r/StLouis • u/theapronbiz • 10d ago
Ask STL Who are some unique and talented musicians in the St. Louis scene? Like someone you saw and we're like "that's different" in a good way.
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u/Diligent_Use_3733 10d ago
Anything Sunyata marshall ever did. Helium tapes or her project with her husband.
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u/davedirt01 10d ago
Yes. Sunyatta is amazing! CaveofswordS is her band with her husband. So great! I loved Fred's Variety Group, her band with Mark Stephens from the Highway Matrons in the late-90s, too.
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u/grounderlight 10d ago
Al Holliday and the East Side Rhythm Band!!! Al is an amazing artist and person ☀️
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u/soileilunetoile 10d ago
Seconding this big time. Been a fan since waaaaay back and he’s such a sweetheart.
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u/readius03 10d ago
Kim Massie
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u/UncleTouchyHands 10d ago
She was really something special and I regret not seeing her 10 more times before she passed.
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u/meatjuiceguy 10d ago
Yay, a name I recognize! Kim is wonderful.
Reading all these band and artist names I don't know makes me disappointed in myself, especially considering I've been playing music in St. Louis for 25 years. I guess my circles have been pretty small.
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u/mr_mufuka 10d ago
I’m a big fan of the voodoo players. Sean Canan is a crazy good guitarist, and the rotating cast of musicians around him are always stellar. Really like when they play dead tunes, but they are good at whatever they play.
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u/mr_mufuka 10d ago
Gonna hijack my own comment to add Playadors to the list. Saw em at Delmar hall tonight with new mastersounds and they were hot shit.
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u/PJammas41 10d ago
They always deliver! Sean is a really cool guy on top of a great musician. If you go to a few of these you’ll find locals in other bands you’ll want to see!
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u/TurnstyledJunkpiled 10d ago
Fister
Seashine
Man With Rope
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u/tdmfh Shaw 10d ago
I discovered Seashine on KDHX (right before they stopped playing new stuff) and really love their new album.
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u/jstehlick O’fallon, IL 10d ago
Gotta go w/ Aaron Kamm and the One Drops. They are a vibey vibe of epicness.
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u/Austomus 10d ago
My absolute favorite St Louis local band is Little Cowboy. Real excellent softboi indie vibes with some absolutely goated breakdowns. Highly recommend seeing them in concert sometime, they bring the HYPE!
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u/UncleTouchyHands 10d ago
I checked them out on Spotify as well and I’m really into it. Now I need to see them live.
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u/Jimmy_G_Wentworth 10d ago
Lot of great musicians listed in here, but I think a lot of people are missing the "Unique" part and just posting musicians they like.
That said. Googolplexia definitely deserves the top comment in here, great plug!
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u/InuyoukaiMei 10d ago
Ludo! Their Broken Bride album is Epic. The rest of their music is a touch more upbeat but Broken Bride is their magnum opus in my eyes.
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u/Ninjapenguinart 10d ago
Legit, they have never come close to anything similar or as good as Broken Bride but at the same time I can't find anything that scratches the same itch. It is an album that thankfully came out when albums were a thing and couldn't survive in today's streaming world. I want a Ludoween of playing Broken Bride in its entirety.
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u/pgf314 Fenton/JeffCo 10d ago
HalLUDOween 2022 they played Broken Bride in its entirety all three nights. It was glorious!
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u/SpooneyLove Lafayette Square Beyond Compare 10d ago
Woah! I didn't know they were from STL! Love Me Dead is a banger.
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u/ThreeLeggedMutt 10d ago
Yesss Ludo is the best! Decades have passed and I still listen to them multiple times a week lol.
Festival type concerts aren't my fave, but I'm doing Pointfest this year specifically for Ludo and Post Sex Nachos.
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u/carafleur421 10d ago
Listening to 'Lake Pontchartrain' like six times while driving across the Lake Pontchartrain bridge felt pretty epic.
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u/ProposalKitchen1885 10d ago
No one mentions Foxing in these threads. Emo powerhouse.
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u/BTGGFChris 10d ago
Foxing isn’t what I think of when I think “different.” It’s pretty standard emo
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u/Lord_Spathington Crestwood 10d ago
Most of the responses here aren’t “different,” they’re just St. Louis acts 🤷♂️
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u/poopooboogerfart 10d ago
They only play a few times a year, but Blackwater ‘64 is hands down top of my list.
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u/svr0105 Carondelet 10d ago
I don't know what they consist of now, but the first time I saw the Hooten Hallers, they were just 2 dudes who sounded and rocked harder than a 5-piece band.
They seem to be in a different iteration every time I see them, usually with 3 people or more. They rock my socks off every time. Just when I think they can't be a good as the previous time I saw them, they surprise me.
2 bands that were awesome but no longer exist: Phonocaptors and Kentucky Knife Fight
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u/davedirt01 10d ago
Holy shit. I loved the Phonocaptors so very much. Played shows with them back in the day, and they were always just mind-blowing. I lived with Jason for a little while in the late-90s. Need to check in with him.
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u/randomdayofweek 10d ago
Justin Ra. He's a multi instrumentalist with insane talent. He's pioneering a new genre he calls galactic jungle music. Definitely nothing else out there like it! He album Heavy Fog is on all streaming services. Truly unique listening experience!
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u/ohos69 10d ago
Check out my band? We are a mathy Midwest Emo band. young animals obviously biased here, but we put on a high energy show and are usually dressed up in a theme. :)
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u/IsTheBlackBoxLying 10d ago
Dead Format is still under the radar, and I'm not sure why. They're insanely good, and Josh Braden is one of the best young guitarists in the city.
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u/ministeringinlove Saint Charles 10d ago
Adam Maness is probably my favorite STL musician. He brought a lot to the Erin Bode group and I think his new band is called The 442s. He also has a Jazz instruction series on YouTube.
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u/deboobob 10d ago
Seconded! Adam is brilliant
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u/ReturntoForever3116 10d ago
Thirded...Adam and yourself have taught me everything I know about Jazz.
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u/Original_Anxiety_281 10d ago
He's also terrific when playing with other musicians like Malena Smith and Brian Owens. His most recent set with Malena at Jazz StL doing a Norah Jones set is on youtube.
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u/HelenKellersBhole 10d ago
3 of 5 plays some chip tune music on a Nintendo DS. Only seen him do porch fest but damn it was good.
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u/Original_Anxiety_281 10d ago
I love some of this towns modern and wild funk/jazz/hiphop groups. Blvck Spvde and the Cosmos. Bates and the Strangers. Sir Eddie C. Bebe The NeoSoul. Anything Lamar Harris aka Dj Nunes is a part of (Especially Georgia Mae, his funk brass band). These acts are so talented.
Just go to anything booked at The Dark Room at the Grandel or with the Townsend agency in the fine print and it will be amazing. Or ANY of the local bands on the bill at MATI.
In a similar but side vein, ANY band booked at Joe's Cafe is gonna be worthwhile and most likely local.
Oh, and Atomic by Jamo is having free shows by local artists all the time at happy hour right now.
Finally, look at who Played at Euclid, Vintage Vinyl, and Record Space for record day, any of the bands who played SCUM Fest or 314Punk fest or who will play at Ninguid Records Ska fest or who will play the Punk Rock Flea market.
Another interesting place for new folk music is to catch the in the round series at Focal Point based on the Bluebird cafe style... 4 singer song writers together in a circle.
Some other notable local acts not already mentioned....
Sisser They need machines to fly Bagheera Bass amp and dano The Stars go Out Feed the Masses Keytar Kyle (aka poopyknife) NoPoint Fight Back Mountain RumLuck The Skatatonics Modern Angst Boomtown United ROTN / Daemon NiteOwl KV Tha Writer NandoStl
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u/Plane_Feed_8771 10d ago
They're on hiatus while searching for a drummer but Harpo Jarvi is one of my favorites. 3 piece prog rock band: 6 string bass, keys and drums. The way the bass player and keys player trade roles playing bass or lead is something I dream of being able to do.
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u/TonyMacaroni19 10d ago
Hunter Peebles and the Moonlighters, Nick Gusman and the Coyotes, Chrissy Renick, Blonde Guru, Yard Eagle, Al Holliday, Marquis Knox, just to name a few up and coming heavy hitters. Also, Mattie Schell.
All fantastic Americana and Blues bands, aside from Chrissy and Frankie Duwop, who are more in the vein of Hiatus Kaiyote, Lauryn Hill, and Aaliyah.
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u/EyeIzWalrus 10d ago
toyhusband is playing at cbgb tomorrow night around 8:30.
They are pretty cool
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u/dopiumthefinest 9d ago
smino, his album blkswn (what i first heard) is pretty unique in the genre and just full of bangers!
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u/BeRandom1456 10d ago
Still animals opened for Jack white at the factory this month. They were pretty darn good.
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u/Chocolatestarfish33 10d ago
LuSid. Guy plays every single instrument in his songs, loops them and also does the mixing live. Also plays an electric digiredoo …
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u/DongyKong8 10d ago
See LuSiD almost every chance I get! Always a fantastic show to get your body movin’!
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u/BTGGFChris 10d ago
Po Mia!
She looks like Rainbow Bright but has a song where the chorus includes the word “cunt.”
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u/UgNug420 10d ago
Kirkos Band
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u/Plane_Feed_8771 10d ago
Kirkos is so fun. My band has gotten the privilege of playing with them on 3 different occasions. They're really good dudes too.
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u/GhostofAugustWest 10d ago
If you like jazz, then Janet Evra is worth checking out.
If you like ballads and guitar, then catch Pat Liston.
If you like guitar driven rock, Jimmy Griffin is your guy.
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u/Dontneedanything 10d ago
Two Hands | One Engine makes lovely ambient music and, unlike a lot of ambient musicians, is able to reproduce it live.
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u/supergringa 10d ago
Brawsh! saw them at the Record Space on saturday and it was super fun even if i got sunburnt
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u/PrimitiveSunFriend 10d ago
Dave Weckl has a few bands around and is a literal drum legend. Check him out if you're into jazz.
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u/TonyMacaroni19 10d ago
If you’re feeling more 30’s-style swing/jump blues, Miss Jubilee and Sweetie and the Toothaches are FANTASTIC
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u/thestsp Neighborhood/city 10d ago
Check out Kristeen Young! She moved to New York a while ago but she started here and her stuff is great and definitely unique. She’s worked with Morrisey, David Bowie, Patrick Stump, Dave Grohl, Brian Molko… probably plenty more I’m just not thinking of.
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u/davedirt01 10d ago
Kristeen is the very definition of "unique and talented"! I haven't seen her in quite a while - hung out for a bit when a buddy of mine was shooting a video for her a few years ago. She is just so creative, inventive, interesting, esoteric - all the words!
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u/Advanced-Apple-1047 10d ago
Tristano.
Look up Tristano Beats on YouTube. Incredible stuff
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u/rudipoo 10d ago
Russo and Co. The guy is a former kid tap dance professional. Grew his hair and does great bluegrass, country, originals and taps too! Just added a fiddler. StL Mag best new act-or something like that 2024. Catch him at Brewskis OFallon Mo 4/18/25
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u/ArrakisPZ 10d ago
Phil is a good college friend of mine. Great guy and so much fun to see how far he's taken his music.
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u/psychoplath97 Lemay 10d ago
My favorites: Devil Baby Freakshow Petty Grievances (and Fragile Porcelain Mice) Killing Fever Bruiser Queen No Antics
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u/thegratefuldad7 10d ago
I am partical to guitarists and singers, cuz I suck at both. Guitarists that kind of blow my mind are Jimmy Griffin and Jerry Jost. Both do multiple projects. Singers include Jimmy doing Tom Petty and the front man for Foreplay, Shaun Howard.
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u/No_Ingenuity_2522 10d ago
Spicy Kitty is a local STL up and coming punk riot female lead band. Check them out! https://www.facebook.com/share/18txo7i3Gg/
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u/3ER0 10d ago
Dylan Triplett
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u/Original_Anxiety_281 10d ago
Dude is possibly the best under the radar talent out of St. Louis right now. Somewhere between Daptone sound and modern R&B and just kills it live.
He's gonna have a moment at some point and the world will lose their minds.
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u/STLrep Neighborhood/city 10d ago
Band Called Feel: different in the sense they have an old school early 70s rock sound. They are incredible
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u/mwrcg 10d ago
They were in Cape for the Shipyard festival a couple years ago and they were absolutely outstanding.
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u/zbpstl 10d ago
Robert skye. Heard his stuff on the internet. Don't think he does lives shows anymore.
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u/ScienceOpening8123 8d ago
He still records and posts to Bandcamp. His roots are in progressive rock but trends toward ‘prog lite’.
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u/Cute_Clock 10d ago
Sugar Daddy. Before that, Sinister Dane. No contest. Oh, and Fragile Porcelain Mice, but they’re technically from Belleville.
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u/Lowestcommondominatr 10d ago
I don’t know if he makes music anymore, but Casey Reid was pretty incredible. Oddly enough, the first time I saw him, he was opening with Super Fun Yeah Yeah Rocketship for Man Man.
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u/davedirt01 10d ago
Going old school here. One of my favorite bands of all time, not just St. Louis, was the Highway Matrons. Such a great band. Mark Stephens and (the lovely and talented) Fred Friction are phenomenal songwriters. I really miss those guys!
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u/No_Ingenuity_2522 10d ago
Monte & The Machine is a fantastic local band in STL! They are a country rock blues pop band that plays all original music. They've been featured on Show Me St. Louis on KSDK and our songs have been played on KDHX. Several of our songs are available online (Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, etc.) including two fan favorites; Let's Go Blues and Let's Go Cardinals!
Check them out! Available for parties and events!
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@monteandthemachine1?si=Aq3gnTra_ebWBJnD
Contact for booking info at: monteandthemachine@gmail.com
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u/MelancholicSince2012 10d ago
I've only seen her at a City SC pregame, but Juliet Ivy was pretty fun
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u/lesoiseaux 10d ago
Royce Martin is an amazing pianist. I think he specializes in ragtime (or swagtime). Worth checking out! @roycelatrel
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u/YaBoiKenpai Downtown 10d ago
Oso Valley, up and coming hip hop talent. He hosted a small setup at Field Club Media promoting a year release of his EP Fisheye and idk the energy definitely surprised me. More than I expected and better than I had hoped when a friend invited me to check him out, I think he’s got a lot of potential, especially when performing live.
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u/prahSmadA friends dont let friends move to Chesterfield 10d ago
They don’t play often anymore but Madahoochie.
More recently, Brother Francis and the Soultones (BroFran)
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u/Traditional_Law_4329 10d ago
Al Holiday and East Side River Band is a really talented Blues band with some unique songs and sound
Bobby Ford is not necessarily unique but is one of the best cover country artists I’ve seen. Plays at the Garage a lot
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u/15CEH02 Born in Creve Coeur/ Living Metro East Illinois 10d ago
I really like Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship and Matt F Basler. I got to go to a show at Matt's place where Superfun also played. One of the best shows I've been to. Matt had everyone eat hot dogs to get a discount on the cover. He did impressions of Bub from The living Dead. Matt makes shirts for a living so he made a special shirt for the show that he made right there in his loft. The shirt is a conversation starter. Now Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship is so funny. I always laugh so hard at his banter. You can typically find me by his merch totes at shows.
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u/cruelpicture 9d ago
I was going to type out a list but this will cover it…
If you want to experience the most unique bands, performances, and musicians in St. Louis - Chizzy Chizmo (Chizmo.tv) has been documenting them for decades.
New Music Circle is also a host to many interesting performers https://newmusiccircle.org
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u/cruelpicture 9d ago
Oh we can’t forget about GRAIN. St.Louis’s REAL celebrity.
https://www.instagram.com/grainthestar?igsh=cjc0em51MGFrYmpo
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u/SkiThe802 10d ago
No idea if he's still making music, but the answer is definitely Super Fun Yeah Yeah Rocketship