Known Unknowns #1 - July 2024

Congratulations! You're all the proud new parents of a playlist filled with the best bands that nobody else has heard of (yet).

A few weeks ago, I made a request: tell me about new bands you love that nobody else seems to know about. The hidden gems. The local favorites. The unsigned heroes of a very specific scene. As long as they’ve put something out in the last handful of years and have fewer than 5,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, I said they’re fair game.

Well, you really turned it out. And I made you a playlist.

I’m calling it Known Unknowns, Vol. 1, and yes — I’m very optimistically throwing that volume number on there because I truly hope we can keep making these together.

This first edition features 90 minutes of songs from a mix of the artists you recommended in our first discussion thread, submissions I’ve received in my inbox, and my own discoveries.

From a genre and flow perspective, the playlist started out absolutely unhinged. I had to made some tricky editorial decisions, but I think you’ll find the result relatively straightforward. You’ll hear some of the catchiest power pop and riotous egg punk that you guys sent my way — with a few curveballs thrown in for good measure. Future installments will go to places a bit darker, synthier, and wherever else you want to take me¹.

Before I unleash the beast, let’s take a stroll through some of my favorite selections.

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1. The BV’s

For (former?) fans of: Sarah Records, manic pixie dream girls, romanticizing winter
Sounds kinda like: The Field Mice

2. Local Weatherman

For (former?) fans of: early 2000s power pop mainstays, swaying from side to side at outdoor concerts, college
Sounds kinda like: All the Bens, but especially Ben Kweller

3. Sister Swire

For (former?) fans of: Performance art, folk, letting the intrusive thoughts win
Sounds kinda like: Fiona Apple’s Fetch the Boltcutters. (Yes, I know that’s new music — sorry!)

4. Cherry Cheeks

For (former?) fans of: Adderall, panic attacks, the best mosh pit at the basement show
Sounds kinda like: Devo on 2x speed

5. The Jellybricks

For (former?) fans of: Boomers, the music that plays on every single radio station when you go back to your hometown
Sounds kinda like: The (actually quite sensible) combination of heartland rock and power pop

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Okay, you’ve indulged me long enough. Here’s the entire playlist… please enjoy, and if I didn’t include your suggestion, don’t worry! You’ll have endless opportunities to plug your favorites.

1. Hip hop, please, I beg you.