I grew up playing alongside my best mates in dingy clubs and venues, engulfed in the disgusting smells and sights that are synonymous with angsty late-teen indie rock. There’s a big part of me that misses the scene, and the confidence I had that I would hit the illustrious Big Time. There’s huge value in the passion of the unrecognised artist, and the magic that can come out of playing for kicks, rather than a Big Three label’s pay check.
Here’s a playlist of artists that haven’t quite attained global fame. Some of them never will, and I think that’s okay. They’ll always have the joy of knowing someone out there is listening…