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. In April 2024, The Current compiled the first Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report with votes from the local music industry.

Bizhiki

Bizhiki is a collaborative group featuring three artists who first joined forces at 2015’s inaugural Eaux Claires Festival near the banks of Wisconsin’s Chippewa River. Vocalist Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings grew up singing within the powwow tradition around the Lac Du Flambeau and Lac Courte Oreilles reservations. Also adding vocals is his adopted brother Joe Rainey, a Red Lake Ojibwe powwow singer who grew up in South Minneapolis. Providing a musical framework is Sean Carey (S. Carey), said to be the “secret weapon” of many years within the Bon Iver family. The trio’s first album, Unbound, was released July 19. Their track “Gigawaabamin (Come Through)” is a powerful and emotive exploration of traditional Powwow singing and contemporary electronic music, with hints of hip-hop. Also check out their second single, “Unbound,” which features a super-unique, beautiful sound. -NT

Papa Mbye

Papa Mbye’s refreshing and cutting-edge approach to electronic pop music ranges from light-bodied to hard-hitting. His second EP, Parcelles 16, drops on Aug. 23. The project was inspired by recent trips to Senegal and The Gambia. The visit to the latter, his country of origin, was to pay respects at a family member’s funeral. Through self-reflection, Papa Mbye was inspired to create art for young immigrants who’ve experienced similar journeys. -Diane

Hemma

Hemma says that her new single, “Lullabies,” is a song that affirmed her belief in songwriting as a “devotional practice.” Inspired by mourning doves, spirituality, and the passage of time, the tune echoes her artistic motto: “​​In song you’ll find rest and in rest you’ll find song.” Hemma splits her time between Eau Claire and Minneapolis, sharing her talents in the folk, country, and jazz scenes in both places. “Lullabies” is the first dazzling single from her upcoming album, Abalone Sky, which is set to release this November. Fans of Joni Mitchell and Gillian Welch may enjoy Hemma’s discography. Catch live performances at Tom’s Burned Down Cafe on Madeline Island in Wisconsin on Friday, Aug. 9, and at the 331 Club in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Aug. 21. -AD

Another Heaven

Minneapolis shoegaze band Another Heaven will release their latest album, See You Later, on Aug. 16. The band is made up of Aaron Lemay on drums/percussion, Cole Benson on bass/vocals, Christian Moser on guitar/additional vocals, and Ali Jaafar on guitar/vocals. Their fifth release is described by the band as being “about death, political instability, the internet being a black hole, depression, substance abuse and modern life circling the drain.” This new record promises to lean more into the rock side of the band. You can hear a little bit of that on the album opener, “Genius?” Catch Another Heaven live Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7th St Entry opening for Big|Brave. -NT

Lutalo

Minnesota-raised, Vermont-based artist Lutalo is becoming an increasingly essential voice in indie-folk. Their upcoming LP, The Academy, is an electric, folksy recollection of the lessons learned and memories from their life so far. The album’s opening track, “Summit Hill,” nods to the St. Paul neighborhood of the same name, which the artist recalls walking around and marveling at the mansions during their school years. The video below features the tracks “The Bed” and “Broken Twin.” Lutalo has toured with artists including Big Thief, Andy Shauf, Claud, and Adrianne Lenker. They are opening for Hippo Campus at their sold-out First Avenue show in Minneapolis on Thursday, Sept. 19, before heading off on tour with Nilüfer Yanya this fall. You can find all their tour dates here. -AD

anni xo

anni xo is a singer-songwriter inspired by the beauty and complexity of queer love. Influenced by artists including boygenius and Renee Rapp, their sound combines bits of folk, pop, rock, and alternative. Their latest release, “Madison,” is the first single off an upcoming project that explores more dream-pop sounds. anni xo is playing live with Ber at the Lake Harriet Bandshell in Minneapolis on Friday, Aug. 9. This event is part of the Star Tribune’s Music & Movies summer series and musical performances will be followed by an outdoor screening of the movie Jaws. -AD

Alan Sparhawk

In Low, Retribution Gospel Choir, Black Eyed Snakes, Derecho Rhythm Section, and countless other projects, Alan Sparhawk has created an incredible body of work. On Sept. 27, the Duluth legend is releasing his debut solo album, White Roses, My God. First single “Can U Hear” is a dark collection of noisy beats accompanying his pitch-shifted and digitally altered voice. It’s a compelling track, and also a reminder that Sparhawk is an artistic enigma that can’t be contained by expectations. He will perform Saturday, Aug. 10, as part of the Totally Gross National Product’s TGNP Party at Icehouse and will be at Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Saturday, Nov. 9, opening for Godspeed You! Black Emperor. -YV

Superior Siren

Northern Minnesota-based Superior Siren draws listeners in with their new track, “Rattlesnake.” The song release follows their recent performance at Blue Ox Music Festival in late June and is reimagined with the addition of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra concert master Erin Aldridge. The tune is an adventure with ethereal storytelling that stirs magic within the notes. Superior Siren singer Laura Sellner will perform solo at the Hook and Ladder on Friday, Aug. 9. -YV

Sonja Midtune

Indie-pop artist Sonja Midtune splits her time between Minnesota and Los Angeles, and has put out three EPs over her performance career of nearly a decade. Her debut album is set to be released this year with a brand-new single called “It’s All The Same.” Instrumentally, the song is an upbeat indie-rock track, though it talks about struggles with depression and how all seasons can feel the same during dark times. Sonja has shared on her Instagram account that this song is a step in a different direction musically. -NT

Ant

Nearly 30 years since the formation of Twin Cities hip-hop pioneers Atmosphere, producer Ant will release his solo debut album, Collection of Sounds: Volume 1, this Sept. 6. It’s the first of a four-part series of instrumentals. The first two singles, “Leather Soul” and “That Old Bongo Joint,” display his adept production skills in the styles of classic funk and boom-bap. He says, "I guess I have the audacity to believe I could put out a four-volume instrumental music project, composed of music I’ve made over the last 30 years, and call it great art." -Diane