Local business and local music can help shape a community, and Nebraska’s music scene is blossoming, giving a younger demographic an opportunity to have their voice be heard.  

Nebraska is no stranger to good music. There have been many successful bands to come from the state, primarily in the ‘90s and 2000s. Some of the most successful artists from Nebraska include Bright Eyes, The Faint, Cursive, and 311. There are even relevant record labels in the state, such as Saddle Creek, which has signed artists like Big Thief and Adrianne Lenker.  

With the rise in popularity of all different types of alternative music online, more young people feel influenced to start up bands. The internet has played a significant role in this. According to an article from Stereogum and statistics from Spotify, the alternative subgenre Shoegaze had seen its streams grow by 50% within one year. Tristan Lopez, drummer for Sioux City-based band Foxpelt, said he finds that the internet helps interest in music grow.  

“Midwest emo, alt-rock, and indie artists that carry a very DIY sound are easy to find due to the internet,” Lopez said. “Whether you hear a local or underground artist in person you’re almost guaranteed to find them on Spotify, YouTube, Deezer, Soundcloud and even platforms like TikTok.” 

Although the internet has been a starting point for many up-and-coming artists, community also plays a significant role. “There are definitely a few bands in the state that have a similar vibe to mine, but most of them that I’ve run into are really friendly and willing to work together to get each other gigs,” Clemens Nitchie, guitarist and vocalist for The Great Disappointment, said. “When people start to play, they wonder ‘if they can do that, why can’t I?’  Other bands can and will inspire others to get out there,” said Lopez. 

Nebraska isn’t a state particularly well-known for its arts, and has a small population of about 2 million, giving musicians both pros and cons to deal with.  

“I think the major disadvantage is the lack of people. i=If you’re in a big city, you’re almost guaranteed more traction or a following due to having a bigger pool to pull from,” Lopez said.  

Alternative music also has difficulty finding popularity in rural Nebraska. “I would say that in the more rural areas people are mostly into country, classic rock, or rap, this means the best gigs for bands like mine are usually in places like Omaha or Lincoln,” Nitchie said. Although location does matter, this does not slow local bands down.  

Young bands in Omaha and Lincoln like Ivory Daze and Bib are seeing rising numbers in music streams, with Ivory Daze’s most recent single, “No Service,” at 72,000 plays on Spotify alone. “What’s next is more local bands releasing music, whether it’s EPs, or even albums, I think this will cause a ripple effect in more artists feeling comfortable to get their music out there on all formats,”Lopez said.  

You can find Foxpelt on all streaming services when their debut single drops Feb. 17. The Great Disappointment also has an album out on all streaming services and has more to come.