5 Pop Rock Indie Music Artists You Need to Know
We all know the mainstream pop and rock artists that dominate the airwaves, but there are plenty of great indie music artists out there too. Here are 5 pop rock indie music artists you need to know!
Hozier
Hozier is an Irish singer-songwriter from County Wicklow. He achieved international attention with his 2013 debut single “Take Me to Church”, which peaked at number one in several countries, including Ireland, Australia and the UK. His eponymous debut album was released in 2014 and peaked at number 2 in the US and number 1 in Ireland. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.
The Paper Kites
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, The Paper Kites are an indie pop band that has been enchanting listeners since 2012. The group is known for their heart-wrenching ballads and lush instrumentation, which often features the banjo, piano, and cello. The Paper Kites have released three albums to date: States (2012), twelvefour (2015), and On the Train Ride Home (2017). If you’re a fan of emotional indie pop music, then you need to check out The Paper Kites.
The 1975
The 1975 is an English pop rock band from Manchester, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Matthew “Matty” Healy, drummer George Daniel, bassist Ross MacDonald, and rhythm guitarist Adam Hann. The band’s debut album, Chaotic Contentment (2012), was released to commercial and critical success. The band’s second album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016), debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and received widespread critical acclaim. The album won the band the NME Award for Best Album as well as two BRIT Awards—Best British Group and Best British Album—and was nominated for three Grammy Awards.
Bastille
Bastille is a four-piece English indie rock band formed in 2010. The group began as a solo project by singer-songwriter Dan Smith, who later decided to form a band. The name of the band comes from Bastille Day, which is also Smith’s birthday. The band is currently signed to Virgin Records and their debut album, Bad Blood, was released in 2013. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one in the UK and number two in the US.
The Naked and Famous
The Naked and Famous are a New Zealand indie rock band that formed in 2007. The band consists of Alisa Xayalith (lead vocals, keyboards), Thom Powers (co-lead vocals, guitars), Aaron Short (synthesizers), David Beadle (bass) and Jesse Wood (drums). The band’s breakthrough single, “Young Blood”, peaked at number one in their home country and charted in the top five in Australia. The band’s debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You (2010), was certified gold in New Zealand, platinum in Australia and Ireland, and silver in the United Kingdom.
