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.

Goon Tribune

Goon Tribune (also known as Dr. Goon and the Daily Tribune) is a band comprised of Ian McCarthy on vocals, Nick Benish on bass and keys, Andrew Tomten on saxophone, and Tarek Abdelqader on drums. A refreshing fusion of electronic jazz, g-funk, and hip-hop, Goon Tribune invites us into a mysterious world with their powerful storytelling. Listening to their latest album, Second Opinion — released in late 2023 — I picture opening a comic book and getting completely immersed in the story, as this is the soundtrack to every page. They recently celebrated their album release at Green Room and shared that they have upcoming shows this spring. -NT

Absolutely Yours

Absolutely Yours have mastered the perfect blend of indie pop and shoegaze. Their third album, Mirror Maze, is named after the Mall of America attraction, and features seven tracks of lovely dreampop production and gentle, swirling vocals reminiscent of Bilinda Butcher of My Bloody Valentine. Bridget Collins formed Absolutely Yours in Brooklyn in 2017 and moved back to her hometown of Minneapolis in 2021. Collins then started working on Mirror Maze, which she self-produced and recorded at home except for drums and bass, played by Minneapolis musicians Jared Isabella and Mark Ritsema. Fans of Alvvays, Cocteau Twins, and DIIV may enjoy Absolutely Yours. -AD

Ruby

Children of iconic musicians sometimes perform music that resembles their parents’ work, but that’s not at all the case for Ruby Stinson, daughter of rock legend Tommy Stinson (The Replacements, Guns ‘N Roses). In 2021, Ruby gained nationwide recognition from Rolling Stone for her pop/R&B single “Come Clean,” shortly after moving back to Minneapolis from New York City, where she worked in the fashion industry. Ruby Stinson, who records under the name Ruby, has continued to release new music and even perform concerts with her dad locally. Her latest single “Worst Way” is a glamourous, delicate pop song about romantic desire. Think Ashanti meets Vanessa Hudgens. Be on the lookout for an upcoming collaboration with singer/producer Ness Nite.  Also, check out Ruby’s women’s clothing boutique, Legacy, in South Minneapolis. -Diane

HEYARLO

HEYARLO is a Minneapolis-based instrumental jazz group fronted by the talented DeCarlo Jackson (known for his work with Hippo Campus, DNM, and many other bands around town). The band also includes Megan Mahoney on bass, Evan Slack on guitar, and Richard Haneman on drums. Formed in 2018, HEYARLO is a group of talented artists with careers already launched separately. They come together with a sophisticated, rich sound. Their latest single, “Chanting & Gossip,” lives up to the band’s self-proclaimed mix of soul, funk, hip-hop, and jazz. This track sounds good in headphones for a walk around the city or the lake. However you decide to tune in, HEYARLO’s sound is full of depth and incredibly exciting. You can catch them live for free on Saturday, March 30, 6-8pm at Insight Brewing. -NT

AUTUMN

AUTUMN is a new Minneapolis-based soul-pop trio led by musician/writer Autumn Brown and supported by artists Sterling Duns and Nehemiah Luckett. The group’s new seven-song album, The Animal In You, is characterized by a beautiful balance of layered harmonies, thoughtfully composed instrumentation, singable melodies, and experiential lyricism. Merrill Garbus (of Tune-Yards) is noticeably present in the music’s production. The outstanding single “Deserving,” for example, highlights Brown’s voice not just as the melodic lead, but also a rhythmic and harmonic base. Folks might know about Autumn Brown through her podcast How To Survive The End of The World, which she co-hosts with her sister, renowned writer and activist Adrienne Maree Brown. -Diane

Maya Marchelle

Maya Marchelle’s work pulls in elements of rock, hip-hop, and R&B to create a cohesive story on their latest piece “No Magic.” The singer has reinvented herself many times: traveling to attend school at Xavier University, returning to Minnesota when Hurricane Katrina shifted that plan, becoming a trendsetter, and finding another artistic side through a clothing line. She returns with new music she has been honing for the better part of the past decade. The track opens with an alien-esque beat and spins into a three-minute track that pulls in chanting rounds, clicks, and a beat that will dig into your brain. “No Magic” is a teaser for her upcoming album, Thelma Taught Me, dropping June 11. -YV

Hannah Lou Woods

Hannah Lou Woods sure knows how to craft a love song. The singer has garnered many accolades over the years, including a finalist in the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest along with a Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council grant in 2023. ”Fallen From the Stars” is pulled from her latest EP, Meet Me at the Pine Tree. It encapsulates the dreaminess of falling in love with her husband, and is a glimpse into her charming and unpretentious collection of songs. Woods celebrated her EP with a Valentine’s Day release, and is performing regionally. -YV

True Green

True Green, the musical project of Dan Hornsby, feels like a nice walk in the Minnesota sunshine. Simple yet tender vocal melodies let the fingerpicked guitar float through in “Buzzerbeater,” a cozy tune with warm, nostalgic textures. Listening to True Green’s debut album, My Lost Decade, it’s clear that Hornsby is a skilled storyteller. Hornsby's lyrics paint lovely vignettes of Lake Nokomis, little old cars, riding bikes to the lake, and Coors Light. He’s also a novelist and has published two books in the past few years, Sucker and Via Negativa. Fans of Dr. Dog, Twin Peaks, and Wilco may enjoy True Green. You can catch True Green live at the Turf Club on March 27 along with Sun Seeker, Spaceport and Despondent. -AD

Keston Wright

Keston Wright is a St. Paul-based musician who was previously part of the funk-pop group Static Panic, and currently half of the group FènixDion. Wright recently released the single “NOTESUREYET.” Previously, he put out the single “Trenches,” and before that, the 2019 album pop’d. “NOTSUREYET” is a mellow, bass-heavy, melodic track topped with Wright’s whispery vocals. “All I see through in times like these / is the bulls**t that I don’t care about,” says the chorus. I found myself replaying this song many times, and eagerly await his upcoming album, titled BURNOUT. -NT

Paper Tiger

Paper Tiger is a DJ, producer, and founding member of the Minneapolis-based hip-hop collective and record label Doomtree. The man behind the moniker, John Samels, grew up in Minneapolis and is now based in New York. “Different Trish” is a single off Paper Tiger’s upcoming album, All Over The Place, set to release Mar. 15. The album draws on influences from multiple genres including drum and bass, ambient, IDM and classic rap grooves, an indicator of Samels’ versatility and talent. -AD