Just because you've never heard of a particular artist doesn't necessarily mean you live under a rock. Sometimes the best artists are ones that are stumbled upon accidentally or are recommended by amateur music bloggers. Either way, once you uncover their greatness, it's difficult to not keep searching for the next big thing, which is why I am sharing my personal favorites with you, in the hopes that you too will also want to embark on your own musical journey.

1. Mumm-Ra

Basing their name off the main villain of the 1980's TV show "Thundercats," Mumm-Ra is an indie rock band hailing from Sussex, England. Consisting of subtle rock melodies that encompass both the softer sides of indie rock along with upbeat tempos, they gained popularity in The States after being featured on the soundtrack of "(500) Days of Summer" with their song "She's Got You High." Shortly after its release, the band went on a hiatus. They returned in 2014 with the release of their second studio album "Back To The Shore" which can be previewed and bought on bandcamp.

2. Bear's Den

Fairly new to the indie folk scene, Bear's Den aims to be a slightly cooler version of Mumford & Sons. The lead singer Andrew Davies, never fails to invoke an emotional response from his listeners. Such an example can be found in their song "Above The Clouds of Pompeii" from their debut album "Islands."

3. BOY

Written as BOY so as not to be confused with the Canadian band under the same moniker, BOY is a Swiss/German indie pop duo founded in 2007 by singer Valeska Steiner and bassist Sonja Glass. Their debut album "Mutual Friends" was released overseas in 2011, but wasn't released in North America until February of 2013. Their single "Little Numbers" from their debut is similar to Feist's "1234" stylistically and is sure to capture your bubbly side.

4. Norma Sass

An indie rock group from Oslo, Norway. Their song "Hunting For Treasure" from their debut album has that carefree vibe all songs try emulate. Although the album's reception was warm, it seems that after the release of their first album, the band no longer went on to create any more music. Nonetheless, you can still stream the album on Spotify and purchase it on iTunes. For a complete track listing, you can look at their wiki page.

5. Ida Maria

With fast beats and a sassy yet witty deliverance, female rocker Ida Maria gives girl power a whole new meaning. As a Norwegian punk singer, Ida's style can only be described as badass. Her vocals have a sexy rasp that makes her songs even more alluring. She currently has three studio albums and an EP entitled "Accidental Happiness" that was released last year.

6. Noah & The Whale

Another indie rock/folk fusion from England, Noah & The Whale is an instant mood booster. They are one of those bands that you listen to and wind up feeling refreshed afterwards. Their lyrical genius knows no bounds. Yet, after releasing a total of four albums together the band has recently announced they would go their separate ways, leaving their members to pursue solo careers.

7. Donora

An accidental Spotify discovery on my part, I've found Donora to be an underrated gem in a sea of in indie rock. Characterized by by sugary and whisper-like vocals, Donora reminds me of everything indie: youthful, rebellious, and fun.

8. Noah Gundersen

He's the boy you wish you could bring home. There's not much that can be said about the indie folk genre that hasn't already been stated from the analysis of previous artists. Nevertheless, we all wish that Noah had written this song specifically for us.

Now, please do yourself a favor; turn on Spotify, find a random playlist, and discover new artists. Remember: just because you haven't heard of them doesn't mean they're not worth listening to!