Apple Music.
Izzy Arthurs
Izzy Arthurs, who is graduating from Ole Miss this May, is already planning her next move—and one thing’s for certain: music will lead the way.
Arthurs has always been enchanted by the craft of songwriting and the electricity of performing. Her journey began young; piano lessons, guitar playing, and early shows set the foundation for the artist she is today. Now 22 years old, she performs alongside a band that fully supports and elevates her artistic vision. Together, they bring her music to life on stage.
“I’m in love with songwriting because it is ever-changing,” said Arthurs. “Each experience and each song is different.”
Arthurs’ sound doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre. She writes most of her music on her keyboard or guitar, crafting songs that are deeply personal, evolving, and emotionally resonant. For her, music is a way to process the world, and she hopes it becomes that for others, too.
“I love that my songs get to be in someone else’s life and maybe help someone else process, heal, and celebrate,” she says.
Though every path in the music industry is different, Arthurs believes in trusting the process.
“I’m not sure exactly where the music will take me, but I do know it will take me on. I trust that my art will find its audience, and I’m excited to meet my people.”
Through it all, Oxford has remained close to her heart. She credits the local community and the university with uplifting her as an artist.
“Oxford is such a special place,” she said. “At every turn of my journey, I’ve been overwhelmed with support.”
Her advice for other students chasing their music dreams:
“Do not ignore your inner hymns.”
To find out what Izzy Arthurs is planning, follow her on Instagram and listen to her original song “Long Time Coming” on YouTube. Arthurs will be performing at Proud Larry’s on April 24. You can find tickets through her Instagram bio.
Yazoo
This jam band has made its name known among the Oxford community. Yazoo hit the ground running last year, playing a few fraternity parties, local bars, opening for well-known artists like GrandVille, and even headlining their own show at Proud Larry’s.
Singer-songwriter Hale Martin, a junior from New Orleans, joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity in 2022 and quickly became friends with Yazoo’s current manager, James Smith, a senior from Madison, Mississippi. The two of them loved playing guitar together and knew they wanted to start something official. The band was formed simply by asking around and finding like-minded people. Martin coined the name after Yazoo City, where his father grew up.
“We asked around Oxford and found some other college guys that liked to play, and that’s how Yazoo got started,” said Martin.
They faced challenges this semester with some of their members leaving for internships. They picked up Ayden Light, Yazoo’s lead guitarist, and Chase Mathis, who plays bass, from their old band Blackwater. Jason Williams, who plays the keys, and Satterfield, Yazoo’s percussionist, were both working in Oxford and found Yazoo out of the blue, completing the band.
“Ever since the six of us have gotten together, we’ve really clicked and haven’t stopped since,” said Martin.
The band gained traction from there. Their biggest break happened this past month when they opened for The Stews at The Lyric.
“It was awesome! That was one of the biggest crowds we’ve played for, and we’ve been fans all through college, so getting to meet them [The Stews] was a great experience.”
Yazoo has felt backed by the Oxford community and its fans. From the Ole Miss campus to the various venues they have performed at, appreciation for the arts and pursuit of talent are always celebrated.
“The venues in Oxford and their staff have been really supportive and encouraging throughout the whole process of our band growing, always letting us know how we’re getting a little better every time we play.”
While it has been difficult for Yazoo to play more gigs due to noise complaints and the city becoming more intolerant of backyard performances, Yazoo hasn’t let that stop them.
“Despite this, the North Mississippi music scene has been and continues to be incredibly uplifting and supportive,” said Martin.
Yazoo has no idea what’s in store for them, but they do know one thing:
“We’re just happy to play music whenever we can. At the end of the day, all we care about is having fun and playing music for others,” said Martin.
The crew has two original songs finished and is hopeful to have them out on streaming platforms before the end of the school year. You can find Yazoo headlining at Proud Larry’s on April 22. Check out their Instagram to be the first to hear their new songs and follow where they go.
The Oxford community has borne witness to the rise of these exceptional artists and their climbs to success. This historic and vibrant town acts as a breeding ground for inspired people who are passionate about their work. Whether you are just starting out or you are unsure of where to begin, there are people who will support you along the way. In Oxford, there is inspiration around every corner and plenty of art waiting to be enjoyed.
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