Artists you love, and are surprised are not more popular than they are?

Buckethead.

Buckethead is an immensely talented guitarist with a signature style that blends elements of progressive rock, metal, funk, and avant-garde. His discography is nothing short of prolific, with an estimated 300 studio albums, collaborations, and solo releases.

His music often flies under the radar and remains relatively underrated in mainstream circles. This might be because of his unconventional persona (wears a white mask and a KFC chicken bucket on his head) and his limited engagement with traditional promotional channels. However, his loyal fan base, consisting mostly of fellow musicians and guitar enthusiasts, recognize him as a true musical genius.

I'm a big fan of "Mount Shasta." It really showcases his ability to create mesmerizing and atmospheric guitar melodies.

City Girl is an incredibly talented independent artist who makes some of the best music I've ever heard to just listen and vibe to, have in the background and enjoy.

A year or two ago, she made a bandcamp campaign to get her first album printed in vinyl, with the goal being something like $3,500 in funding. You're goddamn right that it blew well past that goal - literally over 1000% of it, reaching roughly $36k - and now, that vinyl individually is selling for hundreds of dollars. Not that money is the only thing that matters, but an independent artist garnering that kind of attention and funding in a totally organic, grassroots manner is rather rare, per my understanding. My vinyl of Time Falls like Moonlight is sitting in a drawer right next to me, and I hope that it's joined soon by the Chroma Velocity vinyl; she put out a Twitter poll asking which one to do next and that was the overwhelming majority vote, so hopefully it'll be quick. I may even buy two, one to have and one to hold on to for a little bit and resell, because if I had kept my current one in the original packaging I likely would have been able to make several hundred dollars on it by now.

I like a lot of obscure music, and I know it's obscure and am fine with that, but hey, might as well share one.

Tom Brosseau
Homepage
Wikipedia
Bandcamp
Spotify

I've listened to his studio discography of 11 albums, but five stand out to me: What I Mean to Say Is Goodbye, Grand Forks, Grass Punks, Perfect Abandon, and North Dakota Impressions.

What I Mean to Say Is Goodbye: Brosseau's voice enchants me. It's so sincere, clear, and beautiful, but something about it is a little bit... dorky. Not sure. The way he sings his Ss? The music of this album is quite stripped down yet deceptively simple. Acoustic guitar, sparse harmonica, plucked piano, quiet storytelling, and music-painting of rustic, romantic scenes. And those colors? Baby-blue and wheat-gold. His rendition of "In My Time of Dyin'" is so unlike anything I'd expected it to be, and it's wonderful. The close harmony with the female vocalist is just perfect.

Grand Forks: Then he returns to breezy cowboy folk from up North Dakota way. Brosseau's boyish, carefree voice is enough to put a smile on my face every damn time I hear it. So charming! Never have I heard a voice sing so sweetly about the devastation a flood brings to a community.

Grass Punks: All the rustic, cozy narrative beauty that comes to fruition on Perfect Abandon is in its staging ground here. And that staging ground? Yep, you guessed it: the Los Angeles city bus system. Songs of observation. Confessional, charming acoustic-driven tunes of longing, home, and memory.

Perfect Abandon: The charm and friendliness continues, with Brosseau communicating through simple folk songs and telling some interesting stories of his life. I can understand why his albums aren't more well known, though. He isn't going to have a widespread appeal because his strength as an artist is in his subtlety, his breathy vibrato, and his simple style. He also sings one of the most profound things I ever heard, and it wasn't until after I had listened to this album many times that I finally heard him sing: "Love can do no wrong; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law." On a rainy everyday bus ride to work, I sat stunned.

North Dakota Impressions: More charming, stripped-down Brosseau. More introspection couched in plainspoken, rustic poetry. More walks down memory lane. More heartbreak, but also more hope.

I hope this humble introduction to one of my favorite unknown (despite his Tiny Desk and other appearances) artists reaches some of you. Happy listening!

1. Matt Nathanson is much more of a few hit wonder than a household name, but he has decades of great albums and you know him from the American Pie movies cover of Laid. I think come on get higher also charted pretty well but other than that I’m surprised he’s not more well known.

2. John Mayer, while many people have heard of him, considering he has decades of hits at this point he never really became a household name here in the UK even at his peak. You know the odd song is played in stores etc but I never run into another mega fan day to day.

3. Fickle Friends, now for a much much smaller take. The band Fickle Friends is pure pop magic, this tiny band from the south west have 2 albums to their name which are both great and they deserve more listeners.

4. The Aces, an all female queer band from Utah, these ladies have such a great energy and songwriting that really resonates with my sensibilities from the likes of Paramore, Halsey, Haim. They also have really nice taste in guitar based lines and even the odd solo. I would love for them to get massive in the US and Europe.

5. Tom Misch, a neo soul singer and guitarist from the UK. Possibly the best hidden gem on the list, his album Geography is beautiful.

Last one!

6. The Blues Rock band Vintage Trouble have been around for years now and never really took off, they should be up there with the likes of Gary Clark Jr.

I used to feel this way about Ren. I have been posting his music here for years, sharing his stuff with friends/family, and just generally trying to get the word out about him and how talented he is. But only @Amarok seemed to dig his stuff as much I did too.

Ren has absolutely exploded in popularity recently thanks to Hi Ren going viral (in large part thanks to the YouTube reaction videos on the song) though, so I can't really say that he's underappreciated/underrated anymore since he is finally getting the recognition he deserves now! :)

Tamino
https://youtu.be/lhkaTegZcQ0
https://youtu.be/kYB3FleY2cQ
https://youtu.be/zznlf3ZKQi0

This music is for you if:

• you're in the mood for something darkly beautiful
• you're curious what a modern-day Orpheus might sound like
• you're a sailor willing to crash your ship just to listen to a (male) siren's song

Modest Mouse, specifically in the UK. They're my favourite band, and whenever I mention them to anyone, I get a "Who?!?" back.

I have been listening to Shpongle forever (20 years?). I would describe it as ambient psychedelic. Definitely not for everyone, but its one of those artists I keep coming back to.

One of my favorite unknown artists would have to be Kenzie TTH, just an absolute vibe. Her sound is somewhat gloomy alt-pop/hiphop but she doesn't take herself too seriously, while still managing to pack some universal truths into her songs that sound wise beyond her years.

That would be Cory Mcabee.

I first encountered him when I saw the movie THE KETCHUP AND MUSTARD MAN which is, I guess, a half a hour music and avant-garde storytelling performance? It's hard to put into words. Anyhows, the song Fickey gives a hint of its style.

Here's a few of his songs:

Riding Horses - one of my faves. I really like the whispering opening, the lyrics are loaded with meaning and that weird instrument of his is just fun.

James Gang

He's Flying - one of his quieter ones.

The free Episode 1 of STINGRAY SAM shows how his music fits into his cinematic vision. It features the MARS song in the opening. (every episode has a song each) He also made another black'n white space western, a feature film called THE AMERICAN ASTRONAUT. Here's its dance contest scene

Cosmo Sheldrake is one of my favorite artist. I don't think you can accurately fully describe his style. But whatever it is I eat it up. I can't get anyone to listen to him on their own. But if I play it for them they always dig it. And he may be more popular now. But when I was introduced to him he wasn't known at all.

My votes are:
Ben Rector (best live show I’ve ever seen)
Tedeschi Trucks Band

The Dismemberment Plan
Midlake
PREP
Post Animal
The Smoking Popes
Maritime
Badbadnotgood
The Bird and the Bee
Thomas Barrandon
Talk in Tongues
RX Bandits
Starcadian
Opiuo

I'll stop there. I don't really listen to anything on the radio or TV, so I feel like my entire existence is underrated bands. It's so much more satisfying digging for good music that should be heard, rather than being exposed to music that's already being heard.

I have listened to so many bands over the years. Many of them are great but there are only two that I would say that I love - Nirvana and a little known Czech band Psí Vojáci. These bands share some characteristics: technically not the best players in the world, but raw emotions, authenticity, and somehow cathartic sadness. Psí Vojáci is the only rock band that I know of that has a lead piano instead of a lead guitar - I would not have expected to like the combination of a piano and rock drums as much as I do.

Chce se mi spát
Sbohem A Řetěz
Marilyn Monroe
Psycho killer - if you do not understand Czech, you will not be able to appreciate the dark humor in the lyrics of this one: a guy is talking with his mum, she is worried about him because someone is killing young kids in the town, he does not know how to tell her she does need to worry - he is the one killing them.

Narco.

They've only had one album released to date as far as I know, Control of the Stereo.

Heard their music featured on the Driv3r video game and loved it. I haven't heard anything similar to it since (not that I have been searching hard for it.)

Seems like they've since disappeared off the planet.

Bear Ghost.

They make fantastic rock music and I have no clue how they are not more famous. Here's their latest release

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-vpodj0Tqk

BnE (Bliss and Eso) I know they're pretty well known in Australia but here in the USA, I've never really found anyone that knows who they are. They're probably one of my favorite rap/hip hop artist.

BnE - Home is where the heart is

BnE - Moments

Thanks for bringing this up! I’m enjoying checking out new music listed here. My suggestions are:

Paolo Nutini - Scottish artist with a great set of pipes. Like a Motown signer reincarnate, he sings every word from every song with an incredible amount of emotion. I saw him live this year and it was unbelievable.

California Honeydrops - One of my favourite bands ever. Music to get you up and dancing! They started out as New Orleans jazz and RnB, have matured to a modern bluesy vibe.

St. Paul and the Broken Bones - I just discovered this band. The band is really tight and the singer is really unassuming, belting out some crazy good vocals.

The Reflecting Skin

Imagine if portishead mixed different genres into their music, I don't really know where to begin describing their sound. They are criminally unheard of in my opinion, and I only discovered them through a fluke. They are easily one of the best bands to listen to for a long night drive. I wish I had more to say, but it's a band where the music speaks for itself in a way words can't.

Scarlet

A band I've seen called a spiritual successor to Botch, though many might parse their sound as a heavier Poison The Well. They existed in a sort of limbo between math rock, metalcore, and noise rock; this is definitely not a band for everybody. The vocalist, Jon Spencer, easily has my favorite scream timbre I've ever heard while the guitarist, Randy Vanderbilt, has a direct line to my heart and soul which comes through in every project they've been apart of (they were both in Spitfire at one time or another as well). Their second LP didn't feature Jon Spencer and the vocals definitely suffer for it, but it's still musically top notch.

Jesse Ruins

A band out of Japan 10 years ago. Hard hitting beats mixed with ambient sound scapes. Sort of like trance/techno mixed with shoegaze. It's an incredibly hypnotic sound. This is another great band to listen to cruising around at night.

Moodie Black

Moodie Black coined the term noise rap before Death Grips came on the scene, but they never saw a fraction of the success. Mixing personal stories of their struggles growing up and accepting their existence as a trans woman, this is a sound that can fill every nook and cranny inside your head with angst and sounds that seems to scream out in pain.

Gonna recommend a few regional artists I’ve found that are on par with some of the bigger artists in the country/alt country/folk/singer-songwriter world these days. Full disclosure, my husband is in the industry so I’m hella biased. Also biased because I’m an old punk and like punk influences in my country music.

Jon Charles Dwyer I’d recommend for fans of Willi Carlisle, Joe Pug, or generally the new sad-vibe slower folk music coming out. Lyrics are A+++, 10/10, would purchase from seller again.

Max Lane is hella obscure, new to the scene, but has a voice like a damn deep angel. If you’re into John Moreland, go have a listen. It’s not on Spotify, but if you find his cover of Ray LaMontagne’s Trouble or hear it live, brace yourself.

Severed Fingers is great time live, and, like Jon Charles Dwyer, has punk roots. That bleeds into their vibe more than Dwyer, but folk punk ain’t the right descriptor here. Tough to associate with a specific sound, but likely The Hill Country Devil fans would have a good time.

Austin Lucas is less obscure than the last two, but same vibe. Most popular track is Alone in Memphis if you want to croon and wallow, but their covers of Against Me! switch it up into country punks doing country punk things. They’ve toured with Moreland and Pug, fans of Tim Barry are likely down for a listen.

With the current pop-punk resurgence/zeitgeist ranging from people like Olivia Rodrigo and SZA dabbling in the sound, to straight up revivalists like Meet Me At the Altar, and pop punk icons like Blink 182 doing reunion tours, I'm kinda surprised that Pool Kids isn't bigger.

They've featured in Vanity Fair, shout outs in indie publications like Stereogum Band to Watch, and even were co-signed by the pop-punk queen Hayley Williams.

LORD, and specifically their album Set In Stone is one I feel should have been far more popular. Australian rock band that's been around for ages, the members themselves even longer in various other local bands. I guess metal is never really mainstream popular anyway.

End Of Days is an absolute epic track which I can't get enough of, 10+ years after buying it at release. Forever is a dark little video clip (as is the song!) that's incredibly well made (in my opinion). Because We Can is a great track if you like guitars fanging all over the shop, and the video clip is hilarious. Oooh, ice cream! And 100 Reasons is another banger that never gets old, and is reflective as all heck. Great afternoon wind down tune that one.

Just listen to the whole album, IMO. If you like metal I feel like you'll dig it.

They've also done some neat covers, like On A Night Like This (Kylie Minogue), and To The Moon And Back (Savage Garden). They have a few live tracks up as well, like a cover of Metallica's Creeping Death... in fact there's even whole shows up there if you've got an hour or so spare.

A couple of random YouTube finds I feel deserve more recognition:

Juzzie Smith is a one man band which is never going to go mainstream, but there's no way you can listen to something like Jamming without grooving along to it. And Superheros is so wholesome and happy. Then he pulls out a bit of looping with Beautiful Feeling and its chill as all heck. Rise And Shine is something I'd love to have on a trip to the coast if I ever get around to having a holiday heh... Actually I could just listen for him toot away on his harmonica all day tbh.

Speaking of looping, TribalNeed is a master at layering noises until it builds to something amazing. His live stuff is probably the most impressive... the little mistakes he makes along the way but then recovers from is my favourite bits. Throws in a sample, then chucks it away because it wasn't what he wanted. Keep an eye out for Techno Gandalf in his live stuff, like here, and here. Missing from this one... must have been too late at night. He's often out at random locations making noises which is neat too.

Gareth Liddiard

You may know him from The Drones or Tropical Fuck Storm (check them out too if ya don't!), but I rarely hear people talk about his solo album. Absolutely incredible lyricism. He's easily the most talented lyricist uh, possibly ever, in my opinion at least.

Black Country, New Road

They've blown up over the past few years, but I think I'd still consider them relatively mainstream, at least in the states. I think the genre is called composition rock? Very emotionally charged multi-instrumental uh...prog? Not great with genres, but they're incredibly talented.

RIichard Dawson

Another incredible lyricist. Neo-psych folk music?? Incredible story telling over funky experimental psychedelia.

Black Ox Orkestar

Klezmer brought to you by the Montreal post-punk scene.

EVISBEATS is my recommendation for anyone who enjoys Nujabes or chillhop in general.

Just really quickly wanna mention Taured, and their self titled album. Its something I put on if I want nice prog rock in the background. I honestly wish they made more music and were at all public. I haven't been able to find much info on them so anything in regards to that I would love to hear about.
But my real rec is Scrimshaw Carver. He's a great industrial electronic musician who makes some aggressive, intense beats that I can't get enough of. I first heard his music through Nerd City videos if anyone knows that youtuber. But yeah, if you're a fan of industrial, electronic, maybe metal? I'd give him a listen

Joshua Lee Turner.

Genres in order of importance: Folk, Rock, Funk.

He started doing covers at a young age, but has started to make more and more originals. He partners with many other musicians, but my favorite of his is his latest album with Carson Mcgee (with whom he forms The Other Favorites): Unamericana. My favorite is probably the title track. He's just really good and always finds good musicians to partner with. He's reasonably succesfull but his guitar playing, videography, lyricism and creativity make it that I think he deserves way more attention.

Horsey - with the popularity of British post-punk right now I'm very surprised that this band didn't get more coverage when their album came out in 2021. Maybe they got overshadowed by the other major post-punk releases that year, the year I'd argue the current post-punk revival really took off with BCNR, Black Midi, Squid, Viagra Boys.

Horsey had already very successful musician King Krule on their roster though, so imo that should have really helped them get more press coverage.

My favorite song on the album is Lagoon which is very similar to Punk Rock Loser in its sort of satirical take on self proclaimed punk rockers, but more beautiful and varied.

Erika de Casier

Margo Cilker

Jungle

Everthing Everything

I don't know if they are popular or not, but I always return to them for musical solace.