My latest playlist of music from off the beaten path is inspired by Liberian-born indie-folk musician Mon Rovîa, who was rescued from the Liberian civil wars by Christian missionaries and adopted by an American family, eventually settling in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While attending a local college, Mon Rovîa began studying music and gradually developed a unique style that blends West African and Appalachian songs. His voice and lyrics are amazingly beautiful.
This list includes indie-folk, Americana, alternative, singer-songwriter, blues, house, and electronic tunes. You can listen to it on Spotify under my handle as DJ Andy Bargerstock, titled “Fringe Toast Music 2026 Winter List.”
“He Called Me Baby” by AJ Lee & Blue Summit. Hailing from Tracy, California, AJ Lee got her start in 2005, at age 7, singing with Molly Tuttle’s family band. In 2015, AJ formed the Blue Summit band, leading on vocals and mandolin. This song, written by Harlan Howard (1961) and made famous by Patsy Cline (1963), was recorded in 2024 on the City of Glass album. It’s an ode to a lover in deep appreciation of a special night together.
“Used to Know” by Lord Huron. Since 2012, this LA-based indie-folk band has written melancholic, atmospheric songs that feature the singing and guitar work of founder Ben Schneider. Critics have praised this track, a reflection of lost love, for its slinky guitar and dreamy production work.
“Feel More” by Michelle Gurevich. Also known as “Chinawoman,” Michelle was born in Toronto to Russian-Jewish parents. Recorded in 2020, the song benefits from a slow build-up and exotic emotional impact. It’s the lead song on the album Ecstasy in the Shadow of Ecstasy.
“Here & Now” by the Sweeplings. With their wonderful harmonizing, the vocal duo Cami Bradley (of Spokane, Washington) and Whitney Dean (of Huntsville, Alabama) may remind you of another male-female duo, the Civil Wars. No wonder. For two years, Whitney toured with John Paul White of the Civil Wars.
“Tobacco” by Chris Malinchak. Chris is an electronic house musician, DJ, and record producer from Brooklyn, New York. The backing vocals on this 2025 release were sung by Chris himself. Enjoy the piano, percussion, and reverb effects, and shuffle across the floor to this one.
“No One Has to Know” by Bob Moses. Since 2012, the Vancouver, British Columbia, duo consisting of Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance hase been releasing alternative electronic and house tracks. This song comes from the 2025 album BLINK. If you like this one, check out “Nothing But You (Acoustic)” from their Unplugged EP (2019) and Grammy-nominated “Tearing Me Up” (2015).
“Here and Gone” by Mississippi Twilight. A neo-blues, pop, indie-rock band, Mississippi Twilight has a unique sound crafted largely around the talents of Nashville-based Micah Wilshire, a well-respected songwriter, producer, vocalist, and guitarist. Micah has written and produced many songs for TV, movies, and ads. On this song, I especially like the acoustic guitar licks and bluesy harmonica.
“Whose Face Am I” and “Oh Wild World” by Mon Rovîa. The indie-folk sensation took his name from Liberia’s capital city. After the release of several EPs in recent years, a full album release is expected in 2026. Both of these 2025 tracks accentuate Mon Rovîa’s soothing, melodic stylizing on themes about his “lonely seasons” from Liberian civil war times and current days in the U.S. His grateful, hopeful spirit lifts the listener.
“Sleeping on the Blacktop (Sax Edit)” by DCCM & Milo Lombardi. DCCM is the stage name for a German electronic and metal artist who collaborates here with Italian sax player Milo Lombardi, known for jazz and meditative music improvisations. This instrumental blues mix is an unusual combination of talents on a song written by 30-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter Colter Wall, from his album Imaginary Appalachia. Check out Colter’s version for vocals.
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