Here is an indie playlist mix of DIY songs from the following artists and bands across a number of genres and locations across the globe. Please like and share if you like this playlist. A full playlist you can stream uninterrupted appears at the end of this post.
The Directionals – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Virginia Leaves – Squamish, British Columbia
The Symphny – Johannesburg, South Africa
Attic Light – Kansas City, Missouri
Superocean – Portland, Oregon
Paint Me Naked – Cologne, Germany
Yukon Territory – Dallas, Texas
Sarah Zuniga – Athens, Georgia
The Directionals – This Milwaukee-based rock duo formed in 2011, back when IRC first featured them. The duo’s latest single, “Oracle Friends,” is booming with energy, featuring Mark Poe’s fine vocal and guitar work backed by drummer Bob Schabb’s uptempo back beat.
Since starting out, The Directionals has released two full-length records, an EP and a handful of singles. They’ve also toured the U.S. and are heavily influenced by The Cure, Green Day, The Raconteurs, and Pinback.
Virginia Leaves – A veteran indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada; the trio’s newest track, “Cover Song,” is one of the catchiest DIY tracks from Canada that we’ve heard so far this year.
Formed initially as an acoustic duo consisting of longtime friends Mike West (guitar/vocals) and Mike “Strides” Brown (guitar), Glenn Kelly (bass/vocals) and Brian Michals (percussion) joined to broaden the band’s sound. VL’s influences include DeerTick, Nirvana, Beatles, Lucero, and The National.
The Symphny – Born in the Kingdom of Swaziland and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, TheSymphny is the work of teenager Sitsandziwe Nkosi, who has been writing, recording and producing music since the age of 12.
Nkosi’s single is one of the smoothest, chilled R&B/soul DIY love songs we’ve heard all year. And we’ve been playing it over and over again for weeks.
While he refuses to name a single genre the style of his music, it is undeniably soulful. His musical influences include Boys to Men, Stevie Wonder, and D’Angelo.
Attic Light – This band is known for its vigorous and eccentric live performances throughout the Midwest and we’re going to bet that the band’s followers are going to dig the band’s latest emotional indie track, “Wasted,” which has some elements of 90s soft rock, if you will.
AT has opened for artists like alt J and Sunpilots and is influenced mainly by Prince, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, and Muse.
Superocean – This Oregonian DIY band has found a cozy niche within Portland’s historic dream-pop scene, blending pop influences, jangly riffs, and a touch of 1960’s psychedelia.
Formerly known as CASTLES, the band has adopted its new name with enthusiasm. Their musical direction has also changed with a move towards more classical song structures and heightened pop sensibilities.
The new single, and accompanying music video, “Animal Caller,” was released last month along with the band’s latest EP. Superocean’s musical influences include Flaming Lips, Animal Collective, Tame Impala, Sparklehorse, and Deerhunter.
Paint Me Naked – Cologne, Germany-based band formed in 2017 when old schoolmates Jannik Nitz and Mads Leander decided to record together again. The band’s dark, mysterious track, “Fantasy,” is driven by synchronized beats and synths.
Nitz and Leander wrote songs inspired by some of their favorite indie rock artists. The duo then added singer Alina Baur who helped guide the band’s sound to include more influence from 1980s new wave and dream pop. Smart move.
Yukon Territory – Dallas-based one-man band and multi-instrumentalist Marshall Stubbs’ recent debut album, Saint Elias, has been spawning a number of singles, including the most recent number, “Flight 6/26,” complete with it’s totally lo-fi DIY defiance.
“I believe this song makes sense as a stand-alone track,” he said. “Whereas my other songs are better in the context of the album. I used dirty acoustic guitar sound in the beginning of this song to contrast the clean tone I resolve to at the end.”
Stubbs musical influences include Neutral Milk Hotel, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Jane’s Addiction, and Jack White.
Sarah Zuniga – Athens, Georgia guitarist and vocalists Sarah Zuniga’s latest single, “Heart of Mine”, explores the toll anxiety takes on “our thoughts, love, and behavior.” Overall the track’s musical expression is contemplative, warm and hopeful despite the lyrical content.
Zuniga continues: “I wrote this song to help me accept it, but also express the frustrations of the inconsistencies of that very acceptance. Then there’s a cool funky- dance part to represent my light-hearted nature despite it all.”
The track also features Adam Smith on bass and electric guitar and Jason Parnell on drums.
