Everyone knows the names of popular music artists today like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, or Harry Styles, but as we enter the new year, it’s the perfect time to take a look at artists that local high school students are listening to that deserve all the attention. 

These artists are up and coming solo musicians and bands to look out for in 2025. They already possess strong followings, but are bound to grow and become household names as their careers continue. Most of them have been teasing new songs that are likely to be released this year—even more of a reason to follow their journeys.

A couple of them are from Seattle while a lot of the rest are scattered around the country. I reached out to see if any of them would be interested in answering a few questions I prepared, and sure enough, I received some beautifully written responses. 

Get to know these “can’t miss artists” now!

Leanna Firestone

Leanna Firestone is a 23 years old based in Nashville, Tennessee. She is an indie-pop artist who has truly remarkable lyricism and songwriting skills. Firestone has gained a following on TikTok within the past few years, and her fan base only continues to grow. Her music focuses on both light and heavy topics such as blossoming romance, family trauma, body image, and so much more in a beautiful, carefully crafted way. The stories Firestone tells through her songs are incredibly genuine and from the heart, and there is a reason why listeners have connected with her music so profoundly.

• Recent Releases: Keeping Score (Single, 2024)
• Popular Songs: Diet Coke, Smitten, Strawberry Mentos

Baby Fisher

Sam Fisher, professionally known as Baby Fisher, is a 19-year-old alternative/indie/rock artist. The pseudonym originates from a group of older kids Fisher would spend time with when he was younger. Being the youngest in the friend group, they called him Baby. His debut single was a song he wrote at 14, and recorded at 15, but Fisher has been writing music since he was 12. With both of his parents working in creative fields, Fisher was raised in a household that supported and encouraged all of his artistic endeavors. Both he and his music are deeply influenced and inspired by artists such as Jim Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan. Everything about Fisher’s music is deeply memorable and unique, and this is only the beginning of this brilliant young artist’s career.

• Recent Releases: Madonna (Single, 2023)
• Popular Songs: Don’t Cut Your Hair, Madonna, Sick of This 

Why did you decide to go into this industry and why do you do what you do? What message do you hope to send to people through the art you create?

• “Pursuing art in search of meaning is an impractical task. I find art is regularly construed as the creation of meaning, however I’ve grown to believe meaning is simply an effect of art—a response of sorts.”
• “And although most of what I create can be chummed up to a feeble attempt at grappling within my own battle for definition, purpose, or permanence—I’d much rather it be mangled into whatever moment of frenzy for which its prescription would be of service.”

Grace Enger

At only 16 years old, indie/pop/garage/rock artist Grace Enger began her music career after receiving a scholarship for the 5-week Berklee Music Program. Now, at 21, Enger is consistently releasing catchy pop songs with extreme lyrical depth. Her music has an almost whimsical, ethereal feel while also remaining powerful and grounded simultaneously. For the most part, she focuses on the struggles and beauty of falling in and out of love. Enger is a master at musical bridges and manages to always nail the meticulous and engaging build-up of her songs. She is coming to Seattle in February on her It’s So Fun Tour and has recently teased some new music that will most likely be released later this year! 

• Recent Releases: The Alchemist (EP, 2024) 
• Popular Songs: The Neighborhood, Think I Wanna See You Again, It’s No Fun

Lovely Colours

Lovely Colours is an indie-pop/rock band from Seattle, Washington and consists of Devin Damitio (vocals), James Rosales (bass), Patrick May (guitar), and Steven Bingham (drums). Indie-pop does not cover the extent of music that Lovely Colours creates. The riveting vocals and spectacular, thrilling instrumentals, especially demonstrated in their most recent debut album, make this band extremely unique and easily enjoyable for any music listener. Lovely Colours is a local band, so if you get the chance, check them out and see them live! This is a group of wildly talented artists to look out for.

• Recent Releases: Dancing With a Ghost (Album, 2024) 
• Popular Songs: Ghost, Heartbeat, Under(water) 

Why did you decide to go into this industry and why do you do what you do? What message do you hope to send to people through the art you create?

These responses are from guitarist, Patrick May.

• “I personally can’t imagine not playing in a band or producing music. It feels more like who I am than what I like to do. Also, my worst fear is reaching the end of my life and regretting not following my passion. I can accept it if it doesn’t work out, but I want to be able to say I gave it everything I had.” 
• “If people take anything away from our art, I want them to also feel like they can follow their passions! Music has given us friends, community, family and it’s just straight up a lot of fun. It’s for anyone that wants to be a part of it.”

Gordon’s Grandon

Harry Gordon Prior—better known as Gordon’s Grandson on his social media and music platforms—is a 20-year-old indie/rock/pop artist. The name comes from a sweet story he shares about playing the piano in his grandfather’s nursing home and being recognized by the residents as “Gordon’s Grandson.” Music was the way in which he and his grandfather communicated when Gordon lost his ability to speak due to a brain tumor. He has incredible range in the music he crafts, and his work is often compared to Duran Duran, TV Girl, and Conan Gray. Although people make these comparisons, Gordon’s Grandson has created something entirely new that is impossible to fit into a single category or compare to a single artist. 

• Recent Releases: Love Me (EP, 2024) 
• Popular Songs: My Lover Girl, My Mother Said, Love Me

Shayla Jasmin

Shayla Jasmin is a 20-year-old college student from Seattle, Washington. She attends Western Washington University and has been making music for years. She tells a story about her first time having a “this is it” moment when performing an original song on a stage in high school. Ever since then, she has continued to work on her music career. She is an indie-pop artist that is similar to artists like Beabadoobee or Clairo, but her songs span a variety of genres and vocal styles that cannot easily be compared. Jasmin’s music evokes a calm and relaxing feeling among listeners while also having an extremely exciting and engaging impact in songs like “Roller Coaster Year.” This is a young artist that is bound to grow even more as she continues to release more original hit music! 

• Recent Releases: Roller Coaster Year (Single, 2024), I knew (Single, 2024) 
• Popular Songs: Roller Coaster Year, I knew 

Why did you decide to go into this industry and why do you do what you do? What message do you hope to send to people through the art you create?

• “I love the aspect of music that brings people together— think concerts, parties, etc. I love connection. That is my purpose in music, to connect people. When I write music, I want to show a little bit of my world in it as it is my outlet for capturing life, but especially it is so that I can evoke inspiration, passion, feeling, and aliveness in people.”
• “That is my truest reward: that others who take a second to listen will let themselves experience what I created and feel more connected to themselves.”