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 midnight, hosted by Diane. In April 2024, The Current compiled the first Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report with votes from the local music industry.

Allergen

Allergen are a badass indie rock band who just recently released their first project in four years, Feed The Beast. The band is comprised of Shannon Maroney, Mia Pariseau, and Sage Livergood. Opener “Beanie Baby” begins with “Are you good for me or am I just attracted to chaos?” This track feels like we are listening to a personal page in someone’s journal, full of self-reflection, questions, and vivid imagery. Catch Allergen live on August 3 at Pilllar Forum in northeast Minneapolis with Trash Date, 26 BATS!, and mouthful. -NT

Painted Shield

As one of Minnesota’s most prolific, well-established singer-songwriters, Mason Jennings hasn’t veered too far from acoustic folk music. But four years ago, he joined forces with Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard, powerhouse studio musician Matt Chamberlain, and soul music innovator Brittany Davis to create the supergroup Painted Shield. The music can be defined by its experimental production, driving, hard-rock rhythms, and warped electronic soundscapes with Jennings and Davis’ voices remarkably intermingling. Their third album, Painted Shield 3, will be released July 26 on Loosegroove Records. -Diane

Big Delicious

Self-described as “jester-core” and “the Willy Wonkas of indie rock,” Big Delicious are exploring new sounds and clearly having fun doing it. Their recent sophomore album, Mom Said It’s My Turn, blends electronic/dubstep sounds with the band’s familiar rock sound while maintaining their energy and impressive musical technicality. “Haunted Corn” opens with whimsical, fairytale-like vocals from cherished Twin Cities musicians Ava Levy and Raffaella then spins into a mind-bending electronic section. Big Delicious has garnered a strong following at their live shows, which are always entertaining and not to be missed. -AD

Luverne and Griswald feat. Delon Smith

“Pal” featuring Delon Smith is a groovy, summery single from Luverne and Griswald, a singer-songwriter and producer duo who have been best friends since middle school. They collaborated with director Simon Redstone to create a music video, one of four short films accompanying the release of their album Notafighter, which is coming out later this summer. In the cinematic short, the musicians take on the role of art thieves as they embark on a heist at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The upcoming 10-track album incorporates themes of friendship, family, and the difficulty of going through life’s challenges as a lover, not a fighter. -AD

Faith Boblett

Faith Boblett has had musical projects over the years, backing bands like the Crash Bandits, Fathom Lane, and Deleter. On her latest solo single, “Never Right,” Boblett turns inward to analyze what it’s like to tangibly feel the denseness of different configurations and stages of development in life. Over the years the musician has learned how to expertly blend layers of sonic experimentation and pair it well to the knowledge of songcraft. It’s a tantalizing look at what's to come in her career. Boblett will perform with Hiahli, Kiernan (see below), and Clay Fulton & the Lost Forty at Turf Club on Aug. 31. -YV

Kiernan

The Minneapolis-based band Kiernan is led by Laura Kiernan. The band describes their sound as “sounds for when you’re feeding the pigeons.” It’s also music you can listen to while lying in a hammock by a lake on a sunny, breezy day. Their debut, Magnetic North EP, was just released last month and it is a mix of indie rock, folk, and a hint of country. The track “Gloria” is their first single, and it stands out for its warmth, ending in an almost cinematic way. Kiernan will perform at Turf Club on Aug. 31. -NT

Social Animals

Social Animals are a four-piece indie band from Duluth. Their melodies catchy and original, and their lyrics are wonderfully honest, sarcastic, and thoughtful. Their sound intertwines poppy ‘80s guitar riffs with a 2010s indie rock/folk energy. Fans of Dayglow and the War On Drugs may enjoy Social Animals. The vocalist and songwriter, Dedric Clark, is currently based in Nashville but comes back to Minnesota frequently. On July 12, they’ll headline a show at Fine Line with support from Twin Cities-based groups Aesha Minor and Yellow Ostrich. -AD

Orchid Eaton

Orchid Eaton is a musical passion project between Matt Leavitt (EMOT; backing guitar for Molly Dean and Moon & Pollution) and Brian Moen (Peter Wolf Crier, the Shouting Matches, Laarks, and drums on Kathleen Edwards’ Voyageur). Together the duo has created a sensory explosion that’s a hearty drink from a well of emotion that lives deep within all of us. Through Orchid Eaton, Leavitt and Moen show us how art can be a powerful tool and a necessity when used as a means of processing pain and life. “Rejoice” is from Recreational Music ep1, which is expected to be the first of three EPs to be released by the end of 2024. -YV

Seven Pines

Seven Pines is a brand-new project comprised of songwriters Lilybelle (bassist and vocalist) and Søren (producer and drummer). The couple recently returned to their home state of Minnesota after spending time in the Nashville indie scene for the past few years. “Passing Through” is a warm, rootsy, slow, and nostalgic groove driven by the members’ harmonies. According to the band, this project has existed for years but kept to themselves until now. They are currently working on making their official move back to Minnesota and we will hopefully see them do live shows very soon. -NT

Obadiah Gamble

At only 15 years old, Obadiah Gamble has already made an esteemed imprint on the community. He has sung the National Anthem for the Minnesota Lynx and St. Paul Saints. He has analyzed the Minnesota Vikings on TV with Kare 11’s Jana Shortal. He also writes his own music. An impeccable singer and skilled guitarist, Gamble’s heart-filled pop songs have universal lyrical appeal — especially displayed on his latest single “Sober.” -Diane