Rachel Ruzumna
At just 24 this rising singer-songwriter is making waves with her distinct blend of blues-infused pop and raw storytelling. Originally from northern Chicago and now based in Los Angeles, Rachel’s music captures the contradictions of chasing dreams in a city people love to hate.
Her soulful, introspective lyrics and moody soundscapes have earned comparisons to artists like Fleetwood Mac, Hozier, and Amy Winehouse. Her ability to merge melancholic themes with captivating melodies makes her one of the most compelling emerging voices in the indie music scene.
We are excited for her first single “nobody likes LA” to debut this March during SXSW in Austin, Texas ahead of her highly anticipated EP.
"I've always used music as a way to process emotions and make sense of the chaos around me," says Rachel. "nobody likes LA is my love letter to this city—the good, the bad, and the completely ridiculous."
Rachel's authenticity shines through in every song, her lyrics striking a balance between biting wit and heartfelt vulnerability. Since moving to LA in 2022, she has immersed herself in the city’s dynamic music scene, finding inspiration in its contradictions and the relentless pursuit of artistic passion.
20K RIO
After meeting at a backyard show in Southern California, Tommy Lloyd and Luke Caro, came together to form the duo, 20K Rio. It became their mission to create a new rock sound that resonated with contemporary audiences, while showcasing impressive instrumentation and technical skill.
20K Rio has the “attitude of an arena-rock outfit, bathed in 80’s synth beats and unhinged guitar solos,” as put by Tate Logan of Idobi Radio. The new sound lives in a “world of gritty grunge” pop, mixing dark and cinematic production with captivating guitar and vocal melodies.
Crediting bands like Muse for their instrumental inspiration all while crediting artists like Justin Timberlake and The Weeknd for their vocal melody/lyrical inspiration, it’s easy to see why 20K Rio’s sound is an oddly satisfying mix of sonic ingredients. That sound paired up with a stellar live show performance, 20K Rio is as fresh and as thrilling as alternative music gets.
Maudlin Strangers
As the brain-child of Los Angeles native Jake Hays, Maudlin Strangers began its inception as a solo indie rock project in 2010.
After a handful of independent releases and curating a band composed of close friends, they signed with BMG/Vagrant Records to release the label-debut "Overdose" EP in 2015, subsequently touring with label-mate Bad Suns across US/Canada. After a west coast tour with pop-trio LANY, they toured as direct support for Cold War Kids on their North America/Canada tour, before ultimately going on a hiatus in 2016.
After a lengthy time away, Maudlin Strangers re-emerges with a new lineup, here to make a mark with their own unique brand of dark indie rock.
"If you’re looking for electro-pop that is darker than most but still sparkles enough to be worthy of a pool party soundtrack, then Maudlin Strangers… might just do the trick" - BuzzbandsLA
