EarToTheGround Music

Why Small Venues and Localism Are the Big Thing Post-Pandemic Discover why small venues are thriving post-pandemic and how they foster a sense of localism through community, connection and affordable live experiences.

Why Small Venues and Localism Are the Big Thing Post-Pandemic

Discover why small venues are thriving post-pandemic and how they foster a sense of localism through community, connection and affordable live experiences.

-Keep up the quality coverage through November and early December

-Feature end of year lists in mid-December

-Take a few weeks' rest in the second half of December

-Return in early January 2026 ready to find new music for another year!

We woke up to 70+ submissions on SubmitHub and 40+ submissions on Groover today. We're busy and we're doing our best. The plan as we wind down the year is as follows:

The Art of Self-Expression: Chappell Roan’s Eclectic Fashion and Country Music Revolution Chappell Roan is finally having her moment in the spotlight, and it’s well deserved. The Missouri-born singer-songwriter has been making waves with her bold, theatrical performances, unapologetic self-expression, and, more recently, her unexpected dive into country music. If her trajectory is anything to go by, she’s not just a rising star—she’s a full-blown cultural force. Roan first gained attention as a teenager by posting cover songs on YouTube, but it was her 

5 Reasons you should play guitar over other instruments

How to Sell Your Song: A 2025 Guide for Independent Songwriters Want to learn how to sell your song? This guide for songwriters covers sync deals, publishing, getting started with a PRO like ASCAP or BMI, and more.

How to Sell Your Song: A 2025 Guide for Independent Songwriters

Want to learn how to sell your song? This guide for songwriters covers sync deals, publishing, getting started with a PRO like ASCAP or BMI, and more.

Three new pop rock tracks that will have you ready to head out to a show Jacob on the Moon – “Swimming in Your World”-There’s something about the chill groove of this track that won me over right away. The vocal sits right in the pocket, allowing…

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/06/16/t...

Discover a pair of rootsy country tracks that will make you feel “homesick for somewhere I never been” Abby Webster – “I Wanna Live!”-If you’re a fan of traditional country music sounds, this track definitely connects. The banjo is absolutely excellent. The lyrics have this h…

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/06/16/d...

Three new Americana tracks that echo with the sounds of the past Joe Nolan – “Too Much Time to Kill”-If you’re a fan of authentic acoustic guitar with meaningful lyrics, you’ll find a lot to like with this new track from Joe Nolan. …

We are SO back!

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/06/10/t...

Three indie pop jams that will have you grooving with your eyes closed Florence Noon – “One Love”-I dig this groove so much that I had to say “yes” to the track. The production is absolutely outstanding, allowing the listener to connect w…

#IndiePop #newmusic

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/05/20/t...

Three sweet tracks showing the tender side of Americana Hills of Belgium – “Sourwood Mountain”-So the highest compliment I could give this song is that when I clicked play on it, I was reminded of reenactments and festivals I’ve …

#Americana #newmusic

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/05/06/t...

Three tracks for fans of Americana and alt country tunes Admiral Radio - "Cotton Candy Sky"-It's hard to beat a classic love song. This is a track that is deeply rooted in country tradition. You can hear it in the line about "hard times coming." The easy going chord work on the track feels familiar, like you've heard it before but you can't quite put your finger on it. This is what the great folk and country tradition is all about; it's an amalgam of other sounds and influences, some that go back to the old country or up in the mountains.

Three tracks for fans of Americana and alt country tunes

Admiral Radio - "Cotton Candy Sky"-It's hard to beat a classic love song. This is a track that is deeply rooted in country tradition. You can hear it in the line about "hard times coming." The easy going chord work on the track feels…

Three excellent new indie folk tunes that will calm your spirit Georgi Krastev – “Mountain Mare”-If you’ve been around my writing for any length of time, you know I love some good gentle fingerpicking acoustic guitar work. This song fits…

#indiefolk

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#indiepop #indierock

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Album Review: Luke Beling – This Parlor Trick Life – Spiritually seeking folk troubadour If the name Luke Beling seems familiar, it’s because I have covered his work in the past. This latest album brings together several developed themes for a spiritual-seeking album that stays t…

I don't get to write longer form reviews as often as I'd like, but when I do... whew... it's an album of note. #folk #singersongwriter

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/04/22/a...

Three rock tracks showing off the different subgenres within rock music Meir Levine – “Something I Can Believe In”-Through the year, I usually find a half dozen songs like this that remind me that “they” do make music like they used to. It…

#rock #indierock #newmusic

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/04/17/t...

Three wonderful new folk songs that bring a balanced and calm energy SYML - "Heavy Hearts"-I've been writing about SYML for a few years now and it's easy to hear why I keep saying yes. They are really talented. Everything from composition to execution has this wonderful energy to it. The power in the vocal is sustained from the falsetto into the full throated sound. What's interesting to me is how a bold vocal can still carry such a calming energy to it.

Three wonderful new folk songs that bring a balanced and calm energy

SYML - "Heavy Hearts"-I've been writing about SYML for a few years now and it's easy to hear why I keep saying yes. They are really talented. Everything from composition to execution has this wonderful energy to it. The power in…

Featured Single: The Hudson Branch – “Misplaced Mirror” The Hudson Branch - "Misplaced Mirror"-If you're looking for a chill composition style with elements of folk and rock, this track by The Hudson Branch is definitely worth checking out. From first listen I was struck by how much it reminds me of artists like Noah Gundersen and David Ramirez, both we've featured here. The vocal sits right in that comfortable register that makes it easy to connect.

Featured Single: The Hudson Branch – “Misplaced Mirror”

The Hudson Branch - "Misplaced Mirror"-If you're looking for a chill composition style with elements of folk and rock, this track by The Hudson Branch is definitely worth checking out. From first listen I was struck by how much it reminds me…

Three contemplative folk singer songwriters that you’ll want for your own private collection Bryony Lloyd – “Moon in Libra”-From the first time I clicked play on this track, I knew I was going to be a fan. It’s impossible not to compare Bryony Lloyd with Dodie Clark…

#atmospheric #dreampop #indiepop #folk #newmusic

FFO: Dodie Clark

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/04/10/t...

Three engaging new singer songwriters at the connection point of rock, Americana, and alt country music Adrien Latgé – “Fresh Air”-When I first found this song, I experienced a number of successive moments of joy. I like the beat and the overall vibe, but then the voice hit me as we…

#folkrock #indierock #newmusic #Americana #altrock

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/04/10/t...

Submission Guidelines We are always willing to give a new band a listen.  After all, that’s what we do! However, we get quite a few submissions and will try to get to them in a timely fashion.  Please al…

Absolutely! Thanks for your interest. Here's our submission process:

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/submission-g...

Three emotionally captivating singer songwriters at the intersection of folk and indie pop Kora Feder – “Paragraphs”-From the first time I clicked play on this track, I was captivated. Kora Feder has one of those voices where you feel like you grew up with her… or…

#indiepop #folk #newmusicfriday #newfolkmusic

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/04/04/t...

Three new indie rock tracks that you have to put on your weekend playlist! Powell House – “Don’t Go”-When I tell people that I like indie rock music, this is the sound I want them to think about. Honestly, everything about this track works for me. …

#indierock #newmusic #newmusicfriday

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/04/04/t...

Hey they liked it! Well, you know what, we like them too. :)

Three new alt country tracks that will remind you why the genre is so treasured Eric Gabriel – “Toledo”-The best word I can use to describe this wonderful song is “unhurried.” It’s not just slow… it’s painstakingly slow… an…

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/03/21/t...

The autoshare is not working properly. We've shared a half a dozen articles since the last one that appeared here... UGH

Three new Americana tracks that blend the past and the present with delightful precision The Burney Sisters – “Seeds I’ve Sown”-If vocal harmonies are your “thing” then you’ve come to the right place. This song has some of the most wonderful so…

For fans of #Americana especially...

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/03/05/t...

Three new indie pop tracks that carry meaningful emotional weight tan sholto – “closer”-There’s a soft gentle energy to this track that I really enjoyed from first listen. It’s about being closer with a lover. More than the lyrical c…

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Three acoustic folk songs that remind me why I love writing about music Jason Piquette – “Drop the Gun”-If you’ve been around this site for a while, you’ll remember me writing about Joshua Hyslop several times. I’m happy to report th…

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/03/05/t...

Four new tracks in the folk scene that we found on the submission platform Groover The Pairs - "Good Bad Day"-If you're a fan of acoustic folk music and incredible harmonies, you've definitely come to the right place. I'm a big fan of this style of music and found myself immediately connecting with the lyrical style here. The soft acoustic guitar work dances delicately with the vocal harmonies. The poetic lyrical style feels relatable and engaging.

Four new tracks in the folk scene that we found on the submission platform Groover

The Pairs - "Good Bad Day"-If you're a fan of acoustic folk music and incredible harmonies, you've definitely come to the right place. I'm a big fan of this style of music and found myself immediately connecting…

Three new folk songs, including an instant add to the “song of the year” candidate list Dan Pallotta – “School Bus”-This is the first song in a long, long time that made me openly cry. I mean… I’m talking full on crocodile tears and a feeling of being com…

First song in a long time that made my cry... like big ole crocodile tears... #folk #folkmusic #acoustic #newmusic

www.eartothegroundmusic.co/2025/03/04/t...