Local Music

Cleveland indie-folk-hop duo the Baker's Basement makes original music with unconventional instruments. They're set to release new songs this year.

On Oct. 1, Cleveland indie artist Holden Laurence releases his new EP, 'Floating, Drifting.' The six songs were written and recorded during the pandemic when Laurence was struggling with panic attacks and anxiety. He says finishing the album felt like "a cathartic breakthrough."

When musicians Ruby Rendrag and Suki Kuehn moved to Akron in August 2020, it marked 15 years since they experienced the devastation of Hurricane Katrina firsthand.

When musicians Ruby Rendrag and Suki Kuehn moved to Akron in August 2020, it marked 15 years since they experienced the devastation of Hurricane Katrina firsthand.

A Cleveland artist described as a one-woman choir is out with an album that combines experimental music, guided meditation and breathing exercises. Listen back to our January conversation with Christa Ebert, who performs as Uno Lady. She says she hopes “GROUNDED” will help listeners find peace amid the stresses and anxieties of the pandemic.

Brittany Nader talks with contributor Larry Gargus, who has been active in the Northeast Ohio music scene for decades, playing in bands like Persistent Aggressor and The Unholy Three. Larry started his own podcast, "Bleachmouth Post Script," during lockdown in 2020 to replicate the conversations he'd have at the bar or after concerts with other music fans. He also reflects on Akron's music scene past and present, and shares some of his local musical influences.

We reflect back on our favorite Shuffle episodes of 2020, from how artists adjusted to the pandemic, to a performance piece that speaks to the racial justice movement. We also explore how you can help local musicians recover from a year of lost shows. Artists featured in this episode: Justin Tibbs, ZOD1AC, Quinn Starkey, Mina Aevum.

Cleveland's Cory Grinder and The Playboy Scouts is out with its new album, "Honky Tonkin' Beauty Supreme." The band is the first recipient of a new micro-loan program to support local musicians, and is the first signed to new Cleveland label, Blue Arrow Records.

Cleveland.com's music writer, Annie Nickoloff, shares four of her favorite local albums of the year so far, and has details about the return of Cleveland's Wonderstruck music festival. Artists featured in this episode: Uno Lady, The Sonder Bombs, Rob Kovacs, Juice Newson.

The 20th annual live music festival will feature local blues players Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers and The Sonny Moorman Group.