Welcome to The Scouting Report, a monthly list of 10 Minnesota artists with exciting new projects, as curated by our local music team. If you like these picks, check out The Local Show on Sundays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., hosted by Diane, or check out our Spotify playlist, updated every week. In April 2025, The Current compiled the second Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report with votes from the local music industry.

Abha K.

“Nostalgic” is the newest track from Abha (pronounced “Ah-buh”) Matnick, AKA Abha K., the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who began releasing singles in 2020. Past music included elements of R&B and soul, as well as collaborations with other artists. In this new release, the recurring highlight is a powerful pop chorus. Verses are smooth before building back up to Matnick’s high-energy vocals, which soar over clashing drums that are simultaneously loose and precise. She sings, “Talking about things we can’t explain / Living the dreams of yesterday / They’re a part of me / The autonomy to just be.” It’s an invitation to reflect on how our past can influence how we choose to use our autonomy in the present moment. Matnick also oversees a Minneapolis house concert series called Lagoon Goes Live, which is expected to return in the fall. -MR

The Erratix

The Erratix are a power-pop/punk band from Minneapolis. Their debut single “You Don’t Care” was released on Beluga Records, a Swedish independent punk label, back in 2021.  The band includes founding members Charlie Reiling (vocals/guitar) and Xavier Matzke (bass), who cowrote two songs on their new three-song EP, Something New. The EP also features a cover of “Keepin’ on Top” by Detroit power pop trio the Shy. The Erratix have a throwback look and sound, but with a refreshing twist. They don’t seem to play live too often, but hopefully that will change in 2026. Keep up with the band on their Facebook page. -NT

Lent

Naked Friendship is the debut album from Lent, a pop and psych-rock band consisting of Dove Schierer (guitar/vocals), Ben Herron (guitar), Nick Flugstad (lead keys), Dillen Jaros (bass), and Ben Landers (drums). “Nature,” the closing track on the album, stands out as the most cheerful and creates a hopeful tone to wrap up their first full-length project. Striking cymbals and a kick of lively harmonica adorn the arrangement backing Schierer’s voice. Echoey drums thunder to close out the track in a cinematic aural experience. Naked Friendship journeys from a fast-paced punk track about “fake girlfriends” to a lush instrumental interlude. Songs are consistently unique and provide a promising start for the band. -MR

Daguerreotypes

Daguerreotypes, named after an early photographic method, is south Minneapolis-based musician James Samimi Farr, who writes music inspired by spirituality and selfhood. “Passing Stranger” is a beautiful, meditative track that opens his debut album, This Is My Way to Tell You That Everything Is Real and Happening Right Now. The 20-track double album is driven by acoustic guitar melodies and gentle vocals, but also dips into heavier and atmospheric sounds that add to the album’s world-building. The album was recorded using vintage analog technologies over the span of nine days at producer/engineer Charles James’ family cottage in Quebec. “It was 2022, high August, we swam every day in the Ottawa River and ate very well, thanks to Charles’ family,” wrote Farr. The peaceful nature setting is felt through these songs, adding a cozy warmth for a soundtrack to carry us through the rest of this winter. -AD

Christian Music

Christian Music is a new project from Minneapolis artist Christian Johnson, who has previously released music as FruitPunchLoverBoy. This music feels more direct and personal, stripped down but not overly simple. Production is delicately balanced with personal lyrics that tackle themes of loss, heartbreak, and recklessness. According to Johnson, as his songwriting process became more solitary, the music shed its disguises, and he began to stray from his previous work as FruitPunchLoverBoy. Christian Music is purely earnest experimental hip-hop and alt-pop which fans of Frank Ocean may enjoy. -AD

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rewire

Not much is known about St. Paul-based band rewire yet, except that they play a potent mix of post-hardcore punk. The band’s scant social media presence reveals no one’s face or government name – there’s Tomcat on drums, Dr. K on bass, and DZ on guitar -- and their Bandcamp bio says “minnesota loud.” rewire’s track “song” caught our ear, and loud it is. The one-word titles, and the piercing eyes of a mystery cat on the cover of their album, rewire(d), add to their allure. We hope to find out more about rewire in 2026, for now you can follow their Instagram account for any future updates, and hopefully upcoming shows. -NT

Ponderosa

Minneapolis-based soul project Ponderosa has a new album out for the first time since 2018. Songwriter Josh Lavonn is inspired by the vulnerability and support he experiences in the relationships in his life, particularly his marriage. The opening track, “I Feel Down Today,” is about how, with the right person in your corner, you can still feel held by them — even on darker days. Lavonn sings, “Even when it feels no good, I’ll always trust your love.” The album’s analog sound adds to that theme of comfort, with beautiful, bright smooth vocal melodies and warm guitar tones. Fans of Thee Sacred Souls and Durand Jones & the Indications may enjoy Ponderosa’s discography. -AD

Lovely Dark

Self-professed goth Sonia Even lives unapologetically under the cover of darkness as lead vocalist of Lovely Dark. For more than a decade, Sonia and songwriting/life partner Travis Even have deepened the band’s melodic and theatrical aesthetic to a place where new album Golden Bough could exist. The self-produced project was mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna, Chelsea Wolfe). The album’s title track comes alive with immersive storytelling, and fits within an album experience that transcends genre borders. More than just a band, Lovely Dark represent a movement, building bridges between cultures and redefining rock music. The band will celebrate the release of their album at Gathering Darkness 3 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 17, with Another Heaven, The Rope, The Muatas, shadingthesun, and Finesse. -YV

Willie Wonka

Willie Wonka is an in-demand producer and DJ from the Twin Cities, most famously known for his work with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Prof, and Mac Irv. Apart from the busy lifestyle of being a prominent DJ, Willie Wonka produces music. He recently released a beat tape called It Will Be Ok, full of laid-back hip-hop instrumentals. These are the type of beats you would listen to on a rainy day, while sipping on a hot cup of tea. It Will Be Ok showcases Wonka’s musical range and is a solid, cozy listen. Look for Wonka’s next single, “Generational Talent” feat. Norman Sann and J. Plaza, on Friday, Jan. 23. -NT

Wintry Elementary

The Northfield-based band Wintry Elementary worked on their debut album, Teach Me Your New Lines, for more than two years. The effort was worth it. St. Olaf College students Emma Winkler, Xandra Fuhrer, Will Christensen, and Paavo Rundman put together a package of dreamy indie rock and folk that is so tranquil it almost feels ambient. The single “What Soft Venusian Wild?” begins as deep guitar chords fade in, followed by speedy drum rumbles, and evolves into a jazzy piece with piano from Joe Durben and orchestral strings by Superior String Alliance. Winkler’s poetic chorus, “I’ve laboured long as death / I’ve laid my youth to rest / Who could release this child / What soft Venusian wild?” in a bit abstract, but her closing vocals hint at contentment. -MR