Artist Spotlight: Dream Pop Restorations, DIY Indie-Folk, and Minneapolis Hard Rock
By David Weddle
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
Exploring the raw talent and resonant stories of the independent music scene.
In our regular articles for the artist spotlight we take a closer look at the independent music scene and current releases by various artists. This time we want to introduce you to CASTLEBEAT, Steve Stout and Lost Evidence.
Josh Hwang, aka CASTLEBEAT, has released his new album CASTLEBEAT II, out on Spirit Goth Records. The album is a 10-year celebration of Hwang’s 2016 self-titled debut, Castlebeat, and includes a selection of completed tracks from the older album, written and left unfinished over the course of a decade, alongside a new body of work that has been written to the same restrictions and constraints as the original material.
The album is entirely self-produced by Hwang, who tracked and recorded everything himself. A number of different tempos are explored on the album, from the slowly rolling rhythms of “This Takes Time” to the slow synth lines on “My Love” and the heavy guitar lines on lead single “Awake”. For the final mix and master of the album, however, Hwang handed over the reins to engineer Brian Fisher, who worked with Hwang to bring the album to life in a way that was slightly outside of Hwang’s typical DIY approach. The packaging for the album features the same artwork and typography as the original 2016 release, and is out now on Spirit Goth Records, the independent label run by Hwang and his wife Sonia.
Listen here
The album is entirely self-produced by Hwang, who tracked and recorded everything himself. A number of different tempos are explored on the album, from the slowly rolling rhythms of “This Takes Time” to the slow synth lines on “My Love” and the heavy guitar lines on lead single “Awake”. For the final mix and master of the album, however, Hwang handed over the reins to engineer Brian Fisher, who worked with Hwang to bring the album to life in a way that was slightly outside of Hwang’s typical DIY approach. The packaging for the album features the same artwork and typography as the original 2016 release, and is out now on Spirit Goth Records, the independent label run by Hwang and his wife Sonia.
Listen here
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Steve Stout has unveiled “waitin on mine,” the second single from his upcoming second solo album, Sunday Stars, releasing June 30th, 2026, via ALLSWELL RECORDS. Co-written with M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger, the song is a folk-pop exploration of the frustrations and uncertainties of a touring musician’s life. Taylor contributes backing vocals and lead guitar, while pianist Walker Igleheart (The Bangles, Melissa Etheridge) delivers the track's signature piano hook.
Moving beyond the lo-fi psych-folk setup of his debut solo record, Dairy Made, Stout expands his sound on Sunday Stars. The new project blends structured indie-folk with the self-produced psychedelic touches found in his work with ØZWALD, drawing inspiration from his life as a new father in Nashville and his history as a touring guitarist for bands like Lifehouse and Blondfire.
Listen Here
Moving beyond the lo-fi psych-folk setup of his debut solo record, Dairy Made, Stout expands his sound on Sunday Stars. The new project blends structured indie-folk with the self-produced psychedelic touches found in his work with ØZWALD, drawing inspiration from his life as a new father in Nashville and his history as a touring guitarist for bands like Lifehouse and Blondfire.
Listen Here
Minneapolis hard rock band Lost Evidence has officially dropped their epic third album, Exhibit A. Recorded at 14:59 Studios in Minneapolis, the record marks a step in a new direction for the band, blending their hard rock sound with punk, grunge, and even some blues. The album itself is a varied collection of songs featuring multiple lead vocalists, showcasing the band’s ability to change up their sound from track to track. Known for playing energetic local shows and supporting national acts such as Psychostick and Green Jellÿ, Lost Evidence plans on playing shows around the country in support of the new release.
The lead single, “Sore Loser”, is a very upbeat and energetic punk song that tells the story of some toxic relationships the band members experienced. According to lead guitarist Mark McGinty, the album is very different from their first two efforts and embraces a wide variety of sounds. With a dynamic tracklist like Exhibit A’s, this is definitely a record that lends itself to being witnessed live, so be sure to keep an eye on their socials for upcoming show dates.
Listen Here
The lead single, “Sore Loser”, is a very upbeat and energetic punk song that tells the story of some toxic relationships the band members experienced. According to lead guitarist Mark McGinty, the album is very different from their first two efforts and embraces a wide variety of sounds. With a dynamic tracklist like Exhibit A’s, this is definitely a record that lends itself to being witnessed live, so be sure to keep an eye on their socials for upcoming show dates.
Listen Here
Keep an eye out for more artist spotlights, and if you have any new music that you think deserves a shout-out, feel free to send it our way.