Photo by Morgan Winston
Madison, Wisconsin might not have the same clout as New York, Chicago or L.A., but we’re never short on fresh sounds. The musicians emerging from our small city are an eclectic and smart bunch, making a go of it with internet and community-based support in lieu of major label deals. While the list below is in no means comprehensive (Madison has so much talent!), these are the artists on the brink of career-changing success in 2019.
KennyHoopla
Every once in a while you discover a low-profile musician and just know they’re going to make it big. It’s not a question of if, but when. Indie rapper KennyHoopla is one of those. His star energy is palpable from his music to his image; both are honed to a T. With a well-curated and consistent social media presence (Kenny has a great eye for visual aesthetics—check out his Instagram), his self-branding gets an A+. Keep an eye (and both ears) on this one.
Son!
Daniel Kaplan, or Son! as he’s known musically, is another artist taking advantage of personal branding. In his own words, he dapples in a mixture of “songs, sounds, and images.” His latest EP, Emotional Robots (2018), showcases his ability to seamlessly blend together unexpected feelings and genres. His songs are goofy, emotional, and executed with a satisfying mix of smooth vocals and punchy rap verses backed by horns, keys, and sound bites.
Disq
Isaac deBroux-Slone and Raina Bock have been getting quite a bit of media attention in the last year for their spunky power-pop band, Disq, and rightly so. Both still teenagers, deBroux-Slone and Bock have earned themselves national exposure in big-name publications such as Stereogum, The FADER, and Paste Magazine. So what’s behind all the hype? Their latest single, “Communication,” will tell you everything you need to know.
Trapo
Singer and rapper Trapo has been gaining visibility for the past few years, but his 2018 album, Oil Change, kicked his momentum into high gear. Catchy as ever, the album feels more honest and compelling than anything he’s put out previously. On the track “Drunk Punch” he sings, “Watchin’ through the window/ I see everything that I could ever want.” By the time the album plays through, you get the feeling that he’s closer to the other side of that glass than he knows.
CRASHprez
It’s tough to name an artist more self-aware than Michael Penn II (a.k.a. CRASHprez). As both a rapper and a music journalist, Penn has his finger directly on the pulse of the industry. He first landed on my radar when I heard him freestyling live on air at WSUM 91.7 FM Madison, and let me just say—wow. With both the chops and the knowledge to set himself apart, the only component missing is a new album. 2019 could very well be his year.