The first concert I ever attended was the Boston Calling Music Festival in September of 2015. Ever since that weekend, I have been obsessed with alternative and indie music, and I have discovered some really cool new musicians. Here is a list of just some of my favorites and a few of their best songs!

1. Misterwives

Led by the badass Mandy Lee, Misterwives is an alternative/indie pop group from NYC. Every song by this group is like its own party. Let Misterwives get the best of your imagination and jam to their upbeat hits like "Our Own House," "Reflections," and "Box Around the Sun."

2. Alt-J

Before Boston Calling, I had never heard of this band whose name comes from the Greek letter "delta" when typed on a Mac. After their stunning performance as the Saturday headliners, triangles became my favorite shape. Take the time to listen with the lyrics open in front of you, as the words are hard to discern at times. Once you know what lead singer Joe Newman is saying, you'll be just as obsessed as I am. Check out their songs "Breezeblocks," "Fitzpleasure," and "Every Other Freckle," just a few of my favorites!

3. CHVRCHES

This electronic group from Scotland is one of my all time favorites. Lead vocalist Lauren Mayberry is an incredible performer and a sweetheart, and her band-mates Iain and Martin are master synthesizers. I cannot wait to see them live in Boston at the House of Blues in June! I highly recommend songs like "The Mother We Share," "Leave a Trace," "Bury It," and "Never Ending Circles."

4. Of Monsters and Men

Easily one of the most fun bands to see live, Of Monsters and Men hails from Iceland and features lead singers Nanna and Raggi. With a more indie/folk sound to them, OMAM is one of the essential sounds to any music festival, including Boston Calling. Their first album, My Head Is An Animal, has a more upbeat, folk-y sound to it and includes songs like "Six Weeks," "Little Talks," and "Mountain Sound." Their new album, "Beneath the Skin," has a more solemn tone and features some of my all-time favorites songs: "Empire," "Crystals," and "Wolves without Teeth."

5. Alabama Shakes

I beg you all to go see Alabama Shakes live at least once in your life; they will rock your socks off! Brittany Howard, the band's lead singer and guitarist, is one of the coolest musicians around. Watching her jam (or freak out depending on your viewpoint) on stage is such an awesome experience, and believe me, all the songs are infectious. Hang loose to songs like "Don't Wanna Fight," "Future People," "Dunes," and "Rise to the Sun."

6. Ellie Goulding

The British queen of pop, Ellie Goulding, sings some of my favorite songs of all time, and most of them are not played on the radio. We all know her fun hits such as On My Mind, Burn, and Outside, but she has three full albums full of love-torn ballads and dance-like-nobody-is-watching smashers. My personal faves include "Animal," "Guns and Horses," "Flashlight," and "Don't Panic." I will always love Ellie like I do right now.

7. Lorde

The Kiwi queen of music, the fierce Ella Yelich-O'Connor of New Zealand, is one of my icons. If I could sing as well as she does, I would become a musician and she would be my inspiration. Her first album, Pure Heroine, is a coming-of-age story, describing her time growing up and dealing with her "new-found fame." All the songs on this album were the soundtrack to the transition to college and helped me deal with my own time of growing up. Lorde is working on her new album now, and she is also responsible for curating the soundtrack to "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One." Oh, and did I mention she's only 19? How cool is she? Be sure to check out all of "Pure Heroine" as well as her new song with Disclosure called "Magnets" (check out the music video too!).

8. Walk the Moon

This alternative/pop group is also very fun to see live! Hailing from Ohio, Walk the Moon has some of the most catchy songs around, including "Shut Up and Dance," "Down in the Dumps," "Avalanche," and "Anna Sun." I had tickets to see them live this summer with "Misterwives," but due to a serious illness in lead singer Nick's family, the tour was cancelled. Please keep Nick's family in your thoughts.

9. BØRNS

Michigan native Garrett Borns is a relatively new artist. His first album, Dopamine, was released in October 2015, and as soon as I heard Electric Love, one his most famous songs, I was a fan. Check out all of his songs from "Dopamine," including "American Money," "Holy Ghost," and "Past Lives." If you become a huge fan like me, be sure to get tickets to the next Boston Calling where BØRNS will be performing in May!

10. Hozier

I had to save my absolute favorite artist for last. The Irish god himself, Andrew Hozier-Byrne, is the singer and guitarist responsible for the hit sing Take Me to Church, but also has an INCREDIBLE self-entitled album. My all-time favorite song is Jackie and Wilson. I turn the car radio up all the way and jam to this song every time it comes on. "From Eden" and "Sedated" are two standouts from the album, and "Cherry Wine" is a powerful lament about domestic violence (if you buy the single, all the proceeds go towards helping victims of domestic abuse). At Boston Calling last fall, my friends and I waited at the same stage all day just so we could be close to him when he performed at 9:30 p.m. And it was worth it; it was divine.

So, there they are, all my favorite artists! If you are ever looking for new music, check out any and all of these fantastic bands and singers. Let's tessellate!