End of 2021: New Indiana Music List!
2021 comes to an end and while it was better than the year before, it still didn’t go as planned.
In 2021, MFT pushed on with old programs and even started some new ones. We were excited to continue our collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, the Indy Music Strategy, and the Arts Council of Indianapolis to make funding available for music venues in Indianapolis to cover operating costs. All together, this program has given out over $680,000 to 27 venues over the last two years. To our knowledge, not a single venue has been lost in Indianapolis since the pandemic began, a huge credit to this program and to the efforts of the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance.
We were part of the formation of the R/Evolution Fund, with by Irvington Vinyl & Books and CICF. This program gives individual grants to BIPOC artists facing hardship to help them continue creating in time of crisis. MFT also organized an educational Q& A program on digital releasing and representation with international talent rep Kat Lopes as part of our Smarter Scene Series. We served as the fiscal sponsor for the Indy Music Co-Op, helping them achieve their fundraising goals and bring their awesome concept to life. We started a live music series with Bottleworks at the Garage Food Hall, providing free access to music to all ages audiences outdoors throughout the Fall. We are excited to continue and grow this program in 2022!
Public Universal Friend at Garfield Park Arts & Music Fest - photo by Jim Rawlinson
In 2021 We were a sponsor for the Garfield Park Arts & Music Festival, with a diverse lineup of artists and thousands of outdoors visitors to Garfield Park. We released a new IN Covers song, with Mina Keohane covering an unreleased Brandon Whyde song. MFT on WQRT continued on, bringing Indiana music to the airwaves on 99.1 WQRT twice a week. We were proud that we were able to provide access to so many artists, with multiple hosting collaborations, official release shows, and more. We are excited for 2022 to bring in partnerships with Healer (a much appreciated underwriter!) the Girl Called Books, Indy Propaganda, Ball State University and more!
Also, internally, Jim Rawlinson stepped down from the Board Chair position after three years in the role, and Andy Duncan (Andy D) was elected to the position for 2022! We are excited to bring in a few new board members and have a few new things already in the works to keep #SpreadingIndianaMusic!
But, now, what you’re probably all here for: THE LIST! This is by no means a comprehensive list of music released by Indiana artists in 2021, nor is it a “Best Of”. It’s just a list of great music that made us happy in 2021. Our music community was BUSY in the studio. What did we miss? Let us know, we want to celebrate all of it! You can hear most of these releases on our two hour end of year special on WQRT!
Sundown: Demo : Indiana Hardcore newbies!
Mina Keohane: Put Me To Bed Is It That Time (IN Covers - written by Brandon Whyde)
Spero: Witness to Sightings: Post-hardcore goodness
Public Universal Friend: Perennials: debut album from one of Indy’s hottest rock bands
Mother of Graves: In Somber Dreams: Indy Death Metal group Mother of Graves has gotten international acclaim, despite not even being able to tour!
Clint Breeze: SELF: One of Indy’s most prolific and eclectic artists kept pushing in 21
S.M. Wolf: Precious Downtime: Prolific indie pop group SM Wolf used their Precious Downtown to release this great new LP.
Fifth Lucky Dragon: Truth Be Sold: Indy pop artist Fifth Lucky Dragon put out multiple releases in 2021.
Emma Peridot: Sweat & Sparks: Pop/EDM/R&B artist from Indy
Radar Gold: Planet Sings: Emma & Nicholas Clark bring layered psych rock to Indy
Evil Waves: Black Knight Satellite: Lofi surf rock from Valpo!
Taylor Deshawnn: Hopelessly Optimistic: Indiana R&B / Soul
Joshua Powell: Skeleton Party: Guitar Rock turned up to 11
Vess Ruhtenberg: We Control the Weather: One of the founders of Indy indie pop didn’t stop in 2021.
Elliot Bigger: Space Ocean: Tripped out guitar prog goodness
81355: This Time I’ll Be Of Use: brilliant hip hop from Indy’s own supergroup. Maybe the most looked forward to album of the year.
Lost In the Dark: Never Know Silence: Indy garage rock
Drayco McCoy: Half Dead Pariah: One of the most prolific hip hop artists in Indy didn’t stop in 2021
G Granite/Flikxciv: Idols On Fire: Laid back Indy hip hop collab
Karate Guns & Tanning: Concrete Beach: anthemic garage rock!
81355 set Indy on fire in 2021