By Ansley Ryan
Music has always been a powerful force. It is constantly evolving, breaking boundaries, and capturing the spirit of its time. As the music genre evolves, new artists make their way to center stage. But it is important to note that most music artists had to start from the ground up. Playing at gigs and shows, they had to find themself, and make connections within the industry to put them higher on people’s radar. These four upcoming artists are a force to be reckoned with; make sure to be on the lookout for their names.
1. Clara Gillett
Clara is a new up-in-coming singer from Philadelphia. She grew up in a music household and learned it from a young age. Her songs are truly touching. Her angelic voice will surely give you chills as she sings lyrics that you can relate to. Her music is moody, edgy, deep, and comforting; the best way to describe it is alternative pop. She reminds me of artists including Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eillish, and Laufey. I got the amazing opportunity to ask her a few questions about her work; here are some sneak peaks into that interview:
How did you get into music?
- Both of my parents are musicians, so music has been a part of my life forever. I have memories going back to when I was like 3 or 4 years old– my parents would have their band over for rehearsal and I would get up in between songs and just sing nonsense into the mic. My passion for music began before I could even read and write. And it was like, as soon as I could write, I was writing music. This sort of faded as I got older– especially through middle school and into early high school. It wasn’t that I lost my passion, it was that I had stopped believing in my ability to actualize my lifelong dream. I was in a really dark place, and I lost parts of myself, including a huge part of my identity– music. Fortunately, I picked it back up during a time when I needed an outlet for expression and from there the importance of music changed for me. I’ve struggled with a lot of mental health issues and music has truly been a rock. I finally got into the studio in 2023. It had been a long time coming. It was back in 2024 when I recommitted to my dream. I’m enlightened to be where I am right now, which is a place where I’m working my butt off every single day to reach my goals and bring my vision to life. I’m seeing the progress even though it often seems slow, and it feels great!
Why should people listen to your music?
- People should listen to my music because it creates a space where you can really feel – like, fully lean into your emotions without holding back. I write from a vulnerable place, and my hope is that it helps others feel seen in whatever they’re going through. It’s okay to feel deeply. My music is about honoring that and turning those emotions into something beautiful and grounding.
When can people expect more music from you?
- I’m currently working on my next single, which I’m aiming to release by early 2026 – hopefully around March. From there, you can definitely expect another single and an EP within the following year.
Clara Gillett is more than just a promising new voice—she’s an artist who taps into the deepest parts of what it means to feel. Her vulnerability and lyrical honesty offer something rare in today’s music scene and that is a true emotional connection to herself and to her listeners. As Emily Pyott, an attendee at Clara’s first live show, put it, “She is truly an amazing rising artist, and the way I relate to her music is like no other—it’s beautiful.” If you haven’t listened yet, now’s the time to dive in. Clara is just getting started, and you’re going to want to say you were here from the beginning. Her music can be found on all streaming platforms.
Instagram: Clara Gillett (@claragillett_) • Instagram photos and videos
YouTube: Clara Gillett – YouTube
Facebook: Clara Gillett | Facebook
TikTok: tiktok@claragillett
2. Christopher Denbo
Meet Christopher, a singer and producer from North Port, Florida, who blends genres. His style, which draws inspiration from musicians such as Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator, and Daniel Caesar, is a blend of R&B, pop, jazz, and funk that is unquestionably new and emotionally charged. Having a background in cello, bass, piano, and saxophone, Chris’s musicality extends well beyond his singing. He is actively creating music that appeals to the emotions and the mind in an intellectual way, whether he is constructing rich harmonies or experimenting with rhythm. Christopher was kind enough to answer a few of my questions; here are some of them:
How did you get into music?
- I got into music through a small electric keyboard that my dad had bought for himself. I asked him to bring it down from the top of my dresser one day. It started from smacking on the keys, to learning and falling in love with learning music. Later on, game music inspired me to learn how to produce music, then later on I wanted to pursue music production for artists.
Why should people listen to your music?
- People should listen to my music because I try to loosely portray my messages for a wider audience to relate to. I make sure it’s thoroughly me. It’s raw, and that is what makes music powerful.
What inspires you when you create music?
- Things that give me inspiration for my music include other artists like Tyler the Creator, as well as other things like my experiences, my brother, and the idea that I want to leave my mark on the world by spreading my stories.
There is something unmistakably rare about Christopher’s music. It’s a blend of emotional honesty and genre-crossing creativity. His songs don’t just sound good; they feel real. With all his influences, he creates soundscapes that challenge the music scene. If you haven’t heard his music yet, this is your sign. You can find all his latest releases on various streaming platforms.
YouTube: Christopher Denbo – Topic – YouTube
Instagram: Christopher Denbo (@christopherdenboproduction) • Instagram photos and videos
Amazon Music: Play Christopher Denbo on Amazon Music
Apple Music: Christoper Denbo – Apple Music
3. David Terner
Introducing David, a talented musician from Lake Worth, Florida, whose music blends the emotional edge of alternative rock with dreamy notes of indie pop. With each track he creates, he brings a unique energy that is raw, vibrant, and unmistakably his own. His lyrics are not only relatable but catchy. I find myself singing his music all the time. Not only is he a solo artist, but he also started a band called “DTF” aka David Terner and Friends. His music is reminiscent of Malcom Todd and Sombr. David was open to answering a few questions for me, so here are some of them:
How did you get into music?
- I first got into music when I was very young, I made a band with my siblings called “The Rockstars,” and I loved music ever since. I really started once I met this producer named Sam and we started making music together and that’s where it all started.
Why should people listen to your music?
- People should listen to my music because I put a lot of time and effort into my music, and I believe the music I make is relatable. I try to write music that not only I relate to, but also what I think others will relate to. So, if you are going through a hard time you should listen to my music to feel better.
Where do you get your inspiration for your songs?
- Usually when I’m very upset or something horrible or tragic has happened to me. Most of my songs on my EP “Sweet Dreams” are about being sad over women. I believe I cannot write a good song if I’m not upset.
How did you start your band?
- I played a show with a backing track about two years ago, and I opened up for these two bands. One of the bands had a few members that I connected with, you know we got each other’s Instagram, and then two years later they hit me up being like “yo, your song just came up on our Spotify, we really like it. If you’d ever want people to play with let us know.” It kind of started like that and then evolved into us actually becoming a band. We found a drummer together and it just kind of formed like that.
David’s music is a reflection of emotional depth. With each release, he continues to mold the music scene into something that is uniquely his own. His music doesn’t just sound good, it leaves a mark. David is definitely an artist to keep your eye on and don’t forget about DTF. If you want to check them out, the information is below:
Instagram: david (@david.terner) • Instagram photos and videos
Linktree: david terner | Instagram | Linktree
Apple Music: david terner – Apple Music
SoundCloud: Stream david terner music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud
4. Ninth Stone
Say hello to Ninth Stone, a band that is diving headfirst into the world of psychedelic rock and grunge without having any music out on streaming platforms. With heavy, hypnotic guitar riffs, and raw distorted textures, their sounds feel like a trip through decades of rock history, while still pushing into new territory. Ninth Stone’s music is gritty, immersive, and layered with tons of technique. They capture both beauty and chaos in every track. Beyond the studio, Ninth Stone carries cultivating energy to the stage. They are loud, unapologetic, and draw you in with every chord. The guitarist Ricky was kind enough to answer some questions on behalf of the band, here’s what he had to say:
How did y’all get into music?
- We’ve all been avid listeners our whole lives. We’d been friends for years, always talking about music or sharing songs we liked. Not too long ago, we finally decided to lock in, get it together, form our first band and start contributing something of our own to the world we’ve always enjoyed.
Where do you get the inspiration for your songs?
- It depends. Sometimes it starts with one of us writing at home and then bringing it to the others, where we all start contributing and leaving our own fingerprints on it. Other times, it starts with a jam, one riff makes all our ears perk up and then we start to build something around it. Michael (bass and vocals) usually kicks off the ideas and does a lot of the songwriting for us, but once we’re all in the song starts to really take shape.
Why should people listen to your music?
- Because its real and comes straight from us. We don’t like to chase trends, we try to pull people in with the experience we create, and we’re confident in our ability to do so because we feel like we bring something unique to the table where you don’t find anywhere else.
Ninth Stone isn’t just another rock band; they are longtime friends who turned their love of music into something real and deeply resonant. They provide listeners with a completely immersive experience with every song. Their music has the imprint of each musician, molded by passion, perseverance, and purpose, whether it originates from a solo riff or an impromptu jam session. Ninth Stone is definitely a band you don’t want to miss. Although they don’t have any music out right now, to follow their journey and get a sneak peek into their music be sure to follow them, linked below:
Instagram: Ninth Stone (@ninthstoneband) • Instagram photos and videos
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninthstone
As music continues to evolve, it’s clear that the next wave of talented musicians is already on their come up. They’re shaping the future of music with their authenticity, passion, and talent. All these rising stars help remind us why music is important and something we should cherish. Keep your eyes peeled because you’ll be seeing a lot more of them soon. For more music recommendations make sure to check out more articles on the main website: FIU | Her Campus