Social Cig: This three piece indie rock act from Milwaukee is helmed by frontperson Parker Schultz and has been gaining a lot of traction in the MKE scene. Over the past year they released their third album “CHEESEHEAD,” played alongside acts like Wet Leg, Michael Cera Palin, Ax and the Hatchetman and Weatherday and sold out the Collectivo Backroom in their album release show. Photo by Nicholas Kohnhorst
Watermelon Collie: Since 2019, Madison scene veteran Sean Hovarth has been releasing music under the name Watermelon Collie. The project describes itself as “shoegaze for square dancing,” with songs ranging from country ballads to explosive noise rock pieces. When performing solo, Hovarth uses a lot of improvisation, transforming a guitar and a loop pedal in ethereal soundscapes.
Sigra: Incorporating classically trained operatic vocals with art pop sensibilities, Sigra experiments with sound like no one else in Wisconsin. Combining clever jse of language and ethereal vocals the singer-songwriter has been a part of MQBS and Watermelon Collie, alongside two different solo projects in Sigra and Lady Esque.
