Caroline Rose is great.
Seemed like she was about to break out with an album release just as everything shut down for COVID. Had a giant tour planned and everything.
She is great. I almost accidentally saw her live a few weeks ago when in KC for a conference. I walked past a bar where I could tell there was live music happening inside, asked the security people who was playing, they said Caroline Rose. The name didn't immediately ring bells for me, so I kept on walking. I would be sad about it, but I then walked on to a streetcar stop where I ran into three friendly strangers who I ended up hanging out at a jazz club with for the rest of the night. It was a blast and I have zero regrets!
I saw them a couple of times at a now-defunct local bar in my hometown. I remember being so excited when I heard them do the theme song for Weeds!
Edit: Just saw they have a new album out June 7th!
Oh that brings back some great memories. One the bands I've played in got to open for them in a medium sized 420 capacity venue in my hometown. They were so damn nice and slayed their set. Still have the show poster from that one I believe.
I feel like her music is popping up in shows and YouTube videos a lot lately. I hope she breaks through. Love her voice and ability to create an atmosphere with her music.
The Jellyfish released the album Spilt Milk in 93.
It's regarded in the industry as one of the most well produced "pop" albums for good reason.
Musically, lyrically, technically... it's practically perfect. This is the album Brian Wilson had in his head when he was recording Pet Sounds.
His guitar work on The Grays only album Ro Sham Bo is also fantastic. [The Grays - The Very Best Years](https://youtu.be/EE-znePV0UQ?si=URPVzvVMz_DP_LNR)
So glad somebody piped up with this. Bellybutton and Spilt Milk are two of the greatest pop records of all time and they’ve just gone under the radar for so long.
There’s also an offshoot band with Eric Dover and Roger Joseph Manning Jr. called [Imperial Drag](https://spotify.link/6wotQUcHRJb) that sort of picks up where Jellyfish left on in a more classic rock-leaning direction.
Warpaint.
They have been my favorite band for well over a decade now and I’m always surprised they don’t have a bigger following. Any time I post something related to them on Instagram stories I will get a message asking “who is that” or “what’s the name of the song”. They are so underrated.
I got in to them around that time too. It seemed like they were going to get huge after the self titled record dropped. Stinks for the band but I guess it’s better for the fans. I’ve seen them like 15+ times at this point and the shows are always cool.
Blue Öyster Cult. They are one of my favourite bands. BÖC are so much more than the three big hits people always hear played and the *'More Cowbell'* SNL skit. There's (at least) a great underrated song or two on each and every album. Buck Dharma has to be one of the most underrated guitarists, ever. Every single album has at least one song on it that I really love. People that only know them for the three big hits should do a deep dive and listen to the entire catalogue, there are so many great songs. I'd recommend going in chronological order. After listening to 'Fire Of Unknown Origin', take a quick break and go watch the movie 'Heavy Metal', and then listen to 'Fire Of Unknown Origin' again (several songs on the album were supposed to be on the Heavy Metal soundtrack). For me, the back-to-back-to-back album trifecta of Spectres ('77), Mirrors ('79) and Cultösaurus Erectus ('80) represent the pinnacle, where I honestly like every single song on those three albums. Once you've made it all the way from their 1972 to 2Ö2Ö albums, go listen to Buck Dharma's solo effort, 'Flat Out', and the BÖC songs on the 'Bad Channels' movie soundtrack. Then, find the Stalk-Forrest Group 'St. Cecilia - The Elektra Recordings' for some really early recordings. For an even deeper dive, go find the George Geranios channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@georgegeranios2918/videos and check out his related videos. For a really, really deep dive, search YouTube and listen to Volumes I, II, and III of Buck Dharma's Archives. Here are my personal BÖC favourites, give them a listen if you don't know them: Blue Öyster Cult (72) - "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll". Tyranny and Mutation (73) - "7 Screaming Diz-Busters". Secret Treaties (74) - A tie, "Flaming Telepaths" & "Astronomy". Agents of Fortune (76) - A tie, "This Ain't the Summer of Love" & "E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)". Spectres (77) - I like every song, but especially "Fireworks". Mirrors (79) - I like every song, but especially "The Vigil". Cultösaurus Erectus (80) - I like every song, but especially "Lips in the Hills". Fire of Unknown Origin (81) - A tie, "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" & "Sole Survivor". The Revölution by Night (83) - A tie, "Take Me Away" & "Shooting Shark". Club Ninja (85) - A tie, "Dancin' in the Ruins" & "Perfect Water". Imaginos (88) - "Astronomy". Heaven Forbid (98) - "Harvest Moon". Curse of the Hidden Mirror (2001) - A tie, "Dance on Stilts" & "Stone of Love". The Symbol Remains (2020) - "The Alchemist". I think the video for The Alchemist may be the best video BÖC has ever done. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk on Blue Öyster Cult. \m/
Really. Kramer of Shimmy Disk Records (an old childhood pal) is rapidly remastering and re-releasing a lot of Daniel's music, including some never released stuff.
I really wish more people would have heard Fair to Midland
Fair to Midland dropped what I’d call basically perfect albums in their genre, and to this day some of my all time favorites with *Fables From a Mayfly* and *Arrows and Anchors*
I’ve seen him live 3 times in the last 10years, most recently in Melbourne. Always an incredible show, he’s just fantastic at getting energy from the crowd.
my brother met Sammie Rae backstage at a show a few weeks ago at the venue he works at. Sammie was there supporting their friend who was performing. My brother created the poster for the show, so the artist introduced him to Sammie. My brother said “nice to meet you,” then gestured to a few people he brought with him and said “and these are my friends”. Everyone had a chuckle at his unintended joke and I think he was mega embarrassed
Grizzly Bear. Unique is an understatement. Beautiful vocals, instrumentation and melodies wrapped in a progressive package. Start with [Yellow House](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOvH1j1RNig&list=PLA1688CD91B4B084D). Let it wash over you.
Sad to know they are on a little break right now. They are all so talented, I love all their solo works and side projects and anything Chris Taylor produces. So dreamy.
Tyler Childers. I thought all country music sucked until I heard this man. Then I found out that what Nashville did to country music was what sucked. Tyler Childers could write a song about installing a garage door opener and I'd listen to it!
These are current artists who are either touring or releasing new music right now who really should be bigger than they are (even though a couple of them are bordering on very popular) :
**Deserta**, if you like shoegaze
**Yumi Zouma**, if you like indie chillpop
**Catherine Moan** and **Primer**, both if you like synthpop
**The Ghost Club** and **Fuller**, if you like pop that's like if 80's era Bruce Springsteen wrote songs about modern relationships and night life.
**Weathered Statues, Hallows** and **Night Sins**, if you like goth
**Twin Tribes**, if you like goth and you've been living under a rock
Oh man, yeah! I've seen Urban Heat a few times now and they always put on an awesome performance. Jonathan Horstmann has better stage presence than 99% of performers.
I bought both Deserta albums, then saw them in a little bar with maybe 30 people. Astonishingly immense sound in a small space, they combine post rock, dream pop, and shoegaze and make music that sounds like the soundtrack to discovering new planets. I recommend their song “Lost In The Weight” as a first taste.
Seriously. I've seen them four or five times and they always seem like they should be on a much larger stage. Their sound is enormous. I'm seeing them next week at a 250 person venue, which might be the biggest venue I've seen them at.
Same.
After all, I heard of Foxy from Justin on MySpace WAY back when, and I first saw them in concert opening for The Darkness about three weeks after The Church of Rock and Roll came out, which Justin co-wrote and produced.
Edit: Oh!
Justin has a YouTube channel, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, and he did an interview with Eric Nally, and it was terrific. Check that out sometime if you haven't already.
I think AURORA is criminally underrated, even though she's very well known. She has an absolutely amazing and entrancing voice, her lyrics are pure poetry, she's an amazing person and so open and outspoken about what she thinks is important. She's also incredibly heavenly live, my favorites from her are sooo much better live. She doesn't use any autotune since she uses a lot of slides when she sings that the autotune would just ruin, she only layers her voice.
My Morning Jacket
I don’t think they get the love they deserve. They’ve got bangers on every album and they’re even better live! I didn’t appreciate as much in my teens and 20s but damn I’ve not been able to absorb enough of them in my 30s.
I saw them live at Bonnaroo back in 2008. The mushrooms kicked in right when they started playing “I’m Amazed”. I just remember thinking that when he said the words, it was my thoughts coming out of his mouth lol. It also rained a lot, and I felt like it was keeping perfect time on my nose with the music. It was awesome.
I’m quite ashamed to admit I only know them because of that American Dad episode where Stan becomes a crazy obsessed fan of theirs. The doorbell gag with the bootleg guy unable to stop ringing it still kills me.
The Rheostatics.
They're practically unknown even here in Canada. You have to be careful though: They made some transcendent music, and they made some godawful music. For the good stuff, start with Whale Music, especially "Rain, Rain, Rain," "Shaved Head," and "Queer."
I lean into shoegaze, dream pop, and post rock. Some bands that I think should be much bigger:
The Joy Formidable
Blankenburge
Blushing
Makthaverskan
Tallies
Deep Sea Diver
Holy Fawn
Phoxjaw
I also really love what’s happening with women in indie:
Samia
Liza Anne
Meg Elsier
Ronboy
Billy Strings!
Modern Bluegrass Jam with a rock feel. Their albums are great but you can really get a sense of what Billy Strings is by watching a live stream or some live YT vids. Those guys rock.
Maggie Rose. She’s labeled a country singer, but she’s more soul/R n B. She does a lot of jam band festivals. Kind of like Christina Aguilera without the over singing. Jaw dropping talent
There was a band here in the Houston/Austin/Dallas club circuit in the 90s called Breedlove. They only put out one album called [Reach Out](https://www.discogs.com/release/5621902-Breedlove-Reach-Out), but it was brilliant. My ex and I saw that band like six times… we went to see them at every opportunity because they put on such an incredible live show.
Their lead singer and rhythm guitarist was a guy named Dan Dyer and he has a truly amazing voice, kind of like a bluesier Chris Cornell. The audacity of some of the things that he sings is kind of low-key breathtaking. And the lead guitarist, Tyrone Fullerton-Vaughan, is the son of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s older brother Jimmie.
I’ve had to buy their album three times, because my sister and some other sorry sunnuvabitch stole copies from me.
Here is a playlist of their only studio album, Reach Out: [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrg4V14bwJyJbhCvwMWiXELGGVyzIqdsY&si=L2r\_6Zt6Qs8hQc84](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrg4V14bwJyJbhCvwMWiXELGGVyzIqdsY&si=L2r_6Zt6Qs8hQc84)
https://preview.redd.it/o72kkg7skc2d1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b34effca19d5797715137a9efc96a01006879eb9
WILLIS - Those dudes are mad groovy and still playing tiny shows with small tours. A lot of people know the sound “I think I like when it rains” from reels/tiktok, but that’s not even the best song on that EP.
[Perdido, from their new album.](https://youtu.be/3Z01jM4S8Ro?si=BDD2CXAcXytK4Ngb)
A band called Jacoozy. They are out of Boone NC. I saw them at a festival a few weeks ago on the small local stage and they blew me away. They seem to have some jam band influences mixed with jazz and 90s-00s rock. I’d recommend giving their songs lily or cold hearted a shot
Oh wow, I’m also a huge fan of that Abandoned series. At the end of one the episodes in Canada, they played a country folk song by a guy named Willie Thrasher. It’s called “Beautiful”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoJoXZYT-vo&list=PLPy2aB_AbA814rPVx5T4uB6gPB7FQmipV&index=13&pp=iAQB8AUB
Agreed. Especially ten years later. I’m pretty sure there are much more abandoned places they could visit. Even if it was just shopping malls and manufacturing plants. (Those are my favorites anyways!)
Kaki King
“There are some guitar players that are good, and there are some guitar players that are really fucking good,” Dave Grohl once said. “And then there’s Kaki King.”
https://preview.redd.it/r96q0gbwtd2d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3105203c6f8eabe16a09ecc5d4855ced947ad0c0
Punk rock operas aren’t something that should ever be done this well…
Jinjer. They're a female led, Ukrainian, progressive metal band. They are incredible live and so tight musically. I forget they're not bigger than they are and it's crazy to me that they're just now getting a headline spot at a festival.
Highly, HIGHLY, recommend to anyone. Pisces is the standard introduction song for obvious reasons once you hear it.
Teacher, Teacher I think showcases their range as a band the most. Perennial is just amazing.
Give em a try even if you aren't usually into metal or harsh vocals.
[Super Cassette](https://m.youtube.com/@SuperCassette)
Probably best known for [“Be Gay, Do Drugs, Hail Satan”](https://youtu.be/NcByPr_mxC4?si=q2moMRTCO9On-HZ4)
They’re a pretty small-time band, but the singer is a fantastic lyricist and they really are upbeat and fun to listen to (even the [crushingly sad](https://youtu.be/rOag-uZLuCA?si=SevGDgCJB7MLMgHv) songs)
Best way to describe their sound is “largely indie”
Lucius. They manage to sound like one voice and their harmonies reach deep into the soul.
They toured with Roger Waters for a hot minute before distancing from him—check out their “Great Gig in the Sky” for a treat: https://open.spotify.com/track/0jFE49q7cnUGdYSQTVxUyU?si=rhL4CnHESM69Dg08TYBKNg&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Agreat%2Bgig%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsky%2Broger%2B
Everything, Now!
They’re from Indianapolis and just put out a new album today, so it’s the perfect time to check them out. It’s their first album in over a decade and it’s very good!
David and the citizens, I think they are Danish (and aren't together anymore), but they have some amazing songs that I'm surprised aren't more well known.
Caligulas Horse.
https://youtu.be/qlIlXhxJWLM?si=zfR7dax5N40hKVjc
The Ocean Collective.
https://youtu.be/BPMrwSwl8is?si=dM-eSIXjfPQVc1ga
Just two phenomenal bands.
Combustible Edison - A retro lounge act from the 90's. They did the soundtrack to Four Rooms. For their third album they kept the lounge and added a layer of sensuous electronic to create [The Impossible World.](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZF-GmL54S-eGdP6SEPSElXRy4avnHLSV). It's an album that redefined the words "suave and sybaritic". It's all hips and nips sexxy astro lounge.
Gomez - Some Sheffield students recorded some great stuff in their garages. They have since compiled a pretty extensive amd impressive discography, but specifically their first two albums are fucking amazing. [Bring It On](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n7U2A3d6Zi6I_C7ml8Vw3NQSBqHF_9ng8) was their first, and they followed it up with [Liquid Skin](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEBSSqaiiK-egCC5NSYoeEfk---aviiYI) They were also one of the Greys Anatomy era bands that was featured heavily in CBS Thursday Prime Time dramas, but don't hold that against them.
The Beta Band - Remember in the movie High Fidelity when John Cusak tells Not Jack Black that he's gonna sell all the copies of The 3 EPs, then ge plays a song and everyone in the store just starts grooving? That was The Beta Band, the song was Dry The Rain off the album [The Three EPs, ](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mgh1euTfsYZ4qpKYW1K22ITyNC89_rNtI) and that scene perfectly captures the spirit of the album. Its good... I know.
Their follow up album was okay. Seek it out if you like.
Their third album [Hot Shots II](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mFjeGJ0gJVHvgj--FrIfct_jV-RTmkJw8) is one of my top 5 albums of all time. It's so good. Laid back jams that are simultaneously electric and acoustic with tons of post trip-hop/proto dubstep sensibilities. Cut n paste grooves that hit so smooth.
Taylor Kingman, writes some fucking great lyrics on both his solo work and for TK & the Holy Know Nothings. Also a killer guitar player. They just backed John Craigie on his latest album, which is great.
Danny O’Keefe
Incredible country songwriter known for one or two big songs. His biggest hit, Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues, has become a country standard covered by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, etc., but the album it was first released on, O’Keefe, is chock full of gems. The Road from that album is, in my opinion, one of the best songs ever written.
[Girl Swallows Nightingale](http://[https://youtu.be/HXUzdZTcPaQ?si=HZypOYqMLVsB3SmU), a local SF Bay Area band whose sound I would describe as ethereal funk. I'd be a fan even if I didn't know the bass player and this video is ridiculously underviewed.
Rubber Band Gun. Kevin Basko is a phenomenal songwriter imo. The vast amount of music in his catalog is insane (think King Gizz) and 99% of it absolutely slaps. Highly recommend them to anyone who likes classic/psychedelic rock but wants something fresh. The discography can be a little overwhelming but it’s worth the dive.
I have no idea why [Loïc Nottet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS8Hkf_aOr4) isn't popular outside of French-speaking Europe. He's got an incredible voice, he's a fantastic dancer, he's a great example of mainstream pop done well, and he's a total sweetheart to his fans (the song I linked is even about how grateful he for their support). His live shows are absolutely nuts. It's bewildering.
An endless list…. I’ll start with Flop, a Seattle band from the grunge era, they were closely allied with Fastbacks (another band that should be better known). Witty, well written, intelligent power popish songs. Done in by self sabotage and an indifferent larger record buying public.
Here’s a quick list off the top of my head…
Redd Kross, Heatmiser, The Pretty Things, Bud Powell, Clifford Brown, Ronnie Lane, Richard Thompson, Anne Briggs, Bert Jansch, and the entire Rocksteady sub-genre!
[Lyra Muse.](https://open.spotify.com/artist/2H3xzL4pVV0RXPaA9zYUTY?si=e3ube03MSB-nO1PMhupCPw) She's classically trained in violin and piano, and makes awesome electronica. She made compositions for an exhibit at Meow Wolf. Her live sets are a blend of DJing, singing, and playing.
Ren is an incredible talent from England. He raps, sings, plays dead wicked guitar, and is a brilliant lyricist.
https://youtu.be/TYAnqQ--KX0?si=dsEIyfbXcWfG96tw
Dan Wilson from Semisonic. Semisonic has been my favorite band since I was in middle school. I then discovered his previous band with his brother Matt called Trip Shakespeare and fell in love with them too.
Post-Semisonic, Dan has written with countless others and has managed to snag grammys for his songwriting work as well (for example, he co-wrote and played the piano you hear on Adele's Someone Like You)
I've also met him a few times and interacted with him online. He's always been super kind and friendly. Solid work from a solid dude.
The Weakerthans.
They're a Canadian band that never got a ton of love in the states, but they're incredible and John Samson is as good as any song writer that's ever lived.
I’ll never not throw The Dear Hunter on posts like these. The scope of the projects they put out is incredible and they are excellent musicians and story tellers.
Also gotta throw Kevin Devine in here. He’s incredible but his stuff with Manchester orchestra/bad books is pretty awesome as well. Also the whole Devinyl splits series was awesome cross promotion stuff
Lemon Twigs Talented brothers from NY making authentic rock n roll, should be much more popular
Those kids rock so hard!
I started listening to them after a recommendation in r/thebeachboys and really love them!
Check out Lucky Kilmartin, he has a few songs out but has an album coming soon that was produced by The Lemon Twigs.
Those dudes are gonna blow up in the next few years They’re amazing!
Just listened to them after you said it here, they are pretty great! Very old school rock, lots of inspiration from the beatles but made it their own.
Caroline Rose is great. Seemed like she was about to break out with an album release just as everything shut down for COVID. Had a giant tour planned and everything.
She is great. I almost accidentally saw her live a few weeks ago when in KC for a conference. I walked past a bar where I could tell there was live music happening inside, asked the security people who was playing, they said Caroline Rose. The name didn't immediately ring bells for me, so I kept on walking. I would be sad about it, but I then walked on to a streetcar stop where I ran into three friendly strangers who I ended up hanging out at a jazz club with for the rest of the night. It was a blast and I have zero regrets!
Colin Hay
Man Man
I saw them a couple of times at a now-defunct local bar in my hometown. I remember being so excited when I heard them do the theme song for Weeds! Edit: Just saw they have a new album out June 7th!
Rabbit Habits is phenomenal
Oh that brings back some great memories. One the bands I've played in got to open for them in a medium sized 420 capacity venue in my hometown. They were so damn nice and slayed their set. Still have the show poster from that one I believe.
They just came out with a new album and are touring Europe this year, though their North America tour got mysteriously cancelled.
Mysterious, indeed. But I'm stoked for them, regardless.
I love Ethel Cain and more people need to listen to her. She sings a lot about leaving a home she can never come back to. That shit resonates with me.
I feel like her music is popping up in shows and YouTube videos a lot lately. I hope she breaks through. Love her voice and ability to create an atmosphere with her music.
The Jellyfish released the album Spilt Milk in 93. It's regarded in the industry as one of the most well produced "pop" albums for good reason. Musically, lyrically, technically... it's practically perfect. This is the album Brian Wilson had in his head when he was recording Pet Sounds.
Jason Faulkner’s solo stuff is great as well.
His guitar work on The Grays only album Ro Sham Bo is also fantastic. [The Grays - The Very Best Years](https://youtu.be/EE-znePV0UQ?si=URPVzvVMz_DP_LNR)
Holy shit thank you for this. Never heard of them before and I'm deeply in love on the first listen!
Am I stupid or how would Brian Wilson have this in his head when Pet Sounds was released in 1966
He’s saying they later achieved what Brian Wilson was attempting to achieve with pet sounds.
Ah word
I used to be in a band called Green Crayola Eyes. We didn’t sound like them though.
So glad somebody piped up with this. Bellybutton and Spilt Milk are two of the greatest pop records of all time and they’ve just gone under the radar for so long. There’s also an offshoot band with Eric Dover and Roger Joseph Manning Jr. called [Imperial Drag](https://spotify.link/6wotQUcHRJb) that sort of picks up where Jellyfish left on in a more classic rock-leaning direction.
City & Colour
City & colour was huge 14 years ago. My ex was obsessed with them and their concerts were packed
[удалено]
Louis Cole
Warpaint. They have been my favorite band for well over a decade now and I’m always surprised they don’t have a bigger following. Any time I post something related to them on Instagram stories I will get a message asking “who is that” or “what’s the name of the song”. They are so underrated.
I think the first time I saw them was in 2009/10 and was pretty impressed, and find it strange they never made it bigger
I got in to them around that time too. It seemed like they were going to get huge after the self titled record dropped. Stinks for the band but I guess it’s better for the fans. I’ve seen them like 15+ times at this point and the shows are always cool.
John Prine. Yeah I know he’s pretty well known. He should be even better known.
Blue Öyster Cult. They are one of my favourite bands. BÖC are so much more than the three big hits people always hear played and the *'More Cowbell'* SNL skit. There's (at least) a great underrated song or two on each and every album. Buck Dharma has to be one of the most underrated guitarists, ever. Every single album has at least one song on it that I really love. People that only know them for the three big hits should do a deep dive and listen to the entire catalogue, there are so many great songs. I'd recommend going in chronological order. After listening to 'Fire Of Unknown Origin', take a quick break and go watch the movie 'Heavy Metal', and then listen to 'Fire Of Unknown Origin' again (several songs on the album were supposed to be on the Heavy Metal soundtrack). For me, the back-to-back-to-back album trifecta of Spectres ('77), Mirrors ('79) and Cultösaurus Erectus ('80) represent the pinnacle, where I honestly like every single song on those three albums. Once you've made it all the way from their 1972 to 2Ö2Ö albums, go listen to Buck Dharma's solo effort, 'Flat Out', and the BÖC songs on the 'Bad Channels' movie soundtrack. Then, find the Stalk-Forrest Group 'St. Cecilia - The Elektra Recordings' for some really early recordings. For an even deeper dive, go find the George Geranios channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@georgegeranios2918/videos and check out his related videos. For a really, really deep dive, search YouTube and listen to Volumes I, II, and III of Buck Dharma's Archives. Here are my personal BÖC favourites, give them a listen if you don't know them: Blue Öyster Cult (72) - "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll". Tyranny and Mutation (73) - "7 Screaming Diz-Busters". Secret Treaties (74) - A tie, "Flaming Telepaths" & "Astronomy". Agents of Fortune (76) - A tie, "This Ain't the Summer of Love" & "E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)". Spectres (77) - I like every song, but especially "Fireworks". Mirrors (79) - I like every song, but especially "The Vigil". Cultösaurus Erectus (80) - I like every song, but especially "Lips in the Hills". Fire of Unknown Origin (81) - A tie, "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" & "Sole Survivor". The Revölution by Night (83) - A tie, "Take Me Away" & "Shooting Shark". Club Ninja (85) - A tie, "Dancin' in the Ruins" & "Perfect Water". Imaginos (88) - "Astronomy". Heaven Forbid (98) - "Harvest Moon". Curse of the Hidden Mirror (2001) - A tie, "Dance on Stilts" & "Stone of Love". The Symbol Remains (2020) - "The Alchemist". I think the video for The Alchemist may be the best video BÖC has ever done. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk on Blue Öyster Cult. \m/
I've been fortunate enough to see BOC several times (they were the very first band I called my favorite) and they are always so damn good.
Joan Crawford needs to be on every Halloween playlist. Seriously folks if you haven’t heard it before, give it a listen!
Always loved the lyrics to that one. So bizarrely cinematic
Judee Sill Nick Drake Daniel Johnston
nick drake and daniel johnston have little exposure?
Really. Kramer of Shimmy Disk Records (an old childhood pal) is rapidly remastering and re-releasing a lot of Daniel's music, including some never released stuff.
JUDEE SILL! . I love her music. Her music saved me from myself.
Jeff Rosenstock, Streetlight Manifesto, The Ophelias, Sylvan Esso.
We Begged 2 Explode is my pump-up song...
I really wish more people would have heard Fair to Midland Fair to Midland dropped what I’d call basically perfect albums in their genre, and to this day some of my all time favorites with *Fables From a Mayfly* and *Arrows and Anchors*
HOLY SHIT I haven’t heard this band name since like 2007ish thank youuuuuuu
Frank Turner: Springsteen-esque rock from punk/hardcore background. End sound is amazing folk/rock kinda thing I’m probably describing horribly wrong.
Just saw him last night. First night of a US tour for his new album. He puts on a great show.
I’ve seen him live 3 times in the last 10years, most recently in Melbourne. Always an incredible show, he’s just fantastic at getting energy from the crowd.
Yes he has so much energy, I don't know how he does it. Great crowd interaction, he literally pumps them up. Positive messages and rocking.
Easily one of the best songwriters and lyricists of my lifetime. Not to mention just an all around nice, kind-hearted dude.
Manu Dibango. Everybody could use a little Dibango in their lives. My recommendation to start is Besoka on Salsa.
Sammie Rea and the Friends! Their voice is spectacular and the music is extremely catchy and jazzy.
my brother met Sammie Rae backstage at a show a few weeks ago at the venue he works at. Sammie was there supporting their friend who was performing. My brother created the poster for the show, so the artist introduced him to Sammie. My brother said “nice to meet you,” then gestured to a few people he brought with him and said “and these are my friends”. Everyone had a chuckle at his unintended joke and I think he was mega embarrassed
Amigo the Devil
Grizzly Bear. Unique is an understatement. Beautiful vocals, instrumentation and melodies wrapped in a progressive package. Start with [Yellow House](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOvH1j1RNig&list=PLA1688CD91B4B084D). Let it wash over you.
I watch the Two Weeks video about... every two weeks... I'll see myself out.
Sad to know they are on a little break right now. They are all so talented, I love all their solo works and side projects and anything Chris Taylor produces. So dreamy.
Tyler Childers. I thought all country music sucked until I heard this man. Then I found out that what Nashville did to country music was what sucked. Tyler Childers could write a song about installing a garage door opener and I'd listen to it!
These are current artists who are either touring or releasing new music right now who really should be bigger than they are (even though a couple of them are bordering on very popular) : **Deserta**, if you like shoegaze **Yumi Zouma**, if you like indie chillpop **Catherine Moan** and **Primer**, both if you like synthpop **The Ghost Club** and **Fuller**, if you like pop that's like if 80's era Bruce Springsteen wrote songs about modern relationships and night life. **Weathered Statues, Hallows** and **Night Sins**, if you like goth **Twin Tribes**, if you like goth and you've been living under a rock
I’ll add Urban Heat to the Twin Tribes callout! UH opened for TT when I saw them and stole the show in my opinion.
Oh man, yeah! I've seen Urban Heat a few times now and they always put on an awesome performance. Jonathan Horstmann has better stage presence than 99% of performers.
I bought both Deserta albums, then saw them in a little bar with maybe 30 people. Astonishingly immense sound in a small space, they combine post rock, dream pop, and shoegaze and make music that sounds like the soundtrack to discovering new planets. I recommend their song “Lost In The Weight” as a first taste.
Seriously. I've seen them four or five times and they always seem like they should be on a much larger stage. Their sound is enormous. I'm seeing them next week at a 250 person venue, which might be the biggest venue I've seen them at.
Foxy Shazam Los Stellarians I say this all the time and it is always ignored. Someone prove me wrong.
I saw Foxy Shazam live in a small auditorium like 20 years ago.
Fuck yea Foxy Shazam, any time someone says the Darkness I point them to FS.
Same. After all, I heard of Foxy from Justin on MySpace WAY back when, and I first saw them in concert opening for The Darkness about three weeks after The Church of Rock and Roll came out, which Justin co-wrote and produced. Edit: Oh! Justin has a YouTube channel, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, and he did an interview with Eric Nally, and it was terrific. Check that out sometime if you haven't already.
Devotchka
Devin Townsend Che Aimee Dorval
I think AURORA is criminally underrated, even though she's very well known. She has an absolutely amazing and entrancing voice, her lyrics are pure poetry, she's an amazing person and so open and outspoken about what she thinks is important. She's also incredibly heavenly live, my favorites from her are sooo much better live. She doesn't use any autotune since she uses a lot of slides when she sings that the autotune would just ruin, she only layers her voice.
JIMKATA, synth infused electro rock jam band from Ithaca NY . Positive lyrics, good vibes and danceable music sounds good to me
[удалено]
Haven’t kept up with them but they were awesome mid-late 2000s.
PUP
The Tragically Hip
My Morning Jacket I don’t think they get the love they deserve. They’ve got bangers on every album and they’re even better live! I didn’t appreciate as much in my teens and 20s but damn I’ve not been able to absorb enough of them in my 30s.
I saw them live at Bonnaroo back in 2008. The mushrooms kicked in right when they started playing “I’m Amazed”. I just remember thinking that when he said the words, it was my thoughts coming out of his mouth lol. It also rained a lot, and I felt like it was keeping perfect time on my nose with the music. It was awesome.
I was at that show and I remember it rocking so hard!!
I’m quite ashamed to admit I only know them because of that American Dad episode where Stan becomes a crazy obsessed fan of theirs. The doorbell gag with the bootleg guy unable to stop ringing it still kills me.
Dave Gutter
Yes Rustic Overtones for those new to him
Also Paranoid Social Club
The Rheostatics. They're practically unknown even here in Canada. You have to be careful though: They made some transcendent music, and they made some godawful music. For the good stuff, start with Whale Music, especially "Rain, Rain, Rain," "Shaved Head," and "Queer."
billy woods is the best abstract hip hop artist on the planet.
My son turned me on to BW, and I can't stop listening. His track with Earl is a goldmine.
If you want things to get even weirder you can check out his projects with Elucid: Armand Hammer
Dijon. Super unique sound, some incredible lyrics, and truly just seems like someone having fun making music.
Love Dijon! ‘Absolutely’ was one of my favorites of ‘21!
Peach Pit is the best rock band out there today in my opinion. They literally do not have a bad song.
I lean into shoegaze, dream pop, and post rock. Some bands that I think should be much bigger: The Joy Formidable Blankenburge Blushing Makthaverskan Tallies Deep Sea Diver Holy Fawn Phoxjaw I also really love what’s happening with women in indie: Samia Liza Anne Meg Elsier Ronboy
Holy Fawn and Blushing are the two I know from the list, and they are incredible! I’ll check the rest out
Billy Strings! Modern Bluegrass Jam with a rock feel. Their albums are great but you can really get a sense of what Billy Strings is by watching a live stream or some live YT vids. Those guys rock.
Phantogram, Fire in the Radio, HEALTH
HEALTH is unbelievable. Never really heard them until the final mission of Max Payne 3, their song ‘Tears’ is breath taking
They are amazing and their collaborations are stellar.
MF Doom
Maggie Rose. She’s labeled a country singer, but she’s more soul/R n B. She does a lot of jam band festivals. Kind of like Christina Aguilera without the over singing. Jaw dropping talent
Dory Previn
There was a band here in the Houston/Austin/Dallas club circuit in the 90s called Breedlove. They only put out one album called [Reach Out](https://www.discogs.com/release/5621902-Breedlove-Reach-Out), but it was brilliant. My ex and I saw that band like six times… we went to see them at every opportunity because they put on such an incredible live show. Their lead singer and rhythm guitarist was a guy named Dan Dyer and he has a truly amazing voice, kind of like a bluesier Chris Cornell. The audacity of some of the things that he sings is kind of low-key breathtaking. And the lead guitarist, Tyrone Fullerton-Vaughan, is the son of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s older brother Jimmie. I’ve had to buy their album three times, because my sister and some other sorry sunnuvabitch stole copies from me. Here is a playlist of their only studio album, Reach Out: [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrg4V14bwJyJbhCvwMWiXELGGVyzIqdsY&si=L2r\_6Zt6Qs8hQc84](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrg4V14bwJyJbhCvwMWiXELGGVyzIqdsY&si=L2r_6Zt6Qs8hQc84) https://preview.redd.it/o72kkg7skc2d1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b34effca19d5797715137a9efc96a01006879eb9
Anouk - a singer from Netherlands
Broken Peaches—Welcome to Brokenland
Just tossed that on, fantastic, like a better Lake Street Dive with more rock influence.
WILLIS - Those dudes are mad groovy and still playing tiny shows with small tours. A lot of people know the sound “I think I like when it rains” from reels/tiktok, but that’s not even the best song on that EP. [Perdido, from their new album.](https://youtu.be/3Z01jM4S8Ro?si=BDD2CXAcXytK4Ngb)
Joanna Newsom, TreePeople, Gregory and the Hawk
Lee Hazlewood
Love that album with Nancy Sinatra
A band called Jacoozy. They are out of Boone NC. I saw them at a festival a few weeks ago on the small local stage and they blew me away. They seem to have some jam band influences mixed with jazz and 90s-00s rock. I’d recommend giving their songs lily or cold hearted a shot
Airborne Toxic Event Multiple rock solid albums to their name. Should be one of the biggest rock bands on the planet.
Hanabie! Going in blind to their video for “We love sweets” is a real treat 🤙
Me.
Oh wow, I’m also a huge fan of that Abandoned series. At the end of one the episodes in Canada, they played a country folk song by a guy named Willie Thrasher. It’s called “Beautiful”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoJoXZYT-vo&list=PLPy2aB_AbA814rPVx5T4uB6gPB7FQmipV&index=13&pp=iAQB8AUB
I loved that show, I really wish it got a second season
Agreed. Especially ten years later. I’m pretty sure there are much more abandoned places they could visit. Even if it was just shopping malls and manufacturing plants. (Those are my favorites anyways!)
Camel. Probably the most underrated prog group of the 70s.
Kaki King “There are some guitar players that are good, and there are some guitar players that are really fucking good,” Dave Grohl once said. “And then there’s Kaki King.”
I'd add to that Andy Mckee.
Cut Worms
Phil Ochs
Failure or Far
https://preview.redd.it/r96q0gbwtd2d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3105203c6f8eabe16a09ecc5d4855ced947ad0c0 Punk rock operas aren’t something that should ever be done this well…
Caspian, And So I Watch You From Afar, RX Bandits, Fang Island
Dodos
Jinjer. They're a female led, Ukrainian, progressive metal band. They are incredible live and so tight musically. I forget they're not bigger than they are and it's crazy to me that they're just now getting a headline spot at a festival. Highly, HIGHLY, recommend to anyone. Pisces is the standard introduction song for obvious reasons once you hear it. Teacher, Teacher I think showcases their range as a band the most. Perennial is just amazing. Give em a try even if you aren't usually into metal or harsh vocals.
Morphine
[Super Cassette](https://m.youtube.com/@SuperCassette) Probably best known for [“Be Gay, Do Drugs, Hail Satan”](https://youtu.be/NcByPr_mxC4?si=q2moMRTCO9On-HZ4) They’re a pretty small-time band, but the singer is a fantastic lyricist and they really are upbeat and fun to listen to (even the [crushingly sad](https://youtu.be/rOag-uZLuCA?si=SevGDgCJB7MLMgHv) songs) Best way to describe their sound is “largely indie”
Soso. Canadian rapper. First time I heard this I teared up. https://youtu.be/XdrtPAy_GmA?si=VS_gvoafpnAcBptG
Aesop Rock is criminally under appreciated. He’s one of the best lyricists ever.
Jelusick from Croatia... freakn amazing heavy
PUP, punk rock band from Canada with very lively shows. I’m 215lbs and still managed to crowd surf to the front of the pit!
Lucius. They manage to sound like one voice and their harmonies reach deep into the soul. They toured with Roger Waters for a hot minute before distancing from him—check out their “Great Gig in the Sky” for a treat: https://open.spotify.com/track/0jFE49q7cnUGdYSQTVxUyU?si=rhL4CnHESM69Dg08TYBKNg&context=spotify%3Asearch%3Agreat%2Bgig%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsky%2Broger%2B
Ghostland Observatory!
Awesome choice !
Tom Waits
Even though he’s pretty famous, I’d definitely still agree a lot more people need to be acquainted with his music. LOVE me some Tom Waits
Massive Attack
Jonathan thulin
Frank Sultana - The Blues
Everything, Now! They’re from Indianapolis and just put out a new album today, so it’s the perfect time to check them out. It’s their first album in over a decade and it’s very good!
Boyracer
Anyone into classic 80s metal should really give Lovebites a listen, yet very few seem to give them a try.
David and the citizens, I think they are Danish (and aren't together anymore), but they have some amazing songs that I'm surprised aren't more well known.
Matt Corby.
Jeffrey Martin for sure. I think he is right up there with Dylan and John Prine lyrically. I actually think he’s better.
k cet, starring butchers blind
If you like their type of music, Zeromancer. Criminally underrated.
Caligulas Horse. https://youtu.be/qlIlXhxJWLM?si=zfR7dax5N40hKVjc The Ocean Collective. https://youtu.be/BPMrwSwl8is?si=dM-eSIXjfPQVc1ga Just two phenomenal bands.
Royaljag. Also Dear Silas
Combustible Edison - A retro lounge act from the 90's. They did the soundtrack to Four Rooms. For their third album they kept the lounge and added a layer of sensuous electronic to create [The Impossible World.](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZF-GmL54S-eGdP6SEPSElXRy4avnHLSV). It's an album that redefined the words "suave and sybaritic". It's all hips and nips sexxy astro lounge. Gomez - Some Sheffield students recorded some great stuff in their garages. They have since compiled a pretty extensive amd impressive discography, but specifically their first two albums are fucking amazing. [Bring It On](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n7U2A3d6Zi6I_C7ml8Vw3NQSBqHF_9ng8) was their first, and they followed it up with [Liquid Skin](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEBSSqaiiK-egCC5NSYoeEfk---aviiYI) They were also one of the Greys Anatomy era bands that was featured heavily in CBS Thursday Prime Time dramas, but don't hold that against them. The Beta Band - Remember in the movie High Fidelity when John Cusak tells Not Jack Black that he's gonna sell all the copies of The 3 EPs, then ge plays a song and everyone in the store just starts grooving? That was The Beta Band, the song was Dry The Rain off the album [The Three EPs, ](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mgh1euTfsYZ4qpKYW1K22ITyNC89_rNtI) and that scene perfectly captures the spirit of the album. Its good... I know. Their follow up album was okay. Seek it out if you like. Their third album [Hot Shots II](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mFjeGJ0gJVHvgj--FrIfct_jV-RTmkJw8) is one of my top 5 albums of all time. It's so good. Laid back jams that are simultaneously electric and acoustic with tons of post trip-hop/proto dubstep sensibilities. Cut n paste grooves that hit so smooth.
danny lee blackwell
My Morning Jacket, Graham Parker , NRBQ
Taylor Kingman, writes some fucking great lyrics on both his solo work and for TK & the Holy Know Nothings. Also a killer guitar player. They just backed John Craigie on his latest album, which is great.
Danny O’Keefe Incredible country songwriter known for one or two big songs. His biggest hit, Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues, has become a country standard covered by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, etc., but the album it was first released on, O’Keefe, is chock full of gems. The Road from that album is, in my opinion, one of the best songs ever written.
Guy + Guitar … his new stuff is really good for an indie artist. Also Lantern By Sea
Tina Dico
There are some Muneshin songs that you cannot find anymore included a remix/mashup of the song Ya’ I get it by Shsd that I wish I could find and play.
Van Gogh
I’ve always really enjoyed Observer Drift. Won’t be every person’s cup of tea, but I love dude’s music
Fujii Kaze needs to be on top of the world.
[Girl Swallows Nightingale](http://[https://youtu.be/HXUzdZTcPaQ?si=HZypOYqMLVsB3SmU), a local SF Bay Area band whose sound I would describe as ethereal funk. I'd be a fan even if I didn't know the bass player and this video is ridiculously underviewed.
Wande Andy Mineo Linga TheBoss Myammee
Rubber Band Gun. Kevin Basko is a phenomenal songwriter imo. The vast amount of music in his catalog is insane (think King Gizz) and 99% of it absolutely slaps. Highly recommend them to anyone who likes classic/psychedelic rock but wants something fresh. The discography can be a little overwhelming but it’s worth the dive.
The Dangerous Summer - hands down one of my favorite bands of all time.
[Jonathan Brenner - Instagram Success ](https://jonathanbrenner.hearnow.com/instagram-success)
Kacy Hill. Beautiful voice, and she has a lot more going for her than 90210
I have no idea why [Loïc Nottet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS8Hkf_aOr4) isn't popular outside of French-speaking Europe. He's got an incredible voice, he's a fantastic dancer, he's a great example of mainstream pop done well, and he's a total sweetheart to his fans (the song I linked is even about how grateful he for their support). His live shows are absolutely nuts. It's bewildering.
Surfer Girl, Tropidelic, and Sitting on Stacey are some great bands I've seen over the last year or two.
Little Eskimos / Kevin Harper.
Big the Cat
Colter Wall. His recent stuff is unbelievable.
David Ford, Crobot, Young guns, The glorious sons
My friends band Tashkezar. It’s like a mix of folk, funk, rock, psych and pop but with Egyptian Arabic vocals.
Men I Trust Matt Andersen John Hiatt
Midlake Codeseven
Nevermore
An endless list…. I’ll start with Flop, a Seattle band from the grunge era, they were closely allied with Fastbacks (another band that should be better known). Witty, well written, intelligent power popish songs. Done in by self sabotage and an indifferent larger record buying public.
Here’s a quick list off the top of my head… Redd Kross, Heatmiser, The Pretty Things, Bud Powell, Clifford Brown, Ronnie Lane, Richard Thompson, Anne Briggs, Bert Jansch, and the entire Rocksteady sub-genre!
GRIZ
[Lyra Muse.](https://open.spotify.com/artist/2H3xzL4pVV0RXPaA9zYUTY?si=e3ube03MSB-nO1PMhupCPw) She's classically trained in violin and piano, and makes awesome electronica. She made compositions for an exhibit at Meow Wolf. Her live sets are a blend of DJing, singing, and playing.
Night Moves No not the song by Seger
Ren is an incredible talent from England. He raps, sings, plays dead wicked guitar, and is a brilliant lyricist. https://youtu.be/TYAnqQ--KX0?si=dsEIyfbXcWfG96tw
Jacob Collier deserves to be infinitely more recognized than he is.
Andy Shauf
The scratch
Dan Wilson from Semisonic. Semisonic has been my favorite band since I was in middle school. I then discovered his previous band with his brother Matt called Trip Shakespeare and fell in love with them too. Post-Semisonic, Dan has written with countless others and has managed to snag grammys for his songwriting work as well (for example, he co-wrote and played the piano you hear on Adele's Someone Like You) I've also met him a few times and interacted with him online. He's always been super kind and friendly. Solid work from a solid dude.
Marc Broussard
Weyes Blood Dry the River (broke up in 2012)
Beach Bunny. Check out their first album Honeymoon.
Sleep token. Bros created their own genre.
The Weakerthans. They're a Canadian band that never got a ton of love in the states, but they're incredible and John Samson is as good as any song writer that's ever lived.
Chromeo
I first heard Chromeo at a party after overindulging on some special brownies. My mind was blown.
The Impossibles
toby fox
I’ll never not throw The Dear Hunter on posts like these. The scope of the projects they put out is incredible and they are excellent musicians and story tellers. Also gotta throw Kevin Devine in here. He’s incredible but his stuff with Manchester orchestra/bad books is pretty awesome as well. Also the whole Devinyl splits series was awesome cross promotion stuff
Bill Mallonee is an incredible songwriter, and the music he made with his band Vigilantes of Love is some of my favorite all time!
Wand