A collection of new music I've listened to this year with artists who have under 10k monthly listeners on Spotify. Nearly 40 tracks by 40 different artists, some seen live, some discovered via friends or via Spotify. I'm gonna try and move away from Spotify more next year to platforms that actually compensate artists decently, but here's my top 10 from my voyage of discovery this year:
10. Repeating - Poison Dart
Saw these at a local gig for Bonfire Night and they were great!
9. Mr Bang! - Mike McKenzie
Random Spotify rec, but just a lot of fun!
8. I Don't Like You - PICKLE JUICE
One for the frenemies!
7. LETTING GO - Madeline
VERY fun girl-rock breakup song
6. All the Kiddies Doing Drugs - The Incident
Saw these opening for The K's at the Leadmill (RIP - maybe donate to the Music Venue Trust if you're in the UK and want to support independent venues!) and they're FANTASTIC, big things in their future if there's any justice in the world!
5. May Your Heart Always Be Young - E.R.I.E.
Soaring, life-affirming anthem!
4. Card from the King - Gaz Brookfield
I actually saw Gaz Brookfield for the first time in about 2012, opening for Walk Off The Earth. Saw him for the second time this year, and he's fab, in a second-rate Frank Turner kind of way 😂 this song is definitely worth a listen, along with the likes of RIP Inner Me, Be the Bigger Man and I've Paid My Money
3. Speechless - Kalliope Jones
This was another random Spotify release radar rec, but I'm so glad I discovered it! The whole album is just top-tier folk punk, available on bandcamp here if you fancy supporting a small artist - you won't regret it!
2. Car Crash Television - Rolling Thunder
Checked Rolling Thunder out because I saw they were playing locally and their music sounded like my vibe and I'm glad I did! Sadly the venue I saw them at has also just announced their closure (*cough*supportyourlocalvenues*cough*) but I had a great time and they have some really solid indie rock tracks - this is my personal favourite.
1. Halfway Tonight - Morganway
This is one of my songs of the year. Music that makes you glad to be alive, and still trying, even if you're not all the way there yet.
What new music have you got into this year? Any recs for smaller and/or local artists? I'd be very happy if people used this post as a jumping off point for their own recs, reblog or make a new post and tag me - I'm always looking for new music!
