A&E obviously covers local music relentlessly, yet it still feels like there’s a dearth in our desk’s coverage. With the ever-expanding list of bands, DJs, rappers, singers, instrumentalists and every other kind of music act in the Twin Cities, it’s easy for our team of three reporters and one editor to become lost in the fray. Nevertheless, this week’s reporter’s picks aims to resolve a couple of our aforementioned struggles by spotlighting four of the local artists we’ve been digging recently. Admittedly, we seem to have a preference for indie rock, but you know what they say, “write what you know.” – James Schaak
Heart to Gold: Midwest emo band Heart to Gold has made a name for themselves in the Minneapolis DIY scene since their 2018 debut LP, “Comp.” That debut introduced the three-piece act as a yelping, guitar-riffing powerhouse in the same vein as Joyce Manor, Nirvana or The Replacements. The band now serves as the blueprint for countless Como wannabe bands. No shade though, it’s impossible not to find their Bandcamp, Northeast house show, flannel-wearing skater boy aesthetic a bit inspirational as a music-loving college student. This year, Heart to Gold reinvigorated their local fanbase with their second album, “Tom,” an outré improvement on their paradigmatic grunge debut. – James Schaak
Bad Bad Hats: Hailing from St. Paul, local indie-pop band the Bad Bad Hats adds a mellow and lighthearted layer to the Twin Cities music scene. Since forming at Macalester College as students in 2012, the band, composed of Kerry Alexander, Chris Hoge and Connor Davison, has released three albums. Their 2018 standout, “Lightning Round,” earned national praise, including a glimmering review from Rolling Stone. Boasting 255,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, the band’s playful and happy-go-lucky discography is the musical equivalent of a sun soaked summer day. The Bad Bad Hats are currently on a nationwide tour with another local Twin Cities band, the Gully Boys. – Maya Marchel Hoff
Gully Boys: The Minneapolis-based grungy power pop group was conceived during a 2016 conversation shared over thrift bins in a local Ragstock. Their first full-length album “Not So Brave,” a raw and electrifying breakout record with gems like the viral “Neopet Graveyard,” granted them the City Pages (RIP) best new band accolade in 2018. Their “Favorite Son” EP in late 2021 saw the group gain more polish while maintaining the same powerful angst, where their latest single “See You See” features a new, softer sound laden with synth. There’s no feeling like being along for the ride as a new band continues to grow and discover their sound. – Bel Moran
Early Eyes: Twin Cities jazz band Early Eyes first formed in 2016 in a University of Minnesota class of 2020 chat. From their early days stealing moving carts from Middlebrook Hall to their more recent endeavors to support mutual aid efforts in the Twin Cities, the five-member band has kept themselves busy as they’ve grown into their current sound. Their singles, including their mellow hit “Coffee” and the more vibrant “Penelope”, have amassed millions of streams on Spotify, cementing their spot somewhere beyond the Twin Cities scene. Their latest album, “Look Alive!”, is an eclectic assortment of jazz-funk and euphoric-pop produced in part by Caleb Hinz and Jake Luppen of local legends Hippo Campus. – Sophia Zimmerman
