There are thousands of independent artists across the nation, but listing only a few that we consider magnificent to listen to is the purpose of this article.
The wonderful world of independent music is a beautiful place. It’s a place where you can find new music, listen to old favourites, and discover great new artists. It’s also a place where Americana and Alt Folk music is thriving. There are so many reasons to love this style of music: it’s raw, it’s real, and it’s deeply connected to the places where it was written or performed.
It’s also about storytelling: these songs are full of characters and situations that draw you in and make you feel like you’re right there with them in their moment of glory or despair.
And if you’re looking for something more personal? Well then look no further than alt-folk music! These artists use their songwriting skills not just as a means of communicating with others but also as therapy for themselves—and boy do they need it!
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about their work by scrolling down the page.
1) JOSHUA KETCHMARK – Ashes
If you’re looking for some new music to enjoy, check out this song by Joshua Ketchmark.
In addition to being a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Joshua Ketchmark also has a sound that is rooted deeply in Americana, and he draws inspiration from the hardships and trials that he faced while growing up in the midwest for his latest single, “Ashes.”.
He uses the song order to describe an experience that he had when he went through a difficult situation and emerged from it with a newfound sense of clarity and truth.
The sound of Ketchmark blends raw, emotive vocals and a catchy melody into a sound that combines both uplifting and cathartic, drawing from both the best of heartland rock and country music to create a sound that is both inspiring and cathartic.
Ketchmark’s songwriting abilities and his commitment to creating honest, heartfelt music are exemplified by “Ashes”. As a musician, he is able to connect with listeners on a personal level and create music that speaks to the human experience. His story is one of perseverance and redemption, and it is a story about coming through difficult times with a sense of redemption.
If you want to check out some more samples from Joshua Ketchmark then go ahead and visit his Spotify, and check out his website too.
2) GARY PRATT – Til Your Boots Are Dirty
In addition to his successes on the national and international music charts, Pittsburgh’s Gary Pratt has also been recognized as a prominent talent in the field of country music.
It is his unique musical approach that has been combined with the classic country sound in order to create toe-tapping, boot-scooting, memorable and catchy songs that are sure to take you by surprise.
As a testament to his craft, his last song, “Sounds Like Whiskey to Me”, reached number 1 on the National Radio Hits airplay charts, as well as reaching number 10 on the UK iTunes charts.
Pratt says, ‘It reminds me of where I came from…The farms, the dirt biking, the mudding, and catching crawfish in the creek at my great Grandpap’s farm. We also had a few chickens, horses and cows in a barn my Dad built, by our house. Believe me, there’s no way of getting around the dirt and mud when you raise animals like that.”
If you’re interested in checking out more of Gary’s music, visit his website, or follow him on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
3) JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE – Little Maggie
JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE have a new single out, and it’s sure to be a banger. This song is one of the true gems of traditional American folk music and is a true gem of the Appalachian tradition dating back to the 19th century.
Featuring an unforgettable melody along with raw emotion, “Little Maggie” is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your listeners, leaving them with a lasting impression that will last for years to come.
A track with this level of clarity and crispness is not overproduced or polished to the point where it becomes dull. Having instrumental breakdowns to break up the songs at the appropriate time adds a great deal of variety to the songs without feeling forced or extraneous.
If you love acoustic music with a twist of country and folk, then you should definitely check out JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE’s music. Their sound is very unique and they have a fantastic voice!
If you’re interested in checking out more of James’s music, visit his website, or follow him on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
4) GREGORY RHODES – The Dearly Departed And The Recently Returned
Gregory Rhodes‘ debut solo album, The Dearly Departed and the Recently Returned, was released to the public on March 3, 2023.
Throughout the nine songs on the LP, Rhodes authored every song, played every instrument, and sang every line, a culmination of decades of songwriting, performing, and recording in Alaska and the Southwest.
As there is an underlying acoustic feel to every song throughout the album, and the songs are strikingly reminiscent of 1970s rock, there is a distinct sense of uniqueness that’s immediately obvious despite the abundance of distorted electric guitars.
Despite the fact that his narrative songwriting style is deeply personal, it is clarified through the lens of larger themes of human existence in a way that is highly relatable.
His writing style is not only “confessional, but” it is also engaged in achieving that catharsis through archetypes, metaphors, and abstractions in order to achieve this catharsis. In nine songs, he explores the themes of death, love, youth, religion, and birth throughout the course of the album.
If you want more from this artist, I would recommend you check out his Spotify, and also his website.
5) KURT GOTT – Christine
Kurt Gott is an Americana singer-songwriter from Coral Springs, Florida, that recently released his single “Christine” which is a song that’s sure to bring out the nostalgic side in anyone who listens. It has a classic sound with acoustic rock and soft rock elements that makes it easy to listen to for long periods of time.
The song was written by Kurt Gott and Cary Scope as a tribute to one of Fleetwood Mac’s most cherished members, Christine McVie, the singer-songwriter and keyboard player.
”This is our way of celebrating the life and legacy of Christine, who touched so many people’s lives with her music. She had the voice of an angel and has always been one of my favourite female vocalists.”
Kurt and Cary currently perform locally as an acoustic duo in South Florida, and they hope to start writing more songs together under the banner of their duo name, “Kurt & Cary”, in the future.
If you’re interested in checking out more of KURT GOTT’s music, visit his website or follow him on Spotify. I’ve included links so that can get started right away!
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