Open your ear and your heart to these often lesser-known, yet arguably essential, artists
As I listen to more and more music, I find more and more frequently that artists who are pivotal to my playlists are seemingly unknown to so many. That seems like a bit too much of a travesty to handle, so here I’ve compiled a list of artists formative to my childhood and some others that I’ve found more recently. Whether they’re a recent find or a cornerstone of my upbringing, I believe these musicians deserve more praise than they receive.
1. MASAYOSHI TANKANKA
If you are someone familiar with Japanese music or funky guitar jams, the odds are pretty high that you already know Takanaka’s work. Outside of that realm, however, not many people seem to be very in tune with this once-in-a-generation artist. His music is a fantastic mix of rock and funky jazz elements that I would consider to be in a similar vein as Carlos Santana. Some of my recommendations for his songs include “OH! TENGO SUERTE” and “E.S.P.”, but his extensive discography contains too many outstanding songs to count.
2. PAULO NUTINI
This is one of those artists that I grew up listening to who seems far more famous to my family than to the rest of the world. While he isn’t “underground” by any means, with over 4.5 million monthly Spotify listeners, the majority of them are from the UK and Ireland. A blend of soul, folk and rock, this Scottish singer/songwriter is a great addition to your favorite chill playlist. My first suggestions would be “Candy”, “Last Request” and “Through The Echoes”.
3. Jeremy Messersmith
My family’s favorite radio station in the Twin Cities introduced us to this artist when I was a kid and his album The Reluctant Graveyard became one of the first CDs I owned. With just over 80,000 monthly Spotify listeners, Messersmith’s indie songs range from silly Minneapolis-themed tunes (see: “Skyway”) to more emotional, elegant pieces (“A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard” or “It’s Only Dancing”). Each album differs pretty drastically from the last, so there could be something for you in his repertoire.
4. Courtney Barnett
Barnett is one of many artists gifted to me by that same favorite radio station. She’s an alternative/indie Australian phenom whose lyricism is some of the best I’ve ever heard. “Charity” and “Nameless, Faceless” are two slightly pent-up rage-filled songs from Tell Me How You Really Feel, with “Pedestrain at Best” also matching this up-tempo feel. Poignant songs with unsuspecting settings like “Elevator Operator” and “Depreston” sprinkle Barnett’s discography and showcase her skill with words. Slower, sweeter “On Script” with Kurt Vile (another underrated artist!) and “Before You Gotta Go” round out some of my favorite songs from Barnett.
5. Art Lown
Shortly after his first and only album, Piper Oz the Hound, Art Lown sadly passed away. The small amount of music he produced falls under a sort of classic country/folk umbrella, similar in my mind to the likes of Townes Van Zandt. Most songs from this album are relatively upbeat, and it’s an easy listen. So easy that I once downloaded and listened to the 23-minute album on a loop for a three-hour flight. My personal favorites are “Going Back to Carolina”, “Please Don’t Tell Me That You Love Me” and “Deep Blue Sea”.
6. Atmosphere
One of the best gifts my brother has given me was an introduction to this indie hip-hop duo. With deep Minneapolis ties and style that’s sometimes out of the ordinary, Atmosphere might take a minute to really sell you on what they’re putting out. Good places to start are “The Waitress”, “She’s Enough”, “You”, “Vanish”, “God’s Bathroom Floor” and “Freefallin’”. I’ve found that some groups’ songs all sound the same as each other, but Atmosphere is definitely not one of those groups and these songs are all distinct from each other in style and content.
7. Billy Bragg
This British folk musician might be one of the most important artists of all time to me, but he is lesser-known in the US. His cover of my favorite song, “Gentle on My Mind”, is the first version of the John Hartford original I heard crooning from my dad’s truck speakers. An interesting part of Bragg’s discography is the Mermaid Avenue album, which is made up of American folk legend Woody Guthrie’s unreleased lyrics that have been put to music composed and performed by Bragg and Wilco. Aside from these, my other favorites are punk-inspired song “A New England” and “Hobo’s Lullaby”, a somber wish for a peaceful night’s rest.
I know that some of these musicians probably hold a spot in this list mostly thanks to personal ties, and others are just genuinely fantastic artists whose music speaks for itself. Regardless of my own experience with each of them, they all deserve their flowers. I hope you’ll give some of them a listen, and maybe you’ll even agree.