Growing up in Kansas City, a city that arguably has one of the best underground music scenes, my life has been surrounded by music, and it still is today. Lawrence has a very similar underground music scene to KC. A city’s local music scene can say so much about its identity. Here are some of the coolest and grooviest local bands/artists to check out in the area.
1. Saving miles lemon
Often compared to a local Tame Impala, Saving Miles Lemon is a psychedelic-rock phenomenon started by Miguel Silva-Leon. They recently played at The Bottleneck in Lawrence and then hit The Toiletbowl, a local, DIY, house venue. Their music is said to transport people to a whole new dimension. They have roughly 600 monthly listeners on Spotify with some of their most listened to songs called “What to Do and What to Say” and “You Say Too Much”. Their new single “Ghosts” is one of the dopest songs they’ve made, in my opinion, and absolutely something you need to see live.
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2GrcffeWVLMQ6sF4lvnDuF?si=6HABT2OAQ_61zfKWF8C6vQ
2. Surf wax
Surf Wax was the first band I actually saw live at an indie show at another local, DIY, house venue called The Green House, one of my favorite DIY venues. Surf Wax is an independent surf pop band, originally from Springfield, Missouri, but they are on a fall tour currently. The project was started by Cooper Kelley, who wrote and recorded everything in KC in his own home and officially formed a live group in 2019. Some of my favorite songs by them are “gilmore girl” and “forever” with the band gathering about 271 monthly listeners on Spotify. I personally feel like I’m in a niche, surf town whenever they play even though I’m in the midwest, nowhere near the ocean. They made my summer playlist in 2022 and they’ll definitely be making my fall playlist, even with their surf rock vibe. They’re definitely a band worth checking out!
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6a32uNSdF3mu6r3uURM8DN?si=crlI9xHkQaKYrM9YcQsEhQ
3. Camp Childress
Camp Childress is an indie pop project started by a man named Bill, who the first time I saw him live, was wearing pants with “Bill” written all over them and claimed he wasn’t named Bill. He mostly writes and produces everything himself in his room. They have about 80 monthly listeners on Spotify and some of my favorite tunes from them are “Middle Seat” and “On Your Mind”. Their interaction with the crowd at shows is amazing and they always find a way on to my playlists.
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vRpQA5i9cKylP7cQpQTYv?si=sXqyq68oSiCoa2ZhFf6qng
4. Temporary Connection
Temporary Connection is something I recently fell in love with. I don’t think there is a single song that I don’t love off the discography. This project is run by one man, Daniel Zoller, who does all the vocals and instruments for his music and is from Wichita, Kansas. His music can be described as surf rock and he has about 36 monthly listeners on Spotify. In my opinion, he truly is an underrated artist with great songs such as “and i know” and “wasted in september”. He usually writes and records everything at home but has recorded some things in California as well. Although I’ve never seen him live, just from listening to his music for a little while, I know it’ll be good. Daniel actually attends the University of Kansas and you can catch him riding around campus on his bike.
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7i355EXf2DentBPYbWQeRW?si=ilU15jVOR3a0RGvd-SHijg
5. DUNES DAY
Dunes Day also has some amazing tunes, with some of my favorites by them being “Fate”, “Vertigo”, “I Didn’t Watch Anime Growing Up”, and “You’ll Never Know Anything About Me”. They could be described as many things; experimental, abstract rock, hip-hop, and post-punk. All the songs are written and recorded by Brenden Shy. They’re based in KC, Missouri but they’re definitely worth the drive if you ever find the time or it may even be possible to find them sometime in Lawrence!
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3yZMkKuKMdH0NmN9sErHDO?si=qLRjckz0RRqPQhJ9vteFuw