Artist Spotlight: Unleashed Metalcore, Sleek Indie Rock, and Heavy Grunge-Pop
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.
It is an exciting time for new music currently. With our regular spotlight articles, we love to highlight a massive variety of independent acts from across the musical spectrum. Today we are diving into three incredible projects that swap rigid, over-polished production for pure, raw human energy: Heists, The Vernons, and Gooseberry.
Heists, a Sydney, Australia metalcore heavy-hitter, is at full force with their new single “Lights Out” off their debut album Troubled Souls out now. The song is a powerful anthem to standing your ground against people who underestimate you.
The music is very much the signature sound of a band that has earned every battle scar through determination and grit. The band has already garnered over 1.5 million streams on their 2025 EP and just finished a massive, sold-out national tour. Supporting the tour were Northlane and Ocean Sleeper. But this is just the beginning for Heists.
Listen here
The music is very much the signature sound of a band that has earned every battle scar through determination and grit. The band has already garnered over 1.5 million streams on their 2025 EP and just finished a massive, sold-out national tour. Supporting the tour were Northlane and Ocean Sleeper. But this is just the beginning for Heists.
Listen here
The Vernons are an Australian indie rock band made up of four members who have been consistently delivering high quality music for over a decade now. Their newest single “Nightmare” is set to be a part of their upcoming album titled Strike Out Again. The song is filled with hard hitting and slick riffs, paired with powerful and raspy vocals, that make for a truly unforgettable listening experience.
The band has gained a massive following, with over 13 million streams under their belt, and have even had the chance to share the stage with Wolfmother and Gang of Youths. With this new single, The Vernons are sure to reward their fan base and prove why they were dubbed an essential band to watch.
Listen here
The band has gained a massive following, with over 13 million streams under their belt, and have even had the chance to share the stage with Wolfmother and Gang of Youths. With this new single, The Vernons are sure to reward their fan base and prove why they were dubbed an essential band to watch.
Listen here
Brooklyn-based power trio Gooseberry releases new song “Go Fish” taken from their sophomore album Validate Me. The grunge fuelled cocktail of the heaviest alternative rock, recalls bands like Nirvana and Queens of the Stone Age. The song portrays the sudden and rough awakening of the age of 30. Your mind and body no longer function the same as they did in your early twenties, all while you struggle with the themes of aging, sterilized nostalgia and the colours of your inner fire changing.
The road tested musicians Asa Daniels, Evin Rossington and Will Hammond created a song full of grit and attitude that is made for the stages of the world, an unapologetic and anthemic song. The song’s witty lyrics merge with the heavy riffs of the alternative rock song.
Listen here
The road tested musicians Asa Daniels, Evin Rossington and Will Hammond created a song full of grit and attitude that is made for the stages of the world, an unapologetic and anthemic song. The song’s witty lyrics merge with the heavy riffs of the alternative rock song.
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.