The music world is full of new artists, musicians, and genres to discover. Whether it’s Folk, Rap, Pop, or Alternative, there’s certainly no shortage of talent in the industry. Some of the best artists are the ones hiding in plain sight and as much as I love mainstream music, there’s something so magical about underground artists. Let me introduce you to four musicians who might be less well known than those we hear constantly on the radio, and hopefully, one of them will become your next favorite artist.
Starting right here in the Garden State, is singer-songwriter Cole Hallman from Manasquan, New Jersey. Hallman was featured on American Idol back in 2022 and reeled the audience in with his warm and raspy vocals. He instantly became a fan favorite, but sadly, did not make it through the entire competition. Luckily for us, his music journey didn’t end with Idol. Recently, he dropped two new singles, “Big Boy Now” and “Mistake,” alluding to more projects in the works.
In May 2023, Hallman released his debut album, “Good Morning Mr. Hallman,” a play on his job as an elementary school teacher. He even credits the children for getting his creative juices to flow again. The very start of the album features his students yelling, “Good Morning Mr. Hallman,” naturally giving the album its name. The record features songs such as “Cleo” and “Something to Believe In,” which feature his signature rasp and wholesome guitar, wrapping each song into a neat package.
However, my favorite Hallman songs aren’t on this record but older EPs and singles he’s released over the years. His song “Manasquan,” released in 2024, has a special place in my heart, as it does for many natives in the area. It’s an ode to his hometown as he tells the story of needing to get away from that typical city life. There’s something so special about being near the shore. He sings, “I just really wanna go home/Well I wish that I could stay/But I’m gone, gone, gone/Driving all the way back to Manasquan/When I try to act my age/Can’t seem to do it on my own.”
Hallman resembles a Bon Iver and Lumineer-type sound that’ll leave you wanting more of that acoustic feel. Many Sea Hear Now Festival (SHN) fans commented under the lineup posts this year, begging for Hallman to take the stage as many smaller NJ artists have before. Sadly, Hallman didn’t get the call, but hopefully, in the future, we’ll see him on the sand.
The next artist is someone I have had my own personal interaction with and seen perform live. Bo Staloch, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who is making a name for himself within the Indie Pop scene. Staloch performed last year at SHN in Asbury Park, NJ, as a last-minute addition after a band pulled out. Thank god they did, not only were Staloch and his band a complete vibe on the beaches of Asbury Park, but super humble and grateful to be there. Later on that day, Staloch and his bandmates waved to my friend and me from the shore; Needless to say, they gained an instant fan for life with that interaction.
His songs, “Springtime Red Tulips” and “Santa Fe,” are two great representations of Staloch as an artist. His vivid imagery lyrics, paired with his storyteller-voice, make him a standout artist among those in his genre. “Santa Fe” was one I got the pleasure of hearing live before it was officially released. Its lyrics embody the feeling of summer whether you spend it on the beach, in the woods, or the desert. While the lyrics might not exactly capture that vibe, they sure have a carefree attitude. He sings, “I can’t recall everything I said/I got too drunk, had a pack of cigarettes/Now I’m running on fumes, and I think/I’m out of patience/I’m sick and tired of faking/Enough of saving face, saying grace/My, my/Something’s gotta break.”
Recently, Staloch released an EP titled, “The Garden” featuring six tracks. It tells the story of heartbreak, loss, and being able to sit in those emotions until you finally come out of it. It’s got a beautiful story arc from “Give It A Break” to the last track, “Speak To Me.”
Staloch is currently on the road, making his way through the United Kingdom. In May, he’ll be at Variety Playhouse in Georgia, 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn Steel in New York. He’ll also make his Lollapalooza debut in July.
Now, let’s head over to Pop, R&B, and Soul-land with Canadian singer-songwriter Stacey Ryan. I discovered Ryan back in 2022 with her single “Fall In Love Alone.” Her jazzy, funky production, along with her vocal gymnastic riffs and runs, make her so fun to listen to.
Her 2023 EP titled “I Don’t Know What Love Is” really gained her attention from the TikTok music community. Since then, she’s teased plenty of new songs on social media but hasn’t released them yet. She has, however, released one single, “Everything Everything,” which could be a hint to her new album. As much as I love this new single, the older tracks still hold the top spot.
One of my favorite tracks is “Bad For Me,” featured on “I Don’t Know What Love Is,” and is absolutely intoxicating. Ryan sings about how she knows this love interest is bad for her but continuously falls into less-than-ideal habits. There’s something so alluring about wanting things we either can’t have or know aren’t healthy. At least it was done for the “plot.” She sings, “You know, you know, you know you’re affecting me mentally/And I can’t sleep, I count sheep, but that shit’s useless ‘cause/The voice in my head keeps on saying that you’re bad for me.” Ryan is an artist to put on your radar so you can say you were a part of the original fandom.
My last recommendation is Pop princess Kenzie Cait, who I regretfully admit I found on Instagram. Apparently, the algorithm knows me way too well. While she’s been releasing music since 2022, I found Cait because of her song “Someday, Someone” off her EP “Good Luck, Goodbye (Over Nostalgic Edition).”
“Someday, Someone” is the perfect breakup recovery song to shake all the worries away. The song features an iconic moment from the 1998 drama series “Sex and The City,” where “Mr. Big” says, “I don’t get it,” and Carrie Bradshaw replies, “And you never did.” This scene is not only a turning point for their relationship but for Bradshaw as she comes to terms with what wasn’t meant to be. Leading into Cait’s vocals of, “Someday, Someone’s/Gonna really love me right/Gonna take me dancing, so in love under the light/And play my songs in the car/Sing along, cause it’s not that hard.”
Her other tracks on the album, “Somebody (Eternity),” “Congratulations,” and “Thank God,” encompass those same emotions of growing up, finding love, and then ultimately falling out of it while searching for the one.
Artists like these have such a clear vision of where they’re going and aren’t afraid to experiment with sound and concepts. This is bringing the older nostalgic sound and pop icons back into the forefront of the music industry. Check out these artists wherever you stream music.
