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5 Indie Bands Worth Your Time

Aren't you sick of the same six songs on the radio?

By Allison K. JonesPublished 7 years ago 4 min read
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Mainstream music has gotten pretty crappy since the early 2000’s. It’s inanely repetitive, and the only thing saving the lyrics is the beat backing them. That isn’t to demean every genre and song in existence, there are some really amazing bands still rocking music that has a deeper meaning with words that you can relate to.

Mostly, I enjoy the melancholy beats and guitar strums of the indie, but through and through I am a punk-rock kid of the 90’s. Everybody has their own taste of course, but if you’re like me – sick to death of the same twelve songs played on the radio – then these 5 bands and singers are worth checking out. Few people I know have ever heard of these bands, and I consider them to be some of my favourites. (They’re not in any particular order.)

1. Front Porch Step

Front Porch Step is the solo acoustic project of Jake McElfresh of Neward, Ohio. This year he has had two singles “Burned” and “Stones” and a studio album was released titled “I Never Loved Before I Found You.”

Mostly the songs are about falling in love, and the struggles of life, but they are presented in a way that truly sounds like you are sitting on your front porch with your best friend and an acoustic guitar. Occasionally there is a casual Christian reference in the lyrics. He is the epitome of the all-American boy next door.

My first recommendations for Front Porch Step would be “I Never Loved Before I Found You” and “A Lovely Mess.”

2. Daughter

Daughter is an indie-folk band from England. Just released at the beginning of September was their newest album “Music from Before the Storm” which was for the game Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Their only single this year has been “Burn It Down.” This album was Elena and Igor’s first attempt at penning songs for a video game.

Daughter is known for their mostly instrumental music and having the melancholy tone I love ever so much. Their music has been featured in many soundtracks, so it’s likely you’ve heard it. For example, their single “Youth” has been used in a Tour de France ad, an episode of Lovesick, an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, and in the 2014 film A Long Way Down. And that’s just the beginning, they’ve also had music in Teen Wolf, Person of Interest, The Vampire Diaries, and the British film How I Live Now.

First listening recommendations are “Youth” and “Numbers.”

3. The Antlers

The Antlers is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The latest album they’ve released was in 2014 entitled “Familiars.” Later in 2015, they announced a hiatus. Their music is very relaxing, and I study to it often.

Much like Daughter, they have music in all kinds of film and television pieces. Most used is their hit “Kettering” which has been in Sense8, The 100, Chuck, Fear the Walking Dead, and the 2014 Sundance Film Festival indie film Camp X-Ray. They’ve also had music in The Age of Adaline and the USA Network show, Suits.

First listen would be “Epilogue” and “Drift Dive.”

4. Bon Iver

Bon Iver is an American indie folk band named after the French phrase bon hiver meaning good winter. Their latest album, “22, A Million” came out in 2016 and is about the uncertainties in life. They’ve won two Grammy Awards. They’re presently on a hiatus.

Recommendations; “Holocene” and “Blood Bank.”

5. The Chain Gang of 1974

Classified as indietronica, The Chain Gang of 1974 is the project of American musician and DJ, Kamtin Mohager. Released in June was the newest album “Felt” with the single “I Still Wonder.”

Worldwide he was recognised in 2013 when his song “Sleepwalking” was featured in Grand Theft Auto V. It played in the official trailer, in the game on the radio, and is the ending credits for one of the three official endings. Other notable media includes Scream 4, FIFA 12, FIFA Street, MLB 12: The Show, FIFA 14, and Real World: Ex-Plosion.

Highly recommend “Sleepwalking” (although it’s probably cliché now), “Wallflowers” and “I Still Wonder.” Because no, I couldn’t settle on two.

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About the Creator

Allison K. Jones

I've always loved reading and writing. My literary hero is Stephen King and he's a big part of why I do what I do. Film and TV is mostly where you find me, but I also enjoy a good political smack-down every now and then.

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