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A majority of the music that I listen to nowadays happens to be by LGBTQ+ artists. I have realized that there are so many artists I adore that deserve more support, especially from the community. Here are some lesser known queer musicians I recommend checking out this pride month and some of my favorite songs of theirs.

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Bells Larsen (he/they)

Bells Larsen is a trans-masculine indie folk artist hailing from Montreal, Canada. Bringing a unique take to the indie folk genre, his songs explore themes of grief, queer love, identity, and acceptance. His voice has deepened because of testosterone since he started releasing music, but it is something that he has embraced. The tender melodies and poetic storytelling that make up his songs mesh together to create a sound that is delicate, haunting, and warm all at once.

Recommended songs: People Who Mean So Much to Me, Teenage Love, Ten Hand

Grace Gardner (they/them)

From the Texas suburbs to making music based out of Philadelphia, Grace Gardner is an upcoming force to be reckoned with in indie pop. Identifying as non-binary and a lesbian, their experiences growing up queer in a southern town have greatly influenced their music. They write and produce all of their songs, and produced their last EP, Recovery Mile, entirely by themselves. Having toured with the likes of Adam Melchor, Tiny Habits, and Haley Blais, Gardner has already made a name for themself in the world of indie music and surely isn’t going anywhere.

Recommended songs: Deny Me, Lubbock, Cleanup Dive, Parcel

Kai Warrior (she/they)

Kai Warrior is a queer indie artist native to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a strong advocate for her community and has made a name for herself in the Albuquerque music scene. Her debut EP, Everything I Know, was produced by Leith Ross, who is not only a friend of Kai, but also an acclaimed queer indie folk artist themself. The EP tells stories of childhood, friendship, love, and family accompanied by wistful guitar melodies.

Recommended songs: I Don’t Know, I’m Sorry That I Got Like This, Malibu

Olive Klug (they/them)

Olive Klug is a name you need to know in the world of folk music. They came out as non-binary and changed their name after starting their career, which is no easy feat. However, Klug is unapologetically queer in their music. An alum of Daybreak’s Caffeinated Corner series, they have since released their debut album, become an independent artist again, and moved to Nashville. Their music combines elements of folk, rock, and pop, and often explore ideas involving childhood nostalgia, identity, and love and heartbreak.

Recommended Songs: Parched, Self help, Coming of Age

NoSo (he/they)

NoSo is a transgender Korean-American alternative musician. His melodic guitar led songs are sweet and tender, often talking about his struggles in his identity. He wrote and co-produced his debut album, Stay Proud of Me, himself, a majority of his work being made in his bedroom. He has been out as queer since the start of his career, with his first song having female pronouns, and his identity is a large influence on his music. His dark and thoughtful sound is unlike any other I have heard, and his vulnerable, raw lyrics only emphasize that.

Recommended songs: Everything I Got, Suburbia, Kaitlin