V.V. Lightbody

V.V. Lightbody is a Chicago indie project who pen deeply meaningful tracks about love and loss put to emotional rock sounds.

Indie Rock, Staff PicksAudiotreeNovember 4, 2020v.v. lightbody, vv lightbody, Chicago

femdot.

femdot. is an explosive hip hop artist based in Chicago. He pens lyrical tunes with a playful but serious approach to social, interpersonal, and cultural examination.

Hip-Hop/Rap, Staff PicksAudiotreeOctober 1, 2020chicago, femdot, femdot.

Kneebody

Kneebody is a virtuosic quartet who craft wild rock tunes with improvised jazz sections, mind-blowing compositions and haunting textures.

Staff Picks, JazzAudiotreeJanuary 23, 2020kneebody live, portland, oregon

Tasha

R&B/Soul, Staff PicksAudiotreeJanuary 9, 2020Tasha live, chicago, illinois

GREAT TIME

GREAT TIME is an experimental indie pop group who write electronic-infused alternative tunes with elastic vocals, glitchy soundscapes and thumping rhythms.

Indie Pop, Staff PicksAudiotreeNovember 18, 2019GREAT TIME live, philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Aiming for Enrike

Aiming for Enrike is an innovative instrumental duo who began their foray into mathematical, spastic, loop-centered rock in early 2012. Over the years they've transformed into an adventurous, dance-centered crew whose affected, interconnected sound contains elements of jazz, noise, post punk and funk.

Instrumental, Staff PicksAudiotreeOctober 14, 2019oslo, norway, aiming for enrike live

Native Sun

Native Sun is an aggressive, cataclysmic garage rock quintet who write rambunctious, noisy songs "Born from Love and Hate". Being a band of immigrants give their savage political rhetoric experiential teeth; a genuine perspective from which to challenge generational racism, systemic oppression, and daily shitstorms that come their way.

Staff Picks, GarageAudiotreeOctober 11, 2019new york, Native Sun live

Wander

Wander is an explosive instrumental math rock band influenced by greats across the expansive post-rock canon. Their eclectic musical taste helps them craft serendipitous, euphoric songs that take listeners on a tumultuous, but cathartic emotional journey.

Instrumental, Staff PicksAudiotreeOctober 7, 2019wander live, california, san leandro

Phum Viphurit

Phum Viphurit is an indie pop/bedroom funk songwriter whose vulnerable, romantic demeanor is foundational to his cozy, laid-back sound. He's huge overseas but recently broke through the international alternative scene to premiere his uplifting tunes stateside.

Indie Pop, Staff PicksAudiotreeSeptember 23, 2019Bangkok, thailand, Phum Viphurit live

KAINA

KAINA is a sultry indie pop songwriter who pens vibrant, experimental tunes with soulful vocals and delicate instrumentation. Born and raised in Chicago, Kaina Castillo has been soaking up every jazzy, sexy, bop-y city sound to influence and inspire her own eclectic project.

R&B/Soul, Staff PicksAudiotreeSeptember 10, 2019Chicago, illinois, Kaina live

CJ Run

CJ Run is a Chicago based Alt R&B/Hip Hop singer-songwriter project fronted by Afro-European poet Chanel-joy Seymour. Seymour's brand of jazzy hip hop features their nonchalant, serene rhymes alongside plucky, clean guitar work and funky grooves.

Hip-Hop/Rap, Staff PicksAudiotreeJuly 15, 2019chicago, illinois, cj run live

Soft Kill

Soft Kill is an alternative quartet who write triumphant, post punk influenced dark wave. Their 2018 release "Savior" is a deep dive into singer/lyricist Tobias Grave's psyche. It details Grave's battle with addiction, a life in and out of jail and the redemptive power of fatherhood.

Darkwave, Staff PicksAudiotreeJune 4, 2019soft kill live, full set, portland, oregon

Laura Stevenson

Laura Stevenson is an indie folk songwriter who has been a staple in the DIY circuit for over a decade. She's a powerful performer capable of bringing a whole room to tears with her thoughtful, classic storytelling.

Singer/Songwriter, Staff PicksAudiotreeMay 30, 2019laura stevenson live, hudson valley, new york

Elephant Gym

Elephant Gym is an instrumental math/post rock trio with heavy jazz and classical influences. They write technical, agile tunes with irregular rhythms and off kilter song constructions.

Math Rock, Staff PicksAudiotreeMarch 18, 2019Taiwan