Scott Ballew is a Texas-born singer/songwriter, filmmaker, and former football star. Ballew’s love for music stems from listening to Willie Nelson and Charlie Pride in his dad’s Ford Bronco as a child. Pulling inspiration from his life experiences, Ballew uses songwriting as an emotional outlet and survival mechanism. Ballew’s story is so compelling that a 2023 mini-doc, Leisure Rodeo, chronicles his journey.  Joining albums Talking to Mountains and Leisure Rodeo, Ballew’s junior album RIO BRAVO is now available for pre-order.

Alisa Amador is a bilingual singer/songwriter known for her fusion of various music styles including Latin, jazz, funk, and alternative folk. With a personal mission to create honest, vulnerable songs, Amador’s sounds vary from heart-wrenching to dance-inducing all within one set. Amador has opened for artists such as Hozier, Brandi Carlile, Lake Street Dive, Madison Cunningham, Watchhouse, and Hiss Golden Messenger. Her debut album, MULTITUDES, will be out in June.

ALEC MEZA is a singer/songwriter from New Jersey known for his inventive sound that’s redefining the alt alt.hip-hop genre. MEZA’s love for music was heavily influenced by his drummer and DJ father, and he began writing and recording music at 14 years old. After years of creating demos, MEZA formed a band and opened for artists including PnB Rock, Ski Mask the Slump God, Wax, and Lupe Fiasco. MEZA released his debut album, Extra Virgin, in 2020, which blends rap, pop, and indie sounds through hits like “Hot Boy Summer” and “Pulling Petals.” MEZA is broadening his horizons from the tri-state area to festival stages and venues around the world, debuting his upcoming album, AH! REAL LOVERS!, later this year.

Vision Arcade is an Austin-based indie-rock band comprised of Max Robison, Rory Kendall, Connor Torres, and Evan Brock. Their unique sound blends rock, pop, and alternative music elements, drawing inspiration from artists such as The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, and Twenty-One Pilots. Vision Arcade released its debut single, "Afterglow," in 2019, followed by nine additional singles. The group’s debut album, due out later this year, is a collection of the band's experiences, thoughts, and emotions growing up in the information age. Vision Arcade toured with acts including COIN and Sarah and the Sundays, and their live sets are an immersive experience that leaves audiences wanting more.

Brainstory is a California-based trio comprised of brothers Kevin and Tony Martin (guitar/vocals and bass, respectively) and Eric Hagstrom (drums). Drawn together by a love of jazz, the group is known for signature sounds ranging from sweet, soulful slow tunes to psyche rock-tinted bangers to ballads with a nod to the smooth, jazzy R&B of the ‘70s. Brainstory credits their musician parents, household record collections, Chicano Batman bassist Eduardo Arenas, and Big Crown co-owner Leon Michels as major influences. Brainstory toured with singer Lady Wray and was featured on her Tiny Desk performance. In 2019, the group released its debut full-length album, Buck, produced by Michels, followed by the 2021 EP, Ripe. The group’s latest album, Sounds Good, is due out April 19.

Giovannie & The Hired Guns is a Texas-based band comprised of frontman Giovannie Yanez, drummer Milton Toles, bassist Alex Trejo, and guitarists Jerrod Flusche and Carlos Villa. Pulling inspiration from Southern rock and stoner metal to la musica norteña and Latin hip-hop, the group pushes the boundaries to forge an irresistibly gritty sound all their own. The groups first two studio albums, Bad Habits and Giovannie & The Hired Guns, drastically expanded their following, largely on the strength of tracks like “Rooster Tattoo.” After signing with Warner Music Nashville, the group released their third album, Tejano Punk Boyz, in 2022. Photo: David McClister

Georgia native Tony Evans, Jr. is inflecting country music with his magnetic baritone and a sensibility that mixes contemporary ideas with classic stylings. Having first signed with a record label at age 12, Evans has long been cultivating his own sound, earning three million likes, and half a million TikTok followers along the way, and performing at classic venues like Georgia’s famed Eddie’s Attic, The Red Clay Music Foundry, Nashville’s Listening Room, and a debut at the legendary Bluebird Café.

An avid songwriter, Chloe Tang seized an amazing opportunity to showcase her potential as a singer and performer when she opened for pop star Dua Lipa in 2018 at a venue she previously worked security at just a few months earlier. Since that full circle moment, Tang has been writing and performing in Los Angeles and working independently with a host of rising songwriter/producers like Joahn Lenox, Shawn Wasabi and Chizzy. Specializing in emotionally expressive anthems and songs of sultry introspection, Tang’s amassed over eight million streams organically without any label support. She is also dedicated to advocacy for Asian-Americans, and routinely references her Chinese roots in her music and her image.

Nemegata is an Austin-based trio comprised of Colombian musicians Víctor-Andrés Cruz, César Valencia, and Fabián Rincón. Rooted in Latin American traditions, Nemegata is reshaping the boundaries of sound and rebelling against musical norms. The group draws inspiration from Colombian traditions—cumbia, bullerengue, gaita music, and Andean melodies—blending them with mind-bending ‘60s and ‘70s psychedelia from Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. The group released their debut album, Hycha Wy, in 2020, followed by a second album, Voces, in 2023. Filled with jungle echoes, eerie synthesizers, and psychedelic guitars, Voces pays homage to ancestral voices and the resilience of Colombian youth.

The Wolves of Glendale prove that humor and music can harmoniously coexist on stage. They have delivered five singles, including their hit “Olivia,” their debut single from 2022, followed up by “Vapin’ in Vegas,” “The Gym,” “Loud Ass Car” and “Just Give Me Cash.” The Wolves boast over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify with impressive streaming numbers and have also amassed over 50k and 125k followers on TikTok and Instagram, respectively, with those numbers climbing daily. Their self-titled debut album of all original music, produced by John Spiker (known for his work with Tenacious D) and Rian Lewis (notable for collaborations with Doja Cat and Ty Dolla $ign), dropped this January and is a celebration of their unique brand of comedy/rock-infused music.

A no-nonsense Nashville-based punk band with zero tolerance for exclusivity and apathy, Winona Fighter has gained a reputation for high-energy live performances that are an accessible and accepting space for all to experience. Having cut her teeth on the Boston punk scene, front-woman Coco has made it her mission to share the power of thrashable tunes, exposing them for all audiences to enjoy. Flanked by lead guitarist Dan Fuson and bassist/producer Austin Luther, Coco welcomes everyone to take part in the Winona Fighter moshpit.

Practicing a style that blends the best of the country honkytonks with a bold, psychedelic spirt, Nashville native Daniel Donato and his versatile touring band have their own unique sound that recalls sprawling Grateful Dead jams, expressing grooves that are deep, heartfelt and expansive but that will also prompt the swaying of hips.

Maddy Davis is a singer/songwriter and producer from the suburbs of New Jersey. Davis masters raw, emphatic indie rock through a pop lens, bringing an addictive angst to the forefront of her storytelling. Davis released her debut EP, MUD, in 2022, followed by Would You Object for a Happier Life? in 2023. She’s also opened for Leyla Blue, Gatlin, and Luke Wild. Davis commits to making songs that relate to everyone’s 20-somethings: dreaming big, moving fast, and not letting anyone tell you otherwise. Photo: Eric Daniels

Jobi Riccio is a Colorado-born singer/songwriter pulling inspiration from icons ranging from Sheryl Crow to Joni Mitchell. Riccio blends the classic craftsmanship of her songwriting with modern indie-leaning production to create a sound that feels traditional and experimental all at once. Riccio released her debut EP, Strawberry Wine, as an ode to the women of classic country and bluegrass she grew up learning to sing from. Her debut album, Whiplash, pulls influences from various genres while still holding space for her love for all decades of country and americana music. Photo: Jasmine McGlade

wilt is a Los Angeles-based indie-rock group comprised of lead vocalist Chelsea Rifkin, guitarists Aaron Liebman and Andrew Vance, bassist Jake Shpiner, and drummer Dan Bermudez. The five-piece pulls inspiration from artists such as Radiohead, Hole, Weezer, and Alex G, with Chelsea’s vocals compared to Paramore’s Hayley Williams. In the year since releasing their debut single, “gwen,” wilt earned spots on numerous playlists, including Spotify’s New Music Friday, plays on influential radio stations, and an opening slot on tour with British group, Lovejoy. Their debut EP is expected to be out later this year, as well as a US tour with Remo Drive.

Chance Emerson is a singer/songwriter who pulls inspiration from his multicultural background and unique experiences from growing up in Hong Kong and Maine. Emerson is known for his writing and compelling brand of melodic, modern folk-rock with pop sensibilities. His first EP, The Indigo Tapes, climbed to #1 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter chart, and his self-produced album, The Raspberry Men, received rave reviews from fans and the industry. Emerson released his second album, Gingko, in 2023, showcasing his intimate writing style combined with his increasingly robust and resonant voice. He’s collaborated with artists like Johnnyswim, Brett Dennen, Eli Young Band, Lawrence, Ripe, Blues Traveler, and Heart.

Zach Person is a singer/songwriter known for his contemporary, pop-rock approach to blues and American roots music. Person cites legends such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, and Gary Clark Jr. as influences on his music. His self-titled debut LP garnered praise from audiences and notable industry press. Person’s highly anticipated second album, Let’s Get Loud, is set to be released in March of this year. He’s played with artists including Buddy Guy, Foo Fighters, and Anderson .Paak, and is currently touring in North America with plans to tour Europe in the summer of 2024.

Michigander is singer/songwriter Jason Singer, accompanied by his indie-pop band, consisting of bassist Connor Robertson, guitarist Jake LeMond, and drummer Aaron Senor. Michigander is known for eloquent songcraft, uplifting instrumentals, and plainspoken storytelling punctuated by alternative flare. The 2016 debut single “Nineties” achieved viral success, claiming spots on multiple major Spotify playlists. Michigander’s first two EPs, 2018’s Midland and 2019’s Where Do We Go From Here, have become fan favorites, with the latter’s standout single “Misery” surpassing 15 million streams. The 2021 EP, Everything Will Be Ok Eventually, received rave reviews from critics and fans, featuring charting hits “Let Down” and “Better.” Michigander released the latest EP, It Will Never Be The Same, in 2023 and is expected to release additional projects later this year. Michigander has toured with The Lumineers, Hippo Campus, and Mt. Joy and Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, and Summerfest. Photo: Dominic Siri