2023 was yet another year of delightful innovation for the Nashville indie music scene, introducing a multitude of fresh-faced artists and musical additions. Nashville may be famous as the epicenter of country music, but those who know understand Music City has a hell of a lot more to offer than just that.
With a smattering of sub-genres under the indie umbrella such as “experimental” or “psychedelic”, the Nashville indie scene grows larger and more diverse seemingly by the day. Artists have not just found new fanbases, but they have found themselves as well through common themes of self-discovery and healing.
This year saw a variety of profound and unique projects, and with that comes my Top 10 Nashville Indie Releases of 2023:
10. Zach Berkman – “My Old Friend”
Indie folk singer-songwriter Zach Berkman charmed us with his single, “My Old Friend,” in September of this year, joining bittersweet lyrics with his intimate vocals. The delicate guitar and gentle percussive rhythm create an escape for the listener into a new world, earning its place in our Top 10 list. The artist also released his single, “Alone,” not long before “My Old Friend,” which ultimately led to the release of his full-studio album, The Heart Of, in early in November.
9. Gardening, Not Architecture – “Like You”
The more existential and exploratory side of Nashville’s indie scene saw the release of Gardening, Not Architecture’s July video single, “Like You.” Sarah Saturday, the visionary behind the uniquely-named project, dove right into the human-complex of self-discovery with this harmony-layered track. The song is gentle and enticing, showcasing futuristic synths and endearing vocals. “Like You” is the sixth track on the artist’s August EP, Voyage, a further exploration of the experimental music Gardening, Not Architecture is creating.
8. Andy Kahrs – “Sleepin’ On Yourself”
Chock full of old time soul, indie Americana songwriter Andy Kahrs released his single “Sleepin’ On Yourself,” in May of this year. Kahrs’ bright and John Mayer-esque vocals make for a beautiful pairing to his positive defense to imposter syndrome, as he sings, “Come on out of your shell / Baby, you’ve been sleepin’ on yourself.” The singer’s inspiration behind this retro song hits home with just about everyone who has doubted themselves, as he says, “There’s a bully inside our hearts and brains that takes some serious work to silence.”
7. Anna Rose – “Whatever Gets You Through the Night”
Ambient soul pop-rocker Anna Rose delivered a certified banger with her atmospheric and psychedelic single, “Whatever Gets You Through the Night.” Her soft and swaying vocals give the audience something to yearn for, creating a captivating soundscape for the listener to get lost in. The synthetic instruments only add to the smoky journey Rose has gifted us with, making this one of the most resonating releases we came across this year. Her 7-track EP, Last Girl of the Rodeo, dropped in August.
6. Ducky Neptune – “Jamesy Boy”
Nashville’s Ducky Neptune gave yet another indie-soul tune to jam out to this year in “Jamesy Boy.” The song offers an exciting array of instruments including horns and organ that perks the ear up, as the band often bends their sound to that of “psychedelic surf-soul.” This single was a fun introduction to the band’s album Insensitive Plastic, which released in June of this year. The 8-track record is filled with the unique and groovy sound Ducky Neptune has garnered a reputation for.
5. Joel Porter – A Costly Collection
Intimacy and self-discovery were the name of folk singer-songwriter Joel Porter’s game this year, as he released his album, A Costly Collection, for listeners to partake in his journey of contemplation. This album is a breathtakingly honest discovery of the duality that lives in Porter, as he says, “I am not just ‘one thing,’ but rather a spectrum of many things… and within that spectrum lives duality.” With tracks like “Blind Luck, Kind Heart,” Porter opens himself up to the audience with the lyrics, “The only things I’ve ever loved were fragile to the touch and ready to break.” Soft strumming and delicate humming characterize this release, giving the listener something to hold close to their hearts.
4. Taxiway – “Sans Serif”
From their brand new sophomore record This Is Permanent, Taxiway released their lead single “Sans Serif” earlier this year, and it was the vulnerability we all needed. The beautifully-toned guitar supports thoughtful lyrics like, “Am I losing my edge in this world with no edges at all?” This song came as the fourth track to the album, holding its place well as a balancing act in the middle of the deeply honest album. Starting out as a bedroom pop one-man-show, Taxiway has evolved into a group full of friends, harboring their sound as “something of a hybrid between post rock, dream pop, and Americana.”
3. Mali Velasquez – I’m Green
With her own signature wistful sound, Mali Velasquez took the Nashville indie scene by storm this year, releasing her first full-length album, I’m Green, back in October. After a year of hard-hitting singles, the album came as a concise, beautiful tale of vulnerability and healing. This album is all to do with comfort; comfort for the audience, for Velasquez herself, for nature, etc. Working alongside Josef “Jos” Kuhn (known for his work with artists Samia, Annie DiRusso, and Venus & the Flytraps), this emerging artist has masterfully built herself a solid foundation in thhe local scene in only her first year of releases with this eye-opening new album.
2. Corook – serious person (part 1)
After their TikTok viral video featuring the track “If I Were A Fish,” Corook took the Nashville scene in the palm of their hand with the EP serious person (part 1). This EP has most everything a listener could want: vulnerability, romance, self-acceptance, and the list goes on. The sixth track “Natalie,” is a standout on the EP, a playful childhood-reminiscent track with Queer joy written all over it. Serious person (part 1) came as a beam of light this year to the Nashville scene, and Corook is far from finished in their journey to becoming the most positive and upbeat artist on the block.
1. Becca Mancari – Left Hand
Coming in strong at #1, indie stalwart Becca Mancari released their album, Left Hand, in August, and made an indelible mark on the scene in doing so. A masterful execution of introspective indie-pop, Mancari wows listeners again with their well-crafted harmonies and energy-emitting sound. As Mancari quotes, “The truth is every time you step out in your life, and vibrate with an energy of love, it comes back tenfold.” Tracks like “Over and Over” and “I Had A Dream” standout on the twelve-track adventure, with their beautiful instrumentation and resonating lyrics. Coming in as their third studio album, Left Hand is the epitome of the Nashville indie scene with its spirited synths and liberating lyrics.
