Austin & The Syd Experience – If you enjoy a nice dash of psychedelia with your funk, this band is what you need in your life. They just played a prime time slot at Midwest Psych Fest (one of the best hippie festivals you’ve never heard of). My prediction is a prime slot on Bozo Stage at ComFest is in this band’s future for 2026.

Bee Humana – This trio is a supergroup of sorts. The namesake of the band, Bee, is a singer/songwriter; Sam Brown holds down the skins (you might know him from New Bomb Turks, Divine Fits, or Operators – my personal favorite); and David Holm (of Bigfoot) on guitar. Though the band members are scene vets, the sound they produce together is one of my favorites I’ve heard locally in a hot minute. It’s not really folk and it’s not really Americana, nor rock. It’s absolutely seems like it was written for fall weather.

Bolivar Zoar – Americana music with a live bassoon player? I haven’t ever heard of that being a thing, have you? Ben Piper’s project have been making the rounds and I’m excited to see this evolution continue to develop. An early single, “From Dust We Came,” in spite of being only a demo made in Garage Band, shows promise for the future. I’m just unsure whether I should call this artist by his given name Ben Piper, or Bolivar Zoar.

Bonus Disc – It’s not too often you come across angsty piano rock. It’s vaudevillian and it’s folk-punk-ish. You want to hear that kick drum reverberate in your chest through the biggest sound system you’ve ever heard and in your living room the same. 

The Cardinal Blues – This artist you might be familiar with from a previous project; Come Wind. Fun fact – Come Wind penned one of my most streamed songs of all time – “Rend Your Heart.” Now, Nick Sayre has a new project. The Cardinal Blues are heartland indie pop rock. It’s got a down to ethos, family ethos. It’s unapologetic in its earnestness.

CHRIS. – If there’s ever a playlist titled “Effervescent Hip Hop” this artist ought to be on it. His new album Godspeed just dropped October 7th via the PLN A entity and you better believe we are paying attention. For his album release, an AirBNB was converted into an immersive experience with curated wares and consumables in each room tailored to each track – I love that idea and have FOMO I wasn’t there.

DSTRESSR – I’ll be honest; prog rock can sometimes be a tough sell for me. DSTERSSR does a great job at making prog compelling for the unseasoned listener. Desperate vocals, dynamic mixes, sprinklings of other genres; their sound has it all. Their debut EP quiet words is out now.

Eden Has Fallen – What happens when you mix fun metalcore with hard hitting lyrics and down to earth dudes? Eden Has Fallen is what you get, that’s what. Catch them on your local Christcore metal fest in the near future. 2026 heavy music festivals – I’m putting you on notice. 

Garlic Jr. – Earlier in this list I referred to an artist as “effervescent hip hop.” I would say Garlic Jr is like that too, but a bit rougher around the edges. So, perhaps hip hop meant for pairing with an espresso martini, or perhaps a Kentucky Mule? If you listen to this for a bit (commit to it), you’ll start to uncover some interesting nuggets of composition. Today is Beautiful and So Are You is the wholesome title of their newest album.

Graveyard Pete & The New Appalachian Sound – I’m not typically a country guy, but something about Graveyard Pete catches my attention that’s hard to put my finger on. Could it be the conversational vocals? Could it be the polished result of the production that makes it feel like the band is right there, as I sit outside on this gorgeous fall day? In any case, they seem to be making waves. Stick around and you’ll get some nice guitar noodling to go with that twang.

Karoo Supagroup – Picking a band endorsed by rising indie label Supersport Records might seem like low hanging fruit. But listening to their new EP proves my instincts correct. “Sweet Potato” is a fun psychedelic garage rock tune that feels like a fever dream. 

Kennedy Hall – This smooth, warm, indie rock act reminds me of when I heard “Breathe (2 AM)” by Anna Nalick for the first time. This act appeared at some of our favorite indie venues, including Rambling House (RIP) and Natalie’s Grandview. Just recently they appeared with Mt Air and Sam Brown (goodness, that’s the second time Sam has appeared on this list – almost like he’s a pointer dog to good acts or something!).

Kids of the Cinema – Making math rock and emo with odd time signatures, and making it in a way that’s accessible and catchy is no easy task. Kids of the Cinema accomplishes this with their debut self-tilted EP. 

KJ The Cool Nerd – This artist is compelling for both his lofi beats and his homage to the hip hop classics. Earlier this year I listened a fall album of A Tribe Called Quest for the first time and I picked up on some production influence in KJ’s stuff immediately. He’s quick to inject his own flourishes into each song, never content to stay in one place for too long. 

Lilly Zappin – Besides having an awesome name, Lily Zappin released a bomb debut single in “Shut My Mouth.” There’s a lot of sass in this song – enough to match how massive a hook the song has. Plus, she’s John Reuben’s daughter. That’s pretty awesome. Can’t wait for the next banger!

Liteweight Champion – This band is jangly shoegaze that’s as catchy as all get out. Featuring a seasoned lineup that performs with flourish, muscle, and a dash of sass, this band is recent evidence that Columbus excels as an indie rock town.

Malccs – The Garden is one of the best and most creative lofi records I’ve heard. It’s good for productivity or for setting a romantic mood. It’s celebratory, in a “let’s take it easy” kind of way. Malccs is a tastemaker and connector but I’m really glad I’m getting to know his artistic side. A cursory glance at his socials will reveal prolific influence with other creatives.

Matt Gray – A colleague once told me he was abandoning his solo project and going to a band because “the industry didn’t need another dude with a guitar” (I’m paraphrasing). Matt Gray is another guy with a guitar, but he’s worth your time. His unassuming vocals and production make the moments of loud flourish that much more compelling to hear. 

Maxwell Rincón – This artist tackles a sound not unfamiliar to the local scene – we’ve heard it before in acts like Clemens & Co. Rincón’s take on bluesy americana rock n’ roll has a payoff that may hit you when you least expect it. Fun fact: this artist was on a sold out show with another artist on this list.

Mike’s Wilson – Both a singular artist and a songwriters’ collective, Mike’s Wilson does well at making some quick and dirty eagworms with some twang. It’s folk, it’s punk, it’s country. Don’t put him in a box. He’s got something to say and he’s going to make sure you hear it by breaking out of the norm for his genres.

Milligram – This very polished pop punk band has vocals that channel Mark Hoppus at times – and not in a rip off imitation type way. This music is escapism for the bleeding heart millennial looking for a distraction of every day life. The namesake of the band recently got married so its possible his songwriting may be more cheerful going forward, but I have a feeling the heart will remain just the same.

Mo James – Local label Non Entity recently posted about the new EP from Mo James. Information about Mo online is scarce but I knew I had to listen. When I listen, my “related artists” on my Mo James radio station reads like a who’s who of alternative R&B and soul; Blood Orange, India Arie, Angie Stone. This artist is both compelling and a little mysterious.

N’Shai Iman – N’Shai’s latest single “Imagine” takes R&B to an ethereal place – one might even say a liminal space. I heard her name by way of Joey Aich’s latest record, and I’m now thinking maybe I was living under a rock. She sure is making her mark on the local scene this fall, having secured appearances at “Who’s Who in Black Columbus” and an upcoming women’s writer’s workshop hosted by longtime Tuned Up friend Heather Evans. She also recently performed at the Ohio R&B Awards.

Neil – Within seconds of hitting “play” on “You Alone” – I had a visceral reaction. I had a warm feeling in my chest. Sometimes loud, angsty rock goes with cozy vibes in a way I can’t really explain. Neil is one of those bands that encapsulates that feeling. 

No Key Fits – This new act I became hip to via a little community called The Dallas at Milo. This dance punk meets post punk duo is lifted straight from the 80s with an added sense of desperation. The vocals are compelling and the hooks are on point. “Jungle” is a good track to start with.

Omnipop – This band reminds me a little bit of Flipturn. This Columbus supergroup of sorts is spearheaded by Jeffrey Ciampa and their new album has really been 15 years in the making – but the project is new to me. The band features Maddy Ciampa of wyd, Jon Elliott, Tony McClung, and Joshua Hill. This band is far too polished and fresh to be as under the radar as they are. Someone needs to book them at the Columbus Commons next summer. ComFest would be another good choice.

Sunday Driver – How many bands can say they’ve been on multiple sold out local shows with one single to their name? Not many. Sunday Driver is making heartland rock that will undoubtedly catch on.

Talitha Boyd – This rising singer songwriter is giving major Big Thief vibes. This is a very, very good thing. Earlier this year she also supported Andy Squyres, an Audiofeed Festival favorite here in Columbus. This is also a very good thing. I have a feeling her earnest songs are going to be with us for quite some time.

Teeth Marks – This fuzz rock band makes music with urgency, and music that embodies urgency at the same time. I can only imagine how attending one of their shows would be at my own risk to my eardrums. Worth it. Just two singles out, but a full length is coming in November.

Westlyn – This band isn’t that new, to be honest. But they are super under the radar and have every intent of making their mark on the local scene. The indie rock group fronted by Adam Kimura is influenced by Mutemath and Death Cab for Cutie. Time to insert a “Shut up and take my money!” meme here.