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 2026, The Current compiled the third Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report with votes from the local music industry.

Good Morning Bedlam

The joyous rhythms on Good Morning Bedlam’s new album echo its title I Choose Joy. Isaak and Tori Elker from Minneapolis team up to present folky indie-rock that incorporates catchy pop hooks. “Trainwreck” has an almost orchestral build that flows into Tori’s storytelling about a painful relationship in which the narrator acknowledges their tolerance for mistreatment. She sings, “I don’t want to be alone / So I let that devil grow” and “I need a hand to hold / Before he puts me in the ground.” The duo’s clown makeup in the music video drives the message home. Good Morning Bedlam begin their U.S. tour in early September. -MR

Real Numbers

The Minneapolis band Real Numbers released their new album, Was It Always This Way, in August via Slumberland Records. A decade after their last record, the indie-pop group has returned with lively songs, but listen a little closer, and you’ll hear the melancholic words of vocalist and lead songwriter Eli Hansen. The track “Darling” offers soft touches of shimmering guitar sweeps and jangly percussion, not far from the brighter material in the Smiths’ catalog. Melodic basslines and sweet local harmonies make for a cheerful sound. Real Numbers open for Kiwi Jr at Cloudland Theater in Minneapolis on Friday, Sept. 18. Tickets here. -MR

Creekbed Carter Hogan

In July, St. Paul’s Creekbed Carter Hogan released a witty record of detailed storytelling titled Peasants Revolt via Gar Hole Records. The follow-up to his 2024 album, Creekbed Carter, is filled with Appalachian folk and modern country twang, and embraces themes of solidarity, mystic tales of the rise and fall of empires, and resistance movements in the Twin Cities. NPR Music’s Ann Powers calls the work “an album for the people,” which matches how the band describes their work: “music for outlasting trillionaires.” The silliest song may be “Hot Dog! Apocalypse,” including graceful pedal steel and quirky guitar notes. The closing verses, “And when it all falls apart, will you cradle my heart / Like the hot dog I’m dreaming of?” followed by the recurrent, “Give me that hot dog” sound revolutionary. Creekbed Carter Hogan begins his U.S. tour in early September. -MR

Goth Cowboy

“Stardust” by Minneapolis indie pop artist Goth Cowboy (with Maya Subramanian and Zach Kluever) feels like a daydream set to piano: whimsical, warm and just a little wistful. There’s a breezy, retro sweetness reminiscent of She & Him, but the song’s cosmic imagery gives it a personality all its own. “We were made of the same matter” becomes a tender reminder of our connection to everything around us, while moons, stars and ocean floors turn the ordinary into something magical. Beneath its gentle charm, the song wrestles with growing up, falling in love with yourself and trusting that, somehow, “we will be all right.” The song comes from Goth Cowboy’s debut EP, Reverent. -YV

The Scarlet Goodbye

“Losing (The Only Game in Town)” starts like the opening scene of a Western: a soft, lonely guitar picking its way across the horizon before the song slowly gathers dust, swagger and momentum. The Scarlet Goodbye features Dan Murphy—of Soul Asylum and Golden Smog—and singer-songwriter Jeff Arundel. Their contrasting histories meet beautifully here: rootsy guitars, fiddle and a weathered vocal performance turning defeat into something cinematic. It’s a cowboy song for musicians who’ve survived the long ride. The single is the latest new music from the group, who have released two full-length albums, Hope’s Eternal in 2023 and El Camino Adios in 2025. -YV

LASALLE

LASALLE is a music project led by musician, producer, and engineer LaSalle Grant. LASALLE was named one of First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2025. LASALLE as a full band has been performing around the Twin Cities since early 2024, and caught some attention with their single “Reason.” They recently released their self-titled, three-track debut EP, and celebrated its release at Icehouse. As someone who attended the show, I can say I left a new fan of LASALLE. Their sound was a refreshing fusion of differing genres. Grant’s superstar power was evident. Stay up to date on LASALLE’s Instagram. -NT

Kion Rose

Kion Rose is a Nigerian-American artist born in St. Paul. Previously focusing primarily on being a rap artist, Rose has expanded to multiple genres including R&B, Afrobeats, and more. Kion Rose has previously collaborated with members of the collective Ozone Creations like Obi Original and Mack OC, and is now focusing on developing his own sound with his most recent project SEASONS’ SEQUEL, released this summer. Check out the super-sexy song “Want It,” and keep up with Kion Rose on Instagram. -NT

Fret Rattles

Minneapolis-based rock band Fret Rattles is made up of ex-members of local bands including Thee Viceroys, Dirty Robbers, F**k Knights, Six Six Crush, and more. They describe their sound as a unique approach to the sounds of late-’60s Detroit, ’70s punk rock, and the ’90s underground rock revival. The band recently released their third album, As the World Falls Apart. Check out the “Wake Up Now!” video and song, which was inspired by the way the city of Minneapolis stood up and resisted at the beginning of 2026. -NT

FINICK

FINICK is the musical project of 19-year-old singer-songwriter Josie Hasnik. Inspired by musicians such as Brandi Carlile, Olivia Rodrigo, and Florence + the Machine, FINICK creates melodic indie folk tunes that are catchy and insightful. Their second EP, Make it Real, includes three tracks that are inspired by Hasnik’s first year of college and “all of the identity crises that come with it,” she wrote on social media. “I wrote the songs that I wanted to hear when I was questioning everything.” -AD

ditch pigeon

ditch pigeon is a genre-bending four-piece band from Minneapolis led by singer-guitarist Hayley Anne. The group experiments with shoegaze, ambient, folk, and post-metal sounds on their debut full-length album, chronic burger vision. The band lists some of their influences as Portishead, Slowdive, Stevie Nicks, and Circa Survive. “murderous love song” is a captivating album opener, complete with horns and swirling guitars. The band changes up their set for each live show, including a song’s tempo and dynamics, creating an immersive experience for the band and audiences alike. ditch pigeon plays often around the Twin Cities, so make sure to keep up with them on social media to catch their next live set. -AD