For the purpose of this article, I have defined small bands/artists as having less than 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Waterparks: (415,812 Monthly Listeners)
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Waterparks is a pop-punk and pop rock band from Houston, Texas. The band is made of lead vocalist Awsten Knight, guitarist Geoff Wigington, and drummer Otto Wood. Waterparks have released three EPs: Airplane Conversations (2012), Black Light (2014), and Cluster (2016), as well as two full length albums: Double Dare (2016) and Entertainment (2018), and are currently working on their third studio album. Waterparks are known for their high energy, fun live shows and Awsten’s crazy tweets with his all caps writing style. Their music is always honest and super personal to the members of the band. It is filled with raw emotion and features many experiences from band members. They have some heavier rock-influenced songs and some poppier electronic influenced tunes as well. There is something for everyone to enjoy while listening to this band.
Favorite Songs: 21 Questions, TANTRUM, Royal, We Need to Talk, Hawaii (Stay Awake), Pink, No Capes
If you like All Time Low, ONE OK ROCK or State Champs, you may like Waterparks.
Palaye Royale – (410,712 Monthly Listeners)
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Palaye Royale is a band formed by three brothers from Toronto, Canada. Previously known as Kropp Circle, band members Remington Leith, Sebastian Danzig, and Emerson Barrett, changed their band name to Palaye Royale in 2011. They released a single titled Morning Light (2012) and an EP titled The Ends Beginning (2013) before releasing their first full album Boom Boom Room (Side A) in 2016 and Boom Boom Room (SIde B) in 2018. Palaye Royale is known for their dramatic flair of art rock, and unique sense of style. Their connection with their fans and their wild and fun live performances always make Palaye Royale a great band to watch and listen to.
Favorite Songs: Die for Something Beautiful, Dying In A Hot Tub, Love the Void, Don’t Feel Quite Right, Get Higher, Mr. Doctor Man
If you like Sleeping With Sirens, Frank Iero or Gerard Way, you may like Palaye Royale.
Beach Weather – (93,800) Monthly Listeners)
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Beach Weather is comprised of lead singer Nick Santino, formerly of A Rocket to the Moon, Austin Scates, and Reeve Powers. The band formed in 2015 and released two EPs, What A Drag (2015) and Chit Chat (2016), before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2017. Beach Weather’s music can be described as laid-back pop, great for summertime, hanging out by the pool, or for taking a road trip with friends. Their music is mostly calm and great for relaxation.
Favorite Songs: Rebel Sun, Home Movies, Chit Chat, New Skin
If you like COIN or The Maine, you may like Beach Weather.
Simple Creatures – (381,242 Monthly Listeners)
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If you haven’t heard of this duo, you have definitely heard of its members before. Comprised of Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low and Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, Simple Creatures only has two songs released so far. They are set to release an EP later this month. Taking some influences from rock and pop-punk, Simple Creatures has a more electronic and synth-based sound than you might expect from the duo, but every song is upbeat, fun and sure to keep listeners interested.
Favorite Songs: Drug, Strange Love
If you like Angels and Airwaves, Blink-182 or All Time Low, you may like Simple Creatures.
Cherry Pools – (38,961 Monthly Listeners)
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Cherry Pools is an indie pop band that takes influences from rock and electronic music. Cherry Pools originates from Toronto, ON, Canada. They have released one EP, Less Religion More Sex (2018) with six songs. The EP cover has dark imagery, but the band members themselves frequently opt for pastels and a softer style in their music videos. This darker imagery also contradicts the bands’ sound. Their music is heavily influenced by electronic music and uses a lot of synths. It is energetic and will make you want to dance along.
Favorite Songs: Hollywood, Are You In Love, All The Way
If you like Foster The People or MGMT, you may like Cherry Pools.
Z Berg – (93,739 Monthly Listeners)
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Z Berg is an indie and alternative rock artist from Los Angeles, California. Z Berg started releasing her solo music in 2018. She released 5 songs, and 4 music videos, including a Christmas song titled The Bad List featuring Ryan Ross (formerly of Panic! At The Disco). Most of her music is slow and melodic, with the exception of All Out of Tears, which is a more upbeat, guitar driven song. Her music videos are hauntingly beautiful and tell tales of love, lust, and death. Her music is very calming and good to listen to if you are stressed. If you want something more fun, All Out of Tears is a great song and has a great music video.
Favorite Songs: Time Flies, The Bad List, All Out of Tears
If you like Ryan Ross or The Young Veins, you may like Z Berg.
Movements – (315,116 Monthly Listeners)
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Movements is a post-hardcore and alternative rock band from California. The band formed in 2015, released an EP titled Outgrown Things in 2016, and a full-length album titled Feel Something in 2017. The band has played on the Vans Warped Tour multiple years as well as touring with bands such as Real Friends. Their emotional and honest lyrics along with the unique sound of each song is what makes this band so interesting and makes their music so good. Many songs are based on the personal experiences and struggles of the band, which brings their fans closer to them. Their music will make you want to cry at times, but will also make you want to scream the lyrics and just rock out.
Favorite Songs: Colorblind, Daylily, Fever Dream, Suffer Through, Kept
If you like Title Fight, Real Friends or Balance and Composure, you may like Movements.
The Latency – (9,127 Monthly Listeners)
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The Latency is an alternative rock band from Canada. The band formed in 2006 and released an EP titled Chomp!! in 2008 and their first, and only, full-length self-titled album in 2009. This band has a sound that is reminiscent of the alternative rock scene of the early and mid-2000s. Their inspirational and sad lyrics take on topics such as love, abandonment, and losing hope. The band’s music can be upbeat and fun, as well as stripped down and emotional at times. This band is great to listen to when you are having a bad day, or when it’s cloudy and rainy. Unfortunately, the band disbanded in 2011 but their music lives on.
Favorite Songs: Don’t Go, Tonight, I Love You, Cry Me Out, Away
If you like Marianas Trench, All-American Rejects or The Downtown Fiction, you may like The Latency.