The results are in: Minneapolis alt-metal trio Bunny Blood received the most votes and support in the third annual Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report.

How did we get here? Since July of 2022, The Current’s digital team and The Local Show Host Diane have published a monthly digital feature called The Scouting Report featuring new music by local artists. For Minnesota Music Month, we extend an invitation out to the local music community for April’s edition of The Scouting Report.

In February, we sent a write-in ballot to the public. Their task: choose five new Minnesota bands/artists who put their first album or EP out after Jan. 1, 2024. We also specifically reached out to folks who are witnessing new artist development every day in their careers: arts journalism, venues, promotion, music retail, artist representation, manufacturing, and more. (Check out the 2025 Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report results here.)

The response we got back for our first Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report had some clear favorites, but more than 450 unique artists were chosen overall.

The Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report 2026’s top vote-getters

A total of 245 people filled out this year’s Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report ballot. Each voter named up to five new bands/artists. We discovered that a ranked ballot put out to the public meant that several local bands just voted for themselves, but did not get a groundswell of support outside of their own ranks. Also, several bands that only have a couple of recordings — but no EPs or full-length albums released yet — received votes, but were not kept in final consideration. They’re still eligible for next year!

Here are the top 10 artists who received the highest point totals.

Bunny Blood (17 mentions, 61 points): Read Reed Fischer’s interview

Sophie Hiroko (20 mentions, 57 points): Read Erik Thompson’s interview

Mother Soki (10 mentions, 36 points): Read Natalia Toledo’s interview

Halfway Down (8 mentions, 33 points): Read Youa Vang’s interview

Rosie Daze Band (7 mentions, 29 points): Read Luke Taylor’s interview

Panel (9 mentions, 28 points): Read Macie Rasmussen’s interview

Astronomy Town (8 mentions, 26 points): Read Joel Swenson’s interview

Planer (6 mentions, 23 points): Read Anna Devine’s interview

Third Date (6 mentions, 22 points): Read Erik Thompson’s interview

Berzica (6 mentions, 19 points): Read Joel Swenson’s interview

A list of all Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report ballots cast will be posted on Monday, April 13. Thanks and gratitude to everyone who submitted a ballot! Didn’t vote this year, but want to in 2027? Drop an email to digitalmusic [at] mpr.org, and tell us a tiny bit about your connection to the Minnesota music industry.