Skinny Dippers – Wedding Ring

Artist: Skinny Dippers

Song: Wedding Ring

Genres: #indiefolk

Location: Brooklyn, United States

Release date: February, 2022

Comment: When most people hear the words: indie music, they think of songs similar to Wedding Ring, such as New Slang by The Shins (which was also part of the famous Garden State Soundtrack discussed recently here), so when you hear the second single off NY-based indie project Skinny Dippers‘ upcoming debut album, that’s what you’re going to get: a perfectly fine example of #indiemusic. From the warm guitars to frontman Ryan Gross‘ gentle vocals, this clever song about realising a little too late that the person you have an affair with is wearing a wedding ring, will certainly leave you looking forward to The Town & The City, their debut album.

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Cassidy Mann – Since I Met You

Artist: Cassidy Mann

Song: Since I Met You

Genres: #indiefolk #singersongwriter

Location: Toronto, Canada

Release date: March, 2022

Comment:  I’ve mentioned before that a certain song would have fit well in Garden State‘s award-winning soundtrack, but in Since I Met You’s case, that was absolutely what the songwriter intended. Talented artist Cassidy Mann wrote it after rewatching that movie and getting inspired to make something as magical as that soundtrack. She managed to do it, by the way, as this track is a beautiful indie song with a delicate electronic background that complements the acoustic brushes really well. Also, is it just me or does Cassidy sound a bit like Phoebe Bridgers‘?

Since I Met You is one of six songs tyou can find in If It’s Not Forever, Cassidy Mann’s debut EP. The sky’s the limit for her.

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Stumble Steady – Transducer

Artist: Stumble Steady

Song: Transducer

Genres: #indiepop #alternativerock

Location: Florida, United States

Influences: Cage The Elephant, The 1975, Dayglow

Release date: March, 2022.

Comment: Talented musician Garrett Kealer has been featured on T.A.M. as Stumble Steady a couple of times before (here and here), and a lot has changed since the last time that happened (almost exactly one year ago). For starters, Stumble Steady is no longer a solo act, as you can see in the video below. Co-vocalist Cara Harpest debuts in the bands’ new single, Transducer, which is certainly their catchiest track so far. As usual, the song’s lyrics were inspired by Garrent’s experience with OCD, with the idea behind it being taking all the negative energy coming from dealing with that illness and transforming it into something positive. Well, that’s exactly what they achieved because there’s no room for negative emotions when yo listen to such an effervescent tune. Enjoy!

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The Auxiliary – Overture

Photo credit: Paul Storey

Artist: The Auxiliary

Song: Overture

Genres: #chillout #dreampop

Location: North Carolina, United States

Release date: January, 2022.

Comment: Russell Howard, the talented musician behind The Auxiliary, has been making music professionally most of his life, mainly as an acoustic singer-songwriter supporting acts such as The Lumineers and Sister Hazel, but it wasn’t until he decided to leave behind the boundaries of that genre and embrace what really inspired him, that he found what he didn’t know he’d been looking for. Overture is his debut single as The Auxiliary, and this one turned out to be a gorgeous electronic soundscape with ethereal vocals and reverberated synths. It feels like the soundtrack of a dream. Don’t miss it.

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The Break Plans – Fashionably Late

The Break Plans - Fashionably Late

Artist: The Break Plans

Song: Fashionably Late

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  New Jersey, United States

Release date: March, 2022

Comment: Colton (vocals), Mikey (guitar), Dan (drums) and Chris (Bass), aka The Break Plans, are four talented musicians who definitely enjoy what they do. Just watch the music video for their brand new single, Fashionably Late, and you’ll definitely agree with me here. The track, which they wrote about the importance of being comfortable on your own skin, no matter how long it takes you to get there, sounds just as fun, with a very contagious melody and the right amounts of 1980s music influence. Well worth a listen.

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Love You Later – Keepintouch

Artist: Love You Later

Song: Keepintouch

Genres: #indiepop #indierock

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: March, 2022.

CommentLove You Later is the #altpop solo project of Lexi Aviles, a 23-year-old artist who has opened for the likes of OneRepublic and has won the attention of multiple tastemakers in the US. After listening to her effervescent new single, Keepintouch, it’s easy to understand why. The infectious earworm, inspired by Love You Later‘s discomfort with being alone, is one of those lighthearted songs sometimes you just can’t get enough of.

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Caroline Romano – Oddities & Prodigies

Caroline Romano - Oddities & Prodigies

Artist: Caroline Romano

Song: Oddities & Prodigies

Genres: #AlternativeRock, #Altpop

Location: Nashville, United States

Release date: February, 2022.

Comment: Twenty-year-old Nashville-based artist Caroline Romano was featured here last August (at the age of 19) with her song ‘The Hypothetical,’ part of her new album, ‘Oddities & Prodigies,’ released in February. The album, highly recommended, includes great songs like the aforementioned one and ‘Grocery Store,’ among others. However, my favorite track by far is the eponymous ‘Oddities & Prodigies,’ even better than ‘The Hypothetical.’ If you enjoy catchy #poprock songs, you might find it perfect. Check it out

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Cade Hoppe – Hurts

Artist: Cade Hoppe

Song: Hurts

Genres: #altpop #indiepop

Location:  New York, United States

Influences: Jack Antonoff, Coldplay, The National

Release date: January, 2022

CommentHarper James –one half of the band Eighty Ninety, which was featured here last year– produced the new EP from New York-based singer: Cade Hoppe, Tell Me How It’s Worth It,’ and you can definitely feel a similar vibe. Originally from Sacramento, this talented musician sets himself apart from other #altpop musicians with his baritone vocals. Just listen to his new single, Hurts, which he wrote after breaking up with a loved one. The catchy melody and Cade’s tone of voice make it sound really fresh. Give it a try!

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Ryan Wright – A Dream I’ll Forget

Artist: Ryan Wright

Song: A Dream I’ll Forget

Genres: #indiepop #altpop

Location: Northern Virginia, United States

Influences: The Smiths, The 1975, Lana Del Rey

Release date: January, 2022

Comment: “A Dream I’ll Forget” is an ethereal and soothing indie pop song by Virginia-based artist: Ryan Wright. It is part of an eponymous EP released earlier this month, her first one. It is quite fitting that the song talks about a dream as it certainly feels like one. The lush synths complement Ryan’s vocals pretty well, which is why you don’t want this tune to end. Ah and she was born in 2002. The sky is really the limit for her.

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JOBIE – Scorpio

Photo credits: Elaine Tantra

Artist: JOBIE

Song: Scorpio

Genres: #indiefolk #singersongwriter

Location: Boston, United States

Influences: Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, Tom Petty

Release date: November, 2021

CommentJosie Arthur, aka JOBIE, is a young and talented indie folk singer-songwriter used to playing at house shows and bars in Boston. She has released three singles so far, and even though Scorpio is the latest one, it was actually the first song JOBIE ever recorded. Written about the universal experience of being infatuated with someone you don’t know at all, which happened to her when she started college, this honest and raw tune features just a guitar and Josie’s sweet vocals. Check it out!

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