Welcome back to our weekly NMF roundup. Here’s what we think you should be listening to this week!

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Hips - Con Davison

IYL: Wingman, Aldrich, Fires of Denmark

con davison is a producer based in austin, tx. in addition to his solo work, he was a member of Bad Bad Hats for many years and has contributed as a producer, mixer and multi instrumentalist on records with Alabama Deathwalk, Aldrich, Carrellee, Keep for Cheap, Dreamspook, Poolboy, Beemer and many others.

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HEART EYES - Pepper Said

IYL: Genevieve Heyward, South for Winter, Fable Cry

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fear of moving on - comfort club

IYL: Conor, healer, seth arlan

Los Angeles-based Comfort Club is an indie pop artist, channeling honesty in gut-wrenching lyricism that takes every listener on a journey through love and heartbreak, forging a community out of his lonely moments. Sonically, he epitomizes dream pop with silky guitar and effervescent melodies, emulating his favorite artists like John Mayer. Comfort Club is a completely DIY project, collaborating with undeniable rising stars like Ritt Momney and Christian French. His catalog collected over 3.5 Million streams and counting, while also landing him on Spotify playlists like “Indie Pop” and “Undercurrents” as well as earning him a spot in the Fresh Finds Class of 2021, further proving he is truly an artist to watch in years to come.

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congratulations - kenzie cait

IYL: Devon Gabriella, ken xox, Kylie Muse

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kenzie Cait makes the kind of music that prompts the listener to think, “How did she put what I’m feeling into words?”

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As a guitarist and writer who was told she began humming melodies before she could speak, music is truly embedded into Kenzie Cait’s DNA. With more and more people clamoring for music in the vein of Ariana Grande, Phoebe Brigers, and Olivia Rodrigo, with the blueprint of Taylor Swift, Kenzie has arrived just in time.

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She’s an artist who wants to reach people with her music however she can, whether it be through live shows or social media, and is making waves in the meantime with recordings like the dreamy, urgent, and deeply honest “that girl” or the sassy and irreverent “don’t break my…”. Above all, Kenzie Cait wants people to feel heard: “When people listen to my music, I want them to know that dramatic emotions are okay, and that they should have grace with themselves. I hope they know it’s ok to react to moments in life in a natural way.”

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Kenzie Cait makes music to be shared, whether in the form of a live concert or a friend DMing a streaming link. Her music has a communal sense of understanding to it, paramount to Kenzie’s vision for her artistry going forward. She’s a fan’s fan through and through; she herself has spent her life loving those who inspire her. Now, she’s taking her chance to step into the spotlight herself.

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Wild Spirit - The National Parks

IYL: Little Chief, Tow'rs, Morningsiders

4 friends from the beehive state making folk music 🫶

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Just Around The Corner Pt. 1 - Bailey Hamrick

IYL: natnat, Maxwell Luke, Kellan Christopher Cragg

Bailey Hamrick is an artist and producer out of Brooklyn New York. His music spans multiple genres and styles from Nostalgic Alternative Pop and Indie rock to Acoustic Folk.

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pit stop - Georgia Parker

IYL: Emma Campbell, Carol Ades, Margot Liotta

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Angel Numbers - Rachel Bochner

IYL: Xana, Taylor Bickett, Isabel Pless

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All Your Life - Still Woozy

IYL: Gus Dapperton, Peach Pit, Hippo Campus

Hii my name is Sven. Still Woozy is my solo project, and I record all parts in my garage/studio

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Deserve to Die - Rubi Rose

IYL: LightSkinKeisha, Erica Banks, Yung Miami

The rap game is filled with stories of underdogs who rise to the top, but a more intriguing story might be the one about the unexpected rap star -- the kind of artist who sneaks up then explodes onto the scene with a sound you didn’t know you needed but can’t live without. Rubi Rose is one of those unexpected gems -- a bilingual Georgia State-educated daughter of Eritrean professionals who serves up original, explicit, and unrestrained lyrical skills.

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The Loneliest Girl in the World - Laci Kaye Booth

IYL: Laine Hardy, Carter Faith, Lauren Mascitti

From trailer park baby to becoming CMT’s 2022, “Next Women of Country Music”, Laci Kaye Booth is living proof that where you come from and what you’ve been through, doesn’t define your destination. Born and raised in Livingston, TX, Laci was your typical small town, auburn headed beauty queen. At the age of 8, Booth got introduced to Patsy Cline’s, “Crazy” and performed for the first time ever at a local theatre in Huntsville, TX. That was the spark that ignited it all and a year later, her mother bought her first guitar.

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Driving wherever she needed, Booth auditioned for “The Voice.” After several auditions and not making it through, Laci was planning another life and going to college to become a Physician’s Assistant. In late 2018, what Booth thought was an unobtainable goal, she took another chance and auditioned for “American Idol.” Riding through the treacherous emotions, Booth not only made it through, she took America by storm and broke into Season 17’s Top 5, leaving her no choice but to drop out of college to pursue the dream she’s had since she was 8 years old.

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Influenced by Patsy Cline, Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones and Kacey Musgraves, Booth is blending sounds, dreamy melodies and telling her truth in the most honest, authentic, creatively stunning way she’s ever done before. Using life's gut wrenching moments as fuel, this sweet, beautiful, small town, trailer park-barn living girl knows what’s she’s doing and she is doing things on her own terms, her way.

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HIT ME HARD AND SOFT - Billie Eilish

IYL: Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Melanie Martinez

With the release of her highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Happier Than Ever,’ the 22-year-old Los Angeles native remains one of the biggest stars to emerge in the 21st century. Since the release of her debut single “ocean eyes” in 2015, Eilish continues to shatter the ceiling of music with her genre-defying sound. Fast forward from her humble breakout, her album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S as well as 17 additional countries around the world upon release in 2019, and was the most streamed album of that year. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? was written, produced and recorded entirely by Billie Eilish and brother FINNEAS in their childhood home of Los Angeles. Billie Eilish went on to make history as the youngest artist to receive nominations and win in all the major categories at the 62nd GRAMMY® Awards, receiving an award for Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Album. Billie Eilish is also the youngest artist to write and record an official James Bond theme song, ‘No Time To Die.’ Most recently, Billie Eilish was nominated for four additional awards at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2021, and took home both Record of the Year for 'everything i wanted,' and Best Song Written For Visual Media for 'No Time To Die.’ Billie Eilish’s latest album ‘Happier Than Ever’ was written by Billie and her brother FINNEAS, who also produced the album.

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BOYS - flowerovlove

IYL: Nxdia, Rachel Chinouriri, Baby Queen

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Hey Baby - Laurence Guy

IYL: Hidden Spheres, Tell, Patrick Holland

Artist, DJ, Producer, and purveyor of beloved, critically acclaimed house music.
Having crafted his own signature of contemporary underground music, Laurence Guy has enjoyed notable commercial success - over 60 million streams and counting - and amassed a collection of loyal listeners and tastemakers, all of whom are united in an appreciation for his outstanding production abilities and talents as a DJ and producer. Emerging, like many young UK artists, from the grassroots of genres such as D’n’B, Dubstep, and Future Garage, and formed by his experiences at some of the UK’s great clubbing institutions like Cable, Fabric, and Herba, Laurence has always been keen to explore his own personal artistic vision. Delving into different musical routes and exploring the layering of original compositions over samples and loops has kept Laurence at the forefront of a scene where trends can change quickly and leave others behind.

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You're What I Need - Jenny Don't and the Spurs

IYL: Roselit Bone, Sarah Shook & the Devil, Emily Rose and the Rounders

Emerging from the Pacific Northwest, over the past decade Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have built a reputation as hardworking and musically-driven stalwarts of the Country Western scene. Despite facing challenges like Jenny's vocal surgery in 2019 and the loss of drummer Sam Henry to cancer in 2022, they've remained resilient and fully committed to their musical journey. With a fierce DIY ethos, they've independently released the majority of their 13 albums and singles on their own label, cultivating a vast international following through extensive tours across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and performances in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Mexico. In 2021, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs garnered attention with their album Fire On The Ridge, a collaboration with Fluff and Gravy records that topped the Alt Country charts. Their achievements included receiving the coveted "2023 Outlaw Group" award at Dale Watson's Ameripolitan Award Ceremony in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Jenny Don’t and the Spurs remain committed to pursuing their passion with their upcoming release Broken Hearted Blue, slated to debut on June 14th, 2024, via Fluff and Gravy records.

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Kitchen Fan Lullaby (raw) - Claire Boyer

IYL: Vines, Take Care, Morgan Clae

After leaving Virginia, Claire Boyer took her voice westward to California. Her songwriting hinges on those sharp emotions of growing up that persist across time zones, memories, and jet lag. Her music translates raw feelings into lyrics, seeking to answer her questions of anxiety and self-worth. She sings to everything--most recently, her kitchen fan. The recent attention to her kitchen fan harmonies has broken the dam of her love for creating.

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Adjacent to Alright - Ellis Piper

IYL: Pacing, Tarquin Alexandra, Lauryn Marie

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Trevor Town - Elephant Foot

IYL: Ruby Lane, Melancholia, Little Cowboy

Elephant Foot is a snappy sextet brought together by a shared appreciation for music that jams, funks, and makes you want to dance. Drawing from a variety of influences, the band strives to create punchy, driving rhythms with hooks you won't soon forget. The band is anchored by the rhythm section of Drew Webber (bass), Spencer Berger (keys) and the always in time Jalen Julian (drums). Tyler Gerstheimer (guitar) weaves tasteful lead lines, while Trevor Phillippe (sax) soars above with virtuosic ease. It's all brought together by the powerful vocals of Eli Hawyward (vocals/guitar). 

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Still Frozen - Hotel Fiction

IYL: Well Kept, Elijah Johnston, lighthearted

Hotel Fiction is the musical project of best friends Jade Long and Jessica Thompson. After meeting in Athens GA, the duo began playing together and simply haven't stopped. After releasing their first single ‘Astronaut Kids’, the two began working on their first album 'Soft Focus' which they released in August 2021. They have been touring across the US in their van Maggie May ever since and hope to come to a city near you and one day play on the moon.

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Paperweight - Smallpools

IYL: Magic Man, The Colourist, CRUISR

Nashville/LA indie-rockers Smallpools erupted onto the scene with their head turning opening statement, “Dreaming” (now RIAA Certified Gold). The song surged to the top of the HypeMachine chart; quickly earning the band support from alternative radio stations across the country, multiple late night television appearances and a home on the road as the opening act for Twenty One Pilots, Walk the Moon, Grouplove and Two Door Cinema Club on their national tours. Smallpools then released their acclaimed, debut album LOVETAP! and spent the majority of the next two years selling out venues nationwide in support of its release.

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Julia Roberts - MARIS

IYL: Lo Lauren, Sophia Veraz, Moody Joody

MARIS hitched a ride on a comet to Los Angeles in 2021, and decided to stay and become a pop music sensation. Her mission on this planet is to connect with listeners through her candid experiences as a queer and emotionally vulnerable songwriter with an ‘80s-inflected pop universe and beats you can’t help but dance along to. 
In 2023, MARIS released a celestial six-song EP, Gravity, and accompanying short film, Gravity: The EP: the Movie (Black House, Best Friends Music), followed by new singles, “Voicemail”, “Hot Guitar Player”, and “GOING YET!.” She supported the releases throughout the solar system, opening for acts including Anna Of The North and The Wrecks. 
Fans can catch MARIS Earth-side this summer performing at Boston Calling, an upcoming show with Kid Sistr in June, and Missoula Pride. Best experienced live, MARIS and her music have a riveting aura that ensures all in attendance are in a safe place to be their happiest, truest, and most out-of-this-world selves.

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the golden years - Joshua Bassett

IYL: Jeremy Shada, Ashe,  Gracie Abrams

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Every Little Moment - Rob Fink and East Love

IYL: Anders Sohn, Clouds And Thorns, BYRNE

East Love is an indie-pop group based in New York City. Band members include Lukas Effman (lead vocals), Rob Fink (guitar, vocals), Alex Goldstein (ukulele, bass, vocals), Andy Koehler (keys), and Austin Deyo (drums). Lukas, Robbie, & Alex Goldstein have been playing together since their high school days, and they all teamed up to form East Love when they moved to New York City in late 2012. East Love is focused on writing, recording, and performing honest music - both from a lyrical and instrumentation standpoint. The band weaves in pop influences, but always keeps the music grounded in real instruments and lots of vocal harmonies. East Love has performed to sold out crowds at a number of iconic New York City venues including Brooklyn Bowl, The Highline Ballroom, Joe’s Pub, The Studio at Webster Hall, The Gramercy Theatre, The Marlin Room at Webster Hall, Rockwood Music Hall, and The Cutting Room.

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Hellier, Forever - Mia Day

IYL: Noa Jamir, Will Roesner, Rocky Leonard

For an entire year, Seattle born indie-rocker Mia Day woke up out of breath. Her father had left her mother, and her partner — the guitarist in her band at the time — soon followed suit. Unmoored and unglued, she made her way through each day doing the only thing that had ever made sense to her: writing music. Those songs, forged during what could only be described as a hell year, comprise the musician’s most vital release yet, Hellier, Forever (out May 17th), which takes its title from a supernatural docuseries Day and her partner used to watch about a spooky Kentucky town — and the fact that if you say its name fast enough, it sounds like 365 days of torture. “I made this album as a way to survive,” she says.
On “Severed” (the lead single off Hellier), Day returns to her roots: the grungy, raw music that she listened to in the car with her Aunt, driving around the streets of Seattle.“That song felt like a breakthrough for me,” she says. Angsty and super loud, “Severed” is the sound of Day finally pulling herself free from the morass, ending, quite appropriately, with a guttural scream. When recording the song, Day mused that she didn’t remember the last time she’d channeled her frustration, her pain, her loss into something so visceral. One thing was for sure, though — it felt great. - Brenna Ehrlich

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Deeper Waters - Jeremy Camp

IYL: Big Daddy Weave, Building 429, Matthew West

Between 2002 and 2023, Jeremy has released twelve albums, five of them RIAA- certified as Gold. He has sold over 6 million albums with 43 #1 singles across all formats. His music has earned him numerous awards and nominations across the Christian and mainstream music industries, including five GMA Dove Awards, Grammy nomination, three American Music Award nominations, and four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Awards. Camp was named Billboard’s #2 Christian artist of the decade as well. Outside of music, in 2020 Jeremy had an international theatrical movie release called “I Still Believe” which hit #1 in the box office opening night. The film depicted his life story of love and loss of his first wife after a battle with cancer. Camp has always written songs about his experiences and continues to write from the deep places of his heart.