As much I as like listening to Top 40, there’s a good chunk of music that I listen by artists that fly under the radar. I wish these artists would get more credit, but maybe they prefer staying away from being labeled as “mainstream.” In any case, I think the following artists. deserve a shout-out. Plus, I’ve intentionally added videos of them performing live just to show how amazing they are without any frills, auto-tuning, or any of that other fancy stuff.
Jon McLaughlin
rhamnews
Ticklin’ those ivories.
Full confession: I first knew about Jon McLaughlin when I watched the movie Enchanted and he sang “So Close” in a burgundy tux while Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams waltzed at a fairy tale ball. But I was more interested in Jon McLaughlin and hoped that he didn’t dress like that in real life. But I digress. He’s one of the artists that sound even better live than on an album, and his music with the sweeping epic-sounding harmonies is perfect for any chick flick soundtrack. In short, this guy is talented, and I’m not being biased because I’ve got a crush on him. Check out the video below and just try not to play air-piano.
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers
Magnet Magazine
So rockin’ hipster.
It’s hard to believe that Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers have been around for eight and a half years, but I honestly heard of them quite recently and also realized that I’ve been depriving myself of them. Hailing from Massachusetts, Stephen Kellogg and his band make country music cool. Like Jon McLaughlin, they sound even better live and use lots of instruments beyond the standard guitars and drum sets, such as the piano, harmonica and even a tuba just to name a few.
Katie Herzig
partyearth
I really want to run out and buy a turtleneck now that I’ve seen how cute it looks on her.
Although her music has been featured in popular shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Smallville, and has even been nominated for a Grammy, Katie Herzig is still relatively unknown. Some artists, while producing great hits from any genre, seem to have songs that all sound the same after a couple of albums, but not Katie Herzig. Her folky tunes span a wide range of melodies and lyrics, each catchy in its own way.
Justin Nozuka
Elite Justin Nozuka Fan
“I’m just going to stand over here and look pensive next a street lamp…and make it work.”
Hailing from Canada, Justin Nozuka began writing his own songs at age 12 and came out with his first album when he was 18. So….he’s super talented. And, fun fact, he appeared on a few espisodes of Degrassi : The Next Generation ( It’s as if every other famous Canadian has made it on that show…) His music blends R&B with chill guitar harmonies, with lyrics that make you think, “Aww, he’s the sensitive type.”
What are some music artists that you feel deserve more credit?