The Underground Bandwagon: Texas Edition
The underground scenes are where a lot of hidden gems are, so consider me a geologist, because I love to collect them! Riffling through the small and new artists on social media, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, my local record shops, and the scene, I am always finding some new treasures to add to my hoard of highly curated playlists.
So let me tell you about some of my favorites from my local scene...
Straight out of Texas
Adorn
Photo Credit: Facebook
Adorn is a melodic rock band based in Dallas, Texas. They just released their debut album, "Let Love Remain ," this April. They are gaining traction after their album release and the release show they held with other local Dallas bands, Set // Adrift, Fire Season, and We Are Alot, who returned from retirement to come together for the show. In late 2024, they opened for Saosin alongside Lost In Separation.
Let me share one of my favorite songs off their new album called "Voyeur."
Adorn's Website
With Hope Intact
Photo Credit: Sam Fuentes
With Hope Intact comes in swing with softer, wispy singsong vocals that transform into beautifully done harsh vocals. This female-fronted progressive melodic metalcore band from Dallas dropped their single "False Haven " on March 24th. They are set to play the second stage at Moon Fest on May 30th!
"False Haven" is by far one of my favorite songs by With Hope Intact.
With Hope Intact's Website
They Tried To Bury Us
Dallas-based post-hardcore band They Tried To Bury Us released their first song, "IAMAMI ," last year, before releasing two more singles and a killer cover of "Greedy " (originally by Tate Mcrae).**** Their latest track, "Float Away, " came out in January, and it's such a nice, slower song. With their debut show coming up at MoonFest, you can bet this band will have even more material that the crowd at the festival will get to soak up first!
Check out their latest single and one of my favorites!
They Tried To Bury Us' Website
Crashing Through The Floor
Photo Credit: Facebook
Alternative pop-rock band Crashing Through the Floor is an Arlington-based band. This female-fronted co-ed band is taking pop punk, adding a more alt-rock vibe, and sprinkling in jazz-type elements, giving their sound its own life in the area of subgenres. Winning Best Rock Song at the 2026 Dallas Entertainment Awards with their single "Avoidant Paradise " and playing shows all over North Texas, they are cementing their rise in the Texas scene and alt-rock/pop genres!
"Avoidant Paradise " is a mix-and-match of pop-rock and jazzy vibes that I adore!
Crashing Through The Floor's Website
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Photo Credit: Facebook
VILAMOURA is a five-part band from Austin, Texas that started as a punk-rock project but quickly progressed into their more metalcore sound. Their sound captures post-hardcore and alt-rock vibes alongside their harsh vocals and melodic choruses, giving us a very satisfying duality in their overall sound. Building their local fan base through high-energy shows and their online audience through their socials, they have crafted a loyal fan base on their way up the ladder.
I highly recommend putting these guys on your Bands To Watch List, too, because I am obsessed. Check out my favorite of their recent releases, "Spirited Away ".
VILAMOURA's Website
Bridges Ablaze
Photo Credit: Facebook
From Austin, Bridges Ablaze mixes hard rock with alternative metal to create a cathartic sound that matches their heartfelt lyrics. Writing songs that are based on their lived experiences, lead vocalists Brien Allen and Ruben Zamora refuse to compromise their character, depth, or songwriting for paychecks and opt to write music that means something instead, though working with producer Robby Joyner of Fire From The Gods to refine their style was a huge move for the band.
Blast their newest single "Break " now!
Bridges Ablaze's Website
Nate Vickers
PHOTO CREDIT: CLAYTON KING
Nate Vickers is a solo artist from Houston. His fascination with music came in his youth, in his love for the 80s glam metal band KISS. He's climbed his way into the scene with notable collabs like singing "The Kill " with the original vocalist of the song, Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars, and the single "Hurt Myself" that he and Ekoh did together. He found a rise in his socials and DSP numbers when he started posting song cover clips on TikTok and Instagram of popular songs like "In the End " by Linkin Park, "Iris " by the Goo Goo Dolls , and many more.
December of last year, Vickers dropped his EP Don't Look Down , but you can still go check it out now!
Nate Vicker's Website
Dead Butterflies
Photo Credit: Instagram
A seven-piece band might sound like a lot to take in, but Dead Butterflies has figured out how to use each position and member to form a strong and unique-sounding screamo blend. Their lineup includes a keyboard player and a trombone player, and mixes in both a LoFi and crabcore-type feel to their music. They are heavy in the local scene and currently have shows booked all the way into Arizona and New Mexico for the summer!
Their most recent release is "thorns " - go give it a listen!
Dead Butterflies' Instagram
Slow Drag
Photo Credit: Facebook
The pop punk band, Slow Drag , is taking on the DFW scene and bringing us some of the hottest pop punk in the area! They blend the raw and aggressive edges of pop punk with the smooth and polished version to create a mix of the sadboi and the more poppy vibes of the genre. They often host live sessions and pop-up events throughout the DFW area.
Here is their newest EP, "Feel Better Now," so you can check out Dallas's finest pop punk!
Slow Drag's Instagram
SET//ADRIFT
Photo Credit: Facebook
SET//ADRIFT is a melodic hardcore band from Dallas, comprised of 5 members and heavy riffs. The combination of softer melodic vibes with the hardcore genre elements that we know and love makes them a notable sound in the Dallas scene. They have a solid place in the local scene and community, often playing local shows and going to others to support the music.SET//ADRIFT has claimed a spot in the staples of the DFW scene.
Make sure you give their new single "Disappear " a listen!
SET//ADRIFT's Instagram
Ashtray for Aliens
Photo Credit: Facebook
From Port Arthur, Texas, Ashtray for Aliens is creating metalcore that blends with post-hardcore and crabcore vibes and brings in a storytelling songwriting style to their music. They came together in 2023 under the name Set the Skyline before assuming their current band name. They use their social media not only to post about their music and connect with fans but also to bring awareness to social and political causes.
In September of last year, Ashtray For Aliens dropped their most recent EP, "Symptoms of Sanity, " so go give it a spin now!
Ashtray for Aliens' Instagram
Public Display of Infection
Photo Credit: Brianna White
This four-piece Dallas-based band comes with an energy-packed experimental metalcore sound. Meet Public Display Of Infection, also known locally as PDI. They mix their music with art made by the band and poems from the frontman to make it a multi-media experience all-around. Their raw sound and lyrics make PDI a standout band in the Dallas scene, along with their participation in live shows as well as being part of the audience.
Check out one of my favorite songs from Public Display Of Infection, their single "TOXIN TOXOUT. "
Public Display Of Infection's Instagram
Penny Bored
Photo Credit: Facebook
Penny Bored , the solo artist, is making glitter punk all over Dallas and the surrounding areas. With a sound that is self-explained as "heartbreaking songs written in glitter gel pen" and those pop punk vibes we all grew to love from our favorite pop punk queens, with a fresh twist! Penny Bored grew even more with the release of their cover "Sk8ter Boi, " originally by Avril Lavigne.
Listen to Penny Bored's latest single "Do Ya? " featuring solo singer Clancy!
Penny Bored's Instagram
Alex Malave
Photo Credit: Instagram
Alex Malave is a Denton/DFW, Texas-based artist who creates pop punk. His sound mixes pop punk, Midwest emo, and emo-gaze to concoct a sound that is very much his own. He and his backing band are active in the local scene, often playing and seen at others' shows in the area. His backing band is crafted from his girlfriend and good friends, Liym , Stevie, and Blake.
Check out the latest single from Alex Malave, "Holy Water," featuring Lia Phoenix, and get ready for their upcoming shows!
Alex Malave's Website
There is a lot of great music all over Texas, and it's a very musically involved state, so I just wanted to highlight some of my current favorites. Supporting your small local scenes, along with the artists in them, is extremely important. Please do your part to help grow and support small artists and venues all over.
A huge thank you to all the artists in this list. Texas wouldn't be half the state it is without art like yours, so thank you!
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