Our Journey: 2020 to Present
Our Journey: 2020 to Present
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
The Unraveled Project is a creative platform created by Andy Morales. What began in 2020 as a virtual Instagram open mic called Jam Them Down—a way to keep community alive during the pandemic—evolved into The Unraveled Influence by 2023. Running weekly live open mics and podcast interviews, the movement quickly gained momentum, culminating in its very first in-person open mic in October 2023 in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Recognizing a rare opportunity to spark something special, Andy set out to build a thriving local art and poetry scene in Bayonne from the ground up—giving creators a dedicated stage to connect, grow, and express themselves.
By 2026, the platform underwent its final rebranding, preserving its history through full archives while stepping boldly into a new era. We didn't run from our past—we embraced it. The Influence was the vital stepping stone that brought us together; The Syndicate is the collective force that keeps us growing.
A syndicate is a coalition—an intentional network of individuals coming together to drive a shared mission. The Unraveled Poetry Syndicate serves as a dedicated branch of The Unraveled Project, created specifically to expand our reach and build a deeper, more permanent foundation for the poetry scene in Bayonne, New Jersey. It shifts us from simply sharing art to actively building the culture for it, standing as a united home for poets, performers, and creative voices.
UNRAVELING THE TIMELINE
2018 – 2020 | The Spark
Jam Them Down begins as Andy Morales’ personal poetry page. When the platform Your Heart Beats Loud shuts down, Andy is inspired to convert his personal page into a community hub—launching a new platform dedicated to spotlighting other artists.
2020 – 2021 | Building the Platform
Jam Them Down officially launches as a feature platform. To save live readings, interviews, and the platform's very first open mics from disappearing after Instagram’s 24-hour limit at the time, Andy archives the broadcasts as a podcast—ensuring those raw, real conversations remained accessible.
2021 – 2022 | Evolution of the Media
The audio and video efforts continue evolving through structured podcasting and iterations like Ink Sessions Live, refining the focus on the human behind the art through deep-dive interviews and virtual open mics.
2023 | Rebranding to Unraveled Influence & Stepping Offline
On January 21st, 2023, the platform officially rebrands as Unraveled Influence. On October 20th, 2023, the movement steps offline with its first in-person open mic at Shorty’s in Bayonne, NJ—bringing a vibrant, much-needed poetry scene to Hudson County.
Present Day | The Unraveled Project
Today, The Unraveled Project serves as the master umbrella for all our creative initiatives. It houses our live flagship events—like The Unraveled Poetry Syndicate in Bayonne—while preserving our rich archive of podcasts, interviews, and past community projects.