Music is something we listen to for the lyrics. It is something we listen to in order to have a good time. It is something we listen to when we try to cope with the loss of a loved one, a bad break up, or to distract us from the stressors that exist in the world around us. Sometimes, we even listen to music just because we want to and for no other reason. As Han Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks”. With that being said, here are 10 lesser known bands and artists you should listen to.

1.Gnarly Chaplin

Gnarly Chaplin is a band from Oneonta, New York. Their sound can be described as an eclectic mix of funk, jazz, and rock. Their latest project, “The Jesus Keefe EP”, was released on April 29^th, 2016. You can check out their music at the link provided below. https://thegnarlychaplin.bandcamp.com/releases

2. Tiny Blue Ghost

Tiny Blue Ghost is an indie/bedroom pop act from New Paltz, New York. They most recently performed at Cop Frat in Oneonta, New York, where I was fortunate enough to see them perform live. They have a self-titled project, a project comprised of song covers, an extended play titled “The Road”, and will be releasing a full length project this fall. You can check their music out at Soundcloud at the link provided: https://soundcloud.com/tinyblueghost. They also released their latest single from their upcoming project, “Growing Pains”, titled “Autumn Leaves”. You can also check that song out by click on this link: https://tinyblueghost.bandcamp.com/track/autumn-le....

3. Nobody’s Babe

Rachael Soluri, who performs under the name Nobody’s Babe, is an artist from Oneonta, New York. Her sound can be described as acoustic bedroom pop infused with elements of folk and punk and her lyrics are both beautiful and introspective. She released her first project, “Mildly Upset” in July of 2015 and you can listen to it at the link provided: https://nobodysbabe.bandcamp.com/album/mildly-upse.... She also released the single “Billy Joel” in March of 2016, which you can listen to by clicking on the link provided below. https://nobodysbabe.bandcamp.com/track/billy-joel-.... Her most recent album, “The Words I Mean To Say”, is now available for listening on Soundcloud and you can check it out by clicking on this link: https://soundcloud.com/nobodysbabe.

4. Banderson

Banderson is a hard rock band from Oneonta, New York whose music combines elements of blues and funk. The band consists of Anthony Vecere on guitar and vocals, Sean Clavell on drums and vocals, David Anderson on guitars and vocals, and Sam Flinton on bass and backup vocals. An interesting fact is that the band’s name was inspired by the last name of one of the band members. Their single “Fish Parts” was released this March and you can check it out at the link provided: https://banderson1.bandcamp.com/track/fish-parts. They also have a full length project that was released in May titled “A Very Banderson Album”, which you can check out by clicking this link: https://banderson1.bandcamp.com/album/a-very-bande....

5. Catlike

Catlike is a band from Long Island, New York that consists of Allison Leotta on bass and vocals, Karah Goldstein on guitar, bass, and vocals, Colin Ungerleider on drums, and Doug Llanes on guitar and noise. Their sound is a mix of bedroom pop and punk and their musical influences include the bands Say Anything and Speedy Ortiz. Their single “Deli Rose” was released in December of 2015 and you can check it out at the link provided: https://catlike.bandcamp.com/track/deli-rose. You can also listen to their most recent project, “Neffamphetamines”, by searching for Catlike on bandcamp.com.

6. Darkecy

Denis Muganza, who performs under the stage name Darkecy, is a rapper from Kigali, Rwanda. He is currently a student at SUNY Oneonta who is a major in Music Industry. He performed as an opening act for Asher Roth and T-Pain at SUNY Oneonta’s Fall Concert on Labor Day Weekend. His music can be found on Spotify and on Soundcloud at this link: https://soundcloud.com/darkecy. His newest song “Oneonta” can be listened to at this link: https://soundcloud.com/darkecy/oneonta-anthem-ft-l....

7.Secret Beaches

Secret Beaches is a rock band based in Oneonta, New York. They recently performed at Cop Frat in downtown Oneonta. Their extended play titled “Swoon” can be listened to by checking out this link: https://soundcloud.com/secret-beaches.

8.Boketto

Boketto is an experimental band from Oneonta, New York. They performed live at the Oneonta Theatre in April. Their band consists of Ben at the drums, Smurf on the bass, Kellie on the keys, Lana on guitar, Matt does the rapping, and Chrissy does vocals. Their most recent performance was at Cop Frat in Oneonta. Their music can be accessed by clicking this link: https://soundcloud.com/boketto-2

9. Maybird

Maybird is a band that incorporates psychedelic influences into a roots rock sound that is originally from Rochester, New York. The band consists of Josh Netsky on vocals, Sam Snyder on guitar, Kurt Johnson on guitar, Adam Netsky on drums, and James Preston on bass. Maybird’s debut album “Down and Under” was released independently in 2013 and they eventually signed with Danger Mouse’s record label, 30^th Century Records, and released an extended play titled “Turning into Water” in April, 2016. You can find Maybird’s music on Spotify or by clicking this link to check out their music on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/maybirdband

10. Prince Daddy & The Hyena

Prince Daddy & The Hyena is a pop punk and emo band from Albany, New York. The band is made up of Kory, Cam, Zak, and Alex. They released their first album, “Skip Cutscenes! Blow Loud!” in December of 2014, which you can listen to by clicking this link: https://princedaddyandthehyena.bandcamp.com/album/.... They also released “Adult Summers” in October of 2015, which can be listened to by clicking on the link provided: https://princedaddyandthehyena.bandcamp.com/album/.... Lastly, their most recent album “I Thought You Didn’t Even Like Leaving” can be listened to on Spotify. Oh, by the way, did you know that they are signed to Warner Bros.?

Those are some bands and artists that I recommend you give a listen to if you are looking for new music to listen to when you have downtime. It just goes to show how much talent is in New York State alone. Hopefully, these bands and artists can help you expand your musical horizon or at least make you more interested in music if you are the kind of person who typically does not listen to music. (Yes. There are people who don’t listen to music that are out there.) If you just so happen to listen to music or do not listen to a lot of music, maybe this article will help you in some way. After all, as Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” Right on, Nietzsche. Right on.

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