12 Hoosier Bands You Must Listen To

Sit back, press play, and enjoy these talented local artists.

Turn up the volume!

I'm here with Cate Pickens from United State of Indiana -- be prepared, we've amassed a list of amazing Hoosier bands from Musical Family Tree and Bandcamp alike that we know you'll love.

1. The Ramettes

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Henry: Dirty, grungy, and totally authentic. Emma Wade's garage grime stands sultry against lo-fi guitars and space-age reverb. 80s punk bubblefuzz and 70s psychedelics fall short of a perfect marriage, lending themselves to a beautiful, musical love affair. They were just recently added to Musical Family Tree: follow them closely, they're going places.

Listen to: “She's Wicked”

For fans of: Bass Drum Of Death, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

2. husband&wife

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Henry: A band no longer together, a blast from the past, yet the memories and their music still live on. husband&wife, born in the fertile Bloomington scene, lent their souls and added to the ever evolving Indiana music landscape. From quiet indie rock, to heartfelt ballads, to gossamer melodies, these guys made it all and made it sound good. Give them a listen: never let their music fade away.

Listen to: “Don't Change”

For fans of: Minus The Bear, Cursive

3. Coyote Armada

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Cate: The groove of folk-rock, but the instrumentation that only comes with experimental, and music and lyrics that make you wonder what the hell is going on in singer/songwriter and frontman Bob Barrick’s head that he can come up with this awesome shit.

Add in multi-instrumentalist Josh Turner, fiddler Reid Swenson, bassist Craig Middleton, and percussionists Patterson Day and Phillp Janz, all incredibly talented musicians in their own right – and you’ve got Coyote Armada. They’ve got unmatchable musical depth and an impressively pristine sound. “Crime Wave” and “Colorado” are perfect tracks for weeping softly over a quarter-life crisis, but the album as a whole is “built for those endless summer evenings when the sun hovers in the distance, refusing to rest. Those nights when one beer on the porch inexplicably turns into four (MFT 2013).

Listen to: “The Ballad of Edward Snowden” and “Crime Wave”

For fans of: Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver

4. The Kemps

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Cate: Another band that is no more, The Kemps were hands-down the best band of the Fountain Square (or Psychedelic Square, if you will) underground rock scene. This garage band is the real-deal rock-and-roll: stomping backbeats, driving guitar riffs, and incredibly high-energy tracks that make it impossible to sit still. The vocals are punchy, and the reverb of the lead singer Jared Birden adds a retro vibe to the tracks. Their music is an elusive gem – you can download them at MFT, and there are a sacred few vinyl floating around Indianapolis. I happen to have one of them, and I can assure you it’s perfect for when you want to put on eyeliner and stomp around reliving your angsty teen years.

Listen to: "Numb to the Bone"

For fans of: The Black Keys, The Kills

5. The Poncé Brothers

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Cate: There are two types of Hoosiers: those that love country music, and those that can't stand it. But we can all come together over the music of the Poncé Brothers; the twin brothers blend the best of country and classic rock into their 2013 Americana album American Novella. Their heartfelt lyrics have all the nostalgia of Indiana nights without the clichés of mainstream country music. Just enough twang to be endearing but not off-putting, and just enough rock to rock. As someone who “hates country music” this album is my go-to for neutralizing my friends who request Kenny Chesney in the car.

Listen to: "Harp Playin' Gal From Toronto"

For fans of: The Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers

6. Sweet Poison Victim

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Cate: Groovy, weird, and weirdly catchy, Sweet Poison Victim blends sounds from Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, the Caribbean, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil with Western Pop and Psychedelic Music. After listening to their discography twice, I still can't tell you anything about them, but I can tell you that if they played a house party, the cops would definitely be called and you would probably have the best night of your life. I encourage you to become their next victim.

Listen to: ChopYoDolla

For fans of: Rikki Ililonga, TuneYards

7. Sleeping Bag

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Henry: Catchy, poppy, phenomenal: Sleeping Bag is the kind of band your cool friend listens to when you're in their car. “Check out this new band,” they say, “they're from Bloomington, they've been releasing stuff since 2011 and they've still got their groove.” The harmonies, the whistling, and the summery guitar riffs all manifest themselves in your ear – all of a sudden, you're tapping your foot to the beat. “Here, you can borrow this CD,” they say, and all of a sudden you're recommending them to all of your friends. That, my friends, is how amazing music should be spread.

Cate: I like to think I'm that friend.

Listen to: “Walk Home”

For fans of: Cheers Elephant, Guster

8. I Dream In Evergreen

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Henry: These young artists are a refreshing breath for Hoosier music. Ready to rock and get their music out, I Dream In Evergreen's combined talents and ambition are out of this world. It'll be awesome to watch as this Indie Rock group grows and becomes more popular -- get ready, because this Indianapolis band is going places REAL soon!

Listen to: "Nashville"

For Fans Of: Jimmy Eat World, Brand New

9. James and the Drifters

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Henry: These guys hail from Huntington and Fort Wayne and know what it means to bleed Hoosier. James and the Drifters' folk and alt-rock style is catchy and moving; if you have the chance to see them in concert, they will jam their hearts out and get you dancing on your feet. Their lyrics, telling and sincere -- their roots, grounded deep into this great state of Indiana.

Listen to: "When I Die"

For Fans Of: Wilco, Beta Radio, The Lone Bellow

10. Brother O' Brother

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Henry: This list would be incomplete without Brother O' Brother. Crashing toms and cymbals? Check. Driving, distorted blues guitar? Check. Strong vocals and amazing musicality? Double check. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of garage rock and soul emanating from these guys; make sure you download their newest song here as well, who doesn't like free music?

Listen to: “Come Around”

For fans of: The Raconteurs, Eagles Of Death Metal, The Black Keys

11. Brandon Whyde & the Devil's Keep

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Cate: I’ll say it. Brandon Whyde is a real panty-dropper. Watching him perform is a religious experience – he knows his guitar better than John Mayer and his voice rumbles overtop with more soul than Cee Lo Green. He’s got a way with words that hasn’t been seen since Marvin Gaye. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Chris Weller on upright bass and and Benji Ballard on percussion joined in and gave us Brandon Whyde and the Devil’s Keep. I’m sitting on the edge of my seat for an album to accompany “Gun to My Heart.” In the meantime I’ll be watching this performance of Tit for Tat + “Let’s Get it On” on loop. #blessed

Henry: Hashtag blessed!

Listen to: “Tit for Tat”

For fans of: Hall and Oates, Bob Dylan, David Bowie

12. Extra Blue Kind

Henry: One of Musical Family Tree's most played bands, Extra Blue Kind is the most alt of the alt-rockers, the most indie of the indie-rockers, the coolest of the cool crowd. On top of the wavy, four four ballads and driving electric guitar brigades, the group brings in their pent-up Hoosier passion and lets it explode into this beautiful, hot mess. If you ever have a chance to see them live, drop everything. Go. Go now.

Listen to: "Lipstick"

For fans of: Rogue Wave, Jukebox the Ghost