As a certified indie music fanatic who even has their own radio show here at St Andrews, you can trust me and my qualifications for music recommendations. I have been a committed indie music fan for at least 5 years, but I have noticed as the genre grows in capacity that people have limited what is considered indie anymore. Indie is an expansive and ever-changing concept that is completely and utterly subjective, despite its roots with independent artists. Indie to me is about creative freedom. That is why I think it is vital we start broadening these music horizons. So, below is my carefully curated list of five indie artists we should all be watching:
- The Army, The Navy
- The band is made up of two childhood best friends, Sasha Goldberg and Maia Ciambriello who have been making music together for many years. They describe themselves as musicians who have founded themselves in musical harmony and their “indelible chemistry.” Their album Fruit for Flies, released in March of 2024, is incredibly demonstrative of this chemistry between them. “Vienna (In Memoriam)” melds a beautiful symphony of their voices and instruments, reflecting themes of loss and the fragility of life. Similarly, “40%” from Sugar for Bugs, released December of 2024, utilizes a more rock-centered sound compared to the rest of the very ethereal and soft album with lyrics discussing their desire for equality within a deeply unfair world, “just give me my 40 percent.” They have only recently entered my rotation of music, thanks to Spotify’s on point recommendations, and I have quickly become obsessed with their musical production and lyrical themes. These young women are incredibly talented and deserve your recognition. I would highly recommend you give them a listen.
- Towa Bird
- You may know Towa Bird as Renee Rapp’s guitarist or even as her girlfriend, but she has been making music for a while, since the ripe age of 12, all the while I was busy making iMovie music videos. She released her first album, American Hero, in June of 2024 and it has something for everyone with an exploration of themes such as identity, queerness, and romantic relationships. My personal favorites from this album include “Drain Me!”, “Wild Heart,” and “B.I.L.L.S.” But if I had to choose, I love “B.I.L.L.S.” where she addresses the rising prices of existing in our world combined with a high-energy rock anthem, making it absolutely addictive and incredibly relatable – because who can even afford their jeans anymore.
- The Brook & The Bluff
- Originally hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, these four men, Joseph Settine, John Canada, Kevin Canada, and Alec Bolton, make soulful and groovy music. And while they have the names of the most basic men on this earth, their music is anything but basic and simple. Their album First Place from 2019, is filled with indie-rock sounds that have etched themselves into my brain and are my first choices when I need a mood-lifter. “Halfway Up”, “Shelby”, and “Everything is Just a Mess” are truly classics within my life, and they should be for you as well.
- flipturn
- I cannot speak highly enough about the incredible band that is flipturn, made up of 5 incredibly talented people with a passion for genuinely good music. You may have heard their most popular song, “August” but that is just the tip of the iceberg with this band, who continues to push the limits of indie rock music and what they describe as “new wave inspired nostalgia and rhythmic alt-pop” (flipturn, Spotify). Their two most recent albums are both no-skips. Shadowglow was originally released in 2022, and I listened to it in full, often, waiting and praying for the day they released another full album. With songs like “Whales,” “Sad Disco,” “Brooklyn Baby,” and “Space Cowboy,” I can go on and on about the true ingenuity of this album, with the balance between a soft and ethereal sound with punchy guitar that creates a deep organic connection with the listener. More recently, in January of this year, they released Burnout Days, which continues this ingenuity. Which is best exemplified in the first song of the album, “Juno” which blends synthesizer and classic rock sounds together to create an ode to their days touring with their van “Peggy.” One day they are going to be really big, and when you start listening now, you can feel the intense amount of joy saying, “I knew them when they were still underground.”
- Briston Maroney
- Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, Briston Maroney makes Americana and indie-rock music. I originally discovered their music in 2021 with “Freakin’ Out On the Interstate” and “Small Talk,” and since then have followed them closely. Their most recent album Ultrapure from 2023, is truly incredible exploring important themes such as personal growth, self-discovery, and the difficult transition into adulthood. Songs like “Breathe” melds an upbeat sound of synthesizer and rock with deeply sad lyrics, capturing the feeling of feeling lost and overwhelmed, one that we can all resonate with in university. Briston Maroney is an incredible musician and is actively on tour with Peach Pit. Give them a listen and stay tuned for what appears to be a wave of new music on the horizon.
This is a list full of artists that I hold deep in my heart: some I have been listening to for many years and others have only come into the rotation more recently. Despite their differences in theme, musical production, or even general genre, they are all pushing the boundaries in the sounds they create and the topics they discuss. They encapsulate the beauty of indie music – creativity! Finding truly wonderful artists like those above, gives me hope for people in the world, because good music is one of the grandest expressions of the human experience, and new ways of expressing that meaning is incredible. So, I recommend you follow these artists because they one day will rise to fame, but, if not, they will continue making amazing music.
(Photo of Clairo taken by Chloe Hofer)
