Most people don’t immediately think of Louisville when asked to name a city known for producing revered music artists. If you were to name a famous musician from the city, chances are just one would come to mind — Jack Harlow, the 27-year-old rapper who skyrocketed to fame just a few years after graduating from Atherton High School.
However, if you dig a little deeper into our city’s underground, you can find a wealth of artists and creatives with just as dedicated, albeit smaller, fanbases. These bands, singers, and musicians are pioneers within Louisville’s music scene, catering to local audiences with preferences ranging from house, to punk, to indie, to the undefinable. Although they may not have national recognition yet, I would encourage you to give them a listen and see if you enjoy. By connecting with local artists, you can gain a new understanding of your community, its members, and its culture.
“Bones” by Pink Crayons
Pink Crayons released their debut album, “Flip It”, this past July, to an immediately enthusiastic audience. The self-described indie pop group blends the playful charm of beloved bedroom pop artists like Beabadobee and Dayglow with gritter undertones, reminiscent of bands like flipturn and The Strokes. Their sound is tied together by aching vocals and confessional lyrics that feel unmistakably honest, making the listening experience all the more emotionally intense.
“Peachy Baby” by myclownshoes
Originally from Floyd’s Knob, Indiana, myclownshoes has become a staple of Louisville’s indie scene. Similar to Pink Crayons, the singer has a distinctly bedroom-pop, DIY aesthetic, however, incorporates a noticeably grungier, more pessimistic sound. “Peachy Baby”, his latest single, is especially moody. It opens with slow, heavy guitar riffs, matched by similarly paced drums, with the singer exploding into a wail once reaching the chorus. The lyrics and delivery are comparable to artists like Alex G, however the instrumentation is more similar to iconic rock bands like Destroy Boys and Bikini Kill.
“Paper Flowers” by Maggie Halfman
I first heard of Maggie Halfman after catching a few minutes of her performance at a WFPK Waterfront Wednesday concert, one of my favorite ways to find new artists. She fits neatly into the classic indie-folk archetype, with a sweet, crooning voice usually backed by more minimalistic instrumentals. She compares herself to artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Adrianne Lenker, which definitely align with her singing style, although her deeper vocals remind me more of folk singers like Joan Baez. “Paper Flowers” is from her 2024 album “Wasteland,” and stands as a striking example of Halfman’s emotional vulnerability and sensitivity.
“Skinless” by The SharpStars
It’s impossible to talk about Louisville’s music scene without talking about punk and metal bands. The SharpStars is a newer group on the scene, but they’ve already made a huge impression. An all-female band consisting of three Louisville high school students, they label themselves as “riot-grrrl metal” and aim to “bring more awareness to the ongoing inequality and unfair treatment of women in the music industry.” Their presence at local shows is an important one, fighting the narrative that metal music is made by and for a male audience. “Skinless” is one of my favorite songs from their discography, incorporating intense guitar riffs and heavy drum slams that are complimented by the lead singer’s commanding vocals.
“67617264656E” by 0 Sanctum
In a much different genre is 0 Sanctum, a new electronica/dance artist. Debuting in July with “Work it Out,” his beats are catchy, upbeat, and give the listener the feeling that they are floating through cyberspace. “67617264656E” specifically makes really inventive usage of samples and sound effects, and I feel is just one of those songs that you can close your eyes and get lost in.
