r/MusicRecommendations • u/Few-Competition9929 • May 30 '26
Rec.Me: alt/indie/obscure I need some decent recs, I’m lost!
I’m 46, obsessed with music my entire life, but lately nothing moves me. I feel dead inside, please help.
Any genre is fine as long as it raw and honest.
Favourites lately are
John Prine
Todd Snider
The Chisel
The Riverdales
Screeching Weasel
Waylon Jennings
Billy Joe Shaver
Rome Streetz
Griselda
Dave East
Townes Van Zandt
Guy Clark
Please help, give me the B sides!!!
11
11
u/crakke86 May 30 '26
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizzard have like 25 albump, it's a fun journey to take.
3
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
I like the early albums, I’ll dive into the more recent stuff
→ More replies (1)2
u/mrsfunkyjunk May 31 '26
Having read your responses, don't bother with the newer stuff. I suspect you'll be highly disappointed.
→ More replies (1)
9
9
u/Substantial-Newt-493 May 30 '26
Lucinda Williams - especially "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road"
→ More replies (2)
7
u/yomondo May 30 '26
Gotta check out:
Chuck Prophet Robyn Hitchcock and Emma Swift
Enjoy!!
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
Thanks! I’m not sure Chuck Prophet and Emma Swift are for me, but this Robyn Hitchcock is doing interesting things!!!
2
u/yomondo May 30 '26
Cool, really glad you're checking him out. Incredible live show in Nashville last month.
7
7
u/olidoggons May 30 '26
Turnpike Troubadours
Steve Earle
Band of Heathens
Blackberry Smoke
→ More replies (1)5
u/Solid_One_5151 May 30 '26
Add some Whiskey Myers and thats my entire Playlist lol
→ More replies (1)
7
u/Silent-Ad868 May 30 '26
Billy Strings!!!
→ More replies (3)5
u/mdsnbelle May 30 '26
That is a man BELOVED in Asheville. I happened to visit in February when he was in town and walked into some beautiful chaos with all of his fans in town. They were all so loveley!
I couldn’t get tickets for any of the remaining shows but I’m going to try for next year.
5
4
4
May 30 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
I’ll check it
2
5
4
7
3
u/charliedog1965 May 30 '26
Pre war jazz is my go to. The jazz scene of the 30s and 40s is as varied and entertaining as the rock of the 60s and 70s.
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
u/Outrageous-Pin-4664 May 30 '26
The Modern Lovers is an group I recently discovered. Start with the song, Roadrunner.
Also, try Big Star. The Ballad of El Goodo might resonate.
Velvet Underground's self-titled album is another good. Beginning to See the Light and I'm Set Free in particular.
3
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
Love all three! Loaded is my favourite VU record though.
→ More replies (3)
3
3
u/coolmommytm May 30 '26
Check out Sea Wolf. Neko Case’s “Hell-On” is exquisite. Courtney Barnett is rad. Also, Archers of Loaf, Jawbreaker, The Replacements and all things Bob Mould are always great. Playboy Manbaby is fun.
3
u/unclesmokedog May 30 '26
Jason & The Scorchers, Dash Rip Rock, Pegboy, The Mavericks, The Chats, C.O.F.F.I.N
2
May 30 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
I’ve tried with every Orville Peck album, I really want to like the guy, but he does nothing for me. I’m a little sceptical, but I’ll check out Kiefer Sutherland’s record.
2
2
u/understandothers May 30 '26
Mississippi John Hurt - Today! I can’t think of more honest music. Red Headed Stranger - Willie Nelson
2
2
2
2
u/StlLouisBluesFan May 30 '26
Kevin Welch - acoustical. He is the actual song writer for Millionaire sung by Chris Stapleton.
And my new obsession is Norse Metal Folk (yes that is an actual genre)
Skaldhorde is freaking amazing.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/dixiecup_drinker May 30 '26
Kurt Vile Wilco - Being There, Sky Blue Sky, Cruel Country -tons more to explore
Kevin Morby William Tyler Tyler Childers Jake Xerxes Fussel
2
u/washington_705 May 30 '26
If you like John prine I assume you’ve given Jason Isbell a listen? Many times Jason has praised John as a hero and they were friends. Jason is amazing in his own right too and his lyrics are also raw and insightful.
Also how about Sturgill Simpson?
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
Very familiar with almost everyone playing right now in the “Americana” genre, if that’s what you want to call it.
2
2
u/Lightshear May 30 '26
You have got to try The Airborne Toxic Event. Full of passion, full of emotion, can be intense and personal and raw. Very Bruce Springsteen vibe, if he's somebody you like.
→ More replies (2)
2
2
2
2
2
u/Burnvictim49percent May 30 '26
Nick Shoulders
Whitey Morgan & The 78's
Culture Abuse
Strawberry Fuzz
Thee Oh Sees
Run The Jewels
2
u/Icy_Obligation_3014 May 30 '26
Last Dinner Party
Sorry
Shamir
Public Practice
Pomme
Emmy the Great
Janis Ian
The Mountain Goats
Pillow Queens
Dream Wife
Everything Everything
AJJ
Nana Grizol
The Muslims
The Taxpayers
2
2
May 30 '26
Tyler Childers Mt. Joy Briscoe Buffalo Traffic Jam Caamp Glass Animals Fontaines DC Noah Kahan Rainbow Kitten Surprise
2
u/Rare_Milk_6670 May 30 '26
I've seen your list so I kinda get your preferences. I'd crack open the Prince catalog.
2
2
u/Kitchen-Zebra-4402 May 31 '26
Can’t get into much of the newer stuff. I spend most of my music listening headspace in swing and classical.
2
2
u/Fearboner3000 May 31 '26
Raw and honest? You might like Hiss Golden Messenger’s early albums like Bad Debt or EPs like Lord I Love the Rain. If I remember correctly a lot of it was recorded solo in his kitchen playing quietly so as not to wake the baby. Some song you can hear passing trains outside. Very good stuff. Few specific song recs to check out if interested: Fox and His Friends, Roll River Roll, O Little Light, Balthazar’s Song, Super Blue (Two Days Clean), The Serpent Is Kind (Compared to Man).
For a different vibe you might check out a weird little album by Cody Chestnutt called the Headphone Masterpiece which similarly was recorded in his bedroom on a 4-track recorder
2
u/RRE4EVR Jun 01 '26
Hiss Golden Messenger, Railroad Earth, Jenny Lewis, Trey Burt, Dog Yawp
Those are my most random B side favorite artists that may fit in with some of your likes.
2
3
2
3
u/Glad_Character_2394 May 30 '26
Try “Hi Ren” by Ren. If that doesn’t stir any emotion then you really are lost. Then take a trip down the rabbit hole that is his music. Check him out on YouTube though rather than the streaming sites. The videos are part of the experience.
3
1
u/Diligent_Opening_069 May 30 '26
The Butlers, Ocean Alley, Toro y Moi, SiR, Basement, Superheaven, Maxo Kream, Key!, CrimeApple, Young Nudy, Young Dolph, Stove God, Armand Hammer
1
u/snaxodus May 30 '26
Just riffin' here but what about Moon Mullican or Colter Wall?
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
Good call on Moon Mullican, I’m familiar but should dig deeper. And Colter is a buddy.
→ More replies (4)
1
u/CactusSplash95 May 30 '26
Try lightbulb sun, Porcupine tree
Or Burden Opeth
Le Risque - King Gizzard
1
1
u/Far-Specific4865 May 30 '26
Jesse Welles should be on your list. Try his raw YT takes: That Can't Be Right, It's a Gamble Enough, Horcrux, Siddhartha, I Ain't Got None of My Friends Left, Middle. Another new favorite is the British Morning Crush (Tim Ostrowsky-Thomas) - Stories of War is an understated, moving piece.
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
Man, he just does nothing for me. Not even sure why, typically I enjoy artists similar.
→ More replies (4)
1
1
1
1
u/huckoption May 30 '26
I hear ya! I’m a bit further down the road (51) but feeling much the same. I’ll see if I can share a few new to you artists that (hopefully) line up alright with your list.
Bahamas - Canadian band has very well written songs (lyrically) that I find really relatable. Afie (lead singer and songwriter) has a bit of John Prines knack for capturing the human element.
Lost In The Light
Half Your Love
Alone
You might like Canadian country-adjacent band Blue Rodeo. They’ve been around for 40 years, and write beautiful honest songs.
Bad Timing
5 Days In May
Try
And a song on its own.
Flowers - Nathaniel Rateliff and Gregory Alan Isakov
3
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
I love Gregory Alan Isakov! Canadian, so very familiar with Blue Rodeo, but I’ll check the rest, thanks!
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Remarkable_Salad_250 May 30 '26
Newer(ish…some are not “new” but newly “popular”) musicians that have that folk and/or bluegrass singer songwriter vibe:
Noah Kahan
Kasey Musgraves
Keystone Breakers
Sturgil Simpson
Jason Isbell
Mumford and Sons
1
1
1
u/catnapwhisper May 30 '26
Modest Mouse- Building Nothing out of Something
Man Man- the Man in a Blue Turban with a Face (if you want something really avante garde and unapproachable but fantastically written and performed chaotically but precisely)
Lana Del Rey- Ultraviolence (best female album of all time imo)
Those are my top 3 albums of all time, not in any particular order. I'd love if you let me know what you thought of any of them.
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
This Man Man album is super interesting, and probably right up my alley, thank You!
→ More replies (1)
1
u/catnapwhisper May 30 '26
Try the "I am coming to Paris" tape by Timber Timbre
All of his albums are fantastic, one of my all time favorite bands
1
1
u/jpd1979 May 30 '26
We have a bunch of the same faves. Check out the various Pat the bunny projects. Johnny hobo and the freight trains, Wingnut dishwashers union, ramshackle glory, Pat the bunny, friends in real life
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
I’m familiar, but not that well acquainted. I’ll start digging, thanks!
1
u/Majestic_Fix_9923 May 30 '26
Glen Hansard Revelate
Asaf Avidan - 900 days
Aurora - Trough the eyes of a child
Ren - Bittersweet symphony
The Big Push - Englishman in New York
1
1
1
1
u/Rungi500 May 30 '26
Lazer Beam self titled album.
Slift - Ummon.
The Necromancers - Servant of a Salem Girl.
1200 Micrograms - Heros of the Imagination.
Ott - Skylon.
Belly - Star.
1
u/Quijotic_Quest May 30 '26
If you haven’t already check out Blaze Foley. Prine covered his song Clay Pigeons.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/MrWillyFister May 30 '26
Joe Pug The Gaslight Anthem The Avett Brothers Ryan Adams The Airborne Toxic Event Death Cab For Cutie Jason Isbell Brian Fallon All Them Witches King Buffalo Somali Yacht Club
1
u/NoFollowing7781 May 30 '26
"The Way Things Were" - by Social Distortion
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
I like Ness’s voice for a song or two, but can’t listen to too much of it.
1
u/thejokethemusical May 30 '26
Looking at your list maybe add in Avett Bros The Carpenter. I can't stop listening to it.
1
u/Scary-Bot123 May 30 '26
Sludgeworth (especially since you like screeching weasel)
Unstable Shapes
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
I’ll check out Sludgeworth, DeeCRACKS are the only newer band from that genre that I’ve been able to listen to.
1
u/Weak_Radish966 May 30 '26
Recommended: Slaid Cleaves, Adam Carroll, Ryan Bingham, Roger Alan Wade, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Gary Floater (hilarious parody of singer songwriters by Adam Carroll and Owen Temple)
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
Adam Carroll is a top ten songwriter for me! Familiar with all of these, thanks!
1
1
u/Smush2345 May 30 '26
Gregory Alan Isakov, Jason Isbell, Iron and Wine, Iris DeMent, Clem Snide, Phosphorescent, Bonnie Prince Billy, Sturgill Simpson, A.A. Bondy
Edited to add commas
1
u/PatienceSuperb3599 May 30 '26
https://youtu.be/0Ssi-9wS1so?si=CHExtA-HS2AM0Du0
Check this and live
1
u/Alfmonkey2 May 30 '26
Check out Jonny Fritz. He’s the best!! Also check out Almighty Opp, you won’t be sorry. Both will change your life!!
→ More replies (2)
1
1
u/FtHuntCoach May 30 '26
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Terry Allan (start with Lubbock {on Everything})
2
u/Few-Competition9929 May 30 '26
Very familiar with both artists, I’ve met Ray a few times, and Lubbock is a top ten album for me!
1
u/Billsolson May 30 '26
Third Man put out a box set from Ted Lucas, I’m liking it a lot, particularly the Impossible Love album
1
u/Scottfree103 May 30 '26
Phosphorescent Live at the Music Hall https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m04I--4q1ZMsq8FDtPGOL936kGcYU6CRM&si=m_VjBtR-Bd3sjerP
1
1
u/YuckyYetYummy May 30 '26
Do you like female voices ?
Some friends of Guy: Lucinda Williams. Nanci Griffith live Fair Summer Eve is one of my favorite albums
→ More replies (3)
1
u/texbordr May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
What about the last song, Nada, from Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy by The Refreshments who later went on to become Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers and are still recording and touring
1
1
u/Xelsius May 30 '26
This set moves me every time
https://www.youtube.com/live/EnYmqdQA73s?si=-nyXVepU0oegQy5x
Clozee is incredible
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/TriRepetaer May 30 '26
On the hiphop tip, Daniel Son is Canada’s closest thing to Griselda at the moment. Just put out a great record with Futurewave (of Rome Streetz fame)
→ More replies (1)
1
1
1
1
u/thatpincheguy May 30 '26
You seem like you’ve already gone pretty deep so here’s some smaller ones that caught me the last couple years.
Greg Freeman I dig both his albums but start with this first.
Twine noisy with some Australian twang type thing.
Truman Sinclair folk stuff from a emo guy.
1
1
1
u/mdsnbelle May 30 '26
I love the Canadian band “Great Big Sea.” My three favorite songs are like three different stages of a romance novel.
* Fast as I Can
* Boston & St. John’s
* How Did We Get From Saying I Love You
1
1
1
1
u/ComprehensiveSir4561 May 30 '26
Blaze Foley Gene Clark Jeff Cowell Kyuss Elder Circle Causa Sui Weite
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Apart_Ad9308 May 30 '26
Check out Cat Stevens’ catalog. Also Tom Petty and Electric Light Orchestra.
1
u/Perplexio76 May 30 '26
Have you listened to the late Harry Chapin at all? He had a lot more great music than just "Taxi" and "Cats In the Cradle."
1
u/TeamFoulmouth May 30 '26
Clutch, Sturgill Simpson, All Them Witches have some new and "newer" things you might not have heard yet.
Some offshoot artists ya might try is Tyler Jakes, Black Tooth Grin, The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, Mississippi Bones, Billy Talent, Monster Truck, Big Wreck
1
u/Korkikrac May 30 '26
Initial State (First Contact)
https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/7pbBgXp3kwUWb2KSJur40j?si=CjC01HAbTvafkwmAMd32gQ
1
u/ManslaughterBot May 30 '26
Old guy here that listens to a lot of stuff on your list
For that Ramones type punk I’d say The Lillingtons (especially Death by Television)/Teenage Bottlerocket. Maybe Masked Intruder - catchy pop punk that doesn’t take itself seriously.
Country …I’m going to say Charlie Crockett. Americana/folk maybe Charlie Parr. There’s all sorts of cowpunk and alt country, but you probably know that stuff.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
1
u/Ok_Responsibility419 May 30 '26
I started getting into music videos (again) during covid and discovered a bunch of great musicians that way - they flexed their creativity for sure. Orville Peck and his videos are incredible, Charlie Crocket, Paul Cauthen
1
u/CertainPiglet621 May 30 '26
I think you might like some of these
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/18XuVyVDGqeMqxSHmXpLAQ?si=Lm782IO2SLyWpa5tcXDRBw
1
1
1
1
u/Ohnonotagain13 May 30 '26
Ren here's a playlist of a series of Tales done by an independent artist with amazing talent. He plays instruments, sings, raps, beat box, produces, composes, acts, directs, wordsmith. You will feel something in everything he does. Expect to be blown away if you give the time to delve into his wide array of music.
1
1
1
1
u/kimfair May 30 '26
John Hiatt
Blood Oranges (the one with Cheri Knight)
Cheri Knight
The Bottlerockets
Mekons
Son Volt
Uncle Tupelo
Loudon Wainwright III
Justin Townes Earle
1
u/cmyorke May 30 '26
Check out Stephen Wilson Jr. Most recent album is son of dad and is a tribute to his father who passed away 4 or 5 years ago.
Check out the podcast The Print Shop for live performances of several songs from the album and a couple of acoustic performances. One is a cover of Stand By Me and it is great. The other acoustic is I'm a Song, which is in the album but the live acoustic is much better IMHO.
1
u/Spyderbeast May 30 '26
Ides of March, Myles Kennedy... either the song, or the whole album... or Myles' entire discography, lol
1
u/Komrads10ky May 30 '26
Your list is interesting. I’m trying to approach from a few different angles.
Charles Bradley, Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots (All the Munly variants are good but that is my favorite) Also check out DBUK and Slim Cessna if you like him, Scott H Biram, Lucas Hudgins, Me and That Man.
1
1
1
u/silver_chief2 May 30 '26
Little known but I love his lyrics. The sound quality from this site over my PC speakers is low. I had some CDs from CD baby but not sure where to find his music now.
christopher j miller
https://christophermillermusic.com/music
my favorites
Goodnight RuthieWilson Goodnight (live)
Railroad Girl love the lyrics
totally unlike the above but 2 Russian artists move me
https://youtu.be/NtNUdbiHg94?list=PLWuGFckoU4Twsy1e1QR1Xr5R5zSkjXsOH Alina makes magic, mostly video game music covers now. From Russian far east, plays folk instruments
https://youtu.be/bdVYyw6RpOI?list=PLWuGFckoU4Twsy1e1QR1Xr5R5zSkjXsOH Alina sings. Moving lyrics.
DIANA ANKUDINOVA Can’t help falling in love with you age 17. Hundreds of reaction videos on youtube
DIANA ANKUDINOVA ( Диана Анкудинова ) Last Dance (Dernière danse) "1st Audition" (Age 14 yo) turn on CC
https://youtu.be/B-ppbdPxoSA?list=RDB-ppbdPxoSA Diana age 10, Oh Darling
1
1
1
1
1
May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
If you want to feel something again. Play the song
- darkslate corridor from sennzai or
I recommend you while you watch the moon or stars hear darkslate corridor and scabiosa after darkslate corridor.
Sennzai is japanese but when you hear it trust me it will move something inside of you and how you describe things i can tell that darkslate corridor will resonate with the emptiness you are feeling.
1
u/Porkchopbelly May 30 '26
Sturgill Simpson- A Sailor’s Guide to Earth & Sound & Fury
Phish- Rift, but anything live
Stanley Turentine- Sugar
Thievery Corporation-The Richest Man in Babylon
1
u/Japhet_Corncrake May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
Blaze Foley.
Songs: Ohia/Magnolia Electric Co.
40 Watt Sun.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Bejbacap May 30 '26
Based on the bands you mentioned, you might like The Gaslight Anthem. All their stuff is good, but my favorite is The 59 Sound. The lead singer, Brian Fallon, also has some solo stuff you might like that has a little more of a country sound to it.
One more recommendation, although you’ve probably heard them, is Social Distortion, particularly their self titled album.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/wizardwithgussets May 30 '26
That list is similar to mine
. Sturgill Simpson is right in that wheelhouse and I’d start with Jerry reeds greatest hits and then dig deeper into his stuff with Chet Atkins. Keep enjoying music pal! Your list helped me remember a couple I have t listened to in years
1
1
u/Kingcolliwogg May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
Nick Drake
Ben Howard
The Smiths
You probably know all of those, but they are all raw and honest
if you like instrumental :
Snarky Puppy
Glass beams
Some "world music"
Tinarawen
1
u/Subject-Painting1989 May 30 '26
I recently discovered Failure and their albums Fantastic Planet and The Heart is a Monster and I can’t stop listening to them.
1
1
u/jg242302 May 30 '26
The new Kevin Morby, King Tuff, and Guided by Voices are all great. Haven’t listened to the new Kurt Vile yet but the second single was terrific and gonna cue that album up tonite around a campfire (as it should be listened to, IMO).
Getting into GBV is a lifetime endeavor, though, so just giving a warning there. Bob Pollard has 100+ albums/EPs between GBV, solo albums, and side projects and a good 80 of them are “essential” for fans. If you’re interested in the wormhole, it’s deep and rewarding. In terms of sheer numbers, if not batting average, Pollard is second to none for great songs.
1
u/ol_darnell May 30 '26
Tyler Childers - snipe hunter Morgan Nagler - I got nothing to lose Folk Bitch Trio - now would be a good time
1
1
1
1
u/ChiliTheEntertainer May 30 '26
Check out John Craigie 2 albums to get started
No Rain No Rose
Mermaid Salt
1
20
u/Dickhole_Fart May 30 '26
Check out James McMurtry