ID: A stock photo of a hand holding up a tiny polaroid photo of several stringed instruments hanging on a wall; the instruments hang on the wall in the background.
It's that time again!
This list took a good while to put out since I wanted to personally check out each and every one of these artists first and decide if I you might enjoy them too.
And now, here it is!
A collection of various music artists that either have few regular listeners or not nearly enough, in my opinion.
IDs: On the left, Thomas Parrish, a white guy in his 20s, wearing a brown cowboy hat. In the middle, a black and white of the artist in a floral shirt and holding a guitar's neck. On the right, the artist playing his guitar at a show, bathed in purple light.
>>> Thomas Parrish is an upcoming, indie artist whose alternative folk tunes can only be described as a breeze carrying voices from old memories. His soulful, mindful lyrics blend with a gentle voice and classic guitar, inviting you to pause and reflect on whatever thoughts you've pushed to the back burner of your mind. Perfect roadtrip music, to be sure!
Top Song: "there was something here once"
My Favorite: "Oh, Illinois"
IDs: On the left, a Linus from the Stars album cover of a boy sitting in a pastel forest with a pink will-o-whisp. In the middle, a selfie of the artist, a white Scandinavian man with earbuds and black jacket. On the right, a nanobii album cover of a person with a tv screen smiley face surrounded by rainbow static.
"Earth is unlike anything I’ve ever seen."
"From the heart of Scandinavia, nanobii blends eurodance and high-energy EDM."
>>> If you love Owl City, then you'll love Linus from the Stars! His clear vocals pair wonderfully with a perfectly crafted electronic sound, creating the feeling like you're listening to a theme song from your childhood, or sailing across the galaxy, or living inside a 16-bit videogame! Imagine my surprise when I learned that he's now a rave DJ! Now going by nanobii, he took his whimsical EDM and put it on steroids, creating music that yanks you into a world of neon rainbows, high-speed races, anime adventures, and all-night mosh pits. Sourcing vocals from other artists, nanobii's songs are pumped full of break-neck energy, yet maintain a carefree attitude and unique vibe unlike anything else.
IDs: On the left, Johnny Drille, a Nigerian man in his thirties with a faint beard, wearing all white against a sky background. In the middle, the artist in a black leather vest looking into the camera. On the right, the artist in a yellow suit against a yellow background.
Born John Ighodaro, buoyed by a special voice and big dreams, the singer’s humble roots in the church choir led him to compete in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. In 2015, he recorded a cover of “Awww” by Mavin artiste, Di’Ja which caught the attention of legendary producer and Mavin head honcho, Don Jazzy. In 2015, Johnny Drille released his debut single, the Headies-nominated “Wait For Me”.
Johnny Drille was signed to Mavin Records in 2017.
Over time, he's become known for delivering memorable performances, having hosted two multi-city tours under his flagship "Johnny's Room Live" in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. These tours host over 5,000 fans each year.
In 2021, Johnny released his first single off the project, “Bad Dancer”. This was followed by his debut album, “Before We Fall Asleep”. Released in September 2021, the 14-song project featured afrobeats legend Don Jazzy, label-mates Ayra Starr and Ladipoe, Styl Plus, and Chyde.
2022 saw Johnny score his first top 10 single on Nigeria’s Apple Charts with fan favorite- How are You(My Friend), a lead off his 2022 EP ‘Home’, which saw him feature artists like Phyno, Adekunle Gold, and The Cavemen.
With a consistent ability to pull out some of Nigeria’s most dedicated music fans in their thousands yearly, and on the back of a year that saw him produce his most popular hit yet, Johnny Drille keeps accelerating forward. On 11th of April he released "Believe Me" and followed up with new single "Spending"
>>> If you're at all familiar with the Nigerian Pop scene, this entry must seem pretty silly. I know, it's basically like putting Taylor Swift - but goshdarnit - Johnny Drille deserves the same accolades on this side of the Atlantic too! His smooth, compassionate voice melds with his guitar, drums, and reminiscent lyrics. The perfect vibe for hanging out with friends or late-night two-stepping in the living room.
My Favorite: "Wait For Me"
IDs: Mandy Harvey, a white lady with long auburn hair. On the left, her sitting in a yellow jacket with a small guitar. In the middle, her singing while signing. On the right, her sitting in a field of flowers with her guitar.
Her message is universal ... Hope, Dream, Believe, no matter what ...
Mandy Harvey is a deaf American singer-songwriter. A Vocal Music Education major at Colorado State University, Mandy lost her residual hearing in 2006-2007 at age eighteen due to a connective tissue disorder, and left the program. She pursued several career options, including education, but returned to music in 2008. She quickly became a regular performer at Jay's Bistro in Fort Collins and then branched out to having regular concerts at Dazzle Jazz Lounge in Denver (Top 100 Jazz venues in the world). Mandy's music has begun to attract the attention of those around the world, adding to her message of hope, dream, believe. As you have seen, Mandy has made a tremendous impact by way of America's Got Talent, and in addition, CNN's Great Big Story captured over 9 million hits on social media, Burt's Bees signed her up for their "Remarkable Women" campaign, NBC Nightly News profiled her, and she has started performing at the worlds most prestigious clubs, concert stages and festivals.
>>> Like a lot of people, I learned about Mandy Harvey when Simon Cowell gave her a golden buzzer on AGT years ago, and I have enjoyed her music ever since. Sure, the reality of a deaf singer is impressive, but her music is beyond capable of standing up on its own! Her voice is among the softest I've ever heard, with delicate lilts and adlibs to melt the heart. Mandy's songs often tackle personal themes of inner strength, perseverance, ostracization, and making the most of our limited time. I'm counting down the days until this working wife and mother is featured in a major motion picture, as her picturesque, soulful, singer-songwriter vibes deserve.
My Favorite: "The Road I'm On"
IDs: On the left, a candid of the artist, a young white guy with dirty blond hair, as he fiddles with his backpack in a house. In the middle, the artist in a white button-down and green-blue plaid tie. On the right, the artist sitting in a makeshift recording studio and white NASA hoodie; a guitar and drum set are behind him and his laptop in front of him.
I go by 100graham, I am an 18 year old producer out of Dallas. I primarily make hip hop and RnB beats. I have been producing for about 3 years. I grew up playing the guitar and then started messing around on an iPhone app in middle school and fell in love with production. I got a computer during my sophomore year of high school and started making beats. After about 2 years of producing, I started reaching out to artists trying to get someone to rap on my beats. I had some success so last August I started branding myself as 100graham and since then I have gotten to work with a lot of artists and producers from all over the country. Hopefully I keep growing and can keep making more and more music in the future.
>>> Most likely the youngest entry on this list, 100graham likes churning out beats more so as a producer than solo musician. His work with the likes of Connor Price and Nic D has taken the underground music scene by storm, gaining attention before he's even finished his college years! You'll find him on socials, taking one word or one melody from his cos and fans as the basis for his next banger. A true talent who blends insightful lyrics with earworm beats that you must check out!
My Favorite: "See You Later"
IDs: On the left, a photo of Fred Williams, a mid-thirties Filippino man with dark brown hair and thin facial hair looking to the side. In the middle, his illustrated avatar and Spotify profile pic; a young man with dark purple hair, a colorful bandage over his nose, and a red hoodie. On the right, the avatar excitedly riding on the back of a four-legged flying robot shaped like an octopus; They both sport red and blue colors.
Built By Titan is Fred Williams – who has certainly been a mover in the music industry playing and programming on songs with the Jonas Brothers, Adam Lambert, and American Idol finalists. Alongside his time in the studio, Fred is also known for touring with the Backstreet Boys as both keyboardist and music director for the sensational group, performing alongside Mat Kearney, and doing tour programming for Sara Bareilles.
Praised for his “Collide” and “Heart & Soul” singles by respected media outlets such as DudePerfect, personalities like Larry King, as well as much of the gaming community, “Air” is the next single from this highly unique EDM artist.
Fred’s emotive songs are loved for their meaning and known for showcasing a different vocalist as the centerpiece of each track. This most likely contributes to Built By Titan’s following of more than 1M fans on SoundCloud alone.
The Manila, Philippines born multi-talented artist currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
>>> It's gonna be hard to decide just one favorite song! What drew me in to Built By Titan in high school were his music videos, as some of them overlap in a shared universe. But what has kept me are his endless creativity, cinematic stylings, and soaring lyrics. True, he may never be the one singing, but his flawless craftmanship of orchestration, mixing, and writing puts him at the top of my personal Spotify list. Whether you prefer sweeping instrumentals, blood-pumping EDM, or international inspiration, Built By Titan has everything you're looking for.
Top Song: "Dragon" (feat. Skybourne)
My Favorite: "Darkness" (feat. Svrcina)
Katie Lynn Sharbaugh | Spotify
IDs: Katie Lynn Sharbaugh, a white woman in her mid-twenties with brown eyes and dark, wavy hair. On the left, the artist leaning against a framed window in green pants. In the middle, a close-up of the artist cupping her face in a bright, old-fashioned kitchen. On the right, the artist in a red skirt and old buttoned-down, sitting with her violin in a corner of pink wallpaper.
Katie is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. A recent Berklee College of Music graduate, her music fuses singer-songwriter pop with jazz and R&B. Katie began her journey in music at her summer home in Ireland where she learned to play Irish traditional fiddle tunes by ear. In the ten+ years following, she trained classically in both violin and viola and learned to self-accompany on piano. Her classical career consisted of participation in various orchestras and chamber groups including the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Pennsylvania Music Educator Association Orchestras, and Nelly Berman School of Music chamber groups and orchestras. Katie uses many elements of traditional strings music in her original songs, featuring viola themes and solos as vocal counterparts. In the summer of 2021, Katie released her debut EP, "Little Blue Beetle Volume 1" on all streaming platforms. Volume 2 of the project was released in winter of 2022 and features her latest single, "Amelia," which documents the highs and lows of life following the COVID-19 shutdown. Katie's music combines the nostalgia of 70s soul with modern storytelling, often even referencing stylistic features of American musical theater. Some of Katie's artistic influences include Stevie Wonder, Fiona Apple, Sara Bareilles, King Princess, Olivia Rodrigo, and Daniel Caesar.
>>> Katie's music to me is, in a word, dear. Her songs carry a old-fashioned vibe, but speak fluently on the troubles of the current generation. Her songs range from unrequited love and bittersweet nostalgia to gifted kid syndrome and social awkwardness; all delivered with a plucky violin and natural vocals.
Top Song: "Omaha (The Only What-If)"
My Favorite: "Lucky Girl Synrome"
IDs: On the left, Xiuhtezcatl in a jacket of black and white diamond pattern, wearing thres braids in his hair. In the middle, a photo of the artist; a young indigenous man with long dark hair and the word NOW written on his palm. On the right, Xiuhtezcatl kneeling in a green field.
“What’s at stake right now is the existence of my generation.”
>>> Xiuhtezcatl (Shoo-teh-SKAHT) Martinez is among the most accomplished artists I've ever found, and we're the same age! I would repost his life story here, but it would take up half the page! A lifelong ecology activist, his music spans the intersection of climate change, tribal rights, immigration, community, and love without borders. His gentle, feathery voice switches between spoken word and vocals with as much ease as his trilingual lyrics; English, Spanish, and Nahuatl. This pop-singer-songwriter offers music that stirs the heart as well as challenge mainstream culture. If your toes feel stepped on while listening to his songs, then you probably need to keep on listening.
IDs: On the left, an illustration of a pale kid with bright blue hair, starry eyes, and a small smile. In the middle, an illustration of the kid wearing casual clothes and floating around with some watercolor painted fish. On the right, an illustration of fishkid resting their chin in their hand as sleek orange fish circle them.
>>> Another artist that prefers to let their music speak for themselves. I found fishkid by chance on Spotify one day thanks to a cute little song about a green frog in blue jammies; to say it captivated me is an understatement. Fishkid's natural voice layers over lo-fi beats to create songs that seem to emanate from a dream, or the subconscious desire for calm in the storm. Their music is gentle, thoughtful, and full of young love for this bittersweet world. Sometimes, embracing this life in a soft hug is the bravest thing we can do in it.
My Favorite: "Butterflies"
IDs: On the left, Darren Kiely, a young white man, sitting with a guitar, surrounded by a blurred reflection of himself. In the middle, the artist laying in the dirt surrounded by white flowers. On the right, the artist at a mic with blue and purple light illuminating him.
Hailing from a quaint town in Co. Cork, Ireland, Darren Kiely’s fresh, folk-infused sound originates from his inherited love of traditional Irish music, intertwined with modern influences such as The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, and Noah Kahan. At just five years old, Darren learned the tin whistle, and at eight years old he picked up the fiddle, eventually teaching himself to play guitar as well. Darren began singing in 2019, quickly garnering attention for his raw and fervent vocals and emotive delivery. After winning numerous honors at a national level in Irish traditional music, Darren found his way to NYC in 2022 to continue developing his own music and sound, and soon after headed to the songwriting hub of Nashville. Signing to Free Flight Records, Kiely’s unique presentation of folk-inspired melodies and production, along with lush storytelling, which echoes the backdrop of the Irish countryside where he was raised, are the forefront of his debut EP, Lost. The seven-track project explores the triumphant war of overcoming self-doubt, struggling to find himself, questioning emotions and seeking answers, while his follow up EP, From The Dark, Kiely takes his craft to new heights as he explores the harsh realities that come with growing up and moving on. Lost features the track “Mom & Dad,” which debuted in the Top 40 on the Irish Singles Chart and Top 5 on the Irish Homegrown chart, as well as fan-favorite “Sunrise” which reached No. 1 on the chart.
>>> I had the pleasure of discovering Darren Kiely in-person last autumn at a Mat Kearney concert, where he opened. His approachable personality and funny musings on touring in the US lured us in, but it was his lyrics and heart-felt stylings that captured us. I can't recall the last time I stood enraptured, heard, and dumbfounded like that outside of a sanctuary! I wish every success for Daren, wherever he goes.
IDs: On the left, Tamino, a young Belgian-Egyptian man, sitting against a wall wearing a black leather jacket. In the middle, the artist in water, the ripples reflecting the light back onto his face. On the right, the artist bathed in orange light against a black backdrop.
Tamino-Amir Moharam Fouad, who records under the moniker Tamino, is a talented young Belgian-Egyptian (and Lebanese) songwriter, musician, and singer who is taking the world by storm with his quietly contemplative to passionately compelling music that is as much influenced by Eastern culture as by Western styles.
The UK, Europe, and the Middle East are already under his captivating spell, and the US is now quickly following suit. The fast-rising artist is cementing his status as a premier storyteller and mesmerizing singer with his upcoming second album, Sahar, which will be unveiled on September 23rd.
A master of mood and meaning, the magnetic Tamino released his debut album, Amir, in October 2018 and had been touring and promoting it before the pandemic hit. While on lockdown and while away from life on the road Tamino was able to concentrate on creating his new album – and he was out ‘n’ about in NYC this past July promoting his recent singles in high anticipation of Sahar’s arrival this fall.
>>> It's not enough these days just to sing; we crave ascension of the spirit and softness of the mind, and Tamino is where it's at. You wanna talk about vibes and aura? Buckle up tight, because Tamino's haunting melodies will have you floating out of your seat.
IDs: On the left, a photo of the artist, a young white woman with wavy auburn hair, surrounded by tulle curtains. In the middle, the artist in a white dress against a green backdrop. On the right, the artist swathed in a translucent shawl, a warm glow emanating from her heart in the dark.
Hailing from the island of Oahu, with strong Celtic roots and a lifelong pull toward music and mythology, Los Angeles-based songstress Sabrina Jordan fuses her rich cultural upbringing and ancestry with left-of-center pop instincts to create a realm of sonic and visual exploration that feels like an ancient memory wrapped in timeless emotion. She threads a voice that is both ethereal and immediate through potent lyrics and ambient textures, drawing from the legends, music, and landscapes of her ancestral tapestry to create what she calls “devotionals to the force that connects us.” The result is a nostalgic yet novel fusion of old-world folklore, cinematic emotion, and contemporary edge.
Sabrina’s 2023 breakout single “Hazel Eyes”—a spellbinding nod to traditional Celtic ballads—echoed across platforms with the quiet force of a storm, amassing over 17 million streams and opening the floodgates for a growing global audience. In the wake of its success, Sabrina returned to her roots—literally—filming an immersive visual journey through the Scottish Highlands to accompany her dual-track release “Mouth of the Eden.” The 80-part video rollout struck a chord with millions around the globe, catapulting the work of Sabrina and her creative partner Andrew Fitzpatrick into the spotlight.
In December of 2023, the pair spent 14 days deep in the woods of northern Minnesota, filming a short film released in tandem with her 2024 single, “Vermilion.” These are the multidimensional feats Sabrina takes on to bring her visions to life. Through an all-encompassing skillset as a songwriter, producer, performer, creative director, videographer, and editor, Sabrina creates in deep devotion to the alchemy of art and its ability to make both her and her audience press pause on autopiloting everyday life. It urges those who witness it to feel, whatever emotion it may be, as long as it brings them closer to remembering themselves.
>>> Sorry Carpenter, but this is my favorite Sabrina! Her blend of traditional Celtic sound with timeless sensibilities creates a sweeping ascension of the spirit akin to the likes of Celtic Women and film scores by Patrick Doyle. Her music makes me want to die for a country I've never even been to! That's how you know it's good!
My Favorite: "Mouth of the Eden"
IDs: On the left, a photo of the artist, a young Malaysian woman with slicked back brown hair, holding a tapi. In the middle, the srtist sitting cross-legged, surrounded by plants and her favorite southeast asian instruments. On the right, the artist posing in a black, flowing jacket amidst dark fronds.
Belle Sisoski is a DJ, producer, singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, known for her one-woman show that combines the ambiance of ethnic instruments, cinematic music, and electronic elements.
Through her artistry, she aims to promote and preserve traditional Southeast Asian ethnic instruments while showcasing their versatility and adaptability to modern genre-bending music.
>>> Few artists have changed the ecosystem of my music taste like Belle has. Her awe-inspiring fusion of traditional instruments with modern synths yanks the listener away to a world that's unfamiliar, yet speaks to the shared human experience. Words struggle to fully capture her vibe. So, imagine flying through a wormhole that's blasting the combined sum of sound on Earth, and it's absolutely SICK.
My Favorite: "The Revival"
I hope you enjoy these artists! I've been enjoying their music for a good while now, and I just wanted an excuse to gush over them.
Who are some lesser known, or underappreciated artists I should check out?
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