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. Also, each Thursday, The Current's music director Jade picks great new tracks from around the world.

*Listen to The Current on Sunday, Nov. 12 (7 p.m. to midnight) to hear music from all 10 artists featured on The Local Show.

VIAL

VIAL is a powerhouse queer indie-punk trio that has been making waves in the Twin Cities music scene since 2019, earning the title “Best New Band” from City Pages in 2020. Their simultaneously playful and angry sound is addictive, and their lyrics tackle themes like coming of age and rage against misogyny. The recently released single “just fine” has an incredibly catchy, energetic melody, while the lyrics express the exhaustion of mental health struggles. Fans of the Linda Lindas, Bikini Kill, Paramore, and Babes In Toyland may enjoy VIAL. VIAL is touring with JER this winter, kicking off the tour in Minneapolis at the Fine Line on Dec. 1 with support from Boy Jr. and Dial Tone. -AD

Haley

Haley’s new record, Hunca Munca, is a follow-up to her 2018 cinematic instrumental LP Pleasureland. It takes her journey as an artist into a deeper dimension of songwriter-based music. With an intimate, awe-inspiring, synth-forward electronic aesthetic, Haley’s transcendent singing voice relays themes of grief, disillusionment, self-ownership, and motherhood. For more than 20 years, this household name in Minnesota music has been creating accessible, yet cutting-edge artful pop music. She’ll in fact celebrate her album release on Friday, Nov. 11, at Duluth’s Sacred Heart Music Center, the same space where she recorded her very first album, 2003’s The Size of Planets, on Alan Sparkhawk’s Chairkicker’s Union label. -Diane

Shrimp Olympics

Shrimp Olympics could be the best band you’ve probably never heard in the Twin Cities. With a singer whose voice parallels Elliott Smith, a vintage psych-rock sound like The Doors meets Jefferson Airplane, and a modern-day DIY swagger, Shrimp Olympics’ sound is an exciting discovery. It’s the home-recording project of musician/producer powerhouse Austin Lombardo. Having already released seven full-length self-released albums, Shrimp Olympics’ latest LP Feel is above and beyond the project’s strongest work yet. It features a cast of musical contributors, including a flutist, cellist, pianist, and more. Highlightable tracks include “steamed rice dance” and “pierre’s gift.” Catch Shrimp Olympics live at 7th Street Entry on Jan. 10. -Diane

Dwynell Roland x Lazerbeak

Dwynell Roland’s list of collaborators reads like the “Who’s Who” among Twin Cities hip-hop artists. Between performing during a Timberwolves halftime show and releasing an EP with Comp Keyz titled JAMARI, the artist found time to work with Lazerbeak on his latest album, released mid-October. “Peace of Mind” featuring Innanet James off of I’m Not Mad, I’m Flattered draws sharp lyrics out of Roland, and the track features dense mind-shredding noise that soothes and smashes your poor, fragile human bones at the same time. All at once, it is lovely and hypnotic. A release party for I’m Not Mad, I’m Flattered is coming up at Turf Club on Saturday, Nov. 25. -YV

Bugsy

Since their 2020 debut EP, Minneapolis band Bugsy have been steadily playing shows all over the Midwest and releasing singles. The self-described “indie-rock adjacent” band, made up of Alexander Norman (drums), Emily Schoonover (guitar/vocals), Shannon Maroney (bass/vocals), and Griffen Desai (guitar) has their upcoming newest EP, Now I Spend All My Time Alone, releasing this month. You can hear their track “recluse” now on their Bandcamp, along with two other songs before the official release. Catch them live at 7th Street Entry on Dec. 8.-NT

DNM

DNM (pronounced like “denim”) is the fiery outcome of jam sessions among friends DeCarlo Jackson of Hippo Campus, Naél (Nathnaél Fikru), and Moise Igeno, who performs under his first name. They met in 2017, collaborating and jamming casually before they started writing originals together. They brought in drummer Joey Hays right before lockdown started. Each member contributes a unique sound from their respective solo projects into one energetic fusion with indie-punk, hip-hop, and R&B influences. DNM has been releasing singles over the last couple of years and has amassed a strong following at their live shows. Their recent single “HIT N RUN” is rich with skillfully produced layered vocals and intricate rhythms, crafting an infectious groove that will leave listeners hungry for more. -AD

Lestelle

Lestelle, which means “the stars” in Italian, is a new Minneapolis-based indie electronic-pop band comprised of siblings Val (bass guitar, vocals), Ella (guitar, lead vocals) and Luke Darger (synth, production). Their first single “Mermaids” has a dreamy feel paired with airy vocals. Luke also puts out music as LUKDLX, and has worked with EHN JEY in the past. Not much is known of this new band yet, but we will be on the lookout for any upcoming shows and new music from Lestelle. -NT

Extraterrestrials

Minneapolis band Extraterrestrials – featuring Orion Treon (guitar and vocals),  Monica LaPlante (bass and back-up vocals), Sarah Wolf (keyboards), Christy Costello (back-up vocals and percussion), and Austin Cecil (drums) — recently released their latest project Terrestrial, which follows the concept of their name. Based on their Bandcamp description and song titles, this album evokes an abstract story of the band looking out of their spacecraft and noticing all the green on Earth, in which they decide to visit our planet and “make some trouble” before heading off to their next adventure. “Radiation Suds” is a pop-rock song track with a slight new wave feel. -NT

Given Names

Mankato-based band Given Names know how to craft perfect poppy rock songs, and on their latest single “Makin Eyes,” they create a particularly dreamy rock anthem. The group is composed of Laura Schultz taking a left turn from Good Night Gold Dust, along with visual artist Meghan Irwin, as well as Michelle Roche, and Mandy Wirig. Each band member adds to the vocals, creating a layered, choral feel to this single. -YV

Holly Hansen

It seems like Holly Hansen reemerges every few years when you least expect it with new work. The long-time leader of Zoo Animal is sharing a new version of herself by releasing new music under her given name. “Ruby“ is a song that struts on fearlessly, slowly creeping into your psyche, and building bigger. It eventually moves almost silently into the bridge, until it comes to finish the tale of a troubled person trying to navigate a life that does not come easy. -YV