Awesome Indy Rock Bands You Should Be Listening To Right Now

While mainstream rock is cool, Indy rock brings out something different and unique from the genre. Sometimes methodical, sometimes erratic, but always centered around a message. These awesome Indy rock bands are out there and they deserved your attention.

1. Eagulls

Formed in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England in 2010, Eagulls released their first single ‘Council Flat Blues’ on Moshi Moshi imprint Not Even Records. When it comes to indy rock bands, these guys are more post-punk with a melancholic and often times erractic style. The vocalist, George Mitchell provides most of the heart and soul to each single. One of their best is a song called ‘my life in rewind’ which was recently heard in a epsiode of Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why.

2. Daughter

Currently signed to Glassnote and 4AD Records, Daughter are an indie-folk band from England. Known for supporting singer and gutarist Ben Howard, they’ve also released four EP’s and three albums, one of which a soundtrack dedicated to the popular indie video game Life is Strange. For who’s interested, I recommend a title called ‘No Care’ which has an incredible rhythm and tone.

3. Chvrches

Out of all the indy rock bands on this list, none of them brings such a unique, electric style more than Chvrches. Formed in Glasow, Scotland, the band derives much from the synth-pop genre while also adding in a bit of electronic dance to their music. Even their live performances incorporates neon colors and has an sort of retro feel to them. Chvrches won the Rober Awards Music Poll’s breakout artist award in 2013.

4. Speedy Ortiz

Originating from Northampton, Massachusetts, Speedy Ortiz delivers their presenting their best version of alternative rock and noise pop. Formerly a solo project for Sadie Dupuis, the band was name after the death of a comic book series character from Love & Rockets who commited suicide. Dupuis stated that she has had friends who commited suicide while she was making demos for her project. This inspired her to name the band Speedy Ortiz in reference to how ‘everyone else deals with his loss.’

5. The Killers

For a while there The Killers were considered to be indy rock but now they have become so well known that they’re mainstream. However, listening to their song ‘when you were young’ just puts you in the mindset of indy rock. The band now has five consecutive chart topping albums and are still going strong. The band has also played on the White House south lawn on July 4, 2010 for the second annual ‘Salute to the Military.’

6. Death Cab for Cutie

Rolling Stones onced described the work of Death Cab for Cutie as ’emotion through its lack of emotion.’ Perhaps the most subtle and soft of all the indy rock bands on this list, Death Cab for Cutie’s music has a bit of darkness mixed with energy. ‘Meet me on the Equinox’ for instance has disturbing lyrics made all the more by it’s somewhat rapid pace. One of the lyrics reads: ‘the sun crawls across your bedroom.’ If that isn’t creepy, then I don’t know what is.

7. STRFKR

Known as ‘starfucker’ this band’s music is indy mixed with pop, or a sudden jolt of energy and suspense you wouldn’t find anywhere else. ‘Being no one, going nowhere’ incaspulates this the most. It has a hypnotic vibe without being too serious but at the same time, leaving you in a place where you just wonder about life and what’s the point of it all. When it comes to indy rock bands, ‘starfucker’ is by far the most atmospheric on this list.