When I read Kev Minney's story, I immediately felt a connection. A very special connection. When I was a kid, I was bullied at school for my difference (you can learn more about it here), and I understand the intense feeling of loneliness that can come from being different. But being different does not mean being without a heart and feelings.

Like me, the English artist knew how to make his difference a driving force, and it was in music that he found peace and comfort.

Kev Minney grew up with a stutter. If the song is released today, it's no coincidence, since tomorrow is World Stammering Day. His way of expressing himself is in writing and especially in his fabulous guitar playing. His new single "It Doesn't Bother Me" speaks of this difference which is not visible at first glance, and he admits, through sincere and moving lyrics, to have turned the page, and to have moved on to another chapter.

With a simple but fluid vocal performance, the artist manages to deliver a little emotion to each line of the song.

Accompanied by a beautiful music video (watch it above), with warm colors, and without falling into pity either, the song is a real catalyst that will give all "different" people the desire to surpass themselves and to show that a difference can sometimes become an asset.

Already described as "Outstanding" by BBC Radio 6 Music, Kev Minney is an artist that will have to be watched closely, and who could still surprise you again in the future.

Reach out to Kev Minney

Like most countries in Europe, Sweden has entered Autumn. This time of year is particularly impressive in this country where more than half of the territory is covered with forests. The colors change, the sun stays low, and the atmosphere relaxes as nature slows its pace.

A living environment that is both inspiring for musicians, but also for the music fans that we are. You can easily imagine yourself on a wooden terrace, in the forest, savoring a cup of tea while listening to the birds. That's exactly what comes to mind when you close your eyes listening to this new Land of Trees single.

As you will have understood, Marcus Friman did not choose his moniker at random. Deeply connected to nature, the artist draws a lot of inspiration from it, and this is felt through his songs. Besides, we invite you to take the time to explore his Spotify, he already has a lot of incredible releases to discover.

His new single, "See The Fire Dancing", available today on all platforms, will enchant you with the sound of the banjo. And speaking of nature, it's there, in every line of this song, as Marcus said:

"It was recorded live in a cabin deep in the woods of mysterious Sweden and there's a certain soul to the recording because of it."

Yes, the famous cabin in the woods that everyone dreams of. And that gives birth to magic, like this song. We, too, like to isolate ourselves in this kind of place for an entire weekend, watching the deers while having breakfast up high, with a view of the forest.

With a super catchy melody and a simplistic but incredibly effective production, "See The Fire Dancing" is the essential folk anthem for your autumn evenings by the fire.

Reach out to Land of Trees

When you talk about Indie-Folk to someone who has never heard of it, you can have quite lunar reactions. "Ah yes, super upbeat music with acoustic guitars and banjos to hop around the campfire?". Uh...

Let's go to Leoben, Austria, to prove them wrong. Young artist The Patch has just released his new single "Stones". And you won't hear banjos or frenzied acoustic guitars. On the other hand, a wonderful electric guitar as a common thread, and magnificent vocals which sometimes recall Novo Amor and other kings of indie-folk.

With a world that is progressing very quickly, where many changes require rapid adaptation on our part, we understand that the young generation feels lost. Sometimes forced to grow up too quickly or to make decisions that have too heavy consequences. And that's what this little gem is about, as The Patch explains:

"This song is about the feeling of growing up. Often I feel like a kid that is 23 years old for some reason, trying to figure out how everything works."

The song's predominant theme, growing up, offers the artist a good opportunity to express himself and send a clear message:

"People keep expecting me to grow up, but I'm kind of done with people telling me how to live my life. This critic sometimes feels like stones raining on me while the glass cage I built around myself starts to crack".

Speaking of cracking, percussion plays a vital role in the song. Like the sound of a splitting shell, the drums are at first discreet then more and more powerful (without being intrusive for all that).

This is the second talent of Simon, aka The Patch: production. The hidden son of Thomas LaVine uses his perfectionist side to give flaws no chance. Even if he says his music "is not polished, it's rather alive than perfect". We could say it's both: alive and perfect. "Stones" is a rare pearl as we like to show you on IMC. And your melancholy playlists won't be able to do without it.

Reach out to The Patch

For the IMC team, it's easy to remember Paul Moody, as his song "Letting Light In" was one of the first to be shared by IMC in 2022. By the way, we missed the artist, because it's been a long time!

But luckily he is now filling that nearly year-long void with not just that wonderful song "Holding On", but with a full-length album called "By Your Side".

In "Holding On", Paul Moody does what he knows how to do best: to make us dream, to move us, and to make even the most difficult things more bearable and prettier. From the first seconds of the song, when we recognized this familiar voice, we said to ourselves "Ah! We missed this so much".

Yes, IMC likes to share emotions with you. This often involves very powerful songs, with explosive production and epic endings. But it also goes through much softer songs like this one.

Evoking very dark themes, such as love, death, and also how the two can sometimes interact, the song is like aid to accepting fate, as Paul explains:

"I was picking the chords of this song thinking about what happens at the end of the road for two people who have spent decades loving each other. This song is about a woman who is spending time alone before she is reunited with her partner through whatever it is that comes next. I wanted to convey the way mortality is intertwined in love, an unseen gravity that is a huge part of all of our relationships."

What seduced me most about this little gem? The vocals, undeniably moving. And the piano, which has always been my favorite instrument, adds a bit of light to the dark and sad atmosphere of the ballad. Finally, the violin wraps around you in a comforting hug. And isn't this what we all need, after all?

But Paul Moody's voice alone is enough to trigger chills. You have been warned. Don't worry, the whole album isn't as dark and hides a lot of nuggets to discover. "Midnight Bloom" and "Beside You" are particularly fascinating.

Reach out to Paul Moody

Let's be honest. Since 2020, we have been going through shitty years. Sorry to sound so blunt, but it's the plain truth. This world is a chain of disasters and we sometimes wonder when it will stop. But fortunately, it is always possible to escape thanks to our musicians, who offer us fantastic songs. And if tomorrow, the world is suddenly better, after three chaotic years, there is only one song that would close the chapter "Tragedies of the early 2020s" definitively: Elijah Mann's new song.

Yes, "Bungalow Song" is exactly that breath of fresh air we all need, that little window of escape that makes you want to pack your bags and get away for a weekend. The idea is simple: the artist offers to buy a bungalow just to be able to escape from time to time. Rather tempting!

This is without a doubt the most amazing song that Elijah Mann has sent to IMC over the years. Very contrasting, the song is not just an invitation to escape. Indeed, between the verses, where the artist pours out his exhaustion and finds himself facing a very foggy horizon, and the choruses where this need for escapade is so present, there is a phenomenal gap. Elijah Mann masters the art of contrasts, because behind this double meaning also hides a discreet declaration of love, which is hidden in the last line of the bridge: "I don't even know what else to do but dream of you".

It's exactly for this kind of thing that we created IMC. We love to surprise you. 4th successful feature on IMC for the talented Brooklyn-based artist. You got it: next time, he will join the IMC Family!

Reach out to Elijah Mann

That's exactly what happened to us when we received Gabrielle Shonk's new single: "How We Used To Be". First, we thought it lacked a bit of intensity and emotional power in the production. It is true that giving you chills is our primary goal. It was the last song before lunch. We just thought "it doesn't matter, we'll come back to it this afternoon".

Throughout lunch, we had the chorus melody running through our heads. And that is a very good sign. We need this song. Because if it has this addictive power over us, it will have it over you. After lunch, new listening, this time with the music video.

Bang. Immediate crush. And we exclaimed: "we can't pass up this little gem!"

Oh sure, we don't mean you'll have that kind of doubt as a listener. After all, music and musical tastes are very subjective, and what appeals to some might not appeal to others.

The emotional power of this song lies above all in the vocal interpretation of the artist based in Quebec City, Canada. Whether in the perfect mastery of vocal intensity of the verses or in the wonderful vocal harmonies of the chorus. Emotions flow, through every word of every line.

The production is very elaborate, and the piano is discreet but nevertheless a centerpiece of the puzzle. The acoustic guitar is discreet too, with a more important place in the quieter part of the last chorus.

Very full of nostalgia, the song allows the artist to remember the good times of a relationship... before it ended up collapsing.

The first line of the second verse perfectly sums up the feeling we had when we returned to the song after lunch: "The power you have over me is something close to disturbing". We want to say the same thing to Gabrielle.

In a very beautiful music video directed by Gerardo Alcaine, Gabrielle wanders in a consignment store where thousands of sometimes useless things are piled up. Perhaps as useless as the dark clouds that came to ruin her relationship for no reason. And the flamboyant red of her hair contrasts wonderfully with the cold atmosphere of the place.

"How We Used To Be" is a nice surprise. The more you dig, the more fabulous things you find. You just have to take the time.

Reach out to Gabrielle Shonk

We fell in love with Madeline Finn's music in November 2020, when she released the single "Whippoorwill". Already at that time, we had been captivated by her heightened sensitivity and her lively scratchy writing. The Nashville-based artist is back with a new song, cleverly blending folk and rock to create a musical universe of her own.

After the tumultuous years that we have all been through, it now seems normal to us to have periods that are lower than others. We may have felt abandoned, and sometimes we had to cry out for help.

It's a bit like the context that we find in "On the Line", a song that is intelligently constructed, alternating melancholic verses and super catchy choruses with incomparable elegance.

The art of juggling between intensities and different emotions is precisely what makes Madeline Finn irresistible. This raw sensitivity and this authenticity in her emotions allow Madeline to create a kind of new concept, which could be described as unique: solid fragility. Yes, it's a pretty crazy paradox, but it fits well with this song.

Because despite its dark side, "On the Line" will keep you singing along for the next few days. And isn't that what you expect from a good song?

Reach out to Madeline Finn

We discovered the Canadians of I, The Mountain during the lockdown, in April 2020, with their single "Dreaming Out Loud", which, to this day, is still one of our favorite indie songs. Besides, when we saw their name in our queue, we immediately had this song in mind.

Here they are back, and we can say that two and a half years later, the band has grown a lot. And their sound is even more mature and awesome than before.

"Wildfire", available today on all platforms, is about a relationship that can ignite at any moment, as the band confides: "Wildfire is about a love that grows so strong it can become toxic and burn up in a flash."

With "oh-ohs" over fantastic and absolutely catchy vocal harmonies in under 30 seconds, "Wildfire" is a folk anthem that will stick in your head, and lives up to the artists I, The Mountain have opened for (The Strumbellas). We immediately think of much more famous bands, but I, The Mountain has their own musical universe and their own identity. The originality of their melodies really allows them to stand out.

Reach out to I, The Mountain

Almost 2 years later, if we take stock of the situation, we can say that the bet has been won. Certainly, she does not yet have the huge audience of these singers, but in any case, she is on the right track.

More than 10 million cumulative streams for our favorite Irishwoman, who never ceases to move us with each release with her incredible sensitivity and refined writing. Her new single "If You Called" is a moving acoustic ballad, where the artist continues to fight with her thoughts. Always straddling the "not enough" and the "too much", Etaoin is never quite sure how to situate herself in a romantic relationship, and she knows that her uncertainties sometimes cause her harm, as she confides about this new single :

"After my first heartbreak I made a pact with myself to never let myself care that much about anyone ever again, but then I met this boy from Ireland. We used to drive through the Irish countryside and walk the beaches and talk for hours in his car, it was literally like shit straight out of a Hannah Montana movie. He was so patient and kind and everything I should have needed, but I was so hurt and scarred that I was too scared to trust any boy and I didn't want to commit. This caused a lot of issues and nine months in we called it quits. I realized after it all went down that I really put him through hell by pushing him away and acting like I didn't care all the time.”

Yes, the art of measuring your emotions perfectly is very complicated. And to be completely honest, how many humans manage to do this without any harm? After all, that's just human nature. And Etaoin reminds us with this song how difficult it is to make decisions.

Accompanied by a magnificent and moving music video shot at night (watch it below), "If You Called" adds to the already very long list of masterpieces by Etaoin, and allows her to slowly approach the front door of the IMC Family. This is her 4th feature on IMC. The 5th will be the key to the door.

Reach out to Etaoin

It is often said on IMC, music is the best medicine. Whether for us, the fans of beautiful music or for the artists themselves. Writing, singing, and sharing your deepest feelings is a real makeover.

And "Secrets" helped Rachael Jenkins a lot to move forward. The Utah-based artist was in a rather disturbing mental state while writing this little gem, which is out today on all platforms via Tinpot Records, as she told us:

"When I wrote this song, I felt like I was drowning in it. No matter how far removed I was from the source, the shame followed me around, affecting my everyday life, causing me to fall deeper into depression and anxiety. At the time, the only relief felt like escape."

We also feel this anxiety and this melancholic atmosphere in each line of the song, which benefits from a wonderful production, which gives its place to each element. The vocal harmonies are undoubtedly the strong point of "Secrets", and we feel that Rachael is letting go of her deepest demons. And this release was more than beneficial for her:

"Luckily, with years and years of therapy, the shame I feel is smaller, less loud. I'm fortunate to not relate to this song in the same way as when I wrote it. Although I fear I will never escape the confines of religious trauma, this song helped me work through deep sadness and guilt, and I'm happy to be on the other side of this track."

Raised in a very religious environment (probably too religious), the artist frees herself from the secrets she had to keep for too long. Each of her notes, and more precisely her divine falsetto, sound like a flight towards a clearer horizon, without black clouds. In any case, for us, "Secrets" is a little masterpiece that is just waiting for one thing: to find a place in your favorite Spotify playlist. Probably the one that gives you the force to face your deepest fears.

Reach out to Rachael Jenkins

When we are only 5, and our parents separate, we lose this essential point of reference which is the family, and it is a bit as if our whole world collapsed.

Sam Heselwood, a New Zealand-based musician, preferred to retain only the positive sides of this situation. And he realized that in the end, it wasn't so bad to be loved by 4 parents instead of 2. Yes, because your parents are starting over with someone else. And that someone else will probably love you like their own child.

A rugby player with a tender heart, with a warm and very assertive voice, reminiscent of that of great singers like Lewis Capaldi or James Arthur, Sam Heselwood has a very strong vocal identity. This reinforces his emotional writing and his very powerful melody.

"Four" is based on the idea that the perfect family may not be the one we initially thought about. With a super catchy chorus, and a production worthy of the greatest artists, Sam signs a little gem that you should add to your Spotify playlists now!

Reach out to Sam Heselwood

Since Nanuk first came to us with "Midas" in May 2021, he has never ceased to amaze us with his wondrous melodies and innate sense of beauty.

Yes, we can obviously speak of beauty when listening to a song by Nanuk, because his repertoire is full of it. Since his last feature on IMC, Nanuk has made a well-deserved place on the indie music scene. Picked up by BBC Introducing or our friends Alex and Beth from Alexrainbirdmusic, the English artist once again invites us to relax with his new single "Butterfly".

Mostly acoustic, this song is a lovely ballad mixing a wonderful acoustic guitar and enchanting piano to create a soulful atmosphere. Nanuk's warm vocals, carried by a light reverb, transport us into a musical and poetic universe, at the same time delicate, soft, and comforting.

"Spread your wings, my butterfly, don't be afraid to be free"

The English artist, who looks like a teddy bear with a tender heart, seduces us once again with the beauty of his simple but powerful writing. One more little gem to add to your Spotify playlists urgently.

Reach out to Nanuk

If you're actually struggling to find some comfort, this song should perfectly fit your mood... and your playlists!

The young Icelandic singer-songwriter Atli is back with a new song that may bring you some warm Autumn vibes.

"Waterfalls", which seems at the beginning a simple folk acoustic ballad, transforms over the minutes into an incredible emotional bubble that explodes to water your ears with a pure and honest sound.

Yes, "Waterfalls" bears its name very well and will bring you a dose of chills that you are not ready to forget. The warm vocals of Atli are exceptionally good in this one, he's at ease in all tones. The song progression is awesome and the final part will leave you speechless. We won't tell you more about this growth, as the song truly speaks for itself, but if you're looking for a young and promising artist to follow, you found it.

Reach out to Atli

It seems like IMC has a special connection with Australia. And there's a good reason for that: their artists are incredible. This is where we're landing today, on the Sunshine Coast, to meet Samuel Fairbank.

His new EP "Freckles" will be released in October and "Time to Time" is the fourth single from it. It's a delicate indie-folk ballad about an unstable relationship that could be gone in a fraction of a second, as Samuel explains: "It's my tale of watching someone you love slip through your fingers, knowing that you can't make them stay. Knowing you'll still love them time to time."

Samuel's warm vocals fit perfectly with the sweet melody, led by a talentedly strummed acoustic guitar. The melody of the chorus is a marvel that interferes in your mind so you don't want to leave it anymore. His vocal harmonies are of a millimeter precision and give a lot of relief to the song, and reinforce its emotional side.

The small production detail that seduced us: the piano was not drowned in the mix and occupies all the space it needs to give chills.

We recommend that you take a look at his discography because there are some fabulous nuggets to discover!

Reach out to Samuel Fairbank

We discovered Tommy Ashby and his incredible melodies in May 2020 with "One Word", which we are still able to sing by heart, even two years later.

Since then, the Scottish musician never stops rising and reaching more and more people. And that's good! We are really delighted that he was able to unite an audience and he deserves it!

If we wanted to tell you about Tommy Ashby's return to IMC, it's because his new single "A Beautiful Day" is probably one of the catchiest tracks we've heard this year so far.

Inspired by her grandmother, "A Beautiful Day" sounds like a beautiful tribute to a respectable lady, whom nature inspired to the highest degree. With a very folky and catchy melody, the song is a real anthem that will stay in your head for hours.

We all have memories, whether with grandparents or other people in our family, who passed on something to us. These memories build us and accompany us for a good part of our life, and this is what inspired this little masterpiece, as Tommy Ashby confides:

"The song describes how your memories can change in the remembering. Your recollection of a beautiful day changes over time, some details fall away and others come more sharply into focus. I also wanted to show how experiences are shaped by your mental state at the time. For example, the final verse describes rain on concrete, which wouldn't be a classically beautiful scene. But the words and music that envelop the scene mean that it is remembered wistfully. The verses describe snapshots of beautiful days, which is often how I remember things. My mind is definitely more of a camera than a video recorder".

And in a sense, luckily his mind isn't a video recorder. It reminds us of the third episode of the Netflix series "Black Mirror", "The Entire History of You", where people could record with their eyes every second of their lives to replay them at any time and let others watch them. We're going a bit from the main topic, and we're sorry. But Netflix is ​​somewhat linked to the career of the artist since his music has appeared in Netflix series like "Atypical" "The Innocents", and even beyond the borders of the platform, in "Grey's Anatomy" or "Love Island".

It is true that his tracks sometimes have a very cinematic side and it is not surprising that his music is associated with good quality film productions. If you loved "A Beautiful Day", make sure you check out Tommy Ashby's discography on Spotify, you may find a lot of gems to add to your playlists!

Reach out to Tommy Ashby