While visiting with family and friends in Asheville, North Carolina, in recent months, I assembled this list of 13 songs, perfect as a soundtrack for early evening cookouts. Genres include alternative, folk, R&B soul, pop, and electronica.
For more music like this, listen to my new 60-minute Fringe Toast Music radio show at KHOE.org at 90.5 FM in Fairfield on Friday at 7 p.m. CDT, Sunday at 1 p.m. CDT, and Tuesday at 4 pm. CDT.
“Low Tide” (2022) by Tom Rhodes and the Hustle Standard. Rhodes is an Oakland, California, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. On this plaintive track, he collaborates with electronica mixer the Hustle Standard, who provides delicate enrichments. Simple, melancholy, and beautiful.
“Get Low” (2016) by James Vincent McMorrow. An Irish singer-songwriter who has produced seven albums, three EPs, and many singles, James is a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, keyboards, banjo, and drums.
“Real Peach” (2016) and “Rue” (2026) by Henry Jamison. Hailing from Burlington, Vermont, Henry first came on my radar a decade ago, and I’ve continued to follow his charming compositions. On “Rue,” he collaborates with Canadian folk musician Donovan Woods.
“Carla’s Song” (2026) by Harry Styles. From his recently released album, Kiss All the Time, “Carla’s Song” fits right in with the direction of this summery list. Enjoy the excellent engineering and mixing.
“Take Me Out Tonight” (2025) by Binns and Dalziel. This song is an independent AI-generated metadata mix-up distributed to streaming platforms. Even the naming of musicians is incorrect, mistakenly attributing the song to musicians with these last names. Nevertheless, as a piece of music, I like it.
“Demons” (2020) by Radon. The song begins with electric guitar reminiscent of Pink Floyd. Radon is the stage name of Dan Africano, a highly versatile, Denver-based bass guitarist and songwriter with roots in dub, reggae, and funk.
“Digging Up the Past” (2025) by Lord Huron. Lord Huron is an LA-based indie-rock band surrounding founder and lead vocalist Ben Schneider. The themes are moody and heavy, and at times evoke surreal imagery.
“Crystal Cylinders” (2022) by Mike Sanders. A dreamy surf-rock track from the Australian electric guitarist, this space-jam song was featured in the surfing film CHUPA.
“Oppression” (2014) by the Human Experience (AKA David Block). LA-based Block has spent a lifetime as a talented multi-instrumentalist and songwriter exploring connections at the intersection of music, art, and consciousness. On this instrumental, by the time the banjo kicks in to interplay with an acoustic guitar, you should be hooked.
“I’ll Go Home from Here” (2026) by the Milk Carton Kids. This American vocal-acoustic guitar duo consists of Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan. I personally enjoyed hearing them a few years ago in Iowa City. They have released six albums since 2011. Some people think “Simon & Garfunkel” when listening to their music.
“Alter Ego” (2020) by LUMINAR. LUMINAR is a Dutch musical duo formed in 2017 by composers Evert Zeevalkink (guitarist-producer) and Sofia Dragt (singer-songwriter), who live in Utrecht, Netherlands. Their music is a mix of atmospheric dream-pop and indie-electronica. On this piece, notice the echoing piano introduction that sets the mood, while beautiful vocals enter and carry the journey.
“Just Some Little Jazz Vibes” (2019) by Living Room. Ingolf Schapke is a German sound engineer, DJ, and producer. His classical music training and versatility in the studio provide a rare musical delight for listeners. About two minutes into this track, a slow sultry saxophone enters, followed by electric piano and vibraphone that carry all the way to the fading exit.
“Deep Ocean Dive” (2017) by Worldtraveller. Munich-based Ingolf Schapke also produces under this moniker. His compositions are highly versatile, combining dusty, slow-groove, lo-fi beats with warm, organic elements like vintage Rhodes keyboards and soulful saxophone.
Listen to full free tracks on Spotify under my handle as DJ Andy Bargerstock. This playlist will be shown as 2026 Summer List.
Send comments to AndyBargerstock@gmail.com.