Perhaps one of the most influential mediums of outlining culture today is our music. It has become so engrained into our everyday routine that we're almost unaware of its effect on us. In a world where artists like Drake and The Weeknd hog the headlines and top spots on the music billboards, it's easy to forget that an untouched realm of good music lays dormant and unnoticed. BUT HAVE NO FEAR! This is where I intervene! Now, although I am no self-proclaimed music God or a child violin prodigy with a PhD in music theory, I do have some awesome suggestions for you to enjoy for yourselves or with your friends.

Here's an inside look at five seriously good artists/bands you've (maybe) never heard of.

1. The Gaslamp Killer

Earning his name for killing dance vibes at clubs with his unique sets in the Gaslamp district of San Diego, The Gaslamp Killer (or GLK) has become an influential producer in the arena of both sample-based Hip Hop and Electronic music. His most recent album, "The Gaslamp Killer Experience: Live In Los Angeles," released in April 2015, is a collection of tracks off of his album, "Breakthrough" (released in 2012) performed live. The live album consists of GLK's more grabby tracks off of "Breakthrough" such as "Nissim" and "Veins," but the music itself is unlike anything your ears have heard before, combining archaic samples with crisp and complex drums. GLK isn't your average artist frequenting the radio, but his production is at the forefront of a new age of music.

Check GLK out here: http://music.thegaslampkiller.com

2. Sufjan Stevens

Now, I'm sure some of you may already be familiar with Sufjan Stevens, but for those of you who aren't: BECOME FAMILIAR WITH HIM! Known for his trademark whisper voice and eclectic instrumentation, Stevens has become a pillar of indie folk and is highly regarded by many American music critics. "Carrie and Lowell" (2015), Stevens' seventh studio album, has already been garnered as one of the top albums of 2015, and we're only a little over halfway done with the year. What makes Stevens unique is his anecdotal approach to lyrics. Drawing from personal experience is a formula many artists choose to follow but Stevens takes it to the n-th degree, basing "Carrie and Lowell" solely off of the death of his mother and their alienated relationship. His lyrics tend to be on the more weighty side, but he is able to successfully present complicated thought, feelings, and events in such an intimate way, you feel as though you've been his friend all of your life. His delivery is unprecedented and his dedication to music is easily acknowledged by what he puts out album after album.

Check Sufjan out here: http://music.sufjan.com

3. Air Review

One of my favorite things about music is the ability of artists to add their own unique touch to something that's been re-created thousands of times. Pushing the boundaries has become all too common in Hip Hop and Alternative music as many strive to create new and enchanting music. However, few are as talented and refreshing as Air Review. Carving a niche in the ultra-ambitious folk pop genre, Air Review has created a different sound using traditional folk instruments, new age synths, and the vocals of Doug Hale. The Dallas Group has only been active for a total of three years, releasing only one album ("Low Wishes"), but their work thus far only proves that more quality music is to come. They have opened for both Jimmy Eat World and Portugal, The Man and have been featured in Apple and Levi's commercials. Air Review hasn't released any music in over 2 years, but their website says that they're in the process of making a new album, so stay tuned because everyone you know will love these guys (yes, even your grandma).

Check out Air Review here: https://soundcloud.com/airreview

4. Jonwayne

Jonwayne may be one of the weirdest rappers you've never heard of, and if you consider yourself a rap fan you deserve a taste of the greatness. Known to rock shows in Teva sandals, the husky and bearded Pasadena-based rapper is quite a spectacle. But don't let his looks fool you; Wayne can rap and produce. Signed to Stones Throw Records, Wayne has turned heads with his quick witted lyrics and producing skills. Boasting a number of EP's, Mixtapes, and Studio Albums, the 25 year old caused a good deal of controversy when he released his mixtape entitled "Jonwayne is Retired" at the beginning of 2015. After JW released the tape, he went into hiding and the Hip Hop world was confused as to whether he had actually retired due to the mixtape's title. Since the release, he has resurfaced. Whether or not he will make music again is simply speculation. The tape itself is riddled with a heavy dose of braggadocio, but Wayne delivers with ease, proving outrightly that he is lyrically superior to many of his modern day Hip Hop counterparts. This type of rap may not be for everyone, but it's sure to be a breath of fresh air.

Check out Jonwayne here: https://soundcloud.com/jonwayne

5. Skylar Spence

Starting in the early 2010's, Vaporwave, a genre categorized by the sampling of old new wave, soul, and disco tracks has taken the internet by storm. Leading the pack in this form of music is none other than Skylar Spence (formerly known as Saint Pepsi). To give you a better understanding of Vaporwave, imagine Spence taking a time machine back into the 70's and 80's and coming back to the present only to give us a funky fresh re-creation of something we've heard many times before. It's simply wonderful. Under the name Saint Pepsi, Spence released nine albums in a three-year span along with a number of EP's and singles. Although he has released only singles under the pseudonym Skylar Spence, he is set to come out with a full length album in September of 2015, gloriously titled "Prom King."

Check Out Skylar Spence Here: https://soundcloud.com/skylarspence

Now, I apologize that this article has come to a close, but I hope I've engrained into your brain some ridiculously awesome suggestions that you will appreciate in the future. I have put links after every artist as to where to check them out, but I took the liberty upon myself to create a Spotify playlist for you all as well.(https://open.spotify.com/user/mproetel/playlist/7M...). Enjoy what I have graced you with and stay tuned for more music news in the future.