Since I’ve returned to Bama, I wanted to learn a bit about the local scene. I’ll confess that finding artists on Bandcamp to cover is not my favorite task; I often had to wade through waves of “experimental” artists who don’t seem to have any structure, a swathe of hip-hop artists with varying degrees of skill, and no uncertain amount of singer-songwriters who I’m sure are trying their best but don’t quite make the cut. Spotify, despite its evils, at the very least has the power of grouping artists of similar popularity or genre together, but it’s all blind guesswork on Bandcamp. However, I find that it’s still worth diving in. For me, a city’s local scene has always been more interesting than its touring acts due to the continual relational aspects. I’ve enjoyed jumping in on shows to help with video work or putting together a quick press kit for bands, and while I have no immediate expectations for any of that, it all starts with making some connections.

That said, here are some of the Bandcamp finds which stood out to me:

Plate Six

It looks like this moody, angular prog rock band might be defunct at the time of this writing sadly, but it doesn’t change the fact their music calls back to the likes of Fugazi and Slint in all the best ways. I’m not sure when rock and punk stopped being raw and messy, but Plate Six is okay to leave some grit behind on tape and it’s great.

https://platesix.bandcamp.com/album/d-s

Portico

Colorado’s Overslept has been one of my favorite bands for the past few years. Their mix of mathy, prog-rock with radio-friendly vocals has been distinct to me. Portico feels like the first band I’ve found that truly feels the same way Overslept does – maybe it’s it’s the smooth vocals or the rhythmically-intelligent songwriting. This is definitely one of my favorite discoveries from this deep dive.

https://porticobhm.bandcamp.com/album/bleeding-in-the-summer

Odd Polly

Pop punk isn’t dead, and Odd Polly’s take on the genre is upbeat and fun. Their songs are unpredictable cyclones, oscillating between clean singing and power chords to Tiny Moving Parts-esque screaming and bluesy guitar segments. Still, it’s clear that this is a band that loves the music they’re making and it’s hard not to nod along.

https://happyfacerecords.bandcamp.com/album/self-titled

Drayton Farley

It wouldn’t be fair to the South if there wasn’t at least one Americana artist on the list. Drayton Farley captures vivid vignettes of life in his lyrics, and, even with just his guitar and voice, it’s clear that Farley wields power in his songs. He’s released a few recent songs which seems to suggest a potential album on the way.

https://draytonfarley.bandcamp.com/album/kudzu-wild-ep

Ghost Atlas

It might not be proper to call Ghost Atlas a “local band”, but this ERRA side project is everything you’d expect from experimental rock veterans. It’s polished and professional and the songs are captivating.

https://ghostatlas.bandcamp.com/album/dust-of-the-human-shape

Daydreams.

Jimmy Buffett gets a bad rap among many people my age; maybe it’s his fanbase that’s mostly responsible, but the image of the average Buffett fan is a rich, old, white man who doesn’t have a lot to worry about. Daydreams. proves that surfy, vacation-rock isn’t just for the Boomers. This project of Trenton Williams is an appropriate mix of relaxing and nautical moods.

https://daydreams01.bandcamp.com/album/the-loop

Blip

Queen meets Tool meets sci-fi lyrics on Blip’s music. Maybe it’s a little geeky, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t rock incredibly hard. I’d compare them to a bit thrashier version of Professor Caffeine and the Insecurities. Blip’s latest release is rife with fiery guitar riffs which dance quickly from the 80s to the present day.

https://bhmblip.bandcamp.com/album/lucky

All In

All In’s hardcore punk sound has everything you’d expect: earth-shaking bass, rapid-fire guitar riffs, passionate screamed vocals, and your classic grimy breakdown. Their songs are dense with energy, often running at around only 2 minutes in true hardcore fashion, All In is fast, loud, and heavy.

https://allinhc.bandcamp.com/album/magic-city-promo

People Years

People Years capture the soothing post-punk of The Cure with hints of U2’s arena alternative for a result which feels lush and cinematic. Of course, the band never stays too closely to this script, often jeering off toward Talking Heads-esque grooves, shimmering piano breaks, drum pulses reminiscent of Foo Fighters, and even a 10-minute adventure of a song. It’s a sound that feels nostalgic without feeling dated.

https://peopleyears.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-cantina

Penny Circus

Sometimes I need to wax poetic to describe the intricacies of an artist. Sometimes, such in the case of Penny Circus, I simply sum their sound up as everything that made me love post-hardcore and emo music to begin with. This is no-frills, high-energy rock that’s made to be played loudly with your car windows down.

https://pennycircusband.bandcamp.com/album/home-again-ep

Bee Horn

Bee Horn’s core sound is quirky, synth-driven bedroom pop complete with synthesizers, guest vocalists, and whimsical lyrics. There’s been a recent rise in art pop, and Bee Horn’s music falls nicely in line with the likes of Alicia Walter, Alivenique, and more. Each track is packed with its own twists and production nuances that makes for a pleasant-but-disorienting listening experience.

https://beehorn.bandcamp.com/album/the-stretch

Flowing

Flowing appears to be a new band and their first release is just about two months old. This indie rock band is certainly one you’ll want to keep an eye on.

https://flowing.bandcamp.com/album/never-enough-hear-you-out

don macnormald

Shoegaze solo projects are few and far between, but rest assured these tracks have full-band production and have the tight songwriting you’d expect from a full band. Again, there aren’t a lot of frills – this nails the formula pretty well.

https://donmacnormald.bandcamp.com/album/headspace

Corey Nolen

Corey Nolen crafts elegant country and folk paired with confessional lyrics about his family’s history (for better and for worse). Nolen’s lyrics accounts act as siren songs, drawing listeners into the intricacies of the mundane. Themes of mortality, redemption, poverty, addiction, and relational brokenness mark these songs. Nonetheless, Nolen, keeps the music bright and airy.

https://coreynolenmusic.bandcamp.com/album/family-hymns

Cardboard Giant

This is yet another band with a pretty sparse discography, but even so, Cardboard Giant knows who to capture the modern emo sound well.

https://amongunions.bandcamp.com/album/as-we-once-were

Overall, it seems like there’s a pretty diverse scene, and I’m excited to get out to shows and hopefully run into some of these bands in person. Was there anyone I missed that I need to check out?