Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are a folk duo known for acoustic music. Their debut Revival earned a GRAMMY nod; Welch won Album of the Year for O Brother, Where Art Thou? All the Good Times won Best Folk Album.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are a folk duo known for acoustic music. Their debut Revival earned a GRAMMY nod; Welch won Album of the Year for O Brother, Where Art Thou? All the Good Times won Best Folk Album.
Mon Rovîa, born Janjay Lowe in Monrovia, Liberia, is an Afro-Appalachian singer-songwriter. His folk, indie-folk, and Americana sound explores themes of identity, trauma, and healing. Known for songs like "Heavy Foot" and "crooked the road.", he released the album "Bloodline". He gained recognition as a Spotify "Juniper Artist to Watch" and for his significant TikTok following.
Originated in Chicago by Eric D. Johnson, indie folk-rock act Fruit Bats debuted with Echolocation in 2001. Known for Johnson's warm vocals and melodic sensibility, the project released numerous albums through labels like Sub Pop and Merge, including Tripper and Gold Past Life.
Kentucky-born singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman blends indie rock with rural influences, debuting with 2020's Old Time Feeling and releasing the acclaimed Teeth Marks in 2022. She won the Best Emerging Artist Award at the 2023 Americana Awards and earned praise from NPR and Rolling Stone.
Greenville, South Carolina native Marcus King found success with the Marcus King Band before making his solo debut with the Grammy-nominated El Dorado in 2020. He followed it with Young Blood and MoodSwings, while also hosting his annual Family Reunion music festival.
The Altons are a soulful blues and cumbia band from Los Angeles. Known for their genre-bending sound and dreamy harmonies, they have performed at festivals like Summer Fest and Corona Capital. Their notable releases include the Penrose Records single Float and the track Ever changing the tune.
Ryan Davis, a comedian from North Carolina, is celebrated for his razor-sharp wit, storytelling, and pop culture commentary. He gained prominence through viral online videos and stand-up tours. Davis has appeared on HBO's All Def Comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Insecure. His stand-up special, "Under-Rated," was released in 2025. He is known for his relatable humor and engaging stage presence.
Fronted by Joey Quiñones, East Los Angeles R&B and soul band Thee Sinseers formed in 2019. Known for their modern interpretation of classic sounds, they released the album Love Stories on Colemine Records, featuring warm sixties-adjacent instrumentation and standup bass.
Mavis Staples is an enduring figure in American music and the lone surviving member of the Staple Singers. A Kennedy Center Honoree and multi-GRAMMY winner, she has collaborated with legends like Bob Dylan and Prince, spanning a historic career of over seventy years.
Toronto garage punk band Wine Lips blends psychedelic chaos and scorched guitars. Over a decade, the independent group has surpassed 45 million streams, earned international acclaim, and toured globally. Their fifth album is TV Dinner.
Ken Pomeroy is a singer-songwriter known for her intimate style and universal themes. She made her Rounder Records debut with the 2025 album Cruel Joke, which earned praise from NPR's Ann Powers as the work of a generational talent.
Led by founder and lyricist Karly Hartzman, Wednesday is a rock band featuring Xandy Chelmis, Alan Miller, Ethan Baechtold, and Jake Lenderman. Known for albums like Rat Saw God and Bleeds, recorded with producer Alex Farrar in Asheville, the band blends country storytelling, indie-pop hooks, and noisy sludge.
BERTHA: Grateful Drag, born in Tennessee, is the world's first all-drag Grateful Dead tribute band. This East Nashville collective blends high-octane 70s/80s Dead sound with powerhouse female vocals, creating electrifying shows. Known for their queer joy and community focus, they raise funds for LGBTQ+ causes. They've earned praise from Rolling Stone and Grateful Dead figures.
Welsh multi-instrumentalist Gwenifer Raymond plays American Primitive guitar and banjo. Originally from Cardiff and based in Brighton, she released her debut album You Never Were Much of a Dancer in 2018 on the Tompkins Square label following her single Sometimes There’s Blood.
Cat Clyde is a rural Ontario-based singer and songwriter. Her unique sound blends driven, soulful blues with sweet, folk-tinged, dulcet tones. Drawing inspiration from classic artists like Patsy Cline, Lead Belly, Karen Dalton, and Bobbie Gentry, she applies a modern approach to create a familiar yet distinctive musical style.
Folk Bitch Trio is a folk trio of former high school friends Heide Peverelle, Jeanie Pilkington and Gracie Sinclair. Their debut album Now Would Be A Good Time mixes vivid, visceral storytelling with dark humor and irony.
Los Mirlos, formed in Lima in 1973 and originating in Moyobamba, spread the music and culture of the Peruvian Amazon. Pioneers of Amazonian cumbia, they’re known worldwide for their tropical, psychedelic “sound of the jungle.”
Lou Hazel grew up along the Allegheny River where New York meets Pennsylvania. Blending folk and indie, he writes spare, vivid songs shaped by hardship and forgotten towns. After years of solo touring and home recording, he settled in Durham, NC; latest record: Riot of the Red.
Austin, Texas-based trio The Animeros, formed in 2024, craft a genre-blending sound of cumbia, salsa, bolero, and West Texas rhythms. Known for captivating live shows, they guide listeners into immersive experiences. Discovered by Grammy-winning producer Dan Auerbach, they released singles like "Gózalo" and "Terlingua" on Easy Eye Sound. They made their Austin City Limits debut.
Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, led by Louisville, Kentucky-born Ryan Davis, crafts Americana-noir and alt-country. Known for vivid, poetic lyrics and experimental rock, they released acclaimed albums like "Dancing on the Edge" (2023) and "New Threats from the Soul" (2025). Davis, also founder of Sophomore Lounge, collaborates with artists including Will Oldham and Catherine Irwin. The band's unique sound has garnered significant praise.
Geese is a Brooklyn-based American rock band formed in 2016, known for their indie, art, and post-punk sound. Composed of Cameron Winter, Emily Green, Dominic DiGesu, and Max Bassin, they gained acclaim for albums like "3D Country" and their latest, "Getting Killed" (2025). The band is recognized for their dynamic live performances and unique musical style, and is currently touring.
Elizabeth Moen is a guitarist and singer-songwriter based in Chicago, IL, originally from small-town Iowa. She self-released an album praised by The Washington Post, with critics highlighting her big, soulful voice and distinct phrasing.
Formed in Nashville by JJ’s Market & Cafe coworkers, Styrofoam Winos blend Dylan/Smith/Cohen + country-bin wit; toured w/ Ryan Davis, MJ Lenderman; recorded w/ Jim Marlowe.
Known as the Queen Diva, New Orleans native Big Freedia brought bounce music to the national mainstream. She released albums like Just Be Free and Central City, starred in reality TV, and contributed vocals to hits by Beyoncé and Drake.
Saintseneca, formed in Columbus, Ohio by Zac Little, blends indie folk and folk rock. Known for diverse instrumentation, their sound incorporates traditional acoustic elements alongside synthesizers and electric guitars. Notable albums include "Dark Arc," "Pillar of Na," and "Highwalllow & Supermoon Songs," praised for expansive harmonies and introspective lyrics. They have garnered critical acclaim and an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.
The Mystery Lights, formed in Salinas, CA, blend garage punk with influences from The MC5 and Velvet Underground. Known for raw energy, they've signed to Daptone Records and earned critical acclaim.
Setting, an instrumental trio from Durham, North Carolina, features Nathan Bowles, Jaime Fennelly, and Joe Westerlund. They craft joyous, experimental electro-acoustic music, blending rustic folk with hypnotic cosmic rock through group improvisations. Notable albums include "Shone a Rainbow Light On" and their self-titled release.
